Plaster Bandage Molds
Some molds you make you might want to reuse. On the other hand, you might want to make a temporary model out of clay, which you just peel off the finished candle and discard. Gauze, a type of plaster that doctors use to make casts for broken bones, is also good for making your own models. (I learned about this from doing mask workshops where we used the material to form masks right on the faces of the participants.) You wet the plaster bandage material and then use it to form a shape. You can either wrap it around an existing object, leaving a hole through which to pour the melted wax, or create a freeform shape (also leaving a hole). To use a plaster bandage for a two-part mold, wait until your form is thoroughly dry and then, using a sharp knife, slice it down the center, either vertically or horizontally. Proceed with the candlemaking process as described for two-part molds.

