It’s time to open my molds, and see how the parts turned out.
This process, takes place about 2 hours after casting. Plaster molds absorb the water from the slip, and the doll parts harden, shrink, and detach themselves from the molds.
In this stage, the parts are fragile like eggshells, so I have to hold them with a feather touch, or they will get crushed.
I open the molds one at a time, and work quickly to cut away the sprues, open up sealed cavities with a scalpel, and pierce holes for the pins with drill bits.
Once exposed to the air, the parts start drying quickly, so time is of the essence here.
But despite the need for speed, I find this to be the most relaxing and enjoyable part of the whole process, because at this point, I don’t need to worry flawless execution. That will come later, but for now, without the pressure of perfection, or the need for extreme concentration, I can just enjoy the flow of my work and get lost in the process.