Gypsum is a material widely used in art and construction since time immemorial. It is known for sure that it was used in antiquity for the manufacture of sculptures. Today, gypsum is used in their work by professional architects and sculptors. Each of us can purchase this material at a hardware store for personal needs. Plaster sculptures are easy to make at home without being a professional. detailed instructions and advice on work - especially for you.

The main characteristics of gypsum

In any hardware store you will find gypsum powder or gypsum plasters. The material is made from sedimentary rock - gypsum stone. So varied and wide application in construction work gypsum owes its availability, combined with low cost. Working with this material is quite simple. It is necessary to dilute it with water, after which you can start pouring molds or modeling. Attention: gypsum hardens very quickly in air and at the same time slightly increases in volume (no more than 1%). Prepare the solution at a time, just before you start working with it. The material is able to convey the smallest details. If desired, gypsum sculptures can be decorated with paints and other finishing compounds, and a high-quality imitation of noble stone or metal can be created.

Methods for making plaster sculptures

If you are not a professional sculptor, it makes sense to start working with plaster by making sculptures by molding. This technology involves obtaining finished products by pouring gypsum mortar into molds. Molding is a very easy way to create sculptures, which is suitable even for children's creativity. Children under the age of 12 must be taught by an adult. Alternative option how to make a plaster sculpture - model the desired figure from diluted plaster on the frame. It is convenient to use a variety of spatulas and other tools in the work. What sculptures can be made from plaster with your own hands? The solidified material is quite porous and brittle. But despite this, it can be used to make street sculptures. Gypsum is ideal for creating interior elements and decorative figurines. If you are just starting out with this material, try doing something small and simple in shape the first time. Gradually improving your skills, you will learn how to create real masterpieces from plaster.

Ready made or self made?

For the manufacture of plaster sculptures can be used ready-made forms. They are sold in art supply stores. Interesting idea- use culinary forms, for example, for ice, muffins or sweets. In joint creativity with children, sand molds can be used for casting from plaster. If you couldn’t find anything interesting, try making a mold with your own hands. Simple sculptures (for example, interior columns or large mushrooms to decorate a garden) can be made using household appliances. For example, a mushroom cap can be cast in a basin or bowl right size, and the leg - in the circumcised plastic bottle. Casting molds can be removed from any existing figurines and figurines. Wrap the selected product with cling film. Then cover it with clay or plasticine. Wait for the material to harden, then carefully cut the mold and pull out the figurine hidden inside. Your homemade mold is ready, now you can make plaster sculptures.

Preparing the mold and pouring plaster

The form needs special processing before starting work. Thoroughly coat inner walls petroleum jelly, vegetable oil or paraffin. Pay special attention to small casting elements. Professional sculptors often prepare a special lubricant for mold processing. Take 2 parts of grated soap, add 1 part vegetable oil and 7 parts of water. Stir ingredients until uniform consistency. The lubricant is ready - you can start processing the inner surface of the mold. By no means skip this stage, otherwise you won't be able to pull ready product after it has solidified. How to make a plaster sculpture with your own hands, how to properly dilute the dry mix? It is enough to mix the powder with water to the consistency of sour cream. Be sure to leave the plaster for a few minutes, and then, after mixing thoroughly, proceed to filling the mold. In water for the preparation of gypsum mortar, you can add a small amount of PVA glue - no more than 25% of the total liquid volume.

Product protective treatment

The optimum temperature for drying gypsum products is 16-25 degrees. Sculptures made by molding should be removed from the molds after complete hardening. At this stage, you can sand the irregularities with a brush or a wet sponge. If you are completely satisfied with the shape of the plaster sculptures, leave them for a while to dry completely. The next step is preparing the figurines for painting. Apply a special primer in several layers on the entire surface of the product. You can replace it with PVA glue diluted with water. If you have made a sculpture that will stand on the street, you can treat it with drying oil or shellac for additional protection.

Sculpture decor

After the primer has dried, you can proceed to the most creative part of the process - the design of the sculpture. garden sculptures from gypsum it is necessary to paint the most resistant paints. Small figurines and children's crafts can be painted with gouache. To paint the sculpture that will be in the room, you can use any paints and techniques for applying them. After painting, you can additionally cover the product with a layer clear varnish to fix the decor. If appropriate, additionally decorate the plaster sculptures with decorative elements. These can be individual beads and rhinestones, bows, textile details or special plastic figures.

Follow all the rules for working with gypsum and the sequence of technological steps. Very often, problems in working with this simple material arise when the sculpture manufacturing technology is violated. Be sure to dry the products thoroughly after removing them from the mold, and only after that proceed with their further design. Try different molds to make sculptures. Any small figurines, children's toys and household items are suitable as samples for their manufacture. In the described technique at home, you can make casts of hands. Making sculptures from gypsum is an interesting and accessible kind of creativity for everyone!

Gypsum is a natural, natural, durable, environmentally friendly material. Is it possible to build a profitable business in the manufacture of gypsum products? When opening your business, you need to decide for what purposes the products will be produced, and whether its implementation will be profitable.

The business of creating large gypsum products is more profitable, as it gives more profit than the sale of small piece products: various garden figures ok, souvenirs, figurines, which are not in great demand.

Business idea for the manufacture and sale of gypsum products, can bring its owner a pretty good stable income.

Novice entrepreneurs need to study the following points:

• what production processes are planned;
• what is the amount of investment;
• expected return.

Gypsum stucco is used for external and interior design buildings. For interiors, decorative products are used to decorate ceilings, walls, niches. Most often, stucco is used to create a classic style. Lighting fixtures are decorated with small decorative elements.

Gypsum is considered the most popular and cheapest finishing material. It is durable, aesthetic, non-combustible, fire-resistant, increases heat and sound insulation. When hardening, the gypsum heats up, expands and is able to penetrate into the most inaccessible places of the prepared form. The shelf life of the material is no more than three months. It must be kept in a dry, ventilated area. Gypsum products can be restored and any part can be repaired.

For creative people, gypsum is the embodiment of various ideas and fantasies. Modern technologies make it possible to produce stucco elements that imitate natural stone. This finish gives both the interior and exterior cladding a graceful, elegant, luxurious and cozy look.

The technology for making gypsum stucco is easy to use and affordable. The mold blank is made of silicone, wood or cardboard. Gypsum is poured inside. The form can be made independently or ordered by craftsmen who are engaged in such work. It must be of high quality, since it depends on how the finished product will turn out.

It is best to use a silicone mold. Otherwise, you will have to use liquid oil to lubricate the surface of the table and internal parts molds to take out finished products.

For organization of the manufacture of gypsum products you will need to carefully select the location. A building of a large area, with several rooms, equipped with good ventilation, is suitable. It should not be located in the city, but in the suburbs.

For the production of different products, the required strength of gypsum is selected. There are several brands of this material, denoted by the letter "G" and numbered from 2 to 7 and from 10 to 25.

Gypsum is divided into three types:

• building;
• sculptural;
• molding.

Coarse grinding raw materials are used in construction; fine gypsum is taken for sculptural products. For the manufacture of disposable molds, the most fragile type of grinding is taken - molding. This material has a reddish tint.

For the production of gypsum products, you will need a locksmith and power tools:

• drill with a nozzle for mixing the solution;
• jigsaw to remove excess;
• Sander;
• screwdriver;
• drill;
• Bulgarian.

For smaller workpieces, molding and plastering blades, chisels, scrapers, knives, wooden stacks are used. Tools for working with solid or liquid plaster should be stainless steel or brass. You will also need sandpaper from the largest to fine grit; floor and table scales.

For your business, it is not necessary to purchase expensive equipment, you can get by with simple improvised means. Employees involved in production must individual funds protection.

How to establish sales of finished products to a novice businessman?

There are many ways to realize your plaster products with:

• post photos of products and advertisements on stands or in social networks;
• conclude an agreement with a network of construction stores;
• take custom orders.

If the business is only initial stage, it is recommended to make plaster products of small sizes in the form of various garden figurines, busts, figurines. When some experience in this craft has already been acquired, then you can aim at larger works in the form of columns, statues, and so on.

In our age of all sorts of innovative technologies, gypsum products remain as popular as in past centuries. Working with this material guarantees the realization original ideas, development of creative abilities, getting pleasure from what was conceived and realized.

If it's a hobby, you can always turn it into a business and earn extra income.

That's all, for those who are still interested in business ideas, we made a selection of the most, and of course, do not forget to subscribe to

More recently, in the offices of organizations, educational institutions one could see busts of leaders, famous scientists of the past, writers and poets, and in the apartments of Russians, mainly elephants, pigeons and piggy banks dominated as plaster sculptures.
 But times have changed, spacious apartments, cottages began to be built, new styles appeared in the design of apartments, the attitude towards home sculpture also changed. It has become fashionable to decorate the interior of the premises, as well as to use in landscape design quite large architectural forms(Egyptian sphinxes, lions, etc.). Particularly refined in the interior are carefully crafted figurines made of porcelain, bronze, ornamental stones, and even gypsum with a view of antique bronze, malachite, etc. Sculpture in our time has become a kind of decoration that transforms a residential interior. Various sculptures, both large in size and very miniature, can be made from plaster to decorate the interior, giving it one look or another, which has recently become very popular.

 You can make a lot, ranging from small netsuke figurines, piggy banks, figurines, various souvenirs, busts to more significant things - fireplace surrounds, columns, etc. Various cornices, pilasters, bas-reliefs, columns, moldings, rosettes, friezes, netsuke figurines, figurines, etc.

Technology for the manufacture of gypsum products :
The technology for making simple sculptures is not very complicated. A form is made from any object, into which gypsum is then poured. After some time (30-40 minutes) after hardening, the product is released from the mold and covered with various compositions, special techniques are used to give plaster figures the appearance of ancient bronze, silver, gild, etc. Using special additives, you can give products type of natural stone - granite, malachite, etc. The main thing in this matter is to learn how to make forms.

Tool for the job with plaster must be stainless steel or brass. It is convenient to stir the gypsum with a whorl - a stick, at the end of which two metal plates are attached crosswise. Glue cooker can be assembled from large and small tin cans, inserting one into the other and placing a bracket curved from tin under the bottom of the smaller can.

Gypsum mortar for products is prepared as follows : 7 parts of water are poured into the gypsum plaster and 10 parts of gypsum are poured in small doses, stirring with a whorl. It must be remembered that a freshly prepared solution remains fluid for about 2-3 minutes, loses plasticity after 7-8 minutes and completely hardens after 15-20 minutes.
To give greater hardness to the gypsum model, when preparing a gypsum mortar, gypsum is mixed with slaked lime.
The surface of the finished gypsum product can be given the appearance of bronze, cast iron, wood, marbled, gilded, silvered, etc.
The surface of the product impregnated with linseed oil, previously well dried with a gradual increase in temperature from 25 to 55 ° C, will eventually take on the appearance of “old marble”. If covered with shellac varnish, it will look like "terracotta".
To give the product a “bronze-like” look, oil paints are used, specially selected in color, and they are applied in three layers: the first layer is made light (after drying, it is treated with fine sandpaper), the second layer is made darker and thicker, after drying, the third layer is applied ( liquefied with turpentine with the addition of dissolved beeswax).
Toned surfaces are wiped with a soft flannel powdered with talc, and in places that it is desirable to shade with a mixture of talc and chromium oxide powder. There are also a number of subtleties, using which you can give the surface a look not just “like bronze”, but “like antique bronze”, like an iron casting, etc.
For the manufacture of products, you can use gypsum grade G-10 or eurogypsum. If, in the manufacture of the model, eurogypsum is used and primed with a special composition "Artisan No. 8",
you can get a product that almost looks like a stone.
There are a lot of secrets of obtaining the surface of a model from gypsum of one kind or another, they are described in sufficient detail in the relevant literature.

• Gypsum molds Production costs :
  According to the calculations of specialists involved in plaster modeling, the cost of raw materials for the manufacture of a gypsum column with a height of 90 cm and a diameter of 25 cm will be $ 5 (1 bag of gypsum, 3 liters of primer), the cost of the form - $ 22 (5 liters of dibutyl, 60 kg of PVC or recycled materials) , selling price - at least $55, manufacturing of fireplace parts - from $300.
  It should be borne in mind that the molds serve for 5 years or more, and with repeated castings, your costs will be much lower.
  From 1 bag of gypsum (price - 150 rubles) you can make 30 figurines of Atlantes-candlesticks, the selling price of each is about 250-300 rubles, respectively, the profit is at least 7 thousand rubles.

  Recommendations :
  Preliminary study the literature with more detailed descriptions of the technology, make something simple for yourself, acquaintances, friends. Decide on demand and prices.
  by the most in a simple way to start a business, casting products into finished molds is considered. The durability of molds for gypsum castings reaches 10,000 cycles. The price of the formoplast form is calculated from the capacity of the gypsum solution in it. For example, the “Atlant” mold for the “Atlant” plaster model weighs about 7 kg, respectively, the cost of the plastic mold is $280.
  With detailed description You can get acquainted with the production of plaster products by looking at the relevant books on crafts.
  It is profitable to work under the order, with large orders you can immediately get a tangible profit. Advertise your products and work in the local press.
  
  Profitability .

The post has been changed:

Making gypsum products as a profitable business idea

One of the most common room options is gypsum stucco decoration. Since ancient times, the elements of stucco decor in the room have been considered a sign of luxury, wealth, exclusivity and excellent taste. Historically, gypsum relief stucco was used to decorate window and door openings, built-in niches and other elements of luxurious mansions and estates. Modern technologies for making stucco moldings from gypsum ensure its availability for any buyer.

Unique properties of stucco decoration

Decorative stucco elements made of gypsum are distinguished not only by beauty, aesthetics and sophistication, but also by practicality. On the one hand, a properly selected stucco decoration will emphasize the features and advantages of the interior of the room, and on the other hand, it will allow you to hide shortcomings or errors in the construction and decoration of the room, as well as unaesthetic elements of heat and water supply systems (for example, cracks, joints, pipes, batteries, ventilation grilles, etc.). In addition, massive elements of stucco decoration (for example, columns) will help to divide the premises into several functional areas, visually increase, expand or narrow the interior space, make it more voluminous and embossed.

A modern range of stucco decorative elements allows you to use them for design decoration walls, corners, ceilings, internal door and window openings, separate niches and empty space, additional decoration of elements lighting system(sockets, ceiling lamps, chandeliers, switches, etc.). Gypsum stucco is highly popular in the field of interior design due to the following main factors:

• Ecological purity. Gypsum is natural material, respectively, does not contain toxic and allergic compounds, such as, for example, synthetic decor. Thanks to natural chemical composition gypsum allows air and moisture to pass through, thereby providing natural ventilation which positively affects the psychological and physical condition of a person.
• Durability. Gypsum stucco molding is practically not subject to wear, and when proper care and timely restoration will last up to hundreds of years. Gypsum stucco decoration perfectly tolerates temperature changes, practically does not lose strength and does not shrink the composition.
• Low fire hazard. Due to its chemical composition and relatively hollow structure, gypsum practically does not conduct heat, and therefore does not burn.
• Designer variability. Gypsum decorative products are a huge field for creativity, because stucco decoration can have absolutely any size and shape, even the most bizarre (from regular geometric shapes to vines, sea shells, cornucopias, etc.). At the same time, it is very easy to “revive”, give bright shades to stucco molding with the help of paintwork materials, gilding technologies, etc.

Over the course of many centuries of use, decorative gypsum moldings have proven themselves to be reliable, original and elegant design decoration of the room. As a rule, decorative plaster moldings are used to decorate interiors in classical style. At the same time, decorative stucco molding allows you to create the impression of stylizing a room for historical eras, bringing a sense of harmony, sophistication, and wealth to the interior space. However, now many designers use stucco plaster elements when decorating a room in styles, minimalism, pop art, as well as their combination, which gives the space originality, extravagance, originality.

Stages of making plaster moldings

redevelopment, visualization in 3D, a list of plaster products, from columns to friezes. Stucco design in the interior.

if there is a desire to “revive” the stucco with paints, our artists will perform decorative paintings or Venetian plaster.

Production technology of stucco decorative elements

In the modern decor market, gypsum stucco, as a rule, is an architectural form of the following type: cornices, rods, rosettes, corners, moldings, friezes, fireplaces, brackets, arches, capitals, pilasters, columns, ornaments, etc. Production technology of this stucco decoration involves the following standard work steps:

• development of a model of a future decorative element in three-dimensional graphics;
• molding a design model from plasticine;
• production (based on the design model) of a mold for casting a decorative element;
• ebb of a decorative element.

An exception to this sequence of stucco production is stucco decoration. handmade. Hand stucco elements are made directly on the surface to be decorated using carving technology. More massive and other standard stucco elements are cast separately in special blanks (metal or silicone). Handmade stucco decor is mainly made to order, and its shape, size, texture and other characteristics depend solely on the wishes of the customer.

For example, stucco elements can be stylized as marble, antique, repeat absolutely any texture. In any case, handmade decorative molding will give an elegant, luxurious and respectable look to both the external and internal space of the room.

Plaster molding installation

Features of the installation technology of decorative stucco elements are determined by the shape and weight of the latter:

• Small decorative products made of gypsum- mounted using adhesive bases (for example, PVA glue). Prior to applying the adhesive, the reverse surface of the stucco element must be sanded with sandpaper. Only after grinding, glue is applied to the back surface and applied to the installation site, holding for 2-3 minutes.
• Large moldings- mounted using adhesive mixtures (prepared by specialists immediately before installation) and galvanized screws (prevents rust). Before installing gypsum stucco, the reverse side of the product and the surface on which the fasteners will be made must be wet and treated with PVA glue. After planting the decorative element on the glue, it is fixed with the help of galvanized screws, each of which is screwed in at a distance of 20-25 centimeters.
• Installation of columns and pilasters- the most labor-intensive and technologically difficult process which must be carried out by at least two specialist installers. A column of two parts is mounted, which are glued together with masking tape. Next, the cavity of the finished column is filled with gypsum shavings. Filling should be carried out in stages (filling level no more than 20 centimeters at a time) so that the gypsum structure does not crack or move.
• Finishing and grouting can be carried out 2 days after the main stage of installation. If you plan further decoration of gypsum stucco, then a day after installation, the products must be treated with a special acrylic primer. Acrylic primer will not only facilitate the process of coating the product with paints and varnishes, but also protect it from damage.

Decorative molding

Decorative gypsum stucco in itself is a very beautiful and status element of interior design. However, the modern sphere of decoration allows further decoration of stucco plaster elements. Artistic decoration of gypsum stucco is carried out using the following technologies:

• Toning - involves giving a certain shade to the stucco, which will be in harmony with the overall interior.
• One- and multi-color painting, including gilding and silvering, will breathe "life" into the stucco decoration. Plaster molding will sparkle with colorful tints and mysterious, eye-catching shades.
• - looks especially elegant on gypsum stucco. Depending on the theme in which the stucco decoration is made and the general interior, it can be decorated geometric shapes, landscapes, still lifes, etc.
• Artificial giving the effect of "aging" - looks very impressive in the classic design of the room. Visually worn stucco elements give aristocratic nobility to the interior decoration of the room.
• Giving a given texture (marble, stone, porcelain, metal, etc.) is also aimed at harmonizing the modeling with the overall interior.
• For example, if there are marble elements in the space of the room, then finishing with stucco decor with a marble texture will give a finished appearance stylistic concept.

A huge number of modern paints and varnishes (varnishes, paints, toners, waxes, etc.) allows artists and craftsmen to decorate compositions from stucco decoration elements with various shades of colors and application techniques. In addition, painted or toned stucco elements can change shades depending on the angle of lighting in the room, which allows you to create a truly exclusive interiors that reflect the atmosphere and mood of the owners.

Studio of stucco decoration GessoStar offers a range of services for the manufacture and installation of decorative gypsum stucco products. In the assortment of our catalog of works there are ready-made decorative stucco products made of gypsum (, etc.). In addition, you can order decorative panels, decorations for fireplaces and other stucco elements in the author's performance from us (sketches can be made both by the company's specialists and belong to the client).

GessoStar specialists are familiar with various techniques of hand molding and decoration, in their work they use various types of putty and paints and varnishes. Our professionals of gypsum hand molding will decorate the facade and interior space of any room with exclusive stucco ornaments, bringing a touch of individuality and sophistication.

The GessoStar Studio, in addition to manufacturing stucco decorative elements, is also engaged in their installation. The builders from our company specialize in the installation of gypsum stucco, they are familiar with all the features of its installation and surface preparation for fastening stucco decoration. Casting and installation of GessoStar brand gypsum stucco is carried out by craftsmen with many years of successful experience, which guarantees the high quality of the finished product.

The GessoStar company also performs works on the artistic decoration of gypsum stucco - toning, gilding, painting, artificial aging, stylization to a given texture, etc. Our specialists will select shades and structures of stucco decoration that will perfectly fit into your interior and emphasize its individuality and luxury.

The GessoStar stucco decoration studio offers you exclusive ideas for interior design based on decorating with luxurious and at the same time practical gypsum stucco elements.

Our offer

• a full range of works on the development, production and installation of gypsum elements;
• architectural stucco plaster decor for any premises;
• production of stucco molding from gypsum of our company, as well as according to the sketches of the customer;
• in the presence of an assortment, the manufacture of columns, panels, balusters, decoration of fireplaces, ventilation grilles, and much more;
• decorative painting of stucco molding (patina, gilding, imitation "marbled", "wood-like") and artificial "aging" of the surface;

Skilled design and casting skills based on many years of experience allow us to produce gypsum elements that undergo strict quality control at all stages of production.

Our company has extensive experience in implementing projects of any complexity, which allows us to meet the most demanding requirements and wishes of the customer. Installation stucco plaster decor performed by craftsmen with many years of experience, guaranteeing high quality work.

Do you have any questions? Do you want to place an order?