Bubo Making 101

Bubo Making 101:  Making the Mold

Click here to download a print version of these instructions.

Making a bubo is pretty easy.  The most important consideration:  time.  Don't expect to make a latex bubo the day before you plan on doing this in class.  It won't happen.  Give yourself about a week to get this done.  It needs to be done in stages.  


The hardest thing to do is make the mold.  Once the mold is made, however, you can use it over and over again.


Materials needed:

  • Plaster of Paris
  • Plastic Easter Egg
  • Container to mix plaster
  • Cooking Spray
  • Small terra cotta flower pot





Step 1:  Preparing the Positive Bubo


In order to make a mold, you need to have an actual bubo to set into the plaster.  That is what the PLASTIC EASTER EGG is for.  However, it is too light to simply set into wet plaster.  You need to make it heavy.  Mix some PLASTER OF PARIS as per the instructions.  You don't need much for this.  Once the plaster is mixed, pour it into the blunt half of the Easter egg.   Let sit for at least an hour until the plaster dries.  Then wip off the plaster from the outside of the plastic egg.


Step 2:  Making the Bubo Mold


1.  Once the plaster has hardened in the Easter egg, you can prepare the actual mold.  Mix some more PLASTER OF PARIS.  I like to use a clean glass jar for this.  You only need about a cup or so of the mix.  Following instructions on the container (usually 2 parts mix to 1 part cold water). Make sure it is mixed thoroughly, or it won't set right.  Get a dowel rod or something to stir the mix so that all of the powder is thoroughly wet.


2.  Pour the Plaster of Paris into the FLOWER POT.  Make sure it fills to about 1/3 from the top.  Then, gently lift the pot and bang it a few times on the surface of the table to release any air bubbles in the mixture.  Be careful not to splash.



















3.  Take the EASTER EGG that is full of dried plaster.  Turn it over on a flat surface on top of some newspapers.  Spray the COOKING SPRAY over the plastic surface.  This will make it easier to remove from the plaster once it is dry.


4.  Place the EASTER EGG into the flower pot.  The egg should be heavy now so that it doesn't float.  It should stick up about 1/4 inch or so.  Gently bang the flower pot on the table again to level the mixture.  Push the egg down again, if necessary.  If you find it floats too much, add some weight.  A couple of quarters should do it.


5.  Let dry thoroughly.  Depending on conditions, this will take at least 1 hour (maybe 2)













6.  Once dry, carefully remove the egg.  Your mold is now done.  Before you can actually use it, however, it needs to cure for 24 hours.  


















The finished mold:

See Bubo Making 102 to learn how to pour the latex into the mold.

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