An overview : prototypes and molds -- Designing, creating, and using -- Tools & materials : Tools -- materials -- supplies -- equipment -- safety -- Plaster : Types -- Absorption rates -- Consistency -- Amounts -- Mixing -- Pouring -- Frosting -- Plaster prototypes -- Mold soap and other separators -- Storing -- Featured artist : Anne Kraus: a conversation with the materials -- One-piece molds : Handmade clay prototypes -- One-, two-, and three-template clay prototypes -- Footed forms -- Cups and saucers -- Plaster prototypes -- Featured artist : Tom Spleth: cups and only cups -- Multiple-piece molds : Making -- Handles -- Spouts -- Pitchers -- Tiles -- Lidded forms -- Hollow-cast feet -- Fruits and vegetables -- No-model molds -- Complex molds -- Master molds : Advantages -- Plaster masters -- Rubber masters -- Featured artists : Donna Polseno and Richard Hensley: slip casting in production -- Slip formulation : Deflocculation -- Types of slip-casting clay bodies -- Mixing equipment -- Mixing -- Specific gravity -- Viscosity -- Mixing wet and dry scraps -- Mixing large batches -- Featured artist : Richard Notkin: evolution is not an option -- It's essential -- Casting : Preparing slip -- Preparing molds -- Casting -- Removing castings -- Handling wet castings -- Assembling cast parts -- Drying castings -- Preparing castings for firing -- Firing -- Troubleshooting : Broken molds -- chipped molds -- "Plaster disasters" -- Troubleshooting guide.