How to Make a Pencil, Glue Stick and Pencil Sharpener Holder Out of Plaster.

This is about how to make a small stationary holder that sits on your desk or any table out of plaster.

Firstly we need to draw the web of the shape we want to make our mold. The material we use to do this is polypropylene. Make the compass's length 6 cm and draw a circle. Then as shown in the photo draw lines 6 cm apart and place the compass on each of the meeting points between the two lines. The second photo is how it should look. Then use a ruler to draw lines to each point to form a hexagon. Then draw side pieces of the hexagon which go out 4 cm.

Cut the polypropylene with a utility knife and use a safety ruler that is raised on the side which stops you from cutting your fingers by accident and gives you straight cuts.

After cutting out the mold fold the pieces up and tape them together to create a hexagonal prism. Then create a core by cutting out a piece of polypropylene which is taller than the hexagonal prism and roll it up into a tube. Try and make it as good of a circle and possible. The photo above shows what it should look like.

Next is making the plaster and pouring it. To make plaster you need to find a cup about the size of the yogurt cup in the picture above. Once you have found this you need 2 cups of water and 3 cups of plaster powder. Use something to mix it and wait till the consistency is thick but a bit watery. After this pour the plaster into the mold as shown above. Then place your core in the middle of the plaster and lift it a bit off the bottom of the mold to make sure there is not a hole all the way through the plaster after drying. Tape the core to the mold as shown in the photo above and double check to make sure it is off the bottom of the mold and then wait for it to dry.

After your piece has dried, cut out the mold around your piece, and to get the core out hold it, twist and pull. Eventually, it should come out. Your piece will look a bit rough and you will need to sand the edges, bottom, and top, to make sure it looks nice and smooth.

Next mark out circles for where the pencils should be. Make sure the drill head creates a big enough hole to fit a pencil, to see this, test it on some other dried plaster. The third picture is what it should look like. The last picture shows how to make the pencil sharpener holder which uses a circular drill head and creates a chisel for the pencil sharpener to lay in.

Add your pencils, glue stick, and pencil sharpener, and the piece is done. The photos above show how it should look. It is a perfect stationary holder and the weight of it is heavy enough for a paperweight.