Clay Light Switch Cover

Materials:

Sculpey Premo silver and gold clay - one, two-ounce package of each
PearlEx powder - copper
small chisel texture tool
brass light switch cover
circle cutter - 1-1/2 inches in diameter - or circle pattern cut out of paper
Sculpey Glaze
pasta machine or roller
Sculpey clay blade
black acrylic craft paint
key
clay shaper

Steps:

1. Condition the silver clay and roll out using the #3 setting on the pasta machine. Lay the brass face down on the clay and trim around the edges, leaving 1/4 inch selvage.Wrap the selvage around the back edges of the plate and trim off. Trim out the hole for the switch. Poke holes for the screws.

2. Use the circle pattern or cutter to center over the switch area and trace or lightly emboss into the clay. Fill this area with texture from a key.

3. Roll the conditioned gold clay into very thin coils or ropes. Lay a rope of this clay around the circle. Create the look of petals around the circle with the ropes of gold clay (figure A). Lightly press the coils into place.

5. Texture the background of the clay and between the petals with the tapered end of the texture tool or with the end of the key.

6. Apply the PearlEx to the petals with a clay shaper, as if using a regular paint brush (figure C). Bake on the plate and allow to cool. Pop or peel the clay portion from the original brass light switch cover. Mix black paint liberally with water. Wash the cover with the pain and water mixture (figure D). Wipe the surface lightly to remove excess paint. Seal the entire cover with a light coat of Varathane or Sculpey glaze.

• Lay the gold ropes in the petal pattern completely before pressing them into the background clay. Make sure you are pleased with the overall pattern first.
• Experiment with lots of patterns and textures. Kids usually have an endless supply of great texture tools.