Enameled Light Switch Cover

Materials:

copper light switch plate
copper plated screws
cloisonné wire in copper
powdered enamels
Klyr-fire adhesive
flux transparent enamel
ammonia and water mixture
sulfuric acid (pickle bath)
soap
pumice
ferric chloride acid for etching
paint pen
masking tape
respirator/mask
kiln
pliers
wire cutters
sifter with handle
paintbrushes
paint tray for enamel
small spoon
old magazine paper
glass of clean water
brass brush
alundum stone
spray bottle
paper towels
container for pickle (slow cooker)
kiln tools: trivet and screen, firing fork, tweezers
acid tools: ferric chloride acid, tongs, and container with lid
safety glasses
rubber gloves

1. Have a drawing or a design idea already drawn out to the same size as the light switch plate (figure A).

2. Clean the copper switch plate with an ammonia water solution, pumice and a brass brush.

3. With a paint pen, draw lines along the edges of the switch plate in the design for etching. Let dry (figure B).

4. Cover the back and front of the switch plate except the edges to be etched with masking tape. Use a craft knife or sharp blade to trim away excess tape (figure C).

5. Put on safety glasses, safety gloves and a mask, then put the switch plate into a bath of ferric chloride acid. Leave it in for five to eight hours.

6. Remove the switch plate from the acid, remove the tape and clean the metal with ammonia water, pumice and a brass brush (figure D).

7. Put on a mask or respirator then brush Klyr-fire onto the back of the plate. Sift counter (blue) enamel onto the backside of the plate (figure E). Then brush Klyr-fire and sift the flux (appears white) on the front of the plate and put the plate onto a trivet (figure F).

8. Place the switch plate in the heated kiln until dry. Steam will rise as it's drying.

9. Fire three to four minutes in the kiln. Remove from kiln and cool.

10. Cut and bend copper wire with pliers into square and rectangular shapes following the drawn design.