syndee holt* from Polyform Products' The Sculpey People, shows host Kathi Cardinalli how to create colorful light-switch covers that can be themed to fit any room in the home
(figure A).
Materials:
one 2-oz. pkg. ecru Sculpey Premo Clay (other colors will also work)
basic clay tools such as Sculpey Clay Blade, crafting knife, clay-dedicated pasta machine or something else to make the clay flat (a rolling pin or drinking glass)
brass light-switch cover or pre-tested plastic
Color Box Petal Point ink pad or other heat-set ink
brown craft paint
leaves or other plant material from the backyard
Steps:
- Make a thin layer of clay approximately 1/8-inch thick (the No. 1 setting on a pasta machine).
- Make sure the switch plate can hold up during the baking process. Place the plate on a piece of scrap cardboard, and bake in the oven for five minutes at the temperature required on the clay package. If it does not begin to melt, it will withstand the baking process. Some will take it and some will not.
- Place the switch plate face down on the clay and trim away excess, leaving about 1/4 inch beyond the edge of the plate (figure B).
- Trim out the areas where the switch and screws are to go.
- Wrap the edges around to the back of the plate, and trim off.
- Color a leaf with heat-set ink (figure C).
- Apply leaf to the clay and press with a roller, perhaps a glass jar, to push the ink down into the clay. Remove the leaves.
- A rubber stamp may also be used to create a pattern.
- Take a textured rock and randomly press into the clay for added texture.
- Follow the directions on the package for baking the clay.
- After baking, "wash" the entire surface of the clay with brown craft paint. Wipe/dab with an old rag to simulate a more natural stone surface. Gently remove the clay plate cover from the brass and install.
* This guest has requested that her name appear in lowercase letters.
Resources polymer clay products--Sculpey
Available at local craft or hobby stores.
Polyform Products Inc.
Products available at craft and hobby stores.
Website:
www.sculpey.com
Polymer Clay for the First Time: Syndee Holt
by syndee holt (ISBN: 0806968273)
Sterling Publications, 2000
Order this
title.
Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.
Website:
www.sterlingpub.com Guests syndee holt
Representative, Polyform Products
E-mail:
syndeeh@msn.com
Website:
www.sculpey.com
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