DIY Network

Light Switch Cover From "DIY Crafts" episode DIC-222

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Light-Switch Cover Figure A Figure B Figure C Figure D Figure E Here are four more light-switch covers that were decorated with polymer clay. Use your imagination and have fun with this project!

Materials:

Basic clay tools*
Brass light-switch cover
Needle tool (large)
Sculpey Premo clay in 2 oz packages (colors of your choice -- red and white were used for the light-switch cover)

*Tools to flatten clay: acrylic rod, brayer, pasta machine dedicated for working with clay, rolling pin, wallpaper blades and water glass
*Tools to cut clay: craft knife, unimpeded edge blades for caning (ripple-cut blades, tissue blades and wallpaper blades)
*Working surfaces: acrylic sheets, baking parchment, ceramic tiles, drafting vellum, file folders, index cards, posterboard and smooth nonporous nonfood surfaces
*Ovens: convection oven, home oven (for occasional baking), toaster oven -- no microwave ovens

1. Roll a #1 sheet to form the clays.

2. Cut a triangle from the red (or whatever color you desire) sheet of clay.

3. Cut a matching triangle from the white sheet of clay.

4. Place the two triangles together to form a rectangle (figure A). Press the edges together to help hold the two pieces of clay together.

5. Fold the clay lengthwise and roll a #1 sheet. Keep folding and rolling the same way. It takes several passes through the machine to get a nice blend.

   Note: At first it appears that you have just created a mess, but don't give up. You determine when the blend is sufficient.

6. Turn the blended sheet 90 degrees and roll a #5 sheet.

7. Pinch up one of the short ends and slowly roll the rectangle up (figure B). Push the ends back into the cane as they spread out.

8. Gently roll the cane on the work surface to seal the outside.

9. Roll the blend into a pinroll. If a lighter color is desired on the inside of the roll, begin rolling there.

10. Roll a #5 sheet from the outside color. Wrap the sheet around the cane to maximize the effect of the blend.

11. Repeat Steps 1-8 for any other color clays you wish to use.

12. Reduce the canes to 1/2". Cut the canes in the middle and reduce one piece of each cane to a smaller size.

    To reduce a round cane:

    • Pick up cane in the middle with your left hand. Place it in the area between your right thumb and forefinger and wrap your remaining fingers around the bottom half of the cane.
    • Now squeeze. Move your hands up the cane and squeeze again.
    • When you get to the top, turn the cane over. Starting at the middle, begin squeezing. Repeat in this manner to end of the cane.
    • Roll the cane on the work surface to smooth it out and reduce it a little more to the largest diameter desired.

13. Roll a #1 sheet from remaining white clay. Roll a #3 sheet from this sheet of clay.

14. Place the brass light-switch cover as a template face down on the clay. Trim the hole for the switch. Trim the clay around the brass light-switch cover, leaving 1/4" selvage.

15. Fold the salvages over the light-switch cover and trim off excess clay (figure C).

16. Turn the cover right side up. Using the needle tool, place the screw holes (figure D). Make an offset for the screw head to fit.

17. Cut thin slice from the canes (figure E). Press the slices onto the layer of clay that's on the cover.

    Note: From a distance, the effect will look like bubbles. This effect is great for a bathroom or spa.

18. Bake the light-switch cover. Allow to cool.

19. Pop the clay off the brass cover.

    Note: Sculpey Premo is strong enough to endure without breakage -- even in a little boy's room!

Baking Clay:

• Check the baking temperature of your oven with a thermometer. Does it bake hotter or cooler than indicated temperature? Adjust the suggested starting temperature accordingly.

• Place a sheet of conditioned clay, rolled on #1, on a piece of baking parchment, an index card or a file folder.

• Place the clay and the paper on a clay-dedicated cookie sheet and place them in a cold oven.

• Turn the oven to 200 degrees for 10 minutes. This allows the entire piece to heat to an even temperature before polymerization of the surfaces.

• When the piece is cool, the polymerization process will be complete. You should be able to bend the piece and flex it a reasonable amount without cracking or breaking it.

  Note: The baking times will vary according to the thickness of the piece. Thicker pieces will require more baking time. Check your oven frequently.

Baking Tips:

• Always bake the clay in a well-ventilated room. There should be a mild plastic odor when it bakes. If it starts to smell bitter, it's probably scorching or burning.

• If you're baking large areas of white clay, tent them with foil -- just like you would tent a turkey -- keep the white areas from scorching. Items can be rebaked. In fact, many of the more complex techniques require several bakings.

• Whenever possible, allow the pieces to cool in the oven. This is especially important with pieces that have a lot of bulk to them. Cracks can appear in the outside layers of clay if large items are not cooled slowly. If small cracks occur, put the items back into a warm oven. The cracks often close on their own.

• If you're baking in your home oven and are concerned about the fumes, there's a simple method of containment:
  1. Purchase two foil roasting pans (the same size).
  2. Line one roasting pan with some file folders or index cards and place the pieces inside.
  3. Place the remaining roasting pan upside down on top of the first pan. Clip them closed with sturdy clothespins or gator clips.
  4. Bake.
  5. When the pans have cooled enough to touch, take them outdoors and remove the clips. The clay will be baked and the fumes won't be inside your house.

Troubleshooting: If a bubble forms between the brass cover and the clay, eliminate it by putting the brass cover with the baked clay back into the oven and warming it. Remove the assembly while it's still warm and place it face down on a flat, heatproof surface with a large heavy book on it until it cools.

Products: Available at art, craft and home-improvement stores nationwide.

RESOURCES :
Polymer clay
Model: S-III-2
Sculpey III

Polyform Products Inc.
Website: www.sculpey.com

The Art of Polymer Clay
Model: 0823002780
Author: Donna Kato

Watson-Guptill Publications
Website: www.watsonguptill.com

Premo Sculpey Polymer Clay, Texture Sheets, Translucent Liquid Sculpey, Oven Thermometer, Sculpey Clay Blades (Sampler Pack)
Polyform Products Company
Website: www.sculpey.com
Polyform Products Inc.
Website: www.sculpey.com

Polymer Clay, Art Translucent and Fimo (AMACO)

American Art Clay Co. Inc. (AMACO)
Indianapolis, IN 46222
Phone: 317-244-6871
Fax: 317-248-9300
Email: catalog@amaco.com
Website: www.amaco.com

Fimo clay (AMACO)

American Art Clay Co. Inc. (AMACO)
Indianapolis, IN 46222
Phone: 317-244-6871
Fax: 317-248-9300
Email: catalog@amaco.com
Website: www.amaco.com

Sculpting in Clay
Model: 0764301136
Author: Dale Power

The Polymer Clay Techniques Book
Model: 1581800088
Author: Sue Heaser
(October, 1999)

F & W Publications Inc. (North Light and Betterway Books, Story Press, Popular Woodworking Books)
Website: www.fwpublications.com

Polymer Clay for the First Time
Model: 0806968273
Author: Syndee Holt
(March, 2000)

Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.
Website: www.sterlingpub.com

Creative Ways With Polymer Clay
Model: 0806917458
Author: Dotty McMillan
(October, 2001)

Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.
Website: www.sterlingpub.com

Polymer Clay: Creating Functional and Decorative Objects
Model: 0873419529
Author: Jacqueline Gikow
(October, 2001)

Krause Publications
Website: www.krause.com

Foundations in Polymer Clay Design
Model: 087341800X
Author: Barbara E. McGuire
(September, 1999)

Krause Publications
Website: www.krause.com

GUESTS :
Syndee Holt
E-mail: syndeeh@msn.com
Website: sdpcg.com
Author
San Diego Polymer Clay Guild