Preheat oven to 275 °F. Test temperature with oven thermometer for perfectly cured clay. Condition all clay by kneading until it’s soft and smooth or running it through the Clay Conditioning Machine for several passes on the widest setting. Fold the clay in half after each pass and insert the fold side into the rollers first.

Prepare the switchplate by lightly coating the front face with glue. Allow to dry, or apply the clay while still tacky, the glue helps bond the clay and plate together while baking.

After conditioning the clay, roll it out to a #3 thickness on the Clay Conditioning Machine, or 1/8" with an Acrylic Clay Roller. Use stamps, a texture plate, or other items such as lace and woven fabric to impress into the clay.

Lay the switchplate lightly face down onto the patterned clay. Use the Clay Knife to cut around it, leaving a 1/4" allowance around the entire rectangle. Pick up the plate and clay, and apply the clay to the front face of the switch plate. Make sure there are no bubbles. Carefully bring the edges down over the switchplate. Trim off excess clay all around.

Lay the clay and plate down flat on the worksurface, with the back of the plate showing. Cut out the hole for the switch, and poke holes to mark the screw holes with the Needle Tool. Turn over the plate, and smooth any ragged edges with a fingertip. Don't forget to poke the holes for the screws again, from the front

Bake the plate and clay according to package directions, 275 °F for 30 minutes per 1/4 inch of thickness.

After the clay has cooled, rub the Chocolate Brown Antiquing Medium all over the surface of the switchplate making sure to get into all the indentations from the stamps. Use the rag to wipe away any excess.

Allow the plate to dry completely before sanding lightly on the raised surface with wet/dry sandpaper at a 2000 grit. Use with cool water and use to clean up any too-dark areas on the surface. But, don't take off too much. After installing on a wall, you can touch up the screws with red, gold or black paint if desired. Make plug plates to match using this same method, and "pull together" your décor. Faux cinnabar beads (made by rolling the clay tube beads over stamps or other texture items, can be used in decorative ways as well--new pulls for miniblinds, or a decorative pull for a fan or lamp!!!