Grapevine Switch Plate

Marie Redmond

Learn to make this decorative switch plate.

Getting Started

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.

Step 1

Condition Pearl clay and run through Clay Conditioning Machine at #1, #3, and #4 setting. (#1 being the thickest)

Step 2

Add thin coat of Weldbond to switch plate.

Step 3

Place Switchplate on sheet of Pearl clay.

Step 4

Using Needle Tool trim around switch plate, leaving extra ¼" border.

Step 5

Fold up border over edge and trim with Super Slicer blade.

Step 6

Turn over and cut out holes using the Clay Knife.

Step 7

Imprint design with rubber stamps.

Step 8

Add Pearl-Ex powder by rubbing on with finger. (Interference Green)

Step 9

Making Leaves: Mix Blue Pearl with Gold creating an olive color. Put through Clay Conditioning Machine at #2 setting.

Step 10

Cut out leaves using cutter. Add veins using the Needle Tool. Roll thin snakes for vines. Form into curls for tendrils.

Step 11

Using Translucent Liquid Sculpey, add leaves and vines to switch plate in an interesting pattern.

Step 12

Add a little "Duo Green-Yellow" Pearl-Ex powder to leaves and vines to add a nice shimmer.

Step 13

Grapes: Mix small amounts of Premo Pearl, Fluorescent Green and Cadmium Yellow Hue for ‘green grape’ color.

Step 14

Roll tiny balls of green grape color to create clusters of grapes.

Step 15

Add grapes to Switch plate with Translucent Liquid Sculpey.

Step 16

Add a little "Pearl" Pearl-Ex powder to grapes.

Step 17

Bake in oven at 275 °F. for 25 minutes. Let cool. Optional – brush on a coat of Studio by Sculpey Glossy or Satin Glaze to seal in the Pearl-Ex powders.