How to Make Ceramic Lightplates
Ceramic light plates add a traditional Victorian touch or personalized accent to a room. Light plates are simple to change. A screw above and below the switch is all that holds the plate in place. The ceramic light plate starts as bisque clay, which is poured or pressed into a mold. After the piece dries, the light plate pops out of the mold and is ready to paint. Unless you have a kiln in your home, it is convenient to visit a pottery painting studio to make your own ceramic light plate.
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Things You'll Need
- Switch plate
- Sponge
- Pencil
- Paintbrush
- Acrylic ceramic paint
- Water
- Ceramic glaze
- Kiln
Instructions
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1
Count the number of switches on your light plate. Switch plates are categorized by single, double or more switches. Some switch plates have nontraditional shapes, while others are standard rectangles.
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2
Clean your ceramic greenware with a damp sponge.
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3
Draw with light lines your design on the light switch with the pencil. The kiln burns the graphite in pencils away.
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4
Paint your design with acrylic ceramic paints. Rinse your brush between colors. Let the paint dry completely.
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5
Dip the switch plate in ceramic glaze.
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6
Fire the piece in the kiln, following the kiln's directions. A pottery painting shop will fire the piece for you.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Allow children or teens to use a kiln only under close adult supervision.
Allow the kiln to cool completely before opening.
When installing your ceramic switch plate, screw in the installation screw by hand. A drill or electric screwdriver puts so much pressure on the screw that it can easily crack the ceramic plate.
References
- Photo Credit Medioimages/Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images
