Introduction: Custom Switch & Outlet Covers

About: I enjoy crafting and am always tinkering with something. I really love to work on my 1" scale doll house and the things that go inside of it.

I decided to customize my switch and plug covers using Alcohol Inks. It is easy and fun to do an now two come out exactly the same. If you want a matching set for a room, which I did for my kitchen, its best to lay out all the covers you want to do at once and repeat each color and area one step at a time on each cover so they look the same. They will look the same color wise but like I said, no two will be exactly the same! I included a picture of some I have done in the past.

Supplies

YOU WILL NEED:

  • Bottle of Rubbing Alcohol
  • Small Spray Bottle
  • Small Plastic Bottle with small tip
  • Light Switch & or Plug Covers

In the picture with the numbers, the items are listed next:

  1. Fingertip Rubbers or (rubber gloves if you prefer)
  2. A Stamp block with Velcro glued on and small squares of white felt
  3. Q-Tips (maybe a toothpick)
  4. A Straw (maybe a paintbrush)
  5. An old cookie sheet or other tray
  6. A Rag

Not pictured is a can of clearcoat to spray finished piece

Step 1: BEFORE WE BEGIN

FIRST: Put the fingertip protectors or rubber gloves on.

SECOND: Spread your rag over the tray and lay your piece or pieces on the rag.

THIRD: Choose your colors, shake well and remove lids from bottles of Alcohol inks.

Step 2: GET CREATIVE

FIRST: Take the stamp and stick small square of felt to it and saturate felt with rubbing alcohol.

SECOND: Rub the felt all over the cover, work kind of quick

THIRD: Start dropping drops of alcohol ink onto cover, watch how it spreads out when it hits the rubbing alcohol

FOURTH: You can add multiple colors and pick the plate up and rotate it back and forth to spread color or you can use the straw to blow the colors around. Use the plastic bottle with small tip to drop drops of rubbing alcohol where you want to add the ink as this is what makes it fan out.

FIFTH: Continue alternating rubbing alcohol and adding your colors manipulating it until you are happy with the way it looks. Try holding spray bottle about 4 inches from cover and give a quick squirt, it gives a nice effect. Use your imagination and have fun! When done, spray with a clear spray and let dry.

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