Although metal morning glories, birds, and fern leaves are beyond my craftiness, copying the faux-weathered finish turned out to be pretty easy. All it took were some inexpensive switchplates from the hardware store; various leftover water-based paints; a can of spray paint; a little paint glazing liquid; a small, clean plastic food container (such as the kind that shredded Parmesan comes in); and a small sponge.

Select three or four colors that please you and that you think will blend interestingly. Because I wanted the switchplates to look like rusted, weathered metal, I selected can of matte rust-brown spray paint, some blue-green housepaint, and a muted terra-cotta orange housepaint. I happened to have leftover cans of housepaint; you can use ordinary acrylic craft paint, too. You can use either plastic or metal switchplates.

To do the project, select a still day when no wind is blowing.

Outdoors, someplace far from anything that you wish not to get paint on, lay down several layers of newspaper.  Set the switchplates on the paper, face up. Spray an even layer of your base color onto the switchplates. Allow the spray paint to dry.

I also spray-painted the heads of the little screws that come with the switchplates.

Mix one of the water-based paint with the glazing liquid in your plastic container. For the effect you see here, I used the blue-green shade over the rust-colored base coat. Follow the instructions; I use a proportion of about 30% or 40% glazing liquid to about 70% or 60% paint, but it depends on the paint’s thickness. Stir well to blend. Dampen the sponge and wring out as much water as you can. Dip the sponge in the paint, squeeze it out a bit, and dab gently over the base paint. You want the base color to show through the glaze coat. To get a rustic effect, you need not apply this layer evenly. It’s OK to let a little more base color show in one area and a little less in another.

Allow this layer to dry. Wash out your sponge thoroughly while you’re waiting and clean your plastic container well.

If desired, apply a bit of these glaze coats to the switchplate screws, too.

Ta DA! Custom-made, hand-crafted deco switchplates!

frugal crafts