Techniques to Try When Using Fimo

Of the various polymer clay products on the market, Fimo is noted for its firm texture, which allows it to hold intricate sculpture designs without falling apart. The clay must be softened before use, and may be too stiff for very young hands, so grown up hands can help here. But it remains a favourite with crafters, for its quality, durability, and range of colours.

What are the popular techniques to try with Fimo?

Sculpting is one method for creating a lot of different Fimo projects. Dolls, figurines, ornaments, and other decorative items can simply be sculpted as one would with modeling clay. The result however, especially after baking, is far more durable than traditional clay.

Bead Creation - An easy sculpting project is a necklace of Fimo beads. It comes in individual colour blocks. After it has softened some, divide the block into smaller pieces. Then simply roll and shape those pieces into beads with your hands, and use a toothpick to punch holes for the string.

After the beads have baked (at 121-135 C), they’ll be hot, so take care when removing them from the oven.

Smooth the beads with sandpaper, if necessary, and varnish them if you would like a shiny finish. Marbling is a method used to combine two colours for a marbled effect. This can make very unique bead designs, with countless combinations. Simply fold and roll two different colours in your hand, until they are well fused, but the individual colours are clear.

Colour mixing blends multiple colours together more thoroughly, to create new colour tones. Canes and Millefiori are two terms for a technique based on the intricate patterns in Venetian glass. The most basic canes are created like jelly roll cakes, with two flat surfaces rolled together to form a spiral.

Two flat pieces are first made from the polymer clay - of different colours - but exactly the same size. These can be flattened by hand, but many dedicated Fimo creators use a pasta machine. When the separate pieces are laid one on the other, and rolled up, they form the classic jelly roll pattern.

After the canes are the desired size, they can be sliced. A popular feature of Fimo canes is that once the canes have been formed, they can be made smaller - even to the tiniest level - and the slices will still retain whatever core design they started with.

Canes can be simple or exotic. Designs can be created with strips of Fimo laid inside another, and rolled up. Once you have tried simple canes, try some of the many books and training videos available about Millefiori work with Fimo.

Cane slices of different sizes can be combined to create jewellery pieces that are uniquely you. All you need is an oven, your fingers, and some Fimo.

Polymer clay is incredibly popular amongst many amateur jewellery makers across the world. It’s also very versatile, and widely available - you can buy popular brands like Fimo from Cooksongold and other stores online. This article discusses just some of the many ways in which this material can be used to form stunning pieces.

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