How to Make Buttons With Fimo
Fimo is a polymer clay that is hardened in your home oven and takes on the consistency of plastic after baking. The clay is versatile and can be used for any number of modeling projects or other creative outlets. Making buttons from Fimo is a simple way to learn about the clay as a medium and to create interesting works of art at the same time.
Things You'll Need
- Fimo Classic in desired color(s) Plastic rolling pin Baking sheet Cookie cutter in desired button size and shape Craft knife Toothpick Oven thermometer
Instructions
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1
Soften your chosen colors of Fimo by continuously working the clay with your hands. Push on it, pull it, roll it into a ball, and flatten it out again, until the clay takes on a pliable and workable consistency.
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2
Blend the clay with other colors of Fimo if you desire a custom hue. Work the colors of clay together until they form a new, solid color.
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3
Roll the softened clay out on the baking sheet with a rolling pin until it is approximately 1/8 inch thick.
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4
Cut out the shapes of your buttons with the cookie cutter, and peel the excess clay away so that only your button cutouts remain.
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5
Decorate the surface of your button with other Fimo clay in whatever manner you desire. You could form a very small log of a contrasting color of the clay and use the craft knife to slice circular pieces off the log, then press these pieces onto the button to form polka dots. Sculpting flowers or other simple designs and then pressing them gently onto the surface of the button is another idea.
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Poke holes into your buttons with the toothpick while they are still laying flat on the baking sheet. Poke the toothpick through to the surface of the baking tray, then move it in tiny circles to slightly widen the hole and ensure that it goes all the way through the clay.
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Bake your button creations in your home oven. The correct temperature at which to bake Fimo is 110 C (230 F), according to a press release from the company that makes Fimo. Use an oven thermometer to ensure the correct temperature, then bake the buttons for 20 minutes.
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Allow the buttons to cool after baking. The buttons will have stuck to the baking tray, but they can be removed by putting pressure on the edge of the buttons or by gently lifting them with the craft knife.
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Tips & Warnings
Remove Fimo residue from your hands by rubbing them vigorously with cooking oil or petroleum jelly, then wash them with soap and water.
Be careful not to breath fumes from the Fimo as it bakes. Always use caution when working with sharp items, such as craft knives. Items used to work with Fimo should not be used for working with food at any time.
