How to Make a Fimo Badge
Fimo is a brand of polymer clay that can be sculpted into badges and other shapes. After it is shaped, it must be baked in an oven to harden it. For a good children's project, Fimo can be used to create individual badges from different clay colors. Kids can even etch their names into the badges before they are baked. After baking, a pin can be glued onto the badge so that the child can wear it or give it as a handmade gift to teachers, coaches or other people.
Things You'll Need
- Fimo polymer clay
- Paper
- Pencil
- Molds, cookie cutters, skewers, or other molding and carving items
- Craft knife
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Oven
- Pin backs
- Glue
Instructions
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1
Plan the design of your badge. Take into account the size and shape you want it to be and what colors you want in the badge. Draw an outline of your design on paper, and note which sections will be which colors.
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2
Prepare the clay by kneading it and warming it in your hands, unless you buy the soft kind that requires no kneading.
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3
Flatten each color of the clay into pads about 1/4 inch thick. You can use an empty bottle or a rolling pin for this step.
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4
Cut each color into the shape it should be according to your design. Cut the clay freehand, or use a cookie cutter or other mold-shaping device on the flattened clay.
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5
Assemble the separate pieces of clay into the design that you created. Press the pieces together where they meet so that they adhere to each other. Pat the whole badge evenly flat, or roll it again. You can use a chopstick or skewer to write a name or inscribe a design in the clay at this point.
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6
Place the badge on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in a preheated oven at 266 degrees F for 30 minutes. Do not bake the badge too long because this will release harmful chemicals into the air, warns ArtsnCrafts-Ideas.com. Follow the baking directions on the Fimo package exactly.
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7
Remove the baking sheet from the oven, and allow the badge to cool for at least 20 minutes before touching it.
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8
Glue the pin back to the reverse side of your badge, and allow the glue to dry. Now it is ready to wear.
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Tips & Warnings
Sand the finished badge with fine sandpaper to make the surface smooth and shiny. Wipe with a damp cloth afterward.
You can varnish the Fimo badge with varnish made for Fimo clay. Do not use other products, such as nail polish, because they might permanently soften the clay.
Make sure an adult performs the baking step of this project. Children should not use an oven unattended.
Bake Fimo clay in a well-ventilated area.
Do not use a microwave oven to bake Fimo clay.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit coloured clays image by Joe Houghton from Fotolia.com
