Instructions for Fimo Beads
Fimo is a polymer clay, a plastic modeling compound that may be cured in a home oven. Fimo clay comes in 24 colors, and can be blended to make more colors and shaped in fine detail. It is good for making jewelry because the finished objects are light and durable. Fimo bead designs range from simple round beads to complicated and artistic pieces, all made with the same basic tools and techniques.
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Things You'll Need
- Fimo clay in desired colors
- Smooth work surface
- Pasta machine (optional)
- Tissue slicing blade or double-edged razor blade (optional)
- Round toothpicks or tapestry needle
- Baking sheet covered with foil or parchment; or small, oven-safe glasses or bowls
- Oven or toaster oven
- Clear gloss varnish (optional)
Instructions
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Basic Polymer Clay Beads
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1
Condition the Fimo clay by kneading it until it is soft. If you are not able to knead by hand, you can condition the clay by repeatedly running it through a pasta machine you use only for clay.
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2
Pinch off pieces of clay in the size you want your beads to be. For evenly-sized beads, roll the clay into a rope, then use the tissue slicing blade or double edged razor blade to divide the rope into equal lengths.
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3
Roll each piece of clay into a neat ball on your smooth work surface.
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4
Pierce a hole in each bead with your toothpick or needle. Pierce from each side to ensure an even hole.
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5
Place your beads on the foil- or parchment-lined baking sheet. If you want to be careful to preserve the shape of the bead, leave it on the needle you used to pierce the hole, and suspend it over an oven-safe glass or bowl.
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6
Bake the beads at 230 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes. Do not overbake.
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7
Paint the cooled beads with clear gloss varnish, if desired.
Options for Embellishing Beads
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8
Knead two or more colors of clay together, incompletely, for a marbled look to your bead. Once the clay is mixed to your satisfaction, proceed as for a basic bead.
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9
Roll very small pieces of clay into dots or stripes and apply them to the surface of a bead as decorations. Press them into place, then gently roll the bead around to set them in.
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10
Use the toothpick or your fingernails to score lines into the bead, or pinch the bead into shapes other than round.
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Tips & Warnings
Store leftover Fimo clay wrapped in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. If kept away from air, it can be stored for months or years. Fimo that feels hard can be conditioned again and reused.
While Fimo is nontoxic, tools used for Fimo should not be used for food. If you plan to make beads regularly, you should buy a separate toaster oven for baking beads.
