Creative Beading

Making Fimo Beads

Beads are the most important materials when creating home made beaded jewelry and obviously they function to make your Polymer Clay Jewelry more beautiful.  As everyone knows, there are wide varieties of beads of differing kinds.  One of the most well liked kinds of bead is the Fimo bead.  How to make a fimo bead is easy, and I’m going to teach you the best way to do it. 

Fimo is formed from polymer clay, and just like other modeling clay, Fimo is man-made.  Using this clay, you can create differing kinds of beads.  Polymer clay is a synthetic product created from polyvinyl chloride and combined with color pigment and plastic.  You can warm the clay with your hands to get it malleable, before hardening it through the baking process.  One good thing when baking is it does not change the size and color of the clay.  When baking, it’s a smart move to use a convection oven.  You do not need to use your regular oven if you’re going to be baking clay frequently you can find ones that are available at your local thrift store for a less expensive cost.  When using ovens and other heat tools it’s best to research Safety Tips in Jewelry Making. 

Malleability, I mentioned this word earlier, this is the most important aspect you’ve got to consider when making handmade clay beads prior to baking.  Another critical aspect of the clay is its suppleness and strength when it is already finished.  They’re available in rainbow colors, so you have tons of color option to choose from, just let you creativity and imagination run wild when making Fimo beads. 

The first step in making Fimo beads is to take approximately one once of clay.  Squeeze the clay and gently warm them by your hands, and roll it into a long thin snake, steadily repeat this process till the clay stretches out, without breaking in to pieces when pulled apart.  Try and manage the clay long enough to help you remove some air that is trap within the clay.  Cut your block of clay into slabs just a bit thicker of the widest setting of your cooker.  Put the cut slab thru the cooker, fold it in half and send thru again. 

In the baking process, most brands bake between 250 – 275F so just be certain to check the directions.  Bake the clay for a minimum of 30 mins, precise time of baking is very important to keep the clay fully fused.  However if you do not heat the clay correctly, you will end up with feeble finished product.  A very vital reminder, don’t breathe in the smoke of the clay while baking, it’s a necessity to use an exhaust fan, breathing in the fumes can be hazardous.  The clay will retain its workability if they are stored properly, so keep them away from direct daylight ; don’t stick ‘em near heat, in plastic bags or plastic containers. 

After that, get your clay; roll it into sheets, in your selected thickness.  You can use a sheet of wax paper for easy cleaning up after working.  You’ll need a sharp cutting blade and you should keep it separately with your other materials for safety.  Use steel weaving needles to suspend your Fimo beads while baking, this can help prevent forming a smooth surface and keeps the shape intact.  You can choose whether you may drill holes in your beads after baking or you’ll make holes in your unbaked clay.

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