Fimo Bead Making

Beads are the most vital 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 types of beads of differing types.  One of the most well liked sorts of bead is the Fimo bead.  How to make a fimo bead is really easy, and I’m going to teach you how to do it. 

Fimo is created from polymer clay, and just like other modeling clay, Fimo is synthetic.  Using this clay, you can create different types of beads.  Polymer clay is a man-made product made from polyvinyl chloride and mixed with color pigment and plastic.  You can warm the clay with your hands to get it malleable, before toughening 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 is advisable to use a convection oven.  You don’t want to use your regular stove if you’re going to be baking clay regularly you can find ones that are going to be 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 discussed this word earlier, this is the most vital aspect you have got to consider when making handmade clay beads before baking.  Another crucial aspect of the clay is its suppleness and strength when it is already completed.  They are available in rainbow colors, so you have lots of color option to make a choice 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, continuously repeat this process until 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 in the clay.  Cut your block of clay into slabs just a bit thicker of the widest setting of your stove.  Put the cut slab thru the stove, fold it in half and send thru again. 

In the baking process, most brands bake between 250 – 275F so just be sure to check the directions.  Bake the clay for no less than 30 mins, actual time of baking is critical to keep the clay absolutely fused.  However if you don’t heat the clay properly, you will end up with feeble finished product.  A very vital reminder, do not breathe in the smoke of the clay while baking, it is necessary to use an exhaust fan, breathing in the smoke can be dangerous.  The clay will retain its workability if they are stored properly, so keep them away from direct sunlight ; don’t store them near heat, in plastic bags or plastic boxes. 

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