Polymer Clay Projects

Polymer Clay Projects.

Make a Polymer Clay Covered Pen
By Beth Karp


This is one of the most popular polymer clay projects out there, and understandably so.  It's simple to make while the payback is so satisfying: a beautiful one-of-a-kind object d'art that you can actually use and even refill. Not to mention the pen's new-found chubbiness makes it seriously comfortable to hold.  It's win-win.

The only warning I have is to choose your polymer clay wisely. For this particular project, because it's a utilitarian piece and will surely be dropped on the floor a few times, stay away from regular SculpeyIII - choose Premo, Fimo or Cernit, they've got the durability you'll need.

As for what to cover the pens with, if you do canes, go crazy!  I've never been a big cane girl myself (too lazy) so I just do a mishmash of clays stuck together.  If you check the link at the bottom of the article you'll see a photo of the finished pen; a pasta machine'd mix of gold Premo, Fimo Granite and Transparent Fimo along with whatever scraps I didn't clean off my workspace.  I wad up the colors, shape it into a little sausage, slice it in half, mirror the pieces and roll it into one psychedelic pancake.  The mix of translucent in there gives it depth and the whole mix is very marble-like.  But that was just one pen of dozens I've made (ah, so many pens...so little time).

Another fun technique is to roll the covered pen (prior to baking) in colorful seed beads.  You end up with a very cool result: texture, sparkle and even some girlyness.  Fun!

As always, with polymer clay the sky is the limit on what you can do, so have a great time discovering your inner pen-maker.  I bet you'll be so pleased with your fabulous new pen, it might even take some sting out of check-writing (ok, probably not).  So without further ado, go make a pen!

What You'll Need:

A strong Polymer Clay such as Premo or Fimo

Pasta Machine for making clay sheets

Ballpoint Pens (we like some rubbery Pilot Pens we found, just make sure you get refillable ones!)

How To Make It:

1. Roll clay through pasta machine to make an even sheet.  You can twist up different colors to make great patterns.

2. Measure pen circumference and height and cut a rectangle that size from your clay.

3. Roll the clay around pen casing, join and smooth edges together. Smooth over end nicely, too.

4. Bake.

5. Once cooled, insert pen innards back into newly covered pen casing, screw on tip and voila, you're done.



Flo Karp is owner of the Polymer Clay World website. To see a photo of this project and more great projects, visit our Polymer Clay Projects page. For a full selection of polymer clays tools, clay and supplies, visit us online.  Happy rolling!


Polymer Clay Projects.

Make Polymer Clay

Make Polymer Clay.

Making Polymer Clay Beads - A Fun New Craft Idea the Whole Family Can Enjoy
By Jamie Jefferson


With an infinite range of design options available, it's no wonder homemade polymer clay beads are getting so much attention in the crafting world. Suitable for both adults and children (ages 8 and up), working with polymer clay beads can give you a whole new way of having fun with your kids, too.

What are polymer clay beads?
Polymer clay beads are beads fashioned out of polymer clay, which is sometimes known simply as "Fimo." (Fimo is the brand name for a particular type of this clay, manufactured by Eberhard Faber.)

This polymer clay can be molded into a variety of different creations. Then you simply bake the clay in your home oven to create a hard, durable material that you can drill, slice, sand, and paint to achieve even more creative effects.

Because polymer clay is so easy to work with, it has become a popular way to make your own beads for jewelry making.

Making Polymer Clay Beads

The process of making the beads is simple. Just pinch off a bit of the clay, knead it in your hands and shape it into the form you like.

You can make polymer clay beads in a variety of different shapes, using a variety of techniques and tools. There's no real limit except your imagination, and you can work with the clay over and over again (until it has been baked.)

Molding the clay requires firm pressure, but it keeps its shape well once fixed. It is easiest to work with when it's slightly warm, so if you are having trouble getting it to cooperate, you may want to move to a warmer work area or warm up your hands a bit.

Rounded beads are simplest for the beginner but you can soon learn how to make beads that are square, star shaped, heart shaped or designed to look like tiny animals. Flower shaped beads are also very popular.

To make the beads in different colors, start by choosing from the numerous colors of polymer clay that are commercially available. You can achieve a marbled effect by working with multiple colors at once. Once your creations have been baked, you can paint them with acrylics or even fingernail polish to give them extra gloss and sparkle.

It's easy to make holes in Fimo beads, so you can thread them together into bracelets or necklaces or sew them onto clothes. You can drill holes in the hard beads, once they have been baked. Or you can make holes in the soft clay before you bake your beads.

A toothpick is perfect for piercing holes through Fimo clay once the beads have been shaped. Wiggle the toothpick around to make sure that the sides of the holes are smooth and bits won't fall down to clog them during baking.

You can also use a wooden skewer to make holes in your beads. Carefully push a skewer through the center of your finished bead, being careful not to change its shape. Fill the skewer with beads (being careful that they don't touch each other). Then support the skewer on a baking rack or other oven-proof container so the beads don't change shape during baking. Bake the beads directly on the skewer.

Baking Your Beads

You'll need to bake all your clay creations to make them hard and shiny and to ensure that they keep their shape. You can do this in an ordinary oven on a baking sheet, but follow the instructions on each packet of the product to make sure you get the temperature just right. (If the polymer clay is baked at too high of a temperature, it can emit dangerous gases.) Your beads will be hard and ready to string together into jewelry once the clay is baked and cooled.

The manufacturer recommends this type of polymer modeling compound for ages 8 and up, with adult supervision, because the use of an oven is required, and the product should not be ingested.

Once you have the basics down, experiment with different varieties and brands of polymer clay, each of which has a different level of malleability. You can also get polymer clay in a variety of effects, such as translucent, iridescent, and glow-in-the-dark, to create beads and jewelry that are truly one-of-a-kind.

The author has compiled the latest savings on Fimo and polymer clay here. You can also browse Discount Art Supplies and Discount Craft Supplies and Coupon Codes.


Make Polymer Clay.

Buying Fimo Clay Beads As a Gift

Clay Fimo

Buying Fimo Clay Beads As a Gift
By G. Smitty


Are you naturally artistic and wish to exploit this gift? A few people who are just like you adore clay sculpting. Since sculpting with clay is a broad concept, a good number of those people choose jewelry art works. You could do this as well. Making your own beads is one way of launching your business at an affordable cost.

Creating your beads is possible, now that you can find different types of clay on the Internet. Even so, not all types of clay are ideal for bead making. Fimo clay, which is one type of polymer man-made clay, is just the right one for you. Polymer is made of PVC plastic and other chemicals for making the product malleable. You could pick the other two of types of polymer clay and mix with the fimo. However, as a starter you will enjoy creating pure fimo clay beads at home.

You do not need to buy many expensive tools. On the other hand, if you do not want to perform any clay work at home, you could buy ready-made fimo beads. These are available on the Internet. All you have to do is to visit some of the leading action sites like Amazon. You will get a great chance to read customer feedback and reviews on every product you want. If you simply want to go all the way, your first step is purchasing the fimo clay. Read the product guidelines. In addition, make sure of the following main issues about the fimo:

• Buy only fimo clay product. This is why you should read the label properly
• Avoid buying a product with any toxic substance in it. This is rare with fimo clay beads, but you should always be cautious.
• Are you buying clay for kids? If yes, you really need to take care. Ensure that the product is for kids and it is completely safe.
• Buy from a reputable vendor online or offline
• Request for the tool kit to accompany the polymer clay you want to buy.
• Of course, if low budget is a major concern for you, it is good that you take extra time to find the reasonably priced clay.

Fimo beads are easy to create because you are free to choose different colors of clay. The next thing to do is to make beautiful bead designs. Printing on this clay is a simple procedure, making it easy for you to create any theme you desire. You could create cylindrical, square, rectangular, and other types of shapely beads too. The clay preparation involves kneading and rolling to remove air bubbles and to make it malleable.

This is when your creativity comes into play. You can easily mix different colored clay to make a single bead. When you want to create a better print or shape onto the clay, try using a mold. Once the beads are ready, make some perforations so that you could pass a string through easily after drying. Use a knitting needle or any other sharp object. Before you realize it, you will come up with the most lovely fimo clay beads to make bracelets and necklaces.



G. Smitty is a writer who loves to discuss many topics ranging from fimo polymer clay to professional basketball. Thanks for reading!


Buying Fimo Clay Beads As a Gift

What Is Fimo Clay

What Is Fimo Clay.

Top Tips When Using FIMO Clay
By Christian Garrington


Some days, there is nothing better than kneading clay and making a little sculpture to ease away some stress and tension from the day. FIMO clay is a perfect tool to use. Not only is it therapeutic, but it also is a way to release your inner creativity and produce some nice craft pieces to keep or give as gifts. If you have never worked with FIMO clay before, it is very easy to do. There are a few tips to follow in order to be successful with it right away.

The first thing you need to do when working with FIMO clay is to work it in your hands. The clay works better when it has been kneaded and worked up to room temperature or warmer with your hands. The more pliable the clay is, the easier it is to move in to shapes or add to an existing piece so that it sticks. Take the chunk of FIMO clay you will be working with and take about five or ten minutes to work it in your hands, doing nothing but kneading it back and forth until it is warm and soft.

Another tip to follow when working with FIMO clay is to have a clean surface. When you are working with the clay on a table or desk top, it can pick up any hair, dirt or crumbs left behind. Unless you want those elements in your sculpture piece, you will want to clean the area first. The surface should also be one that won't absorb colour from the clay. Porous surfaces like marble countertops could absorb specks of colour and stain them. Use surfaces that won't be damaged if you are rolling the FIMO clay on top of it.

Have the tools in hand in you want to make detailed designs. In other words, don't start a project and realise you are missing the tools, and then stop with the FIMO clay sitting out so you can find what tool you need. The clay can dry out quickly, especially if you are using small pieces. Keep the tools all together with the clay so that when you work, they are all only an arm's length away and you can access them quickly when needed to avoid drying out.

Another tip for working with FIMO clay is to keep it covered up. The clay will air dry naturally, so if it isn't sealed in an air tight container, then the next time you go to work with it, it might be a solid mass that is unworkable! If you want to keep pieces out to grab in a hurry, keep them covered with a damp towel until you are ready to mould them.

When you are done sculpting, set the clay pieces on parchment paper on a tray out of the sunlight. The tray needs to be where air will circulate and is not damp. Damp air will prevent the clay from drying on its own or could make the FIMO clay mouldy.



Working with FIMO clay or art clay can be quite relaxing. It can help relieve stress and you have a wonderful piece of jewellery at the end. What could be better?



What Is Fimo Clay.

Where Can I Get Polymer Clay

Where Can I Get Polymer Clay
How to Make Polymer Clay Beads of All Shapes and Sizes
By Glenn Tucker


Making your own polymer clay beads can be great fun. With these easy to follow and understandable hints and tips you will be making beads of all shapes, sizes and designs in no time. You can make your own jewellery and are great for gifts for friends and family.

Polymer Clay

This material is made from PVC plastics. It comes in a variety of brands and is all different in density and manageability. Softer clay's are easier to use straight out of the packet where as some will be a bit more stiff. Even though the softer ones are easier, after being baked they will be more brittle and lack strength, whereas the firmer clays can be harder to manipulate but are a lot stronger after baking. For making beads it is best to go for clay that is not too soft or too hard. Gently squeeze the clay before purchase to see which are best for you but do not distort the clay in the pack.

Tools

To start with you need to make sure you have the correct jewellery making tools. It will make creating the polymer clay beads a lot more quick and easy for you. The basic tools are as follows polymer clay blades, needle and hook tool, metal stylus, rubber tipped clay shaper, clay cutters, pasta machine, bead rolling tools, clay baking rack, texturizing tools, wire cutters, crimping tools, needle/ chain-nose pliers and round-nose pliers.

Shapes and sizes of beads

With the bead rolling tool you can create various shapes. Also use your acrylic tray from the baking rack to get flatter edges when making shapes such as the square and rectangle, and it is also useful to use as a clean working surface. For larger, more adventurous shapes then make them by hand, every bead will be different and unique.

Creating the bead holes are normally best made by cocktail sticks, rest them across the clay baking rack when finished so they don't become flat on any sides or ruin the design, especially if they are wet from varnishing and other effects.

Effects and colours

Polymer clay comes in a variety of colours, but don't feel limited you can mix up your own. It is a good idea to have a colour wheel with primary colours on it to help you when mixing.

If you want a marble effect bead, choose the colours you want to mix and that go well together. After warming the clay up in your hands from rolling it around take a piece of each colour and mix together rolling and twisting to create the marble effect you want. When you like the effect take a bit off the marbled piece and roll into a ball shape, then push a cocktail stick through the bead. You can make different sized and shaped beads if you didn't want to stick to just the one shape. Then bake at the designated temperature and time

The pasta machine is a great way to make the clay more manageable and for a flat gradient piece to roll into a 3D cane for cutting into different sizes is just one of the things you can do.

Baking and finish effects

Each type of clay will have its own baking guidelines on the packaging, it is always good to keep an eye on the beads and temperatures vary. If the clay is brittle after baking use an oven thermometer to make sure you aren't baking at to cool a temperature. Translucent clays may burn easier. You may need to reduce the temperature by a couple of degrees.

To buff the beads and achieve a glossy finish then use a buffing wheel or use a grinding wheel, however these can be expensive methods. For a free way to achieve a satin matte finish, just find an old piece of jeans and buff by hand. If none of these options you feel are for you then go for the quick and easy method of varnishing. Paint the pieces with a gloss varnish that is compatible with the clay. A sealer is not always needed but is good for protecting the surface, especially if you have used other materials that are resting on top of the beads such as foil.

There is a large variety of things you can do with polymer clay, don't restrict yourself to just one thing. From adding foils to making animals, there are so many different methods and designs you can create with this fantastic material.



Glenn Tucker writes for a variety of Jewellery blogs and is a big fan of jewellery making websites where you can get a everything you need especially, art clay silver, fimo, charm beads and jewllery making tools.

Where Can I Get Polymer Clay

How To Fimo Nails

How To Fimo Nails.
Fimo Nail Art For Your Nails
By Jesseca Ong


Nail Art is a must have for most woman because woman take every extra steps to ensure that they look good. Beautiful nails play a part in their appearance too. To take good care of your nails is easy, you can go and have a manicure or pedicure done regularly. This will help your nails stay healthy and strong, a manicure and pedicure can help to keep your nails clean too. Of course, if you wish to beautify your nails, you should look into nail art. It costs quite a lot to look for manicurist to decorate your nails and it would be much cheaper to get the necessary materials and do your nails yourself.

Therefore, DIY nail art has actually become more famous in the recent years. Many women now choose to DIY their nails at home instead of paying more for a manicurist to decorate their nails. Look into the market, there are a lot of designs you can choose to decorate your nails, you can even get ideas online on how your design should look like. If you like 3D nail art, you will definitely love Fimo Nail Art. Now, you must be wondering, what is Fimo?

You can google about Fimo Canes and the results will be shown, but let's put it in simple words, Fimo Canes are actually sticks of polymer clay with many designs, you can slice the canes according to the thickness which you prefer and glue it onto your nails to make your nails look beautiful. These canes are also available in various sizes and colours, there are even cute cartoon characters available.

The canes can be sliced using a razor or a simple penknife. After you have sliced the canes, you are ready to decorate your nails with them! Creating designs with fimo art may not be easy if you are looking for creative designs, but if you are looking for simple designs, you can see quite a few examples online. Although the design is simple, it makes your nails look beautiful. Most designs you can find online are fruits, flowers and heart series. If you look at the nail art, you would fall in love with it.

Of course, the designs are not limited to only fruits, flowers and hearts. There are other unique designs like animals, cartoons, stars, snowman, ribbons, cupcakes and many more. You will be overwhelmed by these wide varieties of choices and you will be thinking about which designs you should use for your nails. You can even add glitters and Swarovski stones on your nails to beautify them further.

Most women do not have long nails and they would choose to use acrylic nails instead. Fimo canes can be used on these acrylic nails. If you are wondering what you can do with fimo canes, you might be amazed by the endless possibilities you can do with the fimo canes slices. You can use it for jewellery, hand phone accessories or decoration, home decorations and even for scrapbooking purposes.

In order for you to create simple designs with fimo cane slices, you do not need to be an expert. What you should do is to find out how you can put the slices onto your nails without letting it fall off easily. By doing your nails yourself, you do not only save up your money, you feel proud to even look at your nails because the designs are created by you. You feel a sense of achievement. Try Fimo Nail Art on your nails and your friends will be awed by how pretty your nails look.



Are you looking to find the best deal on Fimo Canes? Visit my website to look at the designs and know more about Fimo Canes!

So what are you hesitating? Visit my website to find the best deal on Fimo Canes for your nails. You will love them!

How To Fimo Nails.

Fimo Tutorials

Fimo Tutorials
Learning To Make Polymer Clay Ceiling Fan & Light Pulls - A Great Way To Customize Your Own
By Ilysa Bierer


Polymer clay is so versatile you can even make your own ceiling fan or light pulls with it. Finding the right color or style is often hard to do, so why not make your own out of polymer clay and get exactly what you want. You can take scrap polymer clay and add millefiori cane slices or rubber stamped designs, you can add glitter, ink, powdered pigments and so much more to achieve exactly what you want. All you have to do is find the right length of chain for your project and embed a few links into the clay by poking a hole at the top of a ball of clay with a bamboo skewer or knitting needle. Fire in your home oven at the recommended temperature of the brand of polymer clay you use (under 300 degrees F).

These small touches can really add to your decor and of course they make great gifts. You can change your style any time you want for a very small investment, in fact under $1.00. This is a great project to try with the kids. Let them make ones to coordinate with their room or favorite color. They can add their own touch and feel great about it. This project would also be great for kids or adult parties, there is little mess and lots of fun!

You can find polymer clay under the some of the following brand names, Fimo, Premo, Sculpey, Sculpey111, Kato Clay, Studio By Sculpey. They each have their own properties with Fimo Classic being the hardest of the polymer clays. Kato Clay and Premo would be the next in hardness, with Sculpey being the softest and least durable. I have had success with Fimo Classic and Premo brands but I recommend experimenting to see what works best for you and your project.



Ilysa Bierer
http://www.polymerclayproductions.com
http://www.emeraldearth.com
http://www.ilysaart.etsy.com

Fimo Tutorials