Great fun for adults and kids alike (Fimo Modelling Clay)

Member Name: Nichelette

Product:	Fimo Modelling Clay
Date:	09/11/08 (255 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Not too expensive, stimulating for kids

Disadvantages: Can get fluffy if you aren't careful

I'm a bit of a kid at heart, and there is nothing I love more than playing with art & craft materials. Fimo is one of my favourites, and is also a bit more 'adult' than bringing out the play doh....

So, what exactly is fimo?

Fimo is a brand of modelling clay made by the German company Eberhard Faber. I personally buy it in small coloured blocks, but you can also buy in larger neutral colour packs if you prefer to model dolls and so on.

A standard size block weighs 56g and comes in a 5.5 x 5.5cm square pack. I buy mine for £1.65 a block from Clarkes Stationers. Fimo is available in five different varieties, these include:

Fimo Classic - This was the first variety of fimo on the market, and comes in 24 different basic colours

Fimo Soft - This is what I tend to buy, it is a bit softer than fimo classic, and it is possible to blend different colours of fimo soft to create new colours. Fimo soft is also available in 24 different colours, these tend to be a bit brighter than you find fimo classic in.

Fimo Effect - This line runs in additon to fimo soft and classic, and features fimo with a little twist. Fimo effect comes in five different varieties, and colours include those which contain glitter, go translucent when cooked, and some are metallic. There is also a 'nightglow' colour which is fluorescent, and 'stone' effect colours.

Fimo Liquid - This deco gel is basically a liquid version of fimo. It is transparent and very flexible. It is also possible to colour the liquid by adding oil or power paints. I have also added food dye to this successfully. This is particularly good for things where you need a runny finish, for example, if you make a sundae out of fimo, you could colour a little bit of this and let it run over the top to be the 'sauce'.

Puppen Fimo - This fimo is available in four types of different flesh type colours. It is sold in much larger 500g blocks, and has been manufactured specifically for modelling dolls and figurines.

If you would like a greater selection of colours, it is also possible to buy fimo in kits which contain 25g half blocks. You can choose a set of 10 colours, or go for the full 24 if you'd like a bit of every colour. Aletrnatively, fimo offer a basic set which contains 9 25g half blocks, 1 bottle of gloss varnish, 1 modelling tool, and 1 work pad.

Other smaller sets which contain everything you will need to make the specific project include starter sets (called fits for kids, though this would be an equally good place to begin for an adult with no modelling experience), jewellery sets more specifically for adults, animal sets for kids, and jewellery sets for girls.

You can use various different modelling tools with fimo, or equally you can just use your hands. I personally only use a small craft knife to cut bits off when I need them. As I have already mentioned fimo is great fun to use and ideal to entertain kids, however if you are a bit more serious about your masterpiece you need to be careful that you are working in a clean area as this stuff attracts fluff very easily. This isn't great when you are working with white or other light colours.

Also, again if you are particularly serious about your sculpture, when changing colours it is advisable to wash your hands (and make sure that you do it properly). I find that if I don't do this I will find bits of the previous colour in whatever I'm working on. This can lead to you spending ages in the bathroom and eventually having quite dry hands if you're anything like me, particualrly if you are using a wide variety of colours. If you have had your fimo for along time it might be slightly hard and more of a challenge to shape, however Eberhard Faber does sell a fimo softener which is perfect to use in these cases.

If you are a bit artistically challenged a range of fimo (and sculpey, a similar rival product) moulds are available. Both ranges have a large selection of flexible push moulds in a range of styles. Themes include flowers, animals, and so on. You quite simply push the fimo into the mould, push it out, and hey presto, you have a perfectly formed flower/whatever. Then you just need to stick it in the oven.

Once you've finished creating your work of art you simply place it on a baking tray (I always put some foil on the tray first) and 'cook' it for 30 minutes at 110 degrees c, or 230 farenheight. When you take it out of the oven it will be warm and slightly plyable, but one it has cooled down it will be completely solid. If you so desire it is possible to bake jewellery findings (such as head and eye pins) into your fimo. I've done this before and had no problems. It is also possible to paint fimo once it has cooled, acrylic paint is best for this in my experience.

When all baking and painting has been completed it is possible to coat the object in a layer of gloss. Glosses are available from various manufacturers in satin and high gloss finishes. Personally I prefer sculpey gloss as it dries considerably faster than fimo gloss. There are lots of jewellery findings for sale, and you can even make a snow globe using fimo products.

To go off on a bit of a tangent, I did read in the Guardian last year that play doh is actually a really good present to give children as not only is it fun to play with, but apparently it also aids their development somehow. Being quite a similar product, I imagine this is true of fimo too.

You can find some hints and tips here:

http://www.eberhardfaber.com/creative_tips_FIMO.E BERHARDFABER?ActiveID=97292

All things considered, I think fimo is a great 'toy' for adults and children alike, and will keep you entertained for hours. It's possible to make almost anything from this stuff, and some people can make some real masterpieces from it. One person particualrly sticks in my head, but I won't post a link here in case it isn't allowed.

Summary: Go buy some today!