Make your own jewellery/ Christmas tree decorations! (Fimo Modelling Clay)

Member Name: vanillawinegum

Product:	Fimo Modelling Clay
Date:	13/03/09 (290 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very fun, easy to use

Disadvantages: Very matt finish when hardened; need to use special type of varnish

This is a great clay with which you can make almost any imaginable novelty such as Christmas tree decorations, figurines, pendants or other jewellery crafts to stick onto ring bases or hair clips etc.

As well as being very soft and maleable, it comes pre-coloured so there's no messy painting afterwards (which would probably roughen the finish). It is worth investing in a hand-held moulding tool, found in good arts and crafts shops: preferably a piece of wood about the size of a pencil, with a curved end that is flattened on one side. This will enable you to smooth or flatten the surface much more acurately than you can with even the steadiest of fingers.

While you are moulding it, Fimo has a slight sheen to it, but once baked in the oven this disappears to leave a very matt finish. If you have a fairly small oven and your creations are not particularly large, I would recommend setting the heat to slightly lower than it says on the packet - say, 75 degrees rather than 110 - and taking them out after about 20 minutes, as smaller or thinner areas can dry out and crack if too much heat is applied. It is worth bearing in mind that some of the hardening process occurs during the cooling off period (and you can always pop them back in the oven if you find they're not quite done).

If you want to add a gloss afterwards, DO NOT use standard, oil-based varnishes on this clay: you must either use Fimo's own dedicated varnish or another water-based varnish which can be obtained from a specialist art shop. Also, be wary of stationers or craft shops who may advise you to use a water-based glue to achieve a gloss finish - this does not work, and the glue will peel off! Another tip is that varnish can react with superglue if it's applied too soon afterwards, causing a white mark. I have not experimented with how soon after gluing you can apply varnish, but I have not had any problems since leaving several hours between the different applications.

At £1.65 for a small block, Fimo is reasonably priced, especially if you are making small items. Sometimes it can be a bit frustrating if you can't find a particular colour you would like to use, but it's such a fun product that it's almost worth being "forced" to be more creative with what you've got.

Summary: I feel like a kid again!