How to Make Fimo Beads

By Hanan Ben Lulu

Introduction

In this installment of How to Make Fimo Beads we will learn, in few simple stages, the process of creating Fimo beads. The arts and design however, are on you.
Fimo beads are handmade beads that originally came from South Africa. They are generally made of polymer clay, but they can be created from nearly any kind of malleable material that anyone can purchase at a hobby or craft store. Once a set of beads have been created, they can be used to make many different kinds of jewelry, including necklaces and bracelets.

Ingredients

To make Fimo beads, it is important to assemble all of your materials before you begin. You will need polymer clay (or any other type of malleable clay-like material that may be available to you. You will also need some sort of device to help you make shapes other than a sphere (you can make a sphere with just your hands). A knitting or crochet needle will also be needed in order to make the holes in the center of the beads. Finally, a high temperature oven will be required to allow the beads to harden. Varnish and paint will also be necessary in order to customize your creations. If you have a pasta machine at home which has been collecting dust, a perfect sacrifice is the making of your Fimo beads.

Knead and Balls

First take the clay from the package starting with approximately one ounce. Squeeze and gently warm the clay between your hands rolling it into a long thin snake. Repeat this process until the clay stretches out, without breaking, when pulled apart. Try to manipulate the clay long enough to remove obvious air trapped within the clay. Once the clay is easily malleable, you should divide it into small balls of equal or different sizes. You should make sure that the balls are of equal size in order to create more authentic Fimo beads, but they can be any size that you wish for your own jewelry making purposes. If you managed to get a pasta machine use it to roll your clay out into sheets in your chosen thickness. I usually lay down a sheet of wax paper on my work area for easy cleanup. A sharp cutting blade is required and should be kept separately with your other Fimo bead making supplies. Once your beads have been shaped, you can make a hole through the center of them with the needle you set aside earlier. Simply slide the needle through the center of the bead and then leave it in.

The baking

Now it is time for the baking process. After your beads have been sculpted, hang them in an oven and set the temperature to approximately 265 Fahrenheit. The beads should be hardened in about thirty minutes. Proper baking time is essential to allow the polymer to fuse completely. If you do not bake for the correct length of time your finished pieces will be weak. Once the beads have cooled you can remove the needle safely without jeopardizing the shape of the bead. As a final bit of customization, you can paint and varnish the beads to your specifications.

Some Safety

Never breathe in the fumes while baking and be sure to use an exhaust fan. Store your clay away from direct sunlight and heat in plastic bags or plastic containers. The clay will retain its workability indefinitely if you store properly.
In courtesy of:
* http://www.monsterguide.net/how-to-make-fimo-beads.shtml
* http://www.articleaddition.com/Article/How-to-Make-Fimo-Beads/43586
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