Premo Sculpey
How to make Fimo beads by Laura Vryhof
Clay beads are a ton of fun and so incredibley easy to make. This is a fun project to do with your kids. Let your imagination go wild, the possibilities are endless. These beads are great for adding a personalized touch to a one of a kind piece of jewelry, use them to embellish anything from a lampshade to a bookmark. Clay is a surprisingly durable and long lasting medium for many types of craft projects.
Things you will need to make Fimo beads:
Polymer Clay: Brands include Fimo, Premo! Sculpey or Sculpey III.
Molds: You can form circular beads by hand or there are many molds available for purchase online or in craft stores that you can use to form Fimo beads.
A pasta machine: This tool is used to flatten and condition the clay. You can also use it to mix different colored clays to create interesting color patterns in the piece you are creating
A knitting needle or kitchen skewer: Can be used to put holes in the beads.
Bead baking rack: When you are ready to make a larger number of beads, this is the tool to have.
An oven: Your clay beads will be heated in order to harden them enough to wear. A toaster oven works fine for this.
Sandpaper: Fine grit sandpaper works best to smooth your beads.
Paint and varnish: To decorate your beads.
To make Fimo beads:
1. Condition the clay. Knead the clay until it is soft, pliable and free of air bubbles. Several passes through a pasta machine does a great job of this.
2. Create custom colors. Clay can be mixed to create swirls of color.
3. Form the bead. Create shapes by hand or with molds. Use clay canes which you can purchase at most craft stores. A cane consists of a tube shape with a pattern embedded into it which can be cut into slices and then shaped.
4. Add a hole to string your bead using a knitting needle or kitchen skewer (a toothpick might work for this, too). It helps to rotate the tool as you pierce the clay.
5. Heat your beads Most types of clay need to be baked between 250 and 275F for at least 30 minutes.
6. Smooth your beads. When your beads are cool, use fine sandpaper to smooth any rough edges.
7. Decorate your beads. Paint your beads as desired.
8. Varnish your beads. Varnishes made for clay will enhance and protect your beads.
Many polymer clays are considered non toxic but care should still be taken around children.
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