Polymer Clay Crafting

PootleFlump_3

Thinking of dabbling with polymer clay. Never used it before so wondered if anyone could tell me if its messy and/or difficult to use. Also, if anyone does use it and has a blog could you give me your blog address as Im keen to have a look at what other people do with it and to get some tips. Im thinking of making novelty/coloured buttons with it.

LJM

ive made some love heart beads with polymer clay they turned out quite well for my first attempt, i dont class the clay as messy or difficult i always loved plastercine when i was little and that is probably why i like the clay now lol

thisuseridistakenagain

I've had a go, its fiddly but fairly easy if you take your time. the fimo is firmer than I thought though, and takes a bit to warm up and 'work' to get it softer to use. but if you take your time, its a really rewarding little hobby.

I chat to a girl on youtube from pincstuff.com she makes some gorgeous foodie things. They are fairly easy to make yourself. i started with a donut and piece of cake.

i think for buttons you would make a roll and slice it into pieces, you could try a polymer clay fruit cane (search google for a look at some really good ones) where you roll colours together in a cane (like making rock with a name in it) then slice it to look like slices of kiwi, or orange etc. there are some youtube tutorials on that and it seems really easy but effective.

pointofnoreturn

PootleFlump wrote: »

Thinking of dabbling with polymer clay. Never used it before so wondered if anyone could tell me if its messy and/or difficult to use. Also, if anyone does use it and has a blog could you give me your blog address as Im keen to have a look at what other people do with it and to get some tips. Im thinking of making novelty/coloured buttons with it.

I've made some fimo cupcakes, donuts, slices of cake and eclairs and used them on jewellery as charms.

It's easy to work with and not at all messy. I use a large wall tile which keeps the clay cool and is nice and flat to work on. I also bake it on this tile.

You can look at my whatsit and use the search bit to look for fimo - should be there;) - you are already a follower!!!!

kitschkitty

http://glassattic.com/ more info than you can shake a stick at!

LJM

kitschkitty fantastic link you are right loads of good info will take a while to read through

Tamster150

Pootle do you mean the Fimo type stuff??
You need to warm it up to make it softer, I used to put it near (not on) a radiator & then knead it. Some colours are worse than others. The semi-transparent was really good for adding to colours that had been opened a while & gone a bit crumbly and/or hard. There is now Fimo "soft" so that may be easier to work with but I don't know if the finish is any different.

I used to use a cocktail stick to add tiny details like eyes, then smooth over the hole. I made animal brooches mainly, teddies, piggies etc. Did buttons once too.

Sold it all at a carboot last year as I hadnt touched it for years and now wish I hadn't!

PootleFlump_3

Tamster150 wrote: »

Pootle do you mean the Fimo type stuff??
You need to warm it up to make it softer, I used to put it near (not on) a radiator & then knead it. Some colours are worse than others. The semi-transparent was really good for adding to colours that had been opened a while & gone a bit crumbly and/or hard. There is now Fimo "soft" so that may be easier to work with but I don't know if the finish is any different.

I used to use a cocktail stick to add tiny details like eyes, then smooth over the hole. I made animal brooches mainly, teddies, piggies etc. Did buttons once too.

Sold it all at a carboot last year as I hadnt touched it for years and now wish I hadn't!

Thanks everyone for your comments.

Tamster, yes it was the fimo type stuff I meant. Never thought about using cocktail sticks, will work nicely for the button holes. Shame you got rid of all your stuff, would have loved to have seen piccies. Thanks again.

jess444_2

I know this thread is a little old, but just ordered some Fimo and I am really keen to have a go. Thank you to Kirshkitty for great link.

Jess

betterlife

hi op i love polymer clay, there are lots of different types so when you decide the kind of things you would like to make do a quick search on `fimo` it will tell you which one would suit your craft idea`s, what i mean is some are softer than others, so are perfect for making dolls with etc. ive used it for many thing like sculpting miniature dolls for dolls houses heres one http://www.flickr.com/photos/clairsminis/4655652540/in/set-72157624523789600/ there is may others on my flickr photostream take a look, heres some miniature food ive made an autumn scene, the handmade stand was made about the size of a 10p piece http://www.flickr.com/photos/clairsminis/4778328432/in/set-72157624399143279/ and heres a little bear he`s about 3cm tall, sculpted from fimo then i pain stakenly cut tiny bits of fur from an old bear and glued on http://www.flickr.com/photos/clairsminis/4777700683/in/set-72157624523798536/ heres some fimo buttons ive made http://www.flickr.com/photos/clairsminis/5360752083/ and heres a micro teaset http://www.flickr.com/photos/clairsminis/5360751023/ if you need any help feel free to pm me hth

Bitsy_Beans

OMG betterlife your bear is amazing!

I had fimo years ago and stupidly never did anything with it and it's gone past it's date now and too hard to work with. Where's the cheapest place to get it from as I've always fancied having a go