What Are Fimo Bead Or Polymer Clay
Beads have a lot of versatility to offer in terms of components, colors, and textures. It transcends from just a singular piece of element to a beautifully crafted pieces of jewelry. Exploring its possibilities of making it into neckpieces, bracelets, and earrings is an exciting and fun thing to do for any artisan like you.
To start off, let’s explore the components of a Fimo bead. It is made of polymer clay that can be transformed into beads of different colors and sizes. You can design your own or customize it to your customer’s fancy. You just have to know the techniques in making inexpensive but beautiful fimo beads. Learn how to make fimo beads by watching at these video tutorials.
It’s interesting to note however that in the 1930’s, Kathe Kruse discovered an alternate plastic modeling compound that can be used for her doll factory. However, it did not materialize and she then handed over to her daughter Sophie Kruse, fondly known as “Fifi”.
It was then sold to Eberhard Faber and is now popularly known as FIMO or FIfi’s Modeling compound. Thus, came about FIMO, another form of polymer clay used for sculpting, caning, and beading among all other things that can be used for any arts and crafts materials.
How Are Fimo Beads Made
Because of Fimo beads versatility, it is widely used and accepted in the crafting community as a crafting material that has an endless possibility of bringing beautiful jewelry pieces.
With the use of a Fimo or polymer clay and baking equipment coupled with a lot of hard work and imagination, Fimo beads can be made. Fimo or polymer clay can be baked, so precaution is the number one key. Keep in mind that unlike other clays like salt dough for example that takes hours to bake, Fimo clay cooks in just half an hour or less depending on the thickness of the clay.
Bake in a well-ventilated room and never in a microwave as this will release chemical fumes. Remember that you are dealing with a chemical product, so you should take extra care when making fimo beads. Fimo sticks to plastics or metal, so always put baking paper in before putting it into a baking tray.
Once baked, fimo clay can now be polished or varnished. It is a lot stronger compared to other beads and is water resistant. The hard work and precaution will give your fimo beads finer quality that can match up to other bead elements. A complete step by step instruction in how to make fimo beads can be seen in this article Fimo Bead Making.
Fimo Bead Designs
These can really vary; designs can be from swirled beads with different textures and colors, you can start with round and oval balls, squares, oblongs, and cylinders. If you are planning to make neckpieces or bracelets, round and oval can be a good start. You can step up to more intricate designs like a log of clay with designs running through it, cutting it thinly to showing the most wanted design coming through every slice.
Fimo beads can range from small to large sizes, from the simple round beads to the most intricate butterfly designs, you can have it all. Staedtler Fimo has a vast collection of colors and materials that go with making fimo beads, all you need is just a little creativity and you’re set to go.
How To Market Fimo Beads Jewelry
Getting a lot of sales will come your way as fimo bead jewelry will attract young and old customers. Being more personalized with your designs will help your fimo beads jewelry sell like hot cakes.
Fimo bead jewelry is popular to kids and young adults because of its flexibility in designs and colors, fun and fashionable jewelry can be made out of it. Bright colors and trendy designs can be made out of fimo bead or polymer clay beads that will capture a kid and young adult’s eyes. Adults who are funky and always a kid at heart will also love fimo bead jewelry.
You can make a list of your customers and ask them of their favorite colors or cartoon character, or any what have’s in mind. This will help you in making the best fimo bead jewelry for your customers.
If you have an online business, you can make samples of your designs and indicate that you are able to make personalized design. That way, you can encourage creativity in your customers and save yourself with brainstorming for their designs as well. So it’s really thinking of what‘s best for your customers and making it really look good on them and will compliment their lifestyle.
Just like all other artisans, be on the lookout for current trends. Upgrade yourself by watching video tutorials online or attending arts and crafts seminars in your area. Usually, these functions will introduce new and better approach to bead jewelry. So you’d better keep yourself up with your market.
So what better way to start your year by making your artistry in the level that your customers will be inspired and motivated to participate in the making. Give yourself an ample time to evaluate your customers and what they really want and find yourself making and selling your jewelry by the dozens!
