I`ve ordered some Fimo modelling clay!

racinghamster · 05-24-2012, 06:42 AM

Having seen the lovely clay models that Erin makes, I was inspired to have a go myself just as a new side-hobby as I`ve always been an arty person. I bought five Fimo soft clays from an ebay shop today but will need to wait on her new stock arriving, which will be either tomorrow or Monday. I don`t mind though as I`m in no hurry.

I`m going to try my hand at one or two small keyring-sized models and see how they turn out. I thought if they turned out well, I could make a few as gifts for a few friends and family.

I wanted to start with the easy Fimo Soft clays as I`m just a novice so wasn`t too sure about the premier clays or the more advanced ones, so I will stick to using the easiest clay for the moment until I get better at handling it.

I will need to buy some of those little metal `rings` though that go into the models before they are baked if I want to use them as keyrings or jewellery. Anyone know what these are called?

Also, who else makes their own models? I`d love to see your work.

I`ve even told mum who`s 73 she can have a go!

StarlightSerenity · 05-24-2012, 07:06 AM

Ooo good luck, I'd love to have a go with some one day too.

Those rings, do you mean the screw eye ones? Like these 50 BRONZE TONE PLATED BRASS BASED SCREW EYES 12mm x 5mm | eBay

KitchenZoo · 05-24-2012, 07:16 AM

there called jump rings, I use them to make jewellery, keyrings, bag charms etc. They come in different sizes in mm's dependant on what you are going to attach them to. I buy mine from ebay, a store called Beadaddicts and bought a tray complete with different size jump rings which is excellent for different projects. good luck with your new craft it's exciting learning new things.

StarlightSerenity · 05-24-2012, 07:19 AM

Jump rings won't work as well as a screw eye though will it? My first thought was jump rings but you'd have to half sink the ring into it, where as a screw eye means that the entire ring is exposed.

racinghamster · 05-24-2012, 08:39 AM

Thanks guys, I had a look over on ebay and the long rods that go into the clay models are called eye pins and they come in different mm lengths. The jump rings are round metal rings. I imagine these are for attaching the eye pins to once the model is baked and then attached to one of these rings to form a keychain or a necklace? I will get some eye pins to sink into my small figures because I can`t model anything until I have some eye pins!

racinghamster · 05-27-2012, 12:07 AM

Does anyone know the `tried and tested` gas mark for baking fimo on? I`ve got some people saying cook for 30 minutes at gas mark 1 and others saying 20 minutes at gas mark 2? Some reports say cook at less than this (very low) for 30 minutes. It`s all a little confusing to say the least! The manufacturers instructions for Fimo Soft is 30 minures at 110centigrade, but that is for electric ovens.

I will obviously do a few test runs but if anyone could give me a fair idea of what they have found works best using a conventional gas oven, that would help a lot. I don`t want to over or underbake my little creations!

Lougarry · 05-27-2012, 12:21 AM

I can't help with oven temps but just wanted to say I'm Looking forward to seeing them

racinghamster · 05-27-2012, 01:25 AM

I will try and get photos up as a friend of mine is giving me her old Sony camera but I still have to get used to uploading and stuff!

My fimo has been dispatched by the ebay seller so should be with me tomorrow or Tuesday. I just want to begin by making small animals around the 20mm size and then once I get the hang of things, I can go a bit bigger. I want to start slow and just make a few kittle keyrings or zip-pulls and see how they turn out. Looking forward to having a new hobby though. Just hope I can get the baking heat setting just right for my gas oven without having to do too many test bakes and using up my fimo.

Erin Loves Dwarf Hamsters · 05-27-2012, 02:30 AM

Ooo I'm excited to see the results!

Fimo soft is what I use (I hate fimo classic it's too crumbly) and I have used sculpey before which is another recommended one but it's just too hard to mould :/ Fimo soft is easier for making tiny details but you have to be careful of how hot it is where you store it as the heat makes it waaay too soft >.<

As for the heat of the oven stick it on gas mark 1 and cook it for 20 minutes, remove them allow them to cool down and give them a little tap on a hard surface. They should sound rock hard. If they don't pop them in for another 10 minutes

The clay still cooks as it cools down so don't worry about them still being soft when you take them out. It is also really easy to burn the clay if you leave it in for too long or on to high of a heat so stick with it being low and just keep checking them until they are done

I only use ovens for my big orders and actually use a basic desk lamp to cook single models! Just wait until the lamp gets hot and then put the model on some kind of stand about 3 inches away from the bulb (it needs to be an open bulb) then watch it for 10 minutes, remove it, let it cool, flip it over and put it under for another 10 minutes! It's easier than having to set up the oven every time

racinghamster · 05-27-2012, 03:55 AM

Erin your a darling!

That makes total sense really because taking them out the oven after 20 minutes sounds like the right approach. If I find they are still soft, I can bake them for another ten minutes from cold, just to give them a wee `boost`!

I won`t be selling any as I will only be making a few sample pieces for myself and some friends as little gifts. I really just wanted something I could try as a new hobby and this sounded fun. I chose the Fimo Soft on the recommendation of an online friend (and some online tips) because it`s user friendly and I`m not likely to have issues with it like crumbling or feeling it`s too hard to condition.

Wow, if you use an open lightbulb Erin to harden your small figures, I can see why an oven might easily burn Fimo, so thanks very much indeed for your advice. Much appraciated.

I`ve seen this little pink pig figure I want to try and make! I`ve only ordered five colours though so I will be limited to what I can create until I purchase more colours. I`m only getting black, white, raspberry, chocolate and caramel. Should get me started though making a few little white mice or my pink pig!