Getting started with Fimo/Polymer clay

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   ForTheInterimposted 15 years ago

   Does anyone know of any good resources to help a beginner with Polymer clay?  I have a big box of it arriving soon (my mom took up the hobby, my dad bought boxes at a 'going out of business' sale, then the hobby was soon dropped)
   
   I would be interested in making jewelry mostly, but I'm open to other ideas.

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      mandybeau1posted 15 years agoin reply to this

      One thing about Polymer is it looks great merged with other items.
      I will be doing a Hub on it. You need to play alot to get professional results and you definitely need piles of practise to make the stuff look finishes.
      I made a pile of rings and they were great. Makesure that you use the sealer it is very shiny ioit makes all the difference.
      happy for you to contact me with any questions I do know a fair bit about it and most has been gleaned by mistakes.
      mandy

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      mandybeau1posted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Hi I have done a real basic Hub just to get you started will be doing more advanced ones as I go.
      The Beauty of this one is the Beads are real cheap you get to play and people love them.

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   relacheposted 15 years ago

   This woman seems to have only ever created a single Hub, but it's brilliant!  It's not exactly total beginner stuff, but this is the sort of thing to get you fired up and experimenting.
   
   Photo Transfer Beads and Pendants (Polymer Clay Tutorials #77 in Beads and Beading Series)

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3. 68

   Ms Chievousposted 15 years ago

   check out sites like Polymerclaycentral.com, Sculptey.com, ACMoore.com for soem ideas   I Love sculptey clay!

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4. 66

   ForTheInterimposted 15 years ago

   Thank you both for the tips!!
   
   Is Sculptey.com the right address? It's strange to have links to Car Insurance on the same page!
   
   I'm excited to get started.

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      wychicposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      The spelling is Sculpey . I also got into polymer clay for jewelry, but very quickly strayed as I started exploring all the possibilities . I now make art dolls (mostly Celtic or Renaissance-type), realistic sculptures, piggy banks of all sorts, and even some jewelry still. There are a lot of great tutorials online, but also some excellent polymer clay techniques books that can teach you how to make all manner of faux materials including semi-precious stones, bone, and even leather.
      
      I agree that the single most indispensable tool is the pasta machine, it really speeds things up and is great for caning. I use mine for conditioning clay most of the time because I have tiny hands and it takes forever all by myself .

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   frogdroppingposted 15 years ago

   Me

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6. 66

   ForTheInterimposted 15 years ago

   Again, thanks
   
   My big box arrives tonight so I'll start playing with it tonight or tomorrow!  If I keep colours apart to begin with, is there any reason why I can't create something, and then turn it back into mush afterwards, for more practice?
   
   Looking forward to your hub!

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      mandybeau1posted 15 years agoin reply to this

      You can do that and use it again, if not baked but it will be mixed the only way you could do it would be to use single colours and maybe try some impression work. I just think any Polymer needs to be infiltrated with other Beads to look great. Meant to mention you will need a pasta machine to stretch it and give you smooth pieces unless you just want to make a few small pieces. Its amazing how huge it stretches with the machine. Dont use for Pasta afterward.

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   ForTheInterimposted 15 years ago

   I do have a pasta roller - but I use it for pasta! I'll have to start checking out the used shops I guess. I'll start with just one colour until I get going well enough to have something I would be happy to keep or give as a gift.

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