What is polymer clay?
Is Fimo the same as polymer clay?
Polymer clay is an oven-hardening, colored modeling compound made from PVC particles that are mixed with plasticizers and color pigments to create a type of putty/clay.
What is the difference between Fimo and polymer clay?
There are various polymer clay brands worldwide. Each brand has slightly different properties such as elasticity or break resistance and is offered in slightly different color palettes. In Switzerland, the brand "FIMO", which is owned by STAEDTLER Mars GmbH & CoThe most widely produced is made by . KG.
Very beautiful and colorful earrings made of polymer clay - Triangle Red Lips.
History of Fimo
The basic recipe for FIMO was invented in 1939 by Sophie Kruse, a daughter of Käthe Kruse. Originally, a new material was to be developed for the production of doll heads, but this endeavor was not successful in that direction. After experiments with various additional ingredients, a modeling compound for the end consumer was launched in 1954 under the name "Fimoik," composed of the inventor's nickname Fifi, modeling compound, and mosaic.
1964, the rights to Eberhard Faber were sold, who changed the name to FIMO in 1966.
1978, STAEDTLER Mars GmbH & Co. KG took over the company Faber and thus all rights regarding FIMO. Since 2010, FIMO sales units have been produced directly with the Staedtler logo.
Usage of Polymer Clay
The modeling clay has been and is offered in a wide range of colors. As a typical representative in the field of modeling clays, polymer clay has the property of being easily moldable. Typically for this product group, polymer clay can be cured in its standard form in the oven or under other heat sources at 110 °C. In its raw state, polymer clay can be processed in various ways (mixed or covered with liquid colors or powders, stamped, textured, etc.). But even after curing, it can still be stamped, carved, turned, drilled, sanded, and polished, painted with acrylic paints, or coated with colored or clear varnish. You can create figures, dolls, miniatures, decorative items, and jewelry from it. The imagination knows almost no bounds.
How exactly and how long do you bake polymer clay?
Polymer clay is baked hard in the oven at a certain temperature and time. Fimo, for example, is baked as follows: top and bottom heat (no convection!) at 110°C for about 20 - 30 minutes (depending on size and thickness). The same will certainly apply to other polymer clay brands. It is best to follow the instructions on the packaging of your polymer clays.
Health risks of polymer clay
Polymerton is essentially not harmful, unless swallowed. Like many other things as well. According to the manufacturer's recommendation, the prescribed temperature of 130 °C must not be exceeded when "baking" the polymer clay, even with proper use, as otherwise, harmful hydrochloric acid vapors may be released. Therefore, it is also recommended to maintain distance during the curing heat.
Is there also polymer clay that does not need to be baked?
Ja. At FIMO, for example, there is also the "FIMOair basic". For this modeling clay, you do not need an oven. This material is an air-drying, clay-like modeling compound based on water that simply dries in the air within 24 hours - no firing is required. It consists of 97% natural substances and is therefore also well-suited for children or beginners when modeling.
Polymer Clay Schmuck
With polymer clay, you can really create very original and high-quality items, such as jewelry made from polymer clay. Those who have a lot of imagination and are somewhat skilled in crafts can already make great FIMO jewelry pieces herzaubern. But it's simple. It takes a lot of creativity and patience!
Here you will find some examples. Fimo Schmuck, made from polymer clay:
How to care for jewelry made of polymer clay?
Exactly the same as jewelry made from other materials. However, jewelry made from polymer clay is not extremely sensitive. Still, avoid bringing solvents, perfumes, or solvent-based products onto the jewelry (substances like nail polish remover or other chemicals can damage the surface of the polymer clay). Use a soft, dry cloth for cleaning. That is completely sufficient.
Polymer clay jewelry on KOOMPLIMENTS
On Koompliments.ch you will also find jewelry pieces made from polymer clay. At first glance, you wouldn't know that these jewelry pieces are handmade. Because they are truly made with a lot of precision and love.
The price-performance ratio for polymer jewelry is quite good, as they are mostly handmade unique pieces. The effort involved is often underestimated. Especially with colorful or multicolored and specially shaped jewelry, such as earrings, there is a lot of work involved.
Discover more here Polymer Clay ohrringe für Damen
