Polymer Beads, from the start

[freshfruitsalad]

Can anyone talk me through the basics of making beads with fimo? Have been searching net all weekend for info and there is a lot of contradicting info out there- one site saying you must have this that the other...
What do I need to start? I have fimo and craft materials, I had a go at some at the weekend, but how do I finish them...? one site said a nail file/buffer, but 20 mins of filing/polishing and I'd made more marks on it than I started with, and it looked worse than the ones I'd not touched.
Do you HAVE to 'finish' the beads, or can you use them as they are, matt?
What can I use for texture?


Thank you all :)

[ejralph]

There is a lot of conflicting info out there - you are so right!

I think this is only because everyone has their own ways of doing stuff. Polymer clay work is a VAST subject. So, I don't know that anyone would really be able to talk you through it.

The best thing to do is to find some projects, either online or in a book, and just follow them step-by-step and see how you go. As you do more and more claywork, you will start to find your own preferred way of doing things.

No, you don't need to sand or buff / varnish beads. The clay is fine to be left just how it comes out of the oven.

The only exception to this rule is if you have used surface embellishments like metal leaf, glitters, powders etc. Then it is often wise to give the beads a couple of coats of varnish for added protection.

The key is to just pick a project and have a go though - sometimes, at first, if you read too widely and get too many different perspectives it can get confusing.

Also - another thing I say to anyone beginning polymer clay - is that practice makes perfect. If you get disheartened looking at other work you may see online or in books, remember the only difference is practice and experience. Anyone can create spectacular results in polymer clay. Some people are lucky naturals and seem to create flawless work from the getgo - but for most of us they are skills that are hard-won after lots of trial and error! We can no sooner expect to pick up everything about polymer clay work in a week or a month than we could about any other vast subject, like cookery or playing a musical instrument.

Seach the threads here in the clay section as I think we have discussed before some good book recommendations. There is also the magazine Polymer CAFE (http://www.ejrbeads.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=20_73) which has a variety of projects in each issue guarenteed to get the creative juices flowing!

I also have some tutorials (http://www.ejrbeads.co.uk/tutorials.htm)on my website that might be useful to you

[freshfruitsalad]

Thank you
I did buy a book when I bought my Fimo, was very inspired, however the shopping list recommended in the book kind of put me off, maybe a few months down the line I can take the book more seriously, so I shall carry on and have a play see what I can do without having to buy so much :)

[ejralph]

Chances are you won't need every tool and supply listed for every project.

So maybe just pick one to start out with and see what you need for that?

I think nearly every book on polymer clay will include at least one project on the technique of Millefiori canework - which you really only need clay for. Maybe that would be a good area to start?

I know it seems daunting at first - but most of the polymer clay tools and supplies are really very cheap compared to other mediums. And you don't every need everything you see - you really can make great beads with just a few packs of clay and your imagination.

I work with other mediums too (glass, ceramic) and the tools and supplies you need to make beads with those materials run into the hundreds of pounds. Polymer clay is SO different though - you really can get started for less money than it takes to order in a pizza.

Emma

[krielj]

I agree with Emma - you don't need all the fancy stuff out there. I do have a pasta machine and my fab extruder but you certainly can make wonderful beads without these things. I use the handle from an old craft knife to roll out the clay and a toothpick to make the bead holes. The only other thing that is essential is your imagination and that's free! The one thing that I do recommend you buy is a tissue blade (I think that's what its called) which enables you to cut very fine slices from canes without distorting the image. Good luck.

[dawnb]

I think the best thing I ever bought was my needle tool to make the holes. I used to use cocktail sticks, but found since using the tool my holes were neater, and not that is matters, but I love that it has a wooden handle to hold :)

[ejralph]

lots of folks make their own custom piercing tools - just embed different diameter darning needles into a handle of scrap polymer clay and bake

I personally stick with my wooden cocktail sticks as that works best for me - but it goes to show there are always lots of alternatives with claying.

I agree that a tissue blade is a must though - I could live without my pasta machine if I *had* to. Same with my extruder. I could NOT live without my tissue blades though! Those are one thing where I have never found any of the alternatives to be suitable.

Emma

[Hazer]

I'd agree that in the beginning it's a good idea to think about what kind of beads you'd like to make, and concentrate on that one technique. There is SO much potential in polymer claying that it's very easy to be overwhelmed and want to dabble in everything... meaning you'll end up buying everything you can get your hands on! ;)

If you like caning, a tissue blade is definitely a good buy (although I managed with a craft knife for a while). Or if you want textured pieces you can make your own 'texture stamps' from polymer clay easily enough, as well as using anything you can root out from around your house :)

[freshfruitsalad]

Thank you for all your comments, they do help!
I think I would like to make more pendants than smaller beads, and I love my colour and texture :)

The only thing I thought about the other day when I had a go is that the beads were all different shapes and sizes, is this just practise?

So first shopping list is a tissue blade and a bead shaper/maker

I wonder if I can get a pasta machine off ebay...

[ejralph]

getting consistent beads is very much a matter of practice - although everyone has their own tips and tricks.

For many projects, you will form a base for the bead anyway. Maybe from one colour of colour or from scrap clay if the base is to be totally covered with other decoration such as cane slices.

So if you get the base beads the same size, the battle is half won.

I usually roll out a long log of clay and cut equal sections to form the base for beads. Other people like to roll out a sheet of clay and cut multiple shapes using a cutter. Either way works to give you the same amount of clay to roll up into the base beads.

Pasta machines are well worth having - ask around friends and family first. You would be amazed how many people have these languishing in their cupboards unused!

Emma