Fimo sculpting is an ideal way to relax using personal intuition and ideas. Great for children to learn how to model shapes, mix and blend colours with this soft and pliable modelling material.
Fimo is Fun
The beauty of Fimo lies not only in its variety of colours but also can be hardened in an oven. There are at least 18 colours, which can be kneaded to form shapes and are available from most craft stores. Skill is only limited or expanded by the imagination, so all avenues of ideas can be explored.
Second-hand shops very often have a selection of old boxes one may purchase, or crafters may buy plain porcelain pieces from suppliers.
Kneading the Fimo
This is the term used to form the shape and needs to be done well to be effective. This procedure can be enjoyed until the Kimo is soft and ready to be rolled out for leaves, petals etc.
Mix and Match
Two colours of Fimo may be mixed by forming two sausage shapes and plaiting them together as they are mixed and so producing a new colour tone or a marble effect is achieved by kneading two strips of various colours.
Materials required
- Box etc., for your design
- Selection of Fimo colours
- Toothpicks
- Straight-edge knife
- Aluminium foil
- Baking tray
- Other decorative accessories, such as glitter paint, acrylic paint
Instructions
- To create roses, a small portion is cut from a block of pink Fimo and kneaded until soft and pliable.
- Roll out to flatten and cut into a narrow strip, manipulate this between thumb and finger to form the centre of the rose and rose buds.
- The petal shapes are cut from the flattened piece and placed in formation around the centre coil, overlapping the petals, giving the petals a slight twist.
- A green Fimo is used for the leaves, rolled with the flat of the finger; arrange them directly onto the box surface, pressing down gently with the tip of a toothpick to secure them in place, veins are stroked into the leaves.
Hardening the shapes
- When the modelling is complete, it is placed on a baking tray, covered with aluminium foil and hardened in an oven for 10-20 minutes.
- After cooling, glitter or acrylic paint may be applied for details.
- A coat of either gloss or matt varnish is painted over the modelled pieces and plain boxes etc; transforming these simple shapes to object d’art!
This article covers miniature shapes for decoration, whereas the possibilities are endless with modelling figures, dolls, wall plaques, fashion jewellery and many other subjects with this versatile medium.
Shape up with modelling, creating with Fimo!
Aileen McLeod - Art is a passion with Aileen with writing not far behind. She has always loved to paint/write and share her knowledge. Aileen has taught ...
