3+ week, 1+ day ago (339+ words) Fimo and clay tips and tutorials Unlike felt or wood gnome tutorials, working with polymer clay means your gnomes will be sturdy, long-lasting, and full of detail. Let's get started! Roll a ball of colored clay (red or green works beautifully) into a cone shape. This will form your gnome's body and hat base. Flatten the bottom slightly so it stands upright. Roll out a piece of white or grey clay into a teardrop shape. Flatten it gently, then press the pointed end upward onto the front of the body. Use a needle tool or toothpick to add texture, pulling down little lines to mimic hair strands. Take a tiny ball of skin-tone clay and press it right above the beard. It should tuck under the brim of the hat later. A round, bulbous nose is what gives the gnome…...

1+ week, 6+ day ago (363+ words) Fimo and clay tips and tutorials Festive Entertaining Idea for Holiday Charcuterie Boards If you're planning a holiday party, you already know the cheese board is where everyone gathers. This year, add a handmade, festive touch with DIY polymer clay cheese markers in Christmas shapes and colors. These adorable little markers are both practical and decorative " helping guests identify cheeses while doubling as holiday table d'cor. The best part? They're easy to make, completely customizable, and way less expensive than buying fancy sets at home d'cor stores. Think Anthropologie vibes, but on a DIY budget! While air-dry clay can work, polymer clay has the upper hand for entertaining: Knead the polymer clay until soft and pliable. This ensures it won't crack when baked. Roll the clay flat, about 1/8" thick. Keep it even so the markers look polished and professional. Use…...

2+ mon, 3+ week ago (299+ words) Fimo and clay tips and tutorials If you've ever dreamed of making real silver jewelry at home'without the need for a silversmith's workshop'silver art clay or precious metal clay (PMC)" might just be your new best friend. It looks like clay, feels like clay, and shapes like clay, but when you fire it, the binder burns away and what's left is pure, solid silver. Magical, right? This material has completely changed the way hobby jewelers and crafters approach metalwork. Instead of melting silver with a torch and hammering it into submission, you can roll, stamp, carve, and mold it just like pottery clay. Let's walk through exactly what it is, how to use it, and the different ways you can fire it. Silver art clay (also called precious metal clay or PMC) is a soft, moldable clay made of three…...

6+ day, 7+ hour ago (297+ words) Fimo and clay tips and tutorials And don't worry'you don't need a pottery wheel or special kiln for this one. A basic pack of polymer clay, a cookie cutter or two, and your oven will do the trick. Roll out your polymer clay to an even thickness (around " inch). Using your cone template, cut out the shape and gently wrap it into a cone. Overlap the seam slightly and press the edges together, smoothing with your fingers. Tip: If the clay feels too soft and sticky, pop it in the fridge for 1015 minutes before shaping. Using your star cutters, press out little windows all around the cone. You can cluster them or scatter them for a twinkling night-sky effect. Smooth the edges of each star with your fingertip to avoid sharp bits. Want to jazz it up? Press small clay…...

3+ mon, 1+ week ago (396+ words) Fimo and clay tips and tutorials There's something wonderfully nostalgic about clay crafts, isn't there? The cool, smooth texture in your hands, the way it slowly transforms with just a little pressure and imagination'it's both soothing and creative. Today, we're making DIY air dry clay magnets that are stamped, painted, and perfect for adding a handmade touch to your fridge or craft room. This project is simple, relaxing, and looks far more "designer" than it really is. Think of it as pottery without the kiln'no fancy equipment needed! Start with a small ball of clay and roll it out to about " inch thick. Not too thin, or it'll crack while drying, and not too chunky, or your magnets will be too heavy. Press your chosen rubber stamp or textured object firmly into the clay. Don't worry about perfection'slight variations give…...

2+ mon, 3+ day ago (345+ words) Fimo and clay tips and tutorials The best part? You can personalize each one with names, initials, or even seasonal motifs. Imagine a Thanksgiving table where every guest has their own custom napkin ring'or wedding favors that double as keepsakes. Take a chunk of air dry clay and roll it out on a flat surface to about "-inch thickness. You don't want it too thin or it might crack, but too thick will look bulky. A rolling pin works best, but you can improvise with a glass bottle. Use a craft knife to cut long strips about 1 to 1.5 inches wide. These will form the band of your napkin rings. Gently bend the strip into a circle, overlapping the ends slightly. Smooth the seam with a wet finger or small brush dipped in water until it blends. This will keep the…...

1+ mon, 2+ week ago (481+ words) Fimo and clay tips and tutorials If you've been looking for a festive pottery project, this video is the perfect holiday inspiration. Calder from Calder's Ceramics demonstrates how to throw a ceramic Christmas tree on the wheel, along with four creative decorating techniques to make each one unique. The tutorial finishes with glazing and firing, giving viewers the full process from start to shiny holiday finish. The video begins with Calder centering and throwing a conical tree form on the wheel " simple in shape, yet full of potential. What makes this video especially fun is the variety of decorating options shown: from carving and hole-cutting for light displays to playful surface treatments that bring each tree to life. He also shares practical firing details: The final glazed trees are shown at the end, making it clear how glaze choices dramatically…...

3+ mon, 1+ week ago (307+ words) Fimo and clay tips and tutorials Cold porcelain clay has been around for decades, but it's having a bit of a comeback in today's DIY circles. Unlike polymer clay or ceramic clay, this clever medium doesn't need baking or firing. It's air-dry, inexpensive, and you can make it right in your kitchen with simple ingredients. If you've ever wanted to try clay crafting but felt intimidated by ovens, kilns, or pricey supplies, cold porcelain is a wonderful place to start. Despite its name, cold porcelain contains no actual porcelain. Instead, it's a soft, pliable, air-dry clay made from cornstarch and white glue. The finished pieces dry to a smooth, porcelain-like finish'hence the name. Crafters love it because: Many people confuse cold porcelain with polymer clay, but the two are quite different: Think of cold porcelain as the "light and airy…...

2+ mon, 1+ day ago (759+ words) Fimo and clay tips and tutorials When you've been crafting as long as I have, you start to realize that it's often the little things that make the biggest difference. Sure, I've invested in pasta machines, fancy tools, and special clays over the years'but sometimes, it's a simple container that ends up being the unsung hero of the studio. That's exactly how I feel about the "Polymer Clay Powder Container. At first glance, it's just a tidy storage pot. Nothing flashy. But goodness, does it make life easier. Instead of juggling messy little bags of mica powders, chalks, or pigment dust, I can pop everything neatly into these containers. No spills. No mystery powder covering the craft table. No "oops" moment when I open a half-torn packet and it explodes across my work. (If you've ever had glitter in your…...

3+ mon, 1+ week ago (302+ words) Fimo and clay tips and tutorials Pottery wind chimes are a wonderful project because they're: Optional: Texture tools such as lace, stamps, or leaves for pressing designs into the clay. Start by wedging your clay to remove air bubbles. Roll it out into a slab about " inch thick. Consistency in thickness ensures the chimes make a balanced sound and don't crack while firing. Tip: Add a hole at the top of each piece using a skewer or straw so you can thread the cord later. Make sure the holes are wide enough for your stringing material. Press in designs using lace, wooden stamps, or even everyday items like forks or buttons. These impressions not only add character but also make the glaze more interesting once fired. Allow your pieces to dry slowly to prevent cracks. Once fully dry (bone dry),…...