Faux Glass Beads
Intro: Faux Glass Beads
I always loved lampwork beads, and I even made some simple beads. It's a fascinating work, but a bit expensive technique.
So I decided to make my faux effect for the glass beads with Liquid Fimo and polymer clay. It's a very simple technique that only requires a bit of patience and is very fun to make!
STEP 1:
Watching the video to better understand all the process! ;)
STEP 2:
Materials used in this project:
- Heat gun
- Fimo liquid
- Alcohol markers
- Polymer clay
STEP 3:
For this project you can use glass or a tile as working surface... But be careful, it will be hot!
The hot air gun needs to be about 20 cm above the liquid fimo drop...until it hardens. After that the distance can be smaller (about 10cm). That way we don't spread the liquid fimo. When the drop is transparent you can aply another layer.
Is important to work in a well-ventilated place.
By using the heat gun Fimo Liquid can release fumes
STEP 4:
After 2 or 3 drops of Fimo liquid, we can apply color with alcohol markers at the top.
Cover the color with a new drop and heat it until it's transparent
I like to make 2 or 3 drops between each color and finish with 2 more drops of liquid fimo, but you can make it at your one way and apply as many colors you wish! :D
STEP 5:
Make more small beads (You can make more than one at a time!) with different colors and sizes (if you want!)
Make a bead with polymer clay and apply a thin coat of liquid fimo and glue the small beads.
Bake it in the oven during 30 minutes at 110°C/230°F
Tip: I haven't made it in this project, but, after baking you can apply a few layers of resin over your piece. It will have a more realistic effect
Apply a thin layer at a time and let it dry between each application. 2 or 3 layers are perfect.
STEP 6:
After baking you can insert your bead in a chain and get a very interesting necklace! :D
9 Comments
ThisIsMyNameOK 9 years ago
Very cool. I have never seen liquid Fimo. I will have to look and see if they have it at our local craft store. It's been a long time since I tried working with Fimo. (I gave it up because I just couldn't afford it.)
sandrartes 9 years ago
Hi ThisIsMyNameOK! :D
Liquid Fimo is liquid polymer clay. There are other brands.
I only tryed this technique with liquid fimo so I can't tell you if it works with other brands. But there's only one way to know... trying! :D
Thank you for your nice comment! :D
ThisIsMyNameOK 9 years ago
If I ever try it, I'll let you know. I have to get to the craft store first. Well, I have to have money to spend first, then I have to get to the craft store, which may take awhile. But I didn't just give up working with polymer clay because of the cost. It was more because I was really bad at it.
sandrartes 9 years ago
Ok! That would make me very happy! :D
Sometimes we just need to practice a bit :)
Danger is my middle name 9 years ago
Very cool!
sandrartes 9 years ago
Thank you Danger is my middle name!! :D
emilyvanleemput 9 years ago
This is great! Do you think you could also use this technique to make a bangle or a ring?
ashleyjlong 9 years ago
I had no idea liquid Fimo was a thing! Is it pretty firm, or will your bottom layers flatten out more and more as you stack?
sandrartes 9 years ago
Hi ashleyjlong! :D
Fimo liquid is very versatile and we can make lots of things with it.
The bottom layers should not flatten, unless there's an accident! That's why is important to keep the heat gun distant in until it hardens or it will spread the liquid
The bottom layers should not flatten, unless there's an accident! That's the reason why it's important to keep the heat gun distant, at least until it hardens or it will spread the liquid.