That's so nice to see, many miniaturists sell on Etsy, I would love to see her work! And yes, Fimo has lots of colors, and you can always mix them for more, they are easily mixed!

thanks for your comment!

happy crafting,

Lizzy

Thank you a lot. 
Maja

Oh yes, I know the feeling, using other clay as a kid, it was frustrating sometimes! Thanks for your comment and I hope you will have a fun time with the Fimo clay!

Best regards,

Lizzy

When I was a kid my parents use to get me different types of clay but it was way too hard to use and always fell apart. I ended up "accidentally" throwing it in the trash when they weren't looking.

But this stuff you talk about here looks incredible. Maybe I will give it another try!

Thanks, Lizzy.

L, Sammy

I sometimes see the question: 'what is Fimo clay? ' So today I decided I will be diving into this product a little deeper, because I simply think that this is the best modeling clay for miniatures!

You might have noticed that Fimo clay is used a lot in the miniature world to create miniature food. That is because this is a really handy form of clay to work with and I have used it myself for years.

So let's dive deeper into this, shall we?

updated 18/07/26

What Is Fimo Clay?

Fimo clay is a plastic modeling (polymer) clay used mainly by hobbyists and professionals, and, of course, our miniaturists. I have seen so many small things, like miniature food made with this product, that it amazes me every time.

Technically speaking, this clay is called 'Polymer Polyvinyl Chloride', also known as PVC, mixed with a liquid plasticizer. Due to the presence of plasticizers in the clay, it is very malleable and remains soft until it is baked.

It is sold in hobby stores and online stores, which are visited by all kinds of artists, who use it for 1001 things.

This clay is available in 85 different colors, in small packages, and it is perfectly mixable.

Different Types Of Fimo Clay and what is the best polymer clay for miniatures?

Basically, there are 5 types of Fimo clay:

• Fimo Professional (formerly known as Classic). This is very flexible clay and very stable.

It has a recommended quality for experts and professional artists. It can be made softer with Fimo Quick Mix.

• Fimo Soft. Is easier to knead and is softer.

• Fimo Effect ( glitters, marble effect, translucent, night-glow, rhinestone colors, etc..). I just found out that there is even a thing as "leather-effect", pretty cool!

• Fimo Air. This is an air-drying modeling clay that can be left to dry naturally in the air at room temperature, so it doesn't need an oven. It is instantly ready for use, keeps its shape, and is flexible.

This clay is produced by a German company called Staedtler GmbH, which is honestly one of the best out there.

What Is Fimo Clay Used For?

You can clearly see on Etsy that a lot of (miniature)art and so many other things are made from Fimo clay. A small list of what Fimo clay is used for is:

• jewelry
  
• beads
  
• fake flowers
  
• miniature food
  
• (miniature) sculptures
  
• all kinds of figurines
  
• (miniature) pottery
  
• any kind of charms
  
• soap holders
• etc..

As the Fimo clay packages aren't in large quantities, it is mostly used for smaller things.

A little Fimo Clay Manual and walkthrough.

Unless you use Fimo Air, this clay doesn't harden at room temperature. But it bakes in a standard kitchen oven in about half an hour at 110°C.

It can basically be baked on any surface, like wood, glass, stone, metal, aluminum, or even solid cardboard, because the heat to bake the clay isn't very high. Just do not bake it on rubber or plexiglass!

Be aware that:

• You could bake the Fimo clay for a longer time at the right temperature (even 20 minutes longer or twice as long)
• But you can't bake it even 5 minutes longer at a temperature that is too high! (I made that mistake, and it made my piece turn black and burn!)

The Fimo clay only hardens when it has cooled down, so do not move it before it's cold. After that, you can use the Fimo varnish for an even better result.

A little tip on how to mix colors, you can find in this YouTube tutorial (it works the same for Fimo clay):

Be careful!

• Do not bake Fimo clay in a microwave
  
• to wash your hands after using this clay
  
• When you work with sharp objects like a crafting knife, be careful not to cut yourself!
  
• Always check the maximum temperature to bake the clay, don't put it up too high or too long, as your piece will turn black

What Other Kind Of Equipment Do You Need?

To start working with Fimo Clay, you will definitely need a few more basic tools as well:

• Fimo basic modeling tools. A perfect tool to start modeling and finish your pieces of art.
• Silicone molds. These can be very handy to make, for example, dolls' faces, miniature food, mini flowers, and so much more...
• Fimo liquid gel. Decorating gel for mixing and creating models with polymer clay.
• Fimo gloss or semi-gloss varnish. For a glossy finish and to protect the surface.
• Texture sheets. These can give your model the impression of 'wood' having a structure, for example. Or any other pieces that require structure or a print.

Or, you could start with a small kit and see if Fimo clay is a product that you fancy working with! Or not :-)

How To Soften Fimo Clay Again And How To Store It.

If you have old packages of Fimo clay lying around that have gotten old and hard, you can make them soft again by just adding water and kneading them.

If that doesn't work, try to fill a hot-water bag with hot water. Cover it with aluminum foil and put the clay on top. Cover again with more aluminum foil and wait a few minutes. It should be soft enough again to start kneading.

To store any kind of polymer clay, there seems to be no need to use an airtight container.

If not using the clay for a longer period of time, it is better to store it in a plastic box. Because storing it in a resealable bag could make it more brittle.

I store mine in a tackle box, as you can see in this video of my working place that I made myself, and where I am showing you all my work and crafting materials that I use:

Answering more FAQs on Fimo clay for you.

In this part, there is a list on FAQs and all the answers that I can give you :-)

Related article: how to smooth polymer clay for your miniatures?

• How is cold enamel used in the miniature world?

My final conclusion.

I hope that I have informed you enough with this article on Fimo clay.

If you have any more questions on this blog post or would like to just share something with me, then please leave a comment below.

I wish you happy crafting!

Best regards,

Lizzy