I'd like to make some dangling fimo earrings. How do I attach or stick the piece of fimo to the wire?

Answer 1

As mentioned, there are a few ways to use wire "attachers" to the clay to allow it to dangle.

Check out these pages at my site for lessons, and examples, etc., on all of them:

http://glassattic.com/polymer/pendants_cording.htm
(..click on the subcategory called *Full Loops--Eyepins, etc*.,
and maybe also on *U Shapes* if you want to check out that way too)

This page has lessons on making your own eyepins, dangles, jumprings, etc., from wire:
http://glassattic.com/polymer/wire.htm
(... click on "Basic Wire Shapes"...)

You might also want to check out this page for information and lessons on making holes in polymer clay beads, whether earrings or not, and also whether before or after baking:
http://glassattic.com/polymer/beads-holes.htm

And there's a section on *Earrings* on this page:
http://glassattic.com/polymer/jewelry.htm

P.S. Though you won't need any "glue" if you use a zigzag or bend in the wire and snug the clay back around before baking, you can also use a plastic coated wire (or paperclip) which will bond with the clay in the heat.
Putting in the wire after baking usually requires some kind of glue though (usually a superglue), but others will work, depending on the amount of stress they'll be subjected to.


HTH,

Diane B.

Answer 2

Is the Fimo piece already made and baked? If not, take a headpin, eyepin, or other small piece of wire and carefully embed it into the dangly bit before baking. Be sure you make a loop or squiggle or some kind of anchor bit on the end of the wire that'll be hidden in the clay, so it doesn't just pull out. Push this piece down into the clay and then flatten the clay over it.

It may be simpler to make your clay bit into a bead. Take a lightly oiled needle and run it through the clay from top to bottom. Once the needle is all the way through the clay, wiggle it so the hole becomes a bit bigger.

Once the clay bead is dry, there are several ways to attach the wire. If the wire is heavy (21ga or heavier -- the higher the number the smaller the wire, remember, so 18 ga wire is bigger than 22 ga wire) just make a loop on one end and put the wire through the bead so the bead rests on that loop. add another bead if you like, and make a loop at the top of the wire. Attach that loop to the earwire. IF the wire is 22 ga or lighter, fold the wire in half and stick the 2 ends down through the bead from the top. The fold becomes your top loop to attach to the earwire. Take the two loose ends and bring them up sideways around just the edges of your bead. Anchor the loose ends by wrapping them around the base of the top loop. This design is really pretty because it gives your bead metal edging.

Feel free to email me with questions; click on the name under my avatar for an email link.

Answer 3

Make an L shape out of the wire and then insert it carefully into the fimo twisting your hand with the wire in as you go. You will be able to fire the fimo in the oven with the wire already inserted and no need for glue! I have found this is the best way as the turn in the wire prevents it coming out.

Answer 4

Make a small hole in the fimo where your wire is to go then bake it in the oven. Stick the wire into the fimo with epoxy resin which is the only glue strong enough. You can buy all your jewellery findings from the craft shop where you got your fimo from. You could also stick the wire into the Fimo and bake both together, but it won't be as strong.

Answer 5

I agree with the previous answer. Turn it into a bead. You can bake it directly on a long piece wire of you want. Just lay the wire accross an oven safe dish, that way it won't have a flat or shiny side from laying on a baking pan. After the bead is cooled, place it on a head pin and add your findings, etc...

Answer 6

I would put a wire-sized hole through your Fimo. After it is baked, it will be like a bead and then you can string it onto your earring.