Polymer Beads.. I think I found a new hobby

I hope this is the right place to post my dread beads.. I plan to continue to experiment with new types.. I reallly want to save up and get a cheap lampworking torch and make some glass beads..
I bought some Fimo today. I wet sanded them with 600 grit paper, and the shine was a bit disappointing. I'd love to make beautiful ones like I see on etsy. Do you guys know what kind of clear coat I should use? I tried some of the wood clear coat I use on my wooden beads on a blue one, and it actually looks quite nice, but I dunno how it will hold up. The other two aren't finished yet, and as you can see they look a bit dull.. I shall continue to experiment. They were so much fun to make

 

humm, clear coats on Fimo, finding somthing to fully bond with it might be hard. krylon makes a plastic specific paint (not sure about a clear coat in that line)or you could try some of the masonry clear coats.

if you really want to make yer clear coats last try some of the epoxies, but invest in a half mask and some good gloves, that stuff is eww even the water based stuff.

 

Those new ones are beautiful! I'm going to be broke!

 

So I found that my furniture coating is definitely not going to be the ticket for these beads. after doing some research I've found some other kinds that may work, I'll have to experiment.. I made quite a few colorful beads today, I'll try to post a pic later tonight.. when they have a suitable clear coat they should be beautimous!

 

I have a friend who made a small fortune making things out of Fimo in Venice Beach California years ago.

You might try spray on varathane. It is very important to use only the water-based formulas of polyurethane with polymer clay. The oil-based formulas won't work.


x

 

yep, the varathane elite diamond was exactly what I'm wanting to buy

 

What about the spray clear coat you can get to touch up your car, I seem to remember the last time i used that it would stick to anything and was rock hard.

 

yeah most automotive clear coats will stick to anything, but they are expencive, and often times have high levels of isocyanate in them. I guess using them on a small scale in open air would not cause to much harm to your self.

you can also easly add micas for cool metalic effects, or even flex additives to them.

 

haha nice!
yeah dude thats pretty awesome

 

pretty good looking home-made beads, Ive been on a little quest to look for beads myself