Glittery snow crystals
Short days and long nights – no wonder winter is also known as the ‘dark season’. These snow flakes made out of FIMOair microwave sparkle so beautifully that they not only bring light into the darkness, they are also sure to brighten up the spirits of anyone who sees them. They also make extravagent-looking wintery table decorations – whether for special occassions or for cosey tea-times. The cool sparkle of the silver-coloured leaf metal harmonises perfectly with the warm flicker of the candlelight. Add a touch of winter to your home – without having to freeze! You will need these STAEDTLER products: • 1 pack of FIMOair microwave in white (8135-0) • and the FIMO Accessoires: silver leaf metal (8780-81), acrylic roller (8700 05), metal shaped cutters (8724 03), blade set (8700 04), modelling tools (8711), sandpaper (8700 08), size for leaf metal (8782 BK) and gloss varnish (8704 01) You will also require: • smooth work surface • wooden board, a pair of scissors • print-out of the snowflake pattern • medium-sized brush for size and varnish • large stippler brush for rubbing in the leaf metal For decoration: • large, flat, dark bowl • plastic ice cubes • silver-coloured ball candles, silver-coloured mini-stars more creative tips at www.staedtler.com
Step 1 On a wooden board, roll out approx. half a block of FIMOair microwave using the acrylic roller until you have created an even, 5-7 mm thick sheet.
Step 2 Cut out the snowflake pattern sheet as exactly as possible using a pair of scissors and place it on the sheet of FIMOair. Now, using a sharp blade, cut the snowflake out along the pattern lines. Make the second snowflake in the same way.
Step 3 Now moisten your fingers a little with water and knead the remaining bits of FIMOair together. Once again, roll out an approx. 5 mm thick sheet and cut small stars out using the metal shaped cutters - just like you do when you‘re baking biscuits.
Step 4 Place the finished snowflakes and stars in the microwave and allow to harden for 10 minutes at 600 watts. In order to ensure uniform hardening results, a microwave-safe container should be half-filled with water and placed in the microwave together with the FIMOair objects for the duration of the hardening process. Please also refer to the detailed instructions on the back of the packaging. more creative tips at www.staedtler.com
Step 5 After cooling, sand the snowflakes and stars with the sandpaper in order to smoothen the surface.
Step 6 You can also round off the edges. To do so, you can either use a sandpaper file or - even better - STAEDTLER‘s new sanding sponges.
Step 7 Now apply the size in stripes to both snowflakes. You can achieve a particularly impressive effect when you leave large spaces between the individual stripes. Allow the size to dry for around 10-15 minutes.
Step 8 Next, place the leaf metal on the snowflake and dab it on using the stippler brush. Then, using circular movements, rub the leaf metal on carefully. When you do this, excess bits of leaf metal come off. These can, of course, be reused.
more creative tips at www.staedtler.com
Step 9 When, after around an hour, the leaf metal has dried, brush over it again with the thick brush in order to remove any loose flakes. Finally, seal the snowflakes with a coat of gloss varnish to prevent the precious silver from rubbing off. TIP: As an alternative, the sparkling snowflakes also make lovely mobiles. Simply hang them from sticks using transparent thread.
more creative tips at www.staedtler.com
more creative tips at www.staedtler.com