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How to Use Fimo Nail Art Canes:

Slicing Canes

Make sure you use as sharp a blade as possible when slicing a cane, because dull blades will cause the clay to drag, smearing the pattern and distorting the cane's shape. Canes should be sliced using a NEW blade.

Before slicing, it is recommended that the cane be lightly warmed to soften it slightly.
Very small canes may not need initial warming, but it will still help with the slicing process. Warming also depends on the type of clay used to create the design, some baked clays slice easier than others. Don't forget that partial slices can be used in your designs also.

Warming can be done by rolling the cane between your hands for several seconds. Another method is to hold them under your lamp, heating pad or warm water for a few minutes. Cut about 8-12 slices and rewarm the cane before proceeding. You should be able to notice a difference in the cutting as the cane cools down and needs rewarming. In general - when properly warmed, the canes should cut almost like a hot knife thru butter. If the canes get too warm, the images will blur, and you run the risk of destroying the design when slicing.

• BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN SLICING CANES WITH BLADES •

You are working with very sharp blades, and they need to be sharp to get nice thin clean slices for easier application, you can cut yourself very easily with blades.

Applying/embedding slices for nail art

Embedding in Acrylic enhancements

Apply a thin layer of clear, glitter, or colored acrylic to the nail (this will be the colour behind the fimo design). Then apply the clear acrylic over the nail and place the sliced piece on the wet uncured acrylic. The slice will become flexible when wet by the brush. However, if the sliced piece is too thick, it will 'bend' back to its original shape. Help the slice to keep your desired shape by slightly pressing it in your acrylic Add additional clear to cap the design and to build the desired nail shape. If the slice which is embedded is too thick, when dry you can file it down and then cap it in clear.

When you are using canes with a translucent 'background', be sure to place the slices into the liquid monomer to get it as clear as possible and avoid visible dry spots. It will look like lifting if you get air trapped dry spots between the slice and the acrylic.

 

Embedding in Gel enhancements

apply sculpting/building gel, put fimo slices on, then take a little piece of plastic wrap, carefully cover the nail so fimo slices get pressed down to the nail... then hold this wrap on the nail with your fingers cure gel in UV lamp for 20 seconds, then remove the wrap and cure 2 or 3 minutes (depends on gel)... cap in clear gel and all procedures to finish gel enhancement....Olga Nfu.Oh Educator in NSW Australia

Apply thin layer of Base gel and cure the nail. If applying a background colour, do this now and cure. Place cane design where you want on the nail and add your builder gel or thinner gel topcoat and cure. 

Embedding in Nail Polish

You need to make sure the slices are paper thin, so you can bend them to the desired nail shape. Apply basecoat or basecoat and coloured coat to the nail. Add a drop of glue to the nail and use pinpoint tweezers to place the fimo slice over the drop of glue and press down. Wait a minute to dry before putting on the top coat. This prevents the glue from turning white under the clear coat.



Working with RAW Fimo Clay Canes by Debbie Doerrlamm

The Raw Clay MUST be completely encased within an enhancement (Acrylic or Gel) or you will have separation issues with the enhancements. Always lay down a thin layer of acrylic or gel before applying any Raw Clay Canes - do not apply raw clay directly to the natural nail. Always lay at least 1 or 2 layers of clear acrylic or gel over the design, completely encasing it.

 

Take a slice of the Raw Clay Cane using the Slicing Blade with Cover/Handle. The clay is soft, so you have to be gentle with it. The blade should slide down the clay, do not use a "sawing" motion. You can place the Raw Canes in the refrigerator or freezer before slicing to make slicing easier and allowing for thinner slices. If the Raw Clay is very cold when you take it out to slice, you may get some condensation, use a paper towel to absorb any water that may sweat off the canes.

 

Roll out to fit the area on the nail you want the design. Rolling can be done on a clean work surface or directly on the nail with with the handle of a spare brush or an orange-wood stick. Gently roll the clay in the direction you want it to move/grow.  Thicker slices will "roll out" to a larger piece to apply. Use the Slicing Blade with Cover/Handle to pick up the rolled piece and place it on the nail. Lightly but firmly press the clay onto the nail with the handle of your spare brush so you do not get fingerprint marks in the clay. You can roll the clay thinner if needed also. When encasing raw clay, thinner is better, but too thin may cause breakage of the clay design, or make the design too transparent to see.

 

Trim the design as needed or desired. Always leave a margin between the clay and the edge of the nail, so the clay can be fully encased within the enhancement. Using an orange-wood stick, Exacto knife, or tweezers, trim any excess to finish your design. Flowers are generally created with transparent clay surrounding the design. Use the same trimming method to remove the transparent clay from around the flower petals. If done properly, your design and flowers should "POP" with a dramatic 3D effect. You can use a small amount of monomer or acetone on a spare brush -- do not use your regular brush, but an old extra -- to smooth edges or blend 2 pieces together. NOTE: Some colors of some clay may "run" using monomer or acetone.

 

Encase the design with 1 or 2 layers of clear acrylic or gel. If using acrylic, you may need to work a little drier than normal to prevent the clay colors from running or bleeding.