Create Unique Wedding Cake Toppers With Fimo Clay

Wedding cakes are a special part of the celebration, and cake toppers can be a fun and creative way to make them even more unique. Fimo toppers are a great way to personalise your cake and make it truly one-of-a-kind. Making these toppers can be an enjoyable process, from selecting the right supplies to the final decoration. Fimo toppers can be baked and decorated, and you can even add wire to make them poseable.

Choosing the right supplies

Polymer Clay:

Polymer clay, such as Fimo, is an excellent choice for cake toppers as it can withstand repeated baking at low temperatures. It is long-lasting and allows you to create durable keepsakes. When selecting polymer clay, opt for a soft and pliable variety that is easy to condition and shape. You may need to experiment with different colours to create the perfect shade for your design.

Tools for Shaping and Cutting:

To shape and cut the clay, you will need a rolling pin or a pasta machine. A pasta machine can help you achieve a thin and consistent thickness for the clay. Additionally, a craft knife or a scalpel is useful for cutting and shaping intricate details. Cookie cutters are optional but can be handy for creating specific shapes.

Support and Reinforcement:

For more complex designs, you may require internal support. Straight-sided objects like a jam jar or a mug can be used as a base for sitting figures. Reinforce joints with small pieces of cocktail sticks to add extra strength and stability.

Decorative Elements:

To decorate your cake toppers, gather items such as acrylic paints, glitter, and varnish. These will add colour, sparkle, and shine to your creations. You can also use real blusher powder to add a touch of colour to the cheeks of any figures you create.

Attachment to the Cake:

To attach your topper to the cake, you will need a wooden skewer or dowel. Hot glue can be used to secure the topper to the skewer, ensuring it stays in place.

Cardstock and Poster Board (Optional):

If you want to create a base for your topper or add additional structural support, cardstock paper and poster board are excellent options. They provide a sturdy foundation and can be decorated with fabric, ribbon, sequins, or any other embellishments you choose.

With the right supplies and a bit of creativity, you'll be well on your way to crafting beautiful and personalised Fimo wedding cake toppers.

Sculpting the body

To sculpt the body, start by making sure your clay is well-conditioned and soft. It's best to use a sitting figure as you don't have to worry about much internal support. Use a jar or mug for the figure to sit on while you work. For the main body, use scrap clay. When joining the body parts, reinforce the joints with cocktail sticks. Cut the legs straight across and the arms on the diagonal for a smooth joint at the shoulder. Add half-ball shapes for the bust.

Now, you can start to clothe your figure. Roll out the clay for the clothes on a pasta machine on a thin setting. Cover the arms with the clay, keeping the seam on the inside. Add two circles of skin-tone clay to match up with the hands. Add a circle of skin-tone clay to the top of the body shape and cover it with the clothing colour, keeping the seam down one side.

Add the arms to the body. Cover the legs in skin-coloured clay if you want to add details like ripped jeans. Cover the legs in a flat sheet of denim blue, then use a fine blade or scalpel to slash open the clay to reveal the flesh-coloured clay underneath. Bend the legs at the knee to open up the slashes. Add the legs to the body. Shape the arms and bend them, adding fold lines at the elbows with a cocktail stick.

Adding clothes and details

Once you have the basic shape of your topper, you can start to add clothes and details. Roll out your chosen clay colour with a pasta machine or rolling pin on a thin setting. Cover the arms, keeping the seam on the inside of the arm, and add two circles of skin-toned clay to match up with the hands. Add a circle of skin-toned clay to the body and cover with your chosen clothing colour, keeping the seam down one side.

You can now add the arms onto the body. For jeans, cover the legs in skin-toned clay first, then add the denim blue over the top. You may have to mix your own shade of denim blue. Add as much detail as you like, such as pockets or stitching with a cocktail stick. Cover the legs in a flat sheet of denim blue, then use a fine blade or scalpel to slash open the clay to reveal the flesh colour underneath. Bend the legs at the knee to open up the slashes.

Add the legs onto the body. Shape the arms and add fold lines at the elbows with a cocktail stick. You can also add a hood by copying the shape of a real hoodie. For shoes, start by making the boot shape and adding a sole. Mark where the laces will go and make thin snakes of clay for the laces, placing them in holes made with a cocktail stick. Attach the shoes by placing a small piece of cocktail stick into the boot.

Make the hands separately and add small pieces of wire inside before attaching them to the arms.

Baking the topper

Now that you've shaped your wedding cake topper, it's time to bake it! This process will differ depending on the type of clay you've used. If you're using Fimo Soft clay, bake your creation at 100 degrees Celsius for at least 30 minutes. Keep in mind that different types of polymer clay may require different baking temperatures, so always refer to the instructions on the package. It's important not to exceed the recommended temperature, as this can affect the durability of your topper.

When baking, place your topper in the centre of the oven to ensure even cooking. If you're unsure about the accuracy of your oven temperature, it's a good idea to bake your topper for a little longer, as mentioned earlier. This will ensure that your creation is thoroughly hardened.

While polymer clay can withstand repeated baking sessions, it's best to avoid this if possible. So, if you're adding any post-bake details like wires or glue, try to incorporate them before baking. However, do keep in mind that you should not bake your topper with any non-clay elements, such as wires, as these could melt or burn.

Once your topper is baked, you can decorate it with acrylic paints, glitter, and varnish. Get creative and add those special touches to make your topper truly unique. Just remember to let your topper cool down completely before handling and decorating it.

Decorating the topper

For a unique and personalised topper, consider adding inside jokes, pets, children, or other interests. For example, if the couple has a favourite sports team, you could dress the topper in team colours. If they love a certain food, you could add that to the topper as well.

You can also add personalised elements to the topper, such as the couple's favourite phrases or words. Romantic phrases, monograms, and other unique expressions can all be incorporated into the design.

When it comes to the actual decoration, there are a few options. If you're using polymer clay, you can decorate the topper with acrylic paints, glitter, and varnish. If you're using cardstock or poster board, consider adding fabric, ribbon, sequins, or other decorations.

Remember, the topper should be a blend of personal meaning, light-hearted fun, and a representation of the couple's relationship. It should be a delightful addition to the wedding cake that captures the couple's special bond.

Frequently asked questions