I started modelling with clay about a year ago after stumbling across a fimo tutorial on the internet. I can't remember what it was now but I was soon hooked and crafting most evenings coming up with new designs and ideas. It was a steep learning curve - I ended up with a lot of waste fimo and a lot of cooked models whose immediate desination was the kitchen bin!

A few of the best tips I can give beginners are:

• It is absolutely vital that your working space is kept clean and dust free. Before you start work, wipe over your workspace with a wet cloth to capture any dust or clothing fibres.
• Wear white! Either a white tshirt or a white chemist type overall will minimise the risk of clothing fibres and fluff landing on and ruining your precious work.
• Keep your hands VERY clean. It is not unusual for me to wash my hands every 5 minutes, especially if I am working with lots of colours. It can be useful too to have a ball of light coloured waste clay that you can roll between your palms to capture any remaining traces of colour before you start with a piece of light coloured fimo.
• Cover your work in progress with a deep microwave cover. It prevents dust landing on the fimo - which is like a magnet for any stray bits in the air. It also helps to keep windows closed.
• Make sure you cook at the recommended temperature, depending on your type of clay and your own oven capabilities. I cook fimo in a fan assisted oven for 25 mins at 110 degrees. I shorten the length of time for very small pieces. Cooking at too high a temperature can release very dangerous fumes.
• If you use your domestic oven, give it a good clean once a week to avoid contamination with your food. Also use tools dedicated to fimo. If you use a kitchen tool, keep it thereafter for fimo use only!
• Fimo can be baked again and again. It is useful to bake at various stages in your model making to a) harden armatures and b) protect your work so far.
• Buy your modelling clay in bulk. Large blocks are much more economical than small and, if you use a lot ,some suppliers will offer free postage if you buy over a certain amount. Beadmerrily are my supplier of choice.

With these things in mind, why not have a go at one of my tutorials? One of my favourite models and also one of the most easy to make is the seated baby. Check back in a few days to see step by step instructions and pictures and have a go yourself!