Handmade crafts of foam plastic - Features work with the material, interesting master classes, photo ideas

Figures of foam

Start your training by creating different foam figures. Make chess pieces of large size. We assure you - it's a great workout for manual dexterity. Further ideas will appear by themselves. It is enough to remember how you worked on chess queens.

Remember that it is possible to make not only volumetric models, but also flat ones. Very interesting look products in the form of birds and other animals. If the masters cut out a bird, paint it and hang it under the ceiling, we can assure you that everyone will notice the unusual craft and ask questions about it.

If you are lucky enough to have a pond on the site, then think of models of fish and frogs. They can safely release into the water, no toxins and chemicals foam in the normal state does not release. In addition, because of its low density, it will not sink and will look very unusual.

A child may get a special interest. Create together with children figurines of hares, squirrels and bears. Let them demonstrate the products in the classroom/.

Materials for decorating

To create the decorations, you will need:

1. Styrofoam (you will need to choose the density yourself depending on your ideas)
2. A box cutter and replaceable blades
3. Sandpaper
4. Glue and paint to give the shape

Flat shapes are much easier to make, you need to think on one plane. The three-dimensional ones, on the other hand, are much more difficult. Processing each side requires a previously written fabrication plan. It can also take time to get used to the material.

That is why you should learn and practice on flat products. To do this, choose any pattern and make a stencil from it. Transfer it to the foam and all that is left is to cut out the shape using a lettering knife. The edges are likely to be uneven, so use sandpaper and flatten until smooth.

All parts of your craft can be fastened not only with glue, but also by any physical means. For small pieces use toothpicks, for larger pieces you can use thread.

The bird made of Styrofoam

We turn to the Internet and depict a template on the foam plastic. Using a sharp knife, we cut out the contours and cover the resulting figure with putty. This is required to keep the bird on the street. Putty is enough in two layers, after the complete drying of the first layer, the second one is applied immediately. This will give the maximum and desired strength for the product. Remove the irregularities caused by the putty with sandpaper.

Proceed to paint the product and use a paint designed for facade work. The paint protects the foam from the final coat of varnish. After the painting is finished and the product dries, look for feathers of different colors and fix them on the bird. Such actions can achieve a great resemblance to a real bird.

Styrofoam mushroom

Such figures look great in the vegetable garden, in flowerbeds and under trees. For ease of operation, we create products separately. That is, the cap and stem are cut out as different parts, and then fastened together with a self-tapping screw or glue. Acrylic paint and a long coat of varnish will keep the mushroom well in outdoor conditions.

Styrofoam is completely harmless and therefore you can make crafts for kindergartens. Children are clearly interested in playing with toys created with their own hands.

Original birthday greetings can be made. It is enough to assemble letters from foam plastic and paint them in different colors.

Pros and cons of the material

Pros

• Transportation does not cause any problems, because the foam plastic is very light. No physical preparation for the work is not required, for women this will be a big plus.
• The material is neutral to water and frost. Therefore, products can be placed anywhere.
• Even if the product was spoiled, it is easy to restore it without much effort.
• Styrofoam will not be blown away by the wind if you use a heavy stand.
• To work with the material you do not need special tools and different types of saws. One knife is enough.

Disadvantages

• The material is afraid of solvents and fire
• Should be careful in choosing a paint, it may contain acetone or solvent.
• Work with foam plastic must be carried out in the safest possible environment. In case of fire, Styrofoam releases toxic substances that can severely affect human and animal health.
• The material is easily ignited and burns strongly. Because of its weight is able to fly burning and set fire to everything around.

Using Styrofoam, you can easily create unique crafts that everyone will love. In the case of a holiday, it is easy to create a Christmas fireplace (without the use of a real fire), and inside it is placed a light bulb. The material perfectly holds paint and is able to take all kinds of colors.

Styrofoam figures can easily replace expensive types of decor. Styrofoam is often used for performances on stage. But then fire safety and at least three fire extinguishers are required.

But if you cover the material with noncombustible substances, accidental ignition can be easily prevented. Unfortunately, many people neglect this advice and pose a threat to others.

Products made of the material are usually not for sale. But still you can find fans of skilled crafts from foam plastic.

Photo ideas of homemade foam plastic crafts