How To Make Cute Flowers With Foam Clay?

Ever heard of air-dry foam clay? (Also called super light air-dry clay.) I’ll admit, I hadn’t so I decided to give it a try, even though I wasn’t even sure what I was ordering! After some major craft fails I can now explain how to make cute flowers with air dry foam clay, and give you some really important tips regarding how to work with this interesting craft supply. Will I be buying more? Keep on reading to learn about why I’m on the fence, on the other hand, I think it might be great for adding fun dimensional details to many of my recycling craft ideas, even something as simple as a little ball on top of a mini flag pole. The clay itself is unlike any other clay, and the resulting pieces are almost weightless and feel like meringue, so it is not surprising that this clay is used by crafters who create faux desserts! Okay, lets learn more…….

What Is Air Dry Foam Clay?

Air dry foam clay is not actually clay at all, rather made from a polymer powder of some kind, much like the foam insulation that comes in a gun and my daughter used for crafts in grade school! This is also something that one can make at home, in which case air dry foam clay is made of a mixture of water, PVA glue, and a foaming agent like shaving cream, together with pigments for color. Some recipes also call for other ingredients such as cornstarch, baking soda, or eye drops to achieve the desired consistency and drying properties. Very interesting indeed, but for those trying out the supply, certainly kits with a bunch of colors as seen below, can be purchased inexpensively.

Tips For Using Air Dry Foam Clay

Air dry foam clay differs from brand to brand, and enthusiasts who use this product often likely have a brand that they favor. Here are some tips:

1. Foam clay is rather sticky and difficult to work with. Stick to creating simple shapes like balls, and shapes that start as a ball and are then molded into the final shape, like leaves, flower petals, tear drops etc.
2. One can not use any tools used with polymer clay like tiny cookie cutters etc. as far as I know
3. The small shapes don’t necessarily stick to each other with a strong bond, so many add some white glue to their foam clay to solve that problem
4. The foam clay is most successful when used for items that only need minimal details, and details can be added with a paint pen, even before the item has dried completely
5. Hand rolling uniform tubes, namely to use as flower stems is difficult, next time I will form the clay around a toothpick
6. Make sure to close your packages well, and then put in another bag as air dry clay dries out.
7. In order for items to dry, you will need to turn them over at some point.
8. Do add details with lines and dots by using a toothpick, dull knife or clay working tools.
9. Do expect a learning curve, I’m a professional crafter and I’m still trying to figure this crafting supply out!
10. Do take note that you can mix colors, and of course make dark colors lighter by mixing in white!

What Kinds Of Crafts Can I Make With Foam Clay?

Foam clay is best used for colorful puffy shapes that require minimal details, but can still be adorable. Wonderful used for magnets, tiny plants, mirror frames, small characters made from simple shapes, mobiles, and more.

Additionally, one can use a cardboard base and glue, and apply decorations to that, which I think might be my favorite way to use this clay, though I have yet to try it, stay tuned!