What is Foam Clay?
Foam clay is a lightweight, moldable material perfect for DIY projects and crafts. It's soft and easy to shape when wet, and it dries firm without cracking. Ideal for creating home decor and mini sculptures, foam clay is loved for its versatility and ease of use. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned crafter, foam clay helps you bring your creative ideas to life effortlessly.
Looking to get started? Claymoo offers DIY Foam Clay Kits perfect for a fun activity to kickstart your foam clay journey!
Foam Clay Properties
Foam clay is a popular choice for crafters due to its unique combination of properties that make it both easy to work with and highly versatile. Below are some of the key characteristics and benefits that set foam clay apart from other crafting materials:
Properties of Foam Clay: Key Characteristics and Benefits
- Lightweight: Easy to handle and perfect for detailed work.
- Moldable: Soft and pliable when wet, allowing for intricate designs.
- Durable: Dries firm and strong without cracking.
- Non-toxic: Safe for all ages and crafting purposes.
- Quick Drying: Typically dries within 24-48 hours, depending on thickness.
- Paintable: Can be painted after drying to add color and detail to your creations.
Foam Clay vs Air dry Clay
There is a lot of confusion between foam clay, air dry clay. But essentially, foam clay is a type of air dry clay. It’s confusing because all of these different types of clays fit under the “air dry clay” category. Below is the comparison between three of the most popular types of air dry clay. For a more detailed comparison, see my blog post where I do a comprehensive comparison between the two materials.
| Air-Dry Foam Clay | Air-Dry Modelling Clay | Play-Doh | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Lightweight, pliable, and spongy material | Denser with a smooth texture, similar to traditional clay | Soft, pliable dough mainly used for kids' play |
| Properties | Lightweight, Dries to a flexible, slightly squishy texture, retains vibrant colors | Dries hard and durable, can be sanded, carved, and painted | Does not dry hard, becomes crumbly and cracks rather than drying into a solid, hard mass. |
| Ease of Use | Easy for beginners and children due to pliability and quick drying | Requires more skill for detailed work, longer drying time | Very easy for young children, non-toxic and safe |
| Applications | Crafting small decorative items, embellishments, mixed-media art projects, cosplay | Creating detailed sculptures, functional items like pots and trays, advanced craft projects | Simple shapes and models, educational play activities |
5 Beginner Tips for using Foam Clay
1. Store Unused Clay Properly
Always store unused foam clay in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag to prevent it from drying out. Ensure there's minimal air inside the container to maintain its pliability. Covering the clay with a damp cloth before sealing can help keep it moist.
2. Use the Right Tools
Utilize tools such as toothpicks for adding fine details, sculpting knives for shaping and cutting, and small paintbrushes for smoothing and blending. Keeping a bowl of water and a damp cloth nearby can assist with blending and smoothing the clay as you work.
3. Prepare the Clay to Prevent Cracks
Before using foam clay, stretch and knead it thoroughly to remove air pockets and make it more pliable. Be cautious not to overwork the clay, as this can weaken its structure and increase the likelihood of cracks. Ensuring an even thickness throughout your project also helps minimize cracking.
4. Roll Evenly with Your Palms
When making rolls with foam clay, use your palms instead of your fingers to achieve a more even thickness. Rolling with your fingers can lead to uneven shapes and textures. Ensure you're rolling on a clean, smooth surface to prevent any imperfections in your clay.
5. Rehydrate Drying Clay
If your foam clay starts to dry out, add a few drops of water to rehydrate it. Knead the water into the clay thoroughly to restore its moldability. Using a damp sponge or brush while working can help keep the clay moist and easy to shape.
3 DIY Foam Clay Projects
Get inspired with 3 creative foam clay projects below! If you're not sure how to get started, be sure to check out our DIY foam clay kits, which include everything you need to begin crafting with foam clay. For more ideas checkout our 5 DIY Foam Clay Ideas blog post.
Flower Picture Frame
@claymoo.co A really pretty DIY idea if you have extra picture frames laying around the house. #clay #airdryclay #polymerclay #foamclay #DIY #DIYidea #craft #craftideas ♬ Coffee - beabadoobee
Starry Night Tray
@claymoo.co Making a trinket with super light foam clay hehe. Clay idea for yall to try #clay #polymerclay #art #craft #trinkets #clayideas ♬ son original - justanunknownstar
Blue Flower Lamp
@claymoo.co Flower Lamp tutorial 🌺 Materials: - colored soft air-dry clay - Toothpick for making the flower petals - LED string lights - Glue - Balloon Instructions: - Mix colors for the flowers. - Make flowers and wait for the clay to semi-dry (you don’t want it to fully dry because it’d be hard to stick together). - Place around the balloon. Leave an opening at the bottom. Wait for the clay to fully dry (about 2 days) before taking out the balloon. - Place LED string lights inside the flower lamp. Add a base if you want! #learntosculpt #diyidea #craftidea #DIYdecor #polymerclay #clayideas ♬ universe (sped up) - thuy
Where to Buy Foam Clay?
We sell DIY foam clay kits, but if you’re looking to just buy bulk foam clay, we recommend getting BOHS foam modelling clay.
