Styrofoam shapes and craft cotton to paint and decorate

Styrofoam and cotton shapes to decorate

Styrofoam and cotton shapes are lightweight bases that you can paint, cover, wrap or decorate. In this category you'll find Styrofoam balls, hearts, stars and other shapes in many sizes, craft cotton and foam or polystyrene blanks, for example for model making.

How to paint and glue Styrofoam properly

Some spray paints contain solvents that dissolve Styrofoam. So use water-based paints such as acrylic paint, or prime the shape first. For gluing, too, solvent-free glues or low-temperature hot glue are the better choice. You can cut Styrofoam with a sharp craft knife or a foam cutter.

To cover shapes with fabric or paper, brush on thinned craft glue so the material lies smoothly around curves. Craft cotton serves as snow, clouds, padding or stuffing and complements winter and Christmas decor. Combine them with fabric, paper or natural materials to make decor for every season.

• Styrofoam balls for Christmas ornaments and figures
• Hearts, stars and other shapes for arrangements
• Craft cotton for snow and cloud effects
• Foam or polystyrene blanks for model making

Tip: Stick small shapes on a wooden skewer or toothpick for painting – that gives you a handle, and you can stand them in a jar to dry afterwards.