Making Shapes

Making shapes for 3 dimensional projects is one one of the fun parts of the project. There are several ways to do this, and a lot of different materials to use. You can also use free materials that would otherwise be thrown in the trash or you can purchase the needed materials. I use a lot of foam in my shapes, which is available through the craft stores or I just keep the packing material foam that comes with appliances and other products to keep my materials costs down.

For instance, I bought a piece of foam from Michaels for $11.00. My husband bought an item that had twice the amount of foam and that was free. Frankly, the free foam cut easier. The foam used n packing is a little less dense, which makes cutting it and shaping it easier. 

Shapes can also be started with a balloon, crunched up paper, tape, plastic bottles, etc. Whatever you can find. 

What you'll need.

• foam or other shaping products
• foam cutter
• ​wire or toothpicks for additional pieces
• gorilla glue

For the foam block, I first draw the basic shape and cut out all of the extra using the foam cutter. 

Once you get the desired 3 dimensional shape, add anything additional that needs to go on it. 

I use toothpicks and gorilla glue. Gorilla glue is great to use with foam. 

The other great thing about foam is that you can sand it with a lower grade of sandpaper and it will help with all the angles. It shapes nicely with sandpaper. 

If you're going to go over it with papier mache', it will be ok to leave some of the foam shiny, but for adhesion, it is always best to have your foam surfaces sanded, so it's a nice rough texture. The material will adhere better to it. 

For these foam fish, I am not going to papier mache them, but am going to put the joint compound directly on them.  

Foam fish created out of $11 foam

Papier Mache form over foam and balloon

Foam fish created using free foam