I was fortunate to have been exposed to various forms of art from a young age. From poetry to music, painting to sculpting, and even wood carving. I was always surrounded by someone making some sort of art.
I remember clearly watching my grandfather carve fun little creatures from wood branches. My grampa had a bohemian heart and was a free spirited soul. Yet, he had such a strong faith in the Lord. He lived in a little shack in the country with lots of chickens and roosters, stray cats and dogs. He loved nature and was often spotted wearing a weaved headband around his long white mane. He wore multiple leather bracelets around his wrist , suspenders and funky hats. He was the original Johnny Depp.
It is perhaps his influence that led to art being such a huge part of my life.
To me, art has no rules and should have no boundaries. It’s about exploring your creativity without being afraid of the end result. It is about the process and not the end product. I am slowly learning to let go of that fear of failing when it comes to art, and enjoy taking on challenges that put me outside my comfort zone.
So when FloraCraft asked me to create something fun with their ‘Make It: Fun® Foam Sheets’, I knew I wanted to challenge myself and try something new. I have been wanting to carve wood for some time now, so why not carve some Styrofoam and make a “wooden” dough bowl? I take these challenges seriously people! ha.
I started by gluing two pieces of foam sheets together in order to give it depth. I cut the shape of a bowl using the Styro Cutter Plus.I then starting ‘carving” the inside of the bowl . Yes, that’s an ice cream scoop I was using. I have to admit, this was a messy process but I was so focused that I din’t even notice, the pile of fake snow all around me.
Once I had the basic shape I wanted, I sanded it down and smoothed the edges. I realize that the edges and corners of a real wood bowl are thinner and sharper, but that would have jeopardize the strength of the Styrofoam. In order to seal all the pores of the foam I used plaster of Paris. Though FloraCraft has an amazing product called Smooth Finish available that you can use. But I didn’t have it at hand. I think, the most challenging part of this project was trying to achieve the right color of antique wood. So I just played around it with various shades of browns.
Until I achieved a somewhat similar patina to a real wooden bowl.
I will probably go back and touch it up again, but for now, it looks kinda neat sitting on our living room.
Admittedly, I wasn’t sure if the bowl was going to turn out, so I made some ‘wooden’ oars, just in case.
These were super easy to make.
Just draw the shape of an oar, cut with the StyroCutter and paint.
And though they are not perfect, I think it’s the imperfections that make them look all beat up and old and I love that.
So there you go, another challenge completed. For more Flora Craft Projects you can visit. www.makeitfuncrafts.com
And though it was fun, I think I’m going to stick to paint brushes and watercolors for now.
You can order Daisy HERE.
Thank you so much for stopping by. Have a beautiful day!
much love,
This is absolutely amazing Lucy! I would have never known they were foam had you not shown how they started! I am always in awe of your ability to see potential in things. Also loved that sweet description of your grandpa…it made me smile 🙂
Beautifully done! Your bowl is beautiful, and the oars, too. Thank you for sharing your story about your grampa, too. He sounds like a very special man.
FOR REAL!!! You never cease to amaze me!! I can’t even believe those are styrofoam!! That is insane, beautifully done 🙂
WOW! You did an amazing job! And I’m off to go order that cow print for my husband! haha They’re his favorite!
Her Heartland Soul
http://herheartlandsoul.com
I am sitting here mouth wide open in awe lol amazing you are simy amazing!!
Also where is that gorgeous mirror from?
You are so, so talented. Amazing.
these are amazing! I would never guess they’re foam. What a sweet tribute to your grandpa too 🙂
Amazing! Lucy, these look so real. You are so talented and such an inspiration!
I LOVE this!!! I have been looking for a wooden dough bowl that didn’t cost a fortune forever and this looks gorgeous!! I definitely need to try this!
Oh, Lucy, you have created such beauty from those foam sheets!
That is insane! Seriously…INSANE! WoW!
I love that dough bowl! What a great way to get the look for less!
xo,
Shannon
Lucy, I just can’t believe your bowl isn’t wood, it’s simply gorgeous! and I loved the story about your grampa, he sounds amazing.
This is absolutely amazing and so so clever! Never would have thought to use styrofoam! Thank you so much for sharing with us! Your living room is beyond charming!
Tammy
Lucy you never cease to amaze me! That is extraordinar!! I’m in awe of your talent an imagination. I would love to try this, vintage dough bowls are out of my budget. I’m not sure if I could create something as wonderful as yours but I may try it.
PS your grandpa sounds like my kinda guy. Marching to his own beat with a reverence for the blessings of this earth. I adore people like him.
Lucy, that was amazing! Kudos to you! Very creative.
I love to craft too and ever since my siblings were young, we would make things with my mom. That has grown into a business today and we have 15 shops. I don’t think these foam sheets you used are available here in the Philippines but I’ve made things out of styrofoam just so I wouldn’t throw it away! I enjoyed your post, and the pictures are beauuutiful! Thanks for sharing! patsy
Lucy,
You are amazing and an inspiration to me! I loved your story today, about growing up and being influenced by the artists in your own family and overcoming your fear of failure. I so get that!
Blessings,
Diane
Lucy… you never cease to amaze me! I would never have thought that the bowl or the oars were anything but wood. Your coloring is beautiful. Thanks for the wonderful inspiration and helping us to think outside the box when it comes to something like styrofoam, even.
Blessings!
The bowl is amazing and would be something I would love to try when I have time. What size were your foam sheets?
Just when I thought it has all been done… you come up with a brilliant idea. I love the bread dough bowl.
Wow Lucy, the bowl and the oars are just flippin amazing! You just have an amazing imagination, talent, and full of inspiration! You are my hero lol! Loved the story of your grandfather….such lovely memories you have. Can’t get over those pieces were made from Styrofoam! I want to try that bowl! Have a beautiful day!
You are so amazingly talented! The oars and bowl turned out beautifully! The story about your grandfather helped calm me – it’s been a stressful day. Thank you for sharing!
Wow! I looked at it and thought, what a great wooden bowl, then I continued to read and found it wasn’t wood at all! It’s amazing how it really looks wooden! My 91 year old dad has a workshop in our basement which he can’s use anymore. I belonged to 4-H when I was in grade school. One of the crafts that was made by my dad for when we did arts and crafts was a birdhouse made of styrofoam. He called it a birdhouse, but it really just looks like a house. He cut all the pieces out and we put them together with glue. Then we decorated the houses with sequins, pieces of felt, all kinds of fun things. Can you believe 60 years later because that’s how old I am, we actually have some of those birdhouses? Can you also believe they look like I made them yesterday? It really brings back lots of good memories.
I loved hearing about your grandfather. He sounds like a really nice man and someone I would like to have known. We are all crafty in some way in my family. My mom’s dad didn’t do anything crafty but my mom’s mom did tatting and knitting. I don’t think my dad’s parents were crafty because they were poor. My dad’s dad worked in the coal mines in Penn. and his mom died while my dad was in the war in the 40’s .I guess we get it from my mom’s side of the family.
Amaaazing Lucy!!! Luv the dough bowl.
I feel the same… without art, where would I be. I am me… I must create!
Lucy, you are so ridiculus-ly talented! Both projects turned out amazing, but I’m swooning over that bowl!
JP
I was reading and then scrolled down and saw styrofoam… and was like “what!!!” This looks absolutely amazing! You did a great job!!!
Wow, this is incredible, Lucy! AMAZING! I’m sharing on my FB page today 😉
Hugs, Jamie
So amazingly cool Lucy! I never would have guessed!
And I’m not a huge lover of cows but Daisy is calling my name! I think I may have to add her to my collection of your awesome pillows!
I love all of your projects. Any of them are exactly what I would choose to have in my home.
I have been looking for a coffee table, but have not seen what I want until I saw yours. Is there any way that you would share the manufacturer or store name?
I can’t wait to look at the rest of your projects.
Vicki
Are you sure that this isn’t an early April Fool’s trick? Amazing! I want one!
When you want to do something unique for your home, I think it’s important to start with the color scheme and style so that everything looks harmonious. Little things like pillows, paintings or candles make the interior cozier. Another tip — don’t be afraid to add personal elements: photos, souvenirs from trips. You can also check out the perigold store website and find something suitable for your interior. But don’t overload the space. The house should remain comfortable, not turn into a museum.