Brand Name:		STYROFOAM™ Brand Foam
Manufacturer:		The Dow Chemical Company
Distributors:		Two national, independent fabricators with a network of distribution facilities
Availability:		In the United States and Canada from floral and craft wholesalers, craft stores and national chain stores
Composition:		Extruded polystyrene foam, white or green in color
Applications:		A basic, versatile plastic foam used in floral designs and craft projects

• Shapes cut true to form and size
• A consistent texture through and through, without gaps and holes
• Superior holding power, holding even the largest floral stems precisely in place.
• Firm structure tightly grips pins, fabrics, trims and other decorations
• Easier to cut, shape, glue, paint and cover than any other foam product
• Finely textured surface provides a smoother finish for craft projects, whether painted or covered
• Closed-cell structure won't absorb moisture, even when immersed in water
• Retains its shape when wet
• Lightweight and easy to handle
• Clean and non-dusting
• Economical compared to most alternative products
• Reusable

Shape Assortment
Crafters and florists can choose from more than 50 different shapes and sizes of STYROFOAM™ brand foam, including balls, sheets, cubes, cones, eggs, hearts, blocks, rings, shamrocks, pumpkins, and many others. In addition, it's easy to cut STYROFOAM™ brand foam into almost any size and shape using a hacksaw, serrated knife or hot wire cutter. (Please follow manufacturer's safety instructions when operating a hot wire cutter.)

Applications
STYROFOAM™ brand foam is a versatile, easy-to-use product that readily adapts to many craft projects and flower arrangements. It's fun, creative and safe to use for any age - kindergartners to seniors.

Crafters use STYROFOAM™ brand products for home décor accents and holiday projects, including wreaths, swags, topiaries, Christmas trees, ornaments, angels, Santas, snowmen, pumpkins, witches, scarecrows, tombstones, bunnies, chicks, decorated eggs, baskets, turkeys and pilgrims.

Crafts for classrooms, scout troops, youth groups, daycare centers, and other groups are easy to plan when incorporating STYROFOAM™ brand products to create picture frames, dolls, mobiles, animals, puppets, clowns, solar systems, insects, Martians, castles and other real and imaginary endeavors.

Florists incorporate novel shapes of STYROFOAM™ brand foam into fantastic floral arrangements using exotic flowers, from sophisticated silks to delicate drieds, along with beautiful naturals and other accents. Funeral arrangements feature wreaths, crosses, Masonic emblems, Bibles and ships' wheels.

Party planners create custom theme arrangements and centerpieces for business meetings, conventions and festive occasions. It's easy to celebrate weddings, birthdays, showers and other special events with original centerpieces fashioned from STYROFOAM™ brand products.

Versatile and Adaptable
STYROFOAM™ brand foam is adaptable to limitless finishes and materials, fulfilling the demands of creativity:

• Cover it with paper and embellish with charms, die cuts, and other popular paper crafting products.
• Decorate with ribbons, feathers, sequins, raffia, fabric, glitter or go natural with nuts, beans, seeds or dried and pressed flowers.
• Paint with acrylic craft paints (paints containing solvents may damage the foam).
• Texture the foam with a coating of acrylic spackling, plaster of Paris, wallboard compound, gesso, modeling paste or other coating material.
• Apply a faux finish, such as a copper patina, verdi gris coating or crackle medium. Antique it with an antiquing kit or by applying a solution of raw umber mixed with varnish over any color base coat (use water-based paints for the base).
• Cut with a serrated knife, handsaw, hot wire or battery-operated cutter (please follow manufacturer's safety instructions when operating a hot wire or battery-operated cutter).
• Shape and form it with fingers, pencils, or carving tools.
• Thick, white craft glue is ideal for STYROFOAM brand foam. Use florists' picks or toothpicks to hold the pieces together until dried. For faster bonding, try a low-melt glue gun; hot glue guns can be used but they will melt a small portion of the foam. (Please follow manufacturer's safety instructions when operating a glue gun.)

Environmental Update
Dow is the world's largest manufacturer of extruded polystyrene foam and takes an active role in implementing solutions to environmental concerns. STYROFOAM brand products are CFC-free**, reusable and recyclable where programs and facilities exist. For more information, visit Dow and the Environment.