Unique Folk Art Santa

The holidays are all about tradition.  Create your own family heirloom with STYROFOAM™ Brand foam and air-dry clay.  You’ll cherish him for years to come!

Completion time – 2-4 hours

Materials
STYROFOAM Brand Foam
Ball, 1-1/2"
Disc, 3" x 1"
Egg, 4"

Other Materials
Acrylic paints: black; cream; fleshtone; red
Air-dry modeling compound, one package
Gloss-finish varnish
Black cardstock, one 12" x 12" sheet
Antique silver glitter
Wool felt: black; natural; red
Natural wool roving
Pink cream cosmetic blush
Mini Christmas light bulb strand
Floral tape
Paper-covered floral wire

Tools
Pencil
Ruler
Wooden items: toothpicks; skewer
Small, clay-dedicated roller
Paintbrushes: fine liner; 1/2" flat
Disposable palette
Water basin
Paper towels
Scissors: standard; pinking-edge paper cutters
Sewing needle
Thread: red; white button
Sandpaper
Wire cutters
Matte-finish dcoupage medium
Low-temp glue gun and glue sticks
Foam glue
Optional: Sewing machine

Instructions
1. Trace foam disc onto black cardstock; cut out with pinking
scissors and set aside.

2. Insert two toothpicks halfway into bottom of foam ball.
Apply glue to free ends of toothpicks and push into center of
narrow end of foam egg, creating Santa form.

3. Insert wooden skewer into center bottom of egg body.
Following manufacturer's instructions, roll large, thin sheets
of air-dry modeling compound. Using fingers, gently mold
modeling compound around Santa form to completely cover
surface. Continue adding bits of modeling compound as needed.

4. Roll two 1"-long logs, tapered at one end, for arms. Press
to Santa's body at shoulders; bend into "light hanging" shape
as shown. Smooth surface with wet fingers. Roll pea-sized ball
of modeling compound and press to face for nose.

5. Cut two 4" wire lengths and bend each into an "L" shape,
creating Santa's legs and feet. Wrap each wire with floral
tape, wrapping boot areas a bit more to create dimension and
texture. Insert wire ends into bottom of body, securing with
glue gun. Cover legs with bits of modeling compound, molding
bottoms into larger boots.
6. Place skewer in heavy glass or jar and let dry completely.
Gently sand all surfaces and wipe away dust with damp paper towel.

7. Holding skewer as a handle, use flat brush to paint Santa's
face fleshtone. Paint suit and tip of nose red. Paint mittens
and boots black. Place skewer in glass and let dry.

8. Refer to photo as a painting guide. Use liner brush to
paint red line for mouth. Use pencil tip to dot eyes black.
Use toothpick to dot each eye cream. Use liner to paint cream
eyebrows. Use finger to blush cheeks with cosmetic blush.
Place skewer in glass and let dry.

9. Apply one coat varnish to entire piece. Place skewer in
glass and let dry. Remove skewer.

10. Cut pattern as indicated. Fold hat in half, wrong sides
facing, and hand- or machine-sew 1/8"-wide hem along straight
edge using red thread. Turn hat right side out and use glue
gun to glue hat to head. Use button thread to tack top of hat
down to one side.

11. Glue small bits of roving to head and face for hair and
beard; glue thin strip of roving to face for mustache. Let dry.

12. Cut long, 1/4"-wide strips from black and natural wool
felt. Glue natural strips around tops of boots, down center of
coat, and around each mitten cuff. Glue black strip around
Santa's belly for belt. Cut small square from black wool felt
and glue to belt for buckle.

13. Trim hat with natural roving, spot gluing to secure. Roll
small ball of roving and glue to tip of hat for pom pom.

14. Use glue gun to glue Santa's feet to foam disc; support
Santa while glue dries. Paint disc and toe area of Santa's
boots with dcoupage medium; while wet, sprinkle with glitter
and shake off excess. Let dry.

15. Glue cardstock circle cut in Step 1 to bottom of glittered
disc. Glue bulb strand into Santa's hands. Glue several more
bulbs to disc near Santa's feet. Let dry. please enjoy the tutorial and give us any feedback.