Get the Natural Look

By: Kathleen George for Styrofoam Brand Foam

Tell time with this natural looking faux-stone clock. With its texture it makes for a great kitchen accessory.

Materials:

Steps:

Wax serrated knife with candle stub or paraffin. Measure and cut 8" square from foam block. Use marker to divide foam into four 4" squares. Use smooth edge of knife to widen and deepen grooves to 1/8". Poke pencil through center to create hole for clock movement.
Use putty knife to spread uneven layer of texture medium over entire front surface of foam, including edges. Use knife tip or skewer to make cracks and pits in surface. Vary natural "grain" of four squares slightly for added interest. Use skewer to remove excess medium from grooves and center hole; let dry completely.
Paint clock ivory; let dry. To "age" finish, paint over two opposite ivory squares with thin layer of dark brown; don't forget edges. Immediately remove nearly all paint with damp sponge, leaving paint in grooves and cracks. Repeat aging with light brown, then medium brown, keeping sponge well-rinsed between colors. For a different effect, use soft rag to remove paint.
Paint over remaining squares with thin layer of dark red. Immediately remove excess paint with damp sponge, leaving more color than on previous squares. Let dry. Repeat aging with medium brown.
Mix small amount dark brown paint with a touch of black; thin with water. Paint over groove lines and enhance deeper cracks. Let dry.
Follow manufacturer's instructions to insert clock movement.

®™ Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company ("Dow") or an affiliated company of Dow. For more project ideas, please see styrofoamstyle.com.