Most decent-sized foam props seem to be rather expensive, around $70.00. I'd like to try my hand at making my own props, but resources and instructions on how best to do so seem to be rather scarse. I've seen instructions on carving the harder foams, but very little on making anything of the soft, crushable foam, or even where to find foam at that sort suitable for making clown props. Does anybody have any resources or wisdom they'd like to share? I'm wondering if the scarcity of resources and instructions contributes to the high prices of the props...or if its caused from the price of the foam itself. Currently, I haven't a clue.

I don't know about pricing, but I believe fabric stores carry big slabs of soft foam for making furniture cushions.

Foam is expensive... and then you have to have the artistic ability required to make the props, thus.. expensive. Karen Bell used to make the most amazing foam props around but she isnt doing it right now so I'd settle for a resource that sells foam props.

Peachy keen makes some awesome ones! i don't know if he has a website or catalog or if he is convention only, but his prices really aren't too unreasonable.

I make foam props from old, CLEAN couch cushions. The foam can be cut with an electric carving knife (MUST be the bread blade) and can be glued together with spray contact adheisve.

Our whole chapter made large foarm ice cream cones one time.
I was a lot of fun working together making them.
We had a clown that got the foam from a furniture factory, and we shaped it with a electric knife. Then we cut on hole between the ice cream and the cone and inserted a red cloth to put our hand into to represent a long tongue that we could move around.
We have also used pool noodles to make a set of binocular.
I also like the props Peachy Keen makes. They are very nice. A little pricey, but worth the money.

The craft stores sell foam, but the thicker pieces can cost $30-50/yard. So, the foam isn't cheap. I know that spray paints can dissolve styrofoam, and don't know if the same holds true for foam cushions.

you wouldnt want to use spray paint.. its to caustic.. i would just use standard airbrush paints with an airbrush.. they aren't going to disolve anything.

We used shoe polish.

Sorry forgot to add this paint them with Florists spray paint. Michaels has a large selection. I think they are for painting flowers. It does not desinergrate the foam.

I took a class on making foam pupppets once, and Florist spray paint is what they recommended and rubber cemement for putting the pieces together.

There is definitely a knack to cutting foam. I have been doing quite a lot recently and have learned thet you have to go slowly in small layers. Patience required.