Bev wrote: "SMP lace in the UK sell block pillows and extra blocks. For info, the website is www.smplace.co.uk"
I think we've had this discussion before. SMP pillows are made from polystyrene (the while stuff), not ethafoam.
I think what is known as polystyrene, ethafoam, etc depends on where you are in the world. In the UK:
Polystyrene (expanded polystyrene) The white stuff used to pack white goods, TVs, ornaments etc. That packing is usually very light and has little density. A higher density is used for lace pillows, swimming pool floats, and cheap surf boards among other things. Press it and it's permanently dented. I bought a couple of surf body boards very cheaply (GBP 3.00 each) from local supermarket at the end of the summer to cut up for pillows. Cut it with a knife, and you and everything else is covered in little "white balls". Wetting the knife cuts this down a bit because some of the static is taken out of them. I bought a hot wire very cheaply which runs off a battery for doing the cutting which eliminates the "little balls" and seals the cut edge.
'Styrofoam' (extruded polystyrene) is a trade name from Dow Chemical Company and is usually blue. Builders' merchants also sell yellow sandwiched between foil or board for insulation. Very fine particles and hard. I'd wear a mask when cutting it because of the fine particles. Often so hard you can't put a pin in it. Lace pillows rely on the dust made when using pins filling the pin holes. Lace pillows are more expensive than those made from polystyrene.
Ethafoam (polyethylene foam) is often grey and a bit "squidgy". If cut, you tend to see holes rather than "balls" - a bit like a sponge cake. More flexible than polystyrene. Uses I've seen: pool noodles (lots of colours), packing in the suitcase-type camera cases, packing for some higher class ornaments and glassware. Recovers better than polystyrene. Press it and the dent tends to recover.
Rather than using the common names, you really need to find out whether what you are buying is expanded polystyrene, extruded polystyrene or polyurethane in your own country to be sure of what you are buying.
Jean in Poole, Dorset, UK
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