Verified answer

Plaster of paris? It depends on what you need to do with the bow...You can always make your own clay.

Do you mean you want a substitute for a particular *kind* of clay, or just that you want something besides a clay-like material?

There are all kinds of clays (some purchased, some made at home), and there are many other clay-like or shapable materials.

Check out my answers here for the various "clays":

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=201006...

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AlmFt...

Other than that, you could use a 2-part resin (or plaster) in a mold, or form the bows from fabric or ribbon or even from paper, etc, etc.

More info needed.