DIY Resin Crafting: Everything You Need To Know To Get Started

Resin crafting has taken the world of DIY and handmade crafts by storm, offering endless possibilities to create stunning, glossy, and durable projects. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to dive into the exciting world of resin crafting. Whether you are a beginner or a resin artist looking for new ideas and inspirations.

 

What is Resin Crafting?

Resin crafting involves using liquid resin—a synthetic compound that hardens into a solid, glass-like material when mixed with a hardener. Epoxy resin is the most common type for crafting, known for its clarity, strength, and versatility. Artists and hobbyists use resin to create geode, jewelry, coasters, art pieces, keychains, home decor, and more.

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Beginner’s guide to resin crafts

This beginners guide to resin crafts talks about safety and precaution when handling the solutions, different tools and materials to make your first resin project, various types of resin, and how you can use silicone molds to make beautiful resin art. You will also learn how to add color, fillers, and other insertions into resin successfully and cure it effectively.

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Basic Resin Crafting Supplies List

There are many different materials you can use along with the basic resin craft materials. Here’s everything that you need to get started:

  • Epoxy Resin – follow the manufacturer’s guide for the accurate mixing ratio
  • Plastic sheet for covering the work surface
  • Measuring cups or weighing scale
  • Plastic droppers
  • Disposable gloves
  • Silicone stir sticks or spreader
  • Mixing cups
  • Silicone Split Cups for mixing various colors and pouring together
  • Resin pigments such as mica powder, alcohol inks, resin colorants, and tints
  • Embellishments such as pressed flowers, glitter, sequences, miniature toys
  • Silicone molds to harden resin into projects
  • Torch or heat gun to remove bubbles
  • Paper towels or wet wipes for wiping accidental spills
  • Protective gears like goggles, protective mask, and apron (optional)

 

Basic Resin Project Step-by-Step Instructions:

With these beginner-level steps you can make your first resin coaster or keychain to get acquainted with the substance:

1. Prepare Your Workspace

  • Cover your table with a plastic sheet or a silicone mat to catch spills.
  • Work in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling fumes.
  • Gather all your materials and tools to keep them within reach.

 

2. Measure and Mix the Resin

  • Put on your gloves.
  • Measure equal parts of resin and hardener according to the manufacturer’s instructions using measuring cups or weighing scale for accuracy. Commonly a 1:1 ratio is used, which means equal amount of solution A and B.
  • Pour both components into your mixing container when you are ready to mix and pour.
  • Stir slowly for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is clear and free of streaks. Stir in 1 direction and avoid stirring too fast to prevent bubbles.

 

3. Add Decorative Elements

  • If you want to color your resin, add a small amount of pigment or alcohol ink and mix thoroughly.
  • For extra flair, mix in glitter or place dried flowers in the mold before pouring resin mix.

 

4. Pour the Resin into the Mold

  • Slowly pour the resin mixture into your silicone mold.
  • Fill the mold to the desired level, but avoid overfilling.
  • Use a toothpick or tweezers to adjust any decorations.

 

5. Remove Bubbles

  • Use a heat gun or torch to gently wave heat over the resin’s surface if you see any bubble formation.
  • Be careful not to overheat or hold the heat source too close to the mold, as it can burn the mold.

 

6. Let the Resin Cure

  • Leave the resin in the mold for the time specified in the instructions. Usually 24-48 hours.
  • Place a cover over the mold to keep dust from settling on the surface while it cures.
  • Cure it in a warm or normal temperature. Avoid cold spaces.

 

7. Demold Your Project

  • Once the resin is fully hardened, gently peel the silicone mold away from your project.
  • Add a keychain ring, magnet, or backing to turn your project into a functional item.

Smaller project uses less resin and is ideal for testing. Enjoy the process, and do not rush the curing process, and have fun experimenting! Here’s a list of resin projects for you to try:

 

Make Epoxy Resin Crafts

When crafting with epoxy resin, there is no limit. You may prefer an epoxy resin kit or a beginner friendly resin craft to get yourself familiar with the substance, and learn from practical experience apply all the information you learn. You will find beautiful epoxy resin kits and resin crafts for starters in this Epoxy Resin Crafts: Make Cool Projects for beginners.

People ask are resin crafts easy to make? After trying it for myself, once you have a project in mind, you just have to mix and pour resin. It is simple and easy, but you have to be careful with the ratio to make sure resin cures and hardens properly. Here is a list of beginner friendly step-by-step tutorials for resin art and crafts that I recommend you try to get the basic techniques down:

make-resin-tray-diy-tutorial-5234

Make DIY Resin Tray

 

resin-coasters-cork-coasters-pressed-flower-coasters-diy

Pressed flower resin coasters

DIY resin coasters

 

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Make Resin Coasters WITHOUT molds

 

monstera-philodedron-leaf-resin-art

DIY Resin Art With Hot Glue Gun

 

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Make resin jars

 

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Resin paperweights

Epoxy resin is also a popular DIY projects material. Find ready-to-use kits for your garage at home improvement stores for your next home improvement goal.

 

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Resin soap dish

 

makeresincandleholderfromcustommold

Learn how to imprint a design from an inspired item using this custom resin mold and resin tea light holder tutorial.

 

What else can you make with epoxy resin for crafts?

You can make so many different things with resin:

JEWELRY AND ACCESSORIES: Earrings, necklaces, pendants, bangles, bracelets, rings, hair clips, barrettes

HOME DECOR: Lamp, tea light holders, candle holder, resin geode, decorative sculptures, wall art, trays, serving boards, ornaments, decorative letters, wall clock, picture frames

PRACTICAL THINGS: bookmarks, key chain, magnets, coasters, pen holders, buttons, game boards, phone cases, bowls, trinket dish, paperweights, bookends, napkin ring, dominoes, tic tac toe, comb, utensils

PERSONALIZED GIFTS: keepsakes and memorial gifts using preserved flowers, locks of hair, and ashes, photo-embedded art, letter and name key chains, straw toppers, pencil topper

FURNITURE PROJECTS: Resin-encased wooden stools, countertops, river tables

CRAFTS: Miniature figurines, bookmarks, dried flower resin art

DIY INDUSTRIAL AND REPAIR WORK: Waterproof coating on garage floors, sealing wood, artwork, add strength to repair work.

 

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DIY epoxy resin garage floor

 

Custom Molds for Resin Crafts

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You can make your own silicone molds for unique personalized resin products. Here’s a step-by-step guide to making silicone molds. With UV resin making jewelry and miniature projects has become more intricate with designs.

 

Dry Flowers for Resin Projects

Learn nine proven methods to dry flowers and press unique insertions for your resin projects at home.

 

Expensive Looking Resin Projects

Although not a beginner level but totally doable for artists.

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Epoxy resin projects

Here is a list of stunning epoxy resin projects DIY that look expensive.

 

Resin Envirotex DIY Craft

You can also use resin to craft jewelry and small home projects. Some Resin Jewelry ideas and simple resin crafts for you to get started.

Welcome to craftionary

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Hi, I’m Hani

I’m so glad you're here. I'm a mom of 2 with a passion for DIY and crafting. I love to share ideas for turning simple materials into beautiful home and garden decor that brings warmth and personality to any space.

Whether you're looking for inspiration or easy tutorials, you're in the right place! Stay a while, explore, and don't forget to follow along for new ideas. Let's create something beautiful together!

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