5 Fabulous Beginner Resin Projects to Try

The world of resin crafting has exploded in popularity in recent years, compelling artisans with its ability to create gorgeous, one-of-a-kind pieces. But for beginners, the process can seem intimidating. Fear not! Resin offers a surprisingly accessible medium, and with the proper project selection, you can be well on your way to creating beautiful, personalised items.

This blog post delves into five fabulous beginner resin projects guaranteed to spark your creativity and make you comfortable using resin. Each project is designed to be simple, requiring minimal supplies and focusing on fundamental techniques. So, grab your gloves, dust off your workspace, and prepare to explore your inner resin artist by enrolling in a resin art workshop.

Project 1: Dazzling DIY Coasters

Resin coasters are a classic beginner project for a reason. They're practical, allowing you to protect your furniture while adding a personalised flair to your coffee table.

What You'll Need

• Silicone coaster moulds (choose any shape or size you like)
• Epoxy resin and hardener (ensure it's suitable for coasters)
• Mixing cups and sticks
• Alcohol inks or mica powder (for colour)
• Optional: Decorative elements like dried flowers, glitter, or tiny seashells

Steps

1. Prepare Your Workspace: Cover your surface with a disposable tablecloth or newspaper. Ensure reasonable ventilation by opening windows or using a fan.
2. Mix the Resin: Following the manufacturer's instructions, mix the resin and hardener in the designated ratio. Stir thoroughly for the recommended time to ensure proper curing.
3. Colour Your Resin (Optional): Add a few drops of alcohol ink or mica powder to your desired amount of resin and stir gently to achieve a uniform colour.
4. Pour into Moulds: Carefully pour the coloured resin into your silicone coaster moulds, filling them to about ¾ full.
5. De-bubble: Use a lighter (held at a safe distance) or a heat gun to gently remove any air bubbles that may have formed on the resin's surface.
6. Add Embellishments (Optional): Before the resin sets, carefully add dried flowers, glitter, or other decorative elements if desired.
7. Curing Time: The resin can cure entirely according to the manufacturer's instructions. This typically takes 24-48 hours.
8. Demolding: Once fully cured, gently peel the coasters away from the mould.

Project 2: Shimmering Resin Phone Case

Transform your plain phone case into a work of art with shimmering resin.

What You'll Need

• Clear phone case (preferably a flexible TPU case)
• Epoxy resin and hardener
• Mixing cups and sticks
• Glitter or metallic flakes
• Painter's tape (optional)

Steps

1. Clean and Prep Your Phone Case: Thoroughly clean your cover with rubbing alcohol to remove dirt or oils.
2. Apply Painter's Tape (Optional): If you wish to create specific design elements on your phone case, use painter's tape to mask off areas you don't like the resin to cover.
3. Mix the Resin and Glitter: Following the manufacturer's instructions, mix the resin and hardener. Once combined, stir in your desired amount of glitter or metallic flakes.
4. Pour onto the Phone Case: Carefully pour the resin mixture onto the back of your phone case, ensuring it covers the entire surface. Tilt the case to spread the resin evenly.
5. De-bubbling and Curing: Use a heat gun or lighter (held safely) to remove any air bubbles. Let the resin cure as per the instructions.
6. Remove Tape (Optional): Once cured, gently peel off any painter's tape you use.

Project 3: Enchanting Floral Coasters with Dried Flowers

Take your coaster project a step further by incorporating beautiful dried flowers.

What You'll Need

• All the supplies from Project 1 (DIY Coasters)
• Dried flowers (choose flat varieties like baby's breath or small pressed flowers)
• Tweezers

Steps

1. Follow steps 1-3 from Project 1 (DIY Coasters).
2. Arrange Flowers: Before pouring the resin, use tweezers to arrange your dried flowers in the silicone coaster moulds carefully.
3. Pour and Cure: Carefully pour the mixed resin into the moulds, ensuring the flowers are encased within the resin. Continue with steps 5-8 from Project 1.

Project 4: Sparkling Resin Jewellery

Resin jewellery is another fantastic beginner project. With minimal supplies, you can create beautiful earrings, pendants, or even bracelets.

What You'll Need

• Silicone jewellery moulds (choose your desired shapes)
• Epoxy resin and hardener
• Mixing cups and sticks
• Alcohol inks or mica powder (for colour)
• Jewellery findings (jump rings, earring hooks, etc.)
• Drill (optional for creating holes in pendants)

Steps

1. Prepare Your Workspace: Refer back to Project 1 for workspace preparation tips.
2. Mix the Resin: Following the manufacturer's instructions, mix the resin and hardener.
3. Colour Your Resin (Optional): Add a few drops of alcohol ink or mica powder to achieve your desired colour and stir gently.
4. Pour into Moulds: Carefully pour the coloured resin into your silicone jewellery moulds, filling them to about ¾ full.
5. De-bubbling: Use a lighter (held at a safe distance) or a heat gun to remove any air bubbles that may have formed on the resin's surface.
6. Curing Time: The resin can cure entirely according to the manufacturer's instructions. This typically takes 24-48 hours.
7. Demolding: Once fully cured, gently peel the jewellery pieces away from the mould.
8. Drilling Holes (Optional): If you're creating pendants, use a drill with a tiny bit to make holes where you'll attach your jump rings.
9. Attach Findings: Attach jump rings, earring hooks, or other jewellery findings to your cured resin pieces.

Project 5: Nature-Inspired Resin Bezels

Bezels are pre-made metal frames that can be filled with resin to create beautiful pendants or rings. This project allows you to incorporate natural elements like small shells, pebbles, or leaves.

What You'll Need

• Bezel blanks (choose your desired size and metal type)
• Epoxy resin and hardener
• Mixing cups and sticks
• Natural elements like small shells, pebbles, or leaves (ensure they are dry and flat)
• Tweezers

Steps

1. Prepare Your Workspace: Refer back to Project 1 for workspace preparation tips.
2. Mix the Resin: Following the manufacturer's instructions, mix the resin and hardener.
3. Arrange Natural Elements: Using tweezers, carefully arrange your chosen natural aspects within the bezel blank.
4. Pour the Resin: Carefully pour a small amount of mixed resin into the bezel, ensuring it covers the base and secures the natural elements. De-bubble the resin using a lighter or heat gun.
5. Layer and Cure: Once the first layer sets slightly (around 15 minutes), pour thin resin layers until the bezel is filled. Let the resin cure, following the manufacturer's instructions.

Bonus Tips for Success!

• Safety first: Always have gloves and safety glasses when working with resin, and ensure proper ventilation in your workspace.
• Work in Small Batches: It's easier to manage smaller amounts of resin to minimise waste, especially when starting.
• Less Is More: When adding colour or embellishments, start with a small amount and slowly add more until you achieve the desired effect.
• Practice Makes Perfect: Don't be discouraged if your first project isn't ideal. Resin crafting takes practice, and there's always room to learn and improve.

Conclusion

The world of resin crafting awaits you with its endless possibilities for creating stunning and personalised pieces. The five projects explored in this blog post—DIY Coasters, Shimmering Phone Cases, Enchanting Floral Coasters, Sparkling Resin Jewellery, and Nature-Inspired Resin Bezels—offer a fantastic starting point for beginners. Each project focuses on fundamental techniques, utilises readily available supplies, and allows you to experiment with colour, texture, and embellishments.