There's something so rewarding about creating your own piece of art - and DIY crafts are a great way to bring that creativity into your life.
If you're feeling the urge to pick up some new resin supplies and get creative or you're looking for some great DIY home decor ideas, there's a specific type of project that you need to know about: Resin Art Crafts.
You've probably already seen beautiful resin home decor pieces, like geodes adorned with crystals or wall hangings embedded with dried flowers. Resin crafts are colorful, fun, and easy to personalize to suit your own style and taste. The best part is that resin is a simple medium to learn and once you've got the basics down, you can customize it to create just about anything!
💡TIP: Learn how to create wall hangings in our blog How To Make Resin Wall Art With Dried Flowers.
What is Resin?
Resin is a clear liquid that cures into a hard, glossy solid and is used in a variety of different art and crafting projects. It's made from two main ingredients, a resin and a hardener, and when they're mixed, they undergo a chemical reaction that causes them to harden. Resin can be used clear as a protective top coat on artwork, or you can tint it any color you wish to create a whole new piece of art. Pour it into molds to create key chains, trinket dishes, bookmarks, and more, personalizing your pieces with embellishments like gold leaf, glitter, crystals, or vinyl decals. You can also experiment with layering different types of colorants to achieve some beautiful effects in the cured resin.
There are two different types of resins commonly used for crafting: art resin and casting resin. Art resins are widely used in creative projects due to their versatility. They typically have a 1:1 ratio and a relatively short cure time. They have a thicker consistency, offering better control. Art resins are meant to be poured in thin layers, either as top coats or poured into shallow molds. If a coat thicker than 1/4" or 3 mm is desired, art resins are best poured in multiple layers to avoid bubbles.
Casting resins, on the other hand, have a thinner consistency ideal for deep pours, such as encasing or suspending objects in resin. Typically, they have a 2:1 ratio and a require a longer cure time. However, casting resins are not suitable for top coating due to their thin consistency, which may cause them to run off the sides. The thin viscosity of casting resins also presents challenges when attempting to achieve certain color blending effects that can be easily accomplished with art resins.
For this article, we will focus on art resin since it is the most user-friendly type for resin beginners.
Are Resin Crafts Easy to Make?
Resin crafting offers a wide range of techniques and projects to experiment with once you've got the basics down. The process is surprisingly simple and straightforward - in fact, the most challenging part is the patience required while waiting for the resin to harden!
Is Resin Dangerous?
Resin crafting can be done safely as long as you take the proper precautions. The key is to understand the properties of the specific resin you're working with. Check the resin's Safety Data Sheet (SDS) to get familiar with any potential health risks and how to protect yourself.
⚠️ If the resin's SDS includes warnings for eye or skin burns, a skull and crossbones icon, or corrosive pictograms, you might want to opt for a safer choice like ArtResin.
No matter which resin you choose, always adhere to the manufacturer's usage directions, wear the recommended personal protective equipment (PPE), and work in a well-ventilated area.
💡 TIP: Learn more about being a smart resin consumer in our blog How Dangerous Is Your Epoxy Resin.
What You'll Need For Crafting Resin Projects
Before you start crafting with resin, you'll need to have all of the necessary supplies. Here's a quick list of everything that you'll need to get started:
- ArtResin epoxy resin
- A plastic-lined work surface
- Disposable gloves
- Measuring cup with graduated lines
- A flat-edged plastic stir stick
- Spreader or a plastic knife
- Mixing cups
- Resin colorants such as alcohol ink, resin tints, and mica powders
- Small cups and craft sticks to mix individual colors
- Embellishments such as glitter, dried flowers, gold leaf, vinyl decals etc
- Silicone molds to shape the project of your choice such as coasters, trays, bowls, dog tags, hair barrettes etc.
- Torch, a heat gun or hair dryer
- Paper towel and a bottle of isopropyl alcohol or baby wipes for spills
20 Epoxy Resin Craft Ideas to Get You Started
Now that you've learned about the different types of resin and the essentials for getting started, let's explore some fun and easy craft ideas. From jewelry to coasters, art, and home decor, there's something for everyone on this list!
1. Resin Coasters
Resin coasters are a beautiful addition to any home, offering a touch of elegance and practicality. Not only do they look stunning, but they are simple to craft. Moreover, they make a great gift or home decor item. The key to making beautiful resin coasters is to use high-quality resin, follow the instructions carefully, and let your imagination fly!
💡 TIP: Learn how to make your own resin floral coasters in our blog How To Make 3D Resin Flower Coasters.
2. Resin Tea Light Holders
Resin tea light holders are perfect for adding a little bit of cozy ambience to your home decor. The process is simple: Start with a mold, fill it with layers of clear or tinted resin, adding optional embellishments such as gold flakes, sparkly crystals, or glitter, let it cure, and enjoy!
💡 TIP: Molds like these are great for keeping on hand. Pour any leftover resin into it and, bit by bit, you'll fill the mold and end up with a totally random, one-of-a-kind piece of art.
⚠️ Always use an LED tea light rather than a flame candle with cured resin.
3. Resin Charms & Resin Keychains
A resin creation can turn a purse, a backpack or a boring set of keys into a work of art. It's as simple as adding resin to a mold, and then using your creativity to add color, glitter, dried flowers, or other embellishments. Once cured, attach keychain hardware and it's ready to go!
💡 TIP: Learn how to make your own personalized keychains in our blog How To Make Resin Keychains.
4. Resin Magnets
Colorful resin magnets are a great way to add a pop of color to your fridge (or any other metal surface in your home). Craft them in any shape, color, or design you want for a fun and useful resin project!
5. Resin Pendants
Resin pendants are more than just a beautiful piece of jewelry; they're a little piece of art that will catch everyone's eye. Whether you use a closed back bezel designed specifically for pendants or you get creative with other mold types, you can create a pendant that reflects your personal style.
💡 TIP: Learn how to make your own resin pendant in our blog Top 10 Easy Epoxy Resin Art Ideas.
6. Resin Rings
Resin rings are beautiful jewelry pieces that are well worth the effort. The end result is a stunning, one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry.
7. Resin Earrings
Hand crafted resin earrings can be made in any shape or size, and that glossy finish will catch and reflect light beautifully. They're relatively easy to make, and you have the freedom to add any embellishments you prefer, giving them a unique touch that matches your style.
💡 TIP: Learn how to make your own custom resin earrings in our blog How To Make Resin Jewelry.
8. Resin Planter Pot
Creating resin planter pots is fun and easy and offers a personal touch to your home decor. You can experiment with mixing and matching colors to create unique designs, or keep it simple with a single color. Either way, simply add your favorite plant and you've got a beautiful piece of functional art that can be given as a gift or enjoyed in your own home.
9. Resin Jewelry Displays
Whether you want to showcase your favorite earrings or sell your hand-crafted resin jewelry, these displays are the perfect solution. They're beautiful and help to keep your jewelry neatly organized.
10. Resin Picture Frames
Give your favorite photos a unique and beautiful frame with the help of resin and a mold. Making a tinted resin picture frame is a fun and easy DIY project. Best of all, you can make resin picture frames in any color you like.
11. Resin Ornaments
Christmas (or any other holiday) is the perfect time to make resin ornaments. They make a wonderful addition to your holiday decor or beautiful gift tags on presents. And don't worry - they're not as difficult to make as you might think!
💡 TIP: See our blog 12 ArtResin Days of Christmas to find more holiday resin craft ideas!
12. Resin Desk Accessories
Give your desk a unique and personal touch with beautiful resin desk accessories. You can find molds made specifically for pen or paperclip holders, or get creative with planter pot molds or trinket dish molds to achieve the look you want.
💡 TIP: Learn how to make this trinket dish in our blog Top 10 Easy Epoxy Resin Art Ideas.
13. Resin Clock
If you'd like to create a resin craft that is both beautiful and functional, consider a resin clock. It's as easy as pouring tinted resin into a clock mold and creating the design of your choice. Whether you prefer a stunning marble effect, a geode look, or the calming vibe of ocean waves, resin wall clocks add an artistic touch to your home or office decor.
14. Resin Tray
Resin is the perfect material for adding a personal touch to your trays and impressing your guests. Simply pour tinted resin into a silicone tray mold, adding glitter, dried flowers, shells, or gold leaf to give it a personalized touch, and finishing it off with the handles of your choice.
💡 TIP: Learn how to transform a plain metal tray into a piece of functional art in our blog How To Create Resin Flow Art.
15. Resin Bowls
These bowls are so pretty that you’ll want to display them even when they’re not in use. Create a stunning effect by adding various colorants to clear resin and pouring one after the other into a mold, allowing the colors to blend and create their magic. Use a mold specifically designed for bowls, or use a decorative coaster mold: at the 24 hour mark, once the resin has cured dry to the touch but is still flexible, shape it by placing it in a plastic bowl and let it finish curing.
16. Resin Barrettes
Add a pop of color to your hair with resin barrettes! They're easy to make and you can create them in any color or style you like. Simply tint the resin in your chosen color, add the embellishments you like, and let it set. Once cured, use adhesive to attach the clip hardware.
17. Resin Bookmarks
These bookmarks are perfect for gifting to book lovers. Get creative by adding embellishments like glitter, gold leaf, dried flowers, or a colorful tassel and resin charm. You can easily personalize them by adding vinyl letters to spell out a name.
18. Resin Paperweights
Resin paperweights are so beautiful that you’ll want to keep them out on display. You can add anything you want to personalize them, such as glitter, dried flowers, shells, or personal mementos.
19. Resin Ring Dish
A resin ring dish is great to keep by the kitchen or bathroom sink to keep your jewelry safe. Made of durable and waterproof resin, it's built to last and the smooth surface keeps rings and other jewelry safe from scratches.
20. Resin Dog Tags
Craft a personalized resin dog tag for your beloved furry friend! Easily customize it with colorants, glitter, charms, or vinyl letters to spell out their name. These versatile tags can even double as stylish keychains for fur-moms and dads.
FREE Download: Resin Care Cards
Do you sell your resin crafts? Download our 8 Resin Care Cards you can personalize with your business name, website and social media handle. Print, and include them with your orders to help your customers care for their resin items to keep them looking as beautiful as the day they received them!
You can never go wrong with a resin craft: The possibilities are endless, whether you're making gifts for friends and family, sprucing up your personal space, or looking for unique home decor items to sell as part of your resin business.
So, what are you waiting for? Get creative and start crafting with epoxy resin!
ArtResin: The Original Epoxy For Resin Art.
