Have you seen the gorgeous designs that people make with resin? From beautiful jewelry to elaborate tabletop decorations, there are so many amazing and unique things that artists create.
And because resin is such a versatile material, it works for all kinds of projects, big and small.
But what exactly is resin? What do you use it for? How do you get started with crafting things out of it? What materials do you need for resin art? Keep reading if you want to learn more!
What do I need to start working with resin?
To start your journey into polymer casting, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the materials you’ll be working with and tools you’ll need.
For resin alone: You will need:
Plastic sheeting (1) Plastic sheeting (2) Resin (1 qt or ~10 oz) Resin (1 1/2 qt or ~20 oz) Hardener (1 qt or ~10 oz) Mixing utensils Stir sticks Gloves Heat gun Mask Clean up supplies Work area
Table of Contents
- What do I need to start working with resin?
- What do I need to get started with resin?
- What do you need to start doing resin art?
- What materials do you need for resin art?
- How do you start crafting with resin?
- Do I need a heat gun for resin?
- Is resin art profitable?
- What is the difference between resin and epoxy?
What do I need to get started with resin?
You will need a few supplies to get started with resin. We have compiled a list of the basic supplies you will need for casting and these supplies can be purchased at your local art supply store or online at places like Amazon.
You can also buy resin kits which include all the basic supplies, but this is usually more expensive than buying each item separately.
Supplies required:
- Dried flowers, leaves, or petals (optional)
- Resin hardener and catalyst
- Popsicle sticks or something similar for mixing the resin (a small stirring stick from Home Depot works well)
- Jewelry molds or silicone molds suitable for small items
- A glass measuring cup in good condition and large enough to hold the amount of resin you want to mix (1 cup size is a good size)
- Gloves and safety goggles
What do you need to start doing resin art?
First, you’ll need some basic materials to work with. You can find these at a craft store or Hobby Lobby.
Next, you’ll need resin. First, you’ll want to make sure the mold is clean. Cleanliness is important because it will help the resin adhere to the inside of the mold.
If there’s no paint on your hands or on any part of your body that might come in contact with the resin when painting, then you should wear latex gloves while working with it.
Once all of this is taken care of and before going into what type of resin you’re using, you must put on a mask or goggles when working with this substance as it can be very toxic and harmful for your lungs if inhaled in large quantities.
What materials do you need for resin art?
This section is going to be an overview of the materials and tools you will need in order to start working with resin.
First up, the main material: Resin. You have a few options here. The first is Jewelry Resin, which is what I recommend because it guarantees that your pieces will be wearable or at least safe for skin contact. The other option is ArtResin, which turns out to be more expensive and also gives off toxic fumes while curing (the hardening process).
The next thing you’ll need is a silicone mat on which to mix your resin. This keeps the resin from permanently adhering to any surface you put it on, but keep in mind that it can still get sticky so make sure the mat isn’t one you’ll want back later!
You’ll also want gloves and mixing cups, which can be purchased online or at home improvement stores like Lowes and Home Depot. These are easy enough to get – just make sure they’re disposable so you don’t have to worry about perfectly cleaning them out afterward!
Finally, I’d suggest getting some sticks for mixing your resin along with a heat gun if possible!
How do you start crafting with resin?
Resin crafting requires a few supplies and a bit of space. Here are some tips for getting started:
- Find a place to work. Because resin can be messy, you should do it somewhere that’s easy to clean up, like on a flat surface in your garage or driveway (you could also use the floor of your basement if you’re careful). If you’d prefer to work indoors, find an area with tile or concrete floors that are easy to wipe down. Make sure whatever space you choose is well ventilated and away from flame sources such as stoves or furnaces.
- Protect your flooring/work surface using waterproof drop cloths, plastic sheeting tied down with painter’s tape, or cardboard covered with wax paper. Be careful not to use anything made of fabric; epoxy resin can bond some cloth fibers together over time.
- Wear gloves to protect your hands while working with resin (it can irritate skin). Disposable gloves are ideal because they prevent cleanup issues once the resin has cured.
Do I need a heat gun for resin?
Do you need a heat gun for resin?
Not necessarily. Heat guns are used to remove bubbles in resin, but most artists don’t find it necessary to use one. If you do want to remove bubbles in your resin, you can use a heat gun or a hair dryer instead.
You can also minimize the number of bubbles by mixing your resin slowly and not blowing on it.
Is resin art profitable?
If you’re looking to sell resin crafts, you’re in luck. There are a lot of people out there who would love to buy your products! Selling resin crafts can be a good way to make money, but it is important that you do some research first.
The most important thing when selling your resin products is getting registered with the government. You need to get a business license and obtain liability insurance so that if something bad happens while someone is using your product, you won’t be liable for their injuries or property damage.
The government also requires that companies pay taxes on any profit they make from selling items such as jewelry or art pieces made with epoxy resins. So, before getting started with your business venture, take care of all this paperwork first!
Once everything has been taken care of legally, decide which platform you will use for selling your product (Etsy? Amazon?). It’s also a good idea to do some research on how to sell your products – there are many websites out there like Shopify that can help with this process!
What is the difference between resin and epoxy?
You may have heard about epoxy resin before and wondered what it is. Epoxy resin, more accurately known as “epoxies” because of the chemical nature of the compound, is a type of resin that contains two chemicals: epichlorohydrin and bisphenol-A.
These two chemicals are commonly used in adhesives and coatings. When combined with a curing agent called phenol formaldehyde resins, they can be used to make plastic or ceramic products such as tile floors or plastic molding.
Conclusion
To start working with resin, you will need the following items:
- Resin
- Hardener
- Cup for measuring the amount of resin and hardener you use
- Mixing stick for stirring the resin and hardener together
Once you have these things, it is time to get started.