If you’ve ever wanted to dip your toes into resin crafting, casting resin is a great place to start! Whether you’re making jewelry, keychains, coasters, or little trinkets for your home, this fun (and slightly addicting) craft opens up a world of creative possibilities. Today I’m walking you through the basics of how to use casting resin so you can give it a try, even if you’ve never used it before!

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a list of the supplies I’m using:

• Casting resin (resin + hardener kit)

• Silicone molds (any shape you like!)

• Mixing cups and stir sticks

• Gloves and a protective work surface

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Follow the instructions on your resin kit carefully. Most are a 1:1 ratio of resin to hardener. I use these little measuring cups to make sure I have the same amount! This will affect how your resin cures!

 

 

 

 

 

Add both parts to a larger cup and have your wooden stick ready to stir!

 

 

 

 

 

Pour both into your mixing cup and stir thoroughly! This part needs to be quick. This stuff cures fast, so stir fast!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once you’ve stirred, you need to pour it into your mould quickly. I’ve run into the resin curing mid-pour and as funny as it is, we want to get the most out of our product!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I used a few of my molds from IOD. They work great and have so many great designs!

 

 

 

 

Click here to check them out – Use code Shabby10 for 10% off your order on the whole website: https://www.vintageretailtherapy.com/iod-moulds?ref=BARBARALEWIS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You’ll see that this stuff starts to cure quickly! We are waiting for it to be solid white before we demould it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can see here how the edges are still a little clear, once they are white, you are good to pull the casting out.

 

 

 

 

 

If it’s cured correctly, it will pop right out and your mold will be clean.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Right after your casting comes out of the mould, it is flexible. This is the best time to shape it around your craft and let it finish curing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It really has a lot of bend when it first comes out of the mold.

 

 

 

 

 

I love how detailed the casting is from the IOD moulds! They are such great quality.

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you make your casting ahead of time and want to make it bendable again, you can hit it with a heat gun. I’ve found they’re not quite as flexible after using the heat gun as they are when fresh out of the molds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The casting resin comes in three colors – white, cream, and black. I think my favorite is the tan! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am going to use my castings to add a little bit of charm to our Large Flower Lath Tray Tote.

 

 

You can find it here on our website: https://theshabbytreeboutique.com/large-flower-lath-tray-tote/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I made four leafy designs in tan. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As soon as they come out of the moulds, I am going to add a little bit of hot glue and wood glue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

They bent so easily around the corners!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I decided to paint my castings brown. I used Folkart Coffee Bean. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am using the brown more as a base.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then I brushed some green paint over it to make it pop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is how it turned out and I have to say that I absolutely love it! So easy to use! 

 

If you want to check out the casting resin that I used, I got it on Amazon! 

 

Click here to check out my affiliate link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08R5DB56K?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamztheshabb-20&creativeASIN=B08R5B7XH4&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.3P1T9U2GJA6TW&ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ons_mixed_d_asin&th=1

 

 

 

And that’s it, y’all! Casting resin is such a fun way to add charm and creativity to your projects—and once you try it, you’ll be hooked! I hope this gives you the confidence to give resin crafting a try. Let me know if you end up making something—I’d love to see what you create!

 

 

 

 

 

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