From the moment I bought the kit, I was really looking forward to making a resin coaster. I’d been wanting to try a craft project using resin for such a long time as I have seen some amazing results from the process.
It appeared to be a simple process of mixing and pouring, and whilst I didn’t expect to make anything as impressive as the things I’d seen on line, I was looking forward to having a go with resin as one of my 52 new things in the year.
What Is Resin?
It’s a sort of liquid adhesive which can be used as a clear and hard coating.
Often used in crafts, it’s usually poured into a mould, often with additional decorative items positioned inside. It is left to set and once dry can be used for all sorts of things such as jewellery, paper weights, and of course, coasters.
You can find out much more about it, and far better explanations on a brilliant site called Mod Podge Rocks. There is a brilliant post all about resin for beginners. It’s a great introduction to the craft.
The Kit
Inside the prettily packaged box was all that I needed to make two resin coasters, including some safety gloves and the instructions. I could only make one coaster at a time as there was only one mould in the pack,
I read through the method before I began, which directed me to work in a well ventilated space, and as with many good craft projects, recommended putting newspaper down to protect my work surface.
The Science Part
The make felt a bit like a science project.
Snapping the blue rubber gloves on my hands as though I was about to begin some sort of medical procedure, I twisted the cap off the lid of the first bottle.
Mixing the resin and the hardener creates a chemical reaction, so I needed to be careful for this bit. Overexposure to resin can cause respiritory issues, and if it comes into contact with skin it can cause severe irritation.
Working near an open window, I managed to squeeze half of the resin from the bottle into the paper cup. This part was the toughest, as the bottles were incredibly stiff. It felt like trying to get the last bit of ketchup out of a glass bottle. The resin itself was thick and didn’t pour smoothly from the nozzle, and the hardener was the same. Turns out, this craft project came with an unexpected arm workout!
The Decorative Part - Making A Resin Coaster
Once I’d finally managed to squeeze out equal measures of the resin and the hardener, I just about had enough energy in my arms to mix the two liquids together with the wooden stirrer.
After carefully pouring the mix into the silicone mould, the next step was adding the decorations. I selected some of the dried flowers, and used the wooden lollipop stick to push them into the goo. Rubbing some of the gold leaf over the top, added some sparkly flakes to the piece.
Leaving It To Set
The kit said to leave the coaster to dry overnight, so I left it to set on a flat surface out of the way.
Looking forward to taking my creation out of the mould, I was a bit disappointed when I went to remove it the next day.
I had left it to set for longer than ‘overnight’ as the instructions suggested. Attempting to remove the coaster from the silicone mould, it was still a little tacky. I inadvertently put some marks on it. I left it as it was, and gave it another 24 hours to set.
The End Result
When I finally took the coaster out of it’s casing, there were some slight imperfections from my thwarted attempt to remove it the day before.
This gave it a certain unique home made charm to it, but I had hoped it would be the smooth and perfect result that I’d seen online.
I know a coaster isn’t particularly an exciting thing to make, but I’d thought it would be a good thing to try. Well, it did the job it was intended to do, but it was a little rough around the edges.
Would I Try Making A Resin Coaster Again?
It was a great kit (and a great price), for a first go with resin. I’m not in a rush to make another coaster, but I’m definitely going to try and make something else with resin.
Perhaps I was feeling a bit rushed to hit the goal of trying fifty-two new things in the year, or maybe the kit was not the best, but this didn’t turn quite as I had hoped. Of course, things don’t always turn out perfectly the first time you try something, but that usually means we have ideas of what we could do differently the next time.
Whilst my first attempt wasn’t the prettiest result, I definitely picked up some ideas if I try working with resin again.
- I’d be prepared to leave it for longer than it says to set.
- I’d consider what I was going to use for decorations. Just because the kit included the dried flowers, I could easily have been more creative.
Want To Try It Yourself?
- If you want to use the same kit that I did, you can find it at The Works.
- There are lots of incredible examples and ideas on Youtube to give you inspiration, such as this one on ejoy’s art space
Cost Of Experience
- The kit cost just £3.50. It was usually £7, but I picked it up in the sale.
- A kit is the perfect way to have a first try using resin and you can buy lots of kits online. The price will vary depending on the kit and the seller.
- Let’s Resin is a great site with lots of all-in-one kits, and individual components for resin crafts too.
Recommendations
- Think protection. Make sure you protect your workspace and yourself. Wear gloves, wear an apron, and work in a well ventilated area.
- Be careful. Resin art involves working with chemicals, so take care during the make.
- Get creative. If you buy a kit, you don’t have to limit yourself to what is in it. There is a lot of inspiration online about what you can make.
- Take some pictures. Let me know how you get on if you try making a resin craft. I hope yours is a little less blemished than mine.
wow! those are absolutely lovely! Such nice colors I love your ideas and always look forward to seeing what you’re doing next!
Thank you Andrea, I wasn’t all that impressed with how it turned out, but it’s not bad for a first attempt.
I’m finally getting cracking with my 52 new things for 2025 this week, so there will be plenty more antics coming up!
Thank you so much for reading and commenting,
Sally :o)