Mastering Handmade Resin Crafts: Tips and Ideas

Megan Simms
Oct 7, 2025
6 min read

Resin crafting opens a world of creativity. It allows you make beautiful, unique, and durable items that stand out. Whether you want to create jewelry, coasters, or decorative art, resin is a versatile medium. This guide shares practical tips and ideas to help you start and improve your resin projects (all of which I learned through trial and error!)

Resin Crafting for Beginners: Getting Started

Starting with resin can feel tricky, but it is simple once you know the basics. First, choose the right resin. Epoxy resin is popular for crafts because it cures clear and is easy to work with. You will also need hardener, mixing cups, stir sticks, gloves, and molds.

Here are some steps to begin:

Work in a well-ventilated area to avoid fumes. You can also buy the appropriate respirator/mask at places like Michaels or Hobby Lobby! (You can use the same kind that you would for sanding, welding, or painting.)
Measure resin and hardener carefully using the ratio on the package. For most small projects, epoxy resin is what you would want, and the ratio for that is 1:1. For best results, I strongly recommend purchasing a small food scale. Place the cup on the scale before turning it on, and then measure as needed.
Mix slowly and thoroughly to avoid bubbles. I strongly recommend using popsicle sticks because they're affordable and disposable! DON'T USE A SPOON! Because of the curve of the spoon, resin may not mix completely! I would suggest that if making 1-2 ounces, stir for about 2 minutes. Anything over 2 ounces, stir for 3-5 minutes. Make sure to scrape the sides and bottom of your cup to ensure that everything mixes evenly.
Have multiple cups on hand if you want to use more than one color in your mold. after mixing your resin, divide it up as needed! This is where those popsicle sticks will come in handy.
If you want to color your resin, find yourself some Mica Powder and Alcohol Inks. Both can be found at places like Michaels or Hobby Lobby, but I've had better luck finding larger arrays of colors (and more affordible prices) on Amazon. My favorite brand is SmallTongue- they have sets of 36 colors for about $15! (Mica powder gives the resin a more solid, opaque look. Alcohol ink makes it more translucent.)
*Note- VERY LITTLE goes a LOOOOOONG way! Add tiny amounts at a time until you have your desired effect. Too much can make your resin more rubbery, or prevent it from curing properly at all.
Get yourself a lighter, heat gun, or isopropyl alcohol. Depending on the size of your mold, you may need to dispurse bubbles. Sure, you can use the end of your popsicle stick to pop or break up some of the big ones, but there's easier ways to make sure that you have less bubbles in your finished product! Purring isopropyl alcohol in a small spray bottle and lightly spritzing the mold before pouring your resin will help tremendously! But sometimes, microbubbles can rise to the top, and the fastest way to break that up is to take a lighter or cheap heat gun (NOT A HAIR DRYER! it'll blow resin everywhere) and just go over it for a second. That's it!
Let resin cure undisturbed for the recommended time, usually 24-48 hours. I know the wait can be hard, but it'll be worth it!

Safety is key. Always wear gloves, have alcohol wipes on standby, and protect your workspace with plastic or parchment paper!

Essential Tools and Materials for Resin Projects

Having the right tools makes resin crafting easier and more enjoyable. Here is a list of essentials:

Epoxy resin and hardener: Choose a brand with good reviews. I LOVE Craft Resin, Janchun, and Puduo!
Silicone molds: Available in many shapes and sizes. Yes, places like Walmart, Michaels, and Hobby Lobby can have some molds (with Hobby Lobby being a little more affordable). And obviously, online stores like Amazon has a wider variety. But believe it or not, Temu has been my all time favorite place for resin molds! They have a WIIIIIIIIIIIDE variety to choose from, at really fair prices, and I have never been disappointed by the quality of the mold. (You can get them imported, but you'll get them much faster if you make sure it's 'local delivery', because it's already in the states.)
Mixing cups and stir sticks: Disposable ones save cleanup time. I literally go to Dollar Tree for popsicle sticks, and plastic/paper cups!
Protective gear: Gloves, mask, parchment paper/table cover, and alcohol wipes. (most of it, I get at dollar tree. The mask, I got at amazon!)
Heat gun or lighter: Helps remove bubbles after pouring. I actually get the kind with the long nozzle at Walmart. They work very well!
Pigments and dyes: Add color to your resin. I strongly recommend Amazon for these because you can get full sets with multiple colors for a very fair price!
Inclusions: Items like dried flowers, glitter, or small charms to embed. You can get these anywhere, but I use Hobby Lobby, Temu, and various flowers that I press from my own yard! Just be aware that these inclusions may float to the top during the curing process, so keep that in mind during your planning process!
Resin Tape: You can get this at Amazon! It'll last FOREVER!

Organize your workspace before starting. Keep everything within reach. This helps you work efficiently and avoid mistakes.

Creative Ideas to Try with Resin

Resin crafts offer endless possibilities. Here are some ideas to inspire your next project:

Jewelry: Make pendants, earrings, and rings by embedding flowers or glitter.
Coasters: Create custom coasters with colorful designs or photos. (YES, YOU CAN ADD PHOTOS! I recommend laminating the pictures prior to inserting them!)
Keychains: Small and easy to make, perfect for gifts.
Paperweights: Embed interesting objects for a functional art piece.
Decorative trays: Use resin to coat wood or metal trays for a glossy finish.

Try mixing colors or layering resin to add depth. You can also experiment with different inclusions to personalize your work.

Tips for Perfect Resin Finishes

Getting a smooth, clear finish is a goal for many resin crafters. Here are some tips to help you achieve it:

Avoid bubbles: Mix resin slowly and use a heat gun or torch to pop bubbles after pouring.
Work in a dust-free area: Cover your project while it cures to prevent dust settling. I usually take a plastic container and set it over the pieces once I'm done pouring and cleaning up!
Use a level surface: Resin needs to cure flat to avoid uneven thickness.
Sand and polish: If the surface is rough, sand with fine-grit sandpaper and polish for shine. If you pour carefully, you could avoid this step!
Control temperature: Resin cures best between 70-75°F. Too cold or hot can affect curing.

Patience is important. Let resin cure fully before handling. Rushing can cause fingerprints or dents.

Things to keep in mind

If your project doesn't cure right: Sometimes, if your piece hasn't cured right, it's still soft and sometimes, it won't want to come out of the mold! I've learned that if you pop the mold into the freezer for a half hour, you can get the resin out and dispose of it without any trouble!
If you get resin on your skin or unwanted hard surface: Alcohol wipes will save the day!
Resin has a mind of its own: If you're pouring multiple colors in one mold, prepare for those colors to do whatever they want! As Resin cures, it heats up and pulls to the center, so the colors can swirl, bleed, or mix together. What you have in mind may not always be what happens, and that's okay!
Unusable/broken pieces: SAVE THEM! DON'T THROW THEM AWAY!! If you're pouring a piece and using solid colors, you can include broken/imperfect pieces to the resin before pouring. It'll ensure that the pieces are still being used, and will actually SAVE you resin in the future!
Wait the full 24-48 hours: Resin literally utilizes a chemical reaction, and heats up while curing. It needs that time to harden properly, and pulling it out of the mold can alter its shape, transparency, can leave fingerprints, or outright damage it!

Keep Exploring and Creating

Don't get discouraged! Resin can be tricky and there's definitely a learning curve, but if you keep at it, you'll find methods and styles that work for you!

Remember, every expert started as a beginner. With practice and patience, you can master resin crafting and create beautiful, lasting pieces. Enjoy the process and let your creativity shine.