How to Work With Resin in Crafting

Remember the clackers from back in 1970? Many people made those on their own with resin. Clackers were two resin balls attached to string and when they were swung up and down, they clacked together. Many crafters use resin in their projects because it is inexpensive and lasts a long time. Resin when made properly becomes a clear, hard plastic which is used in making paperweights and key chains to name a few. However there are some serious issues with resin crafting and it is important to know the proper handling of resin in your craft projects.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Casting resin
• Catalyst (the hardener)
• Disposable gloves
• Disposable paper mixing cups
• Wooden stir sticks (popsicle sticks work well)
• Polypropylene plastic molds
• Objects you plan to embed into the resin cast

1. Work in a well-ventilated room at 65 to 75 degrees.

2. Keep acetone or rubbing alcohol handy for cleanup of liquid resin spills.

3. Use disposable gloves or tweezers when doing a project requiring dipping smaller objects such as sea shells, flowers and other craft products into the catalyzed resin.

4. Always use a clean mixing container and stir stick for each new batch of resin you mix, adding the right amount of catalyst.

5. Try not to shake or touch a project until it has thoroughly dried.

Tips & Warnings

• It's a good idea if you are new to resin crafting, to experiment with small castings before attempting a larger, more difficult project.
• Your molds should be clean, dry and scratch-free.
• Follow all directions and cautions on the resin crafting product labels. That includes the catalyst.
• Do not pour catalyzed resin back into the resin can.
• Don't work with casting resin around food.
• Never pour left over resin in your sink as it will clog the drain.
• Always keep resin and the catalyst (the hardener which produces a chemical that causes the resin to harden) out of the reach of children.