How to Make Acrylic Paperweights

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Things You'll Need

  • Rubber gloves

  • Waxed or freezer paper

  • Plastic disposable measuring cup

  • Wooden tongue depressor or stirring stick

  • Casting resin

  • Casting resin catalyst

  • Eyedropper

  • Latex or silicone rubber mold

  • Small disposable paintbrush

  • Vinyl resin sealer

  • Plastic wrap

Paperweight

You can make unique personalized paperweights with liquid acrylic casting material. Pour the liquid, which has a consistency similar to corn syrup, into a mold. Then, before it dries, add coins, shells, pretty stones, small toys or even photographs, and you'll have a customized keepsake paperweight for yourself or friends.

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Step 1

Cover your workspace with waxed paper or coated butcher paper to protect it from spills. Put on rubber gloves.

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Step 2

Mix enough catalyst and casting resin, following the manufacturer's specifications for the ratio of resin and catalyst, to half-fill your mold. Use an eyedropper to accurately measure the catalyst, and mix the resin in a disposable measuring cup.

Step 3

Blend the resin and catalyst with a wooden stick. Cut the mixture slowly with the stick to avoid incorporating bubbles into the resin.

Step 4

Pour the resin mixture into the mold.

Step 5

Embed the chosen items into the resin in the mold when it stiffens to the consistency of jelly. Place the items so that the tops face the bottom of the mold. Brush a coat of vinyl resin sealer over photos and other paper items before embedding them in the resin.

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Step 6

Mix enough additional resin and catalyst to fill the mold to about 1/4 inch from the rim. Pour the resin mixture into the mold, covering the embedded items.

Step 7

Cover the rim of the mold with plastic wrap; take care that the plastic doesn't droop down and contact the resin mixture.

Step 8

Remove the paperweight from the mold when it has completely cooled and hardened. This can take up to 24 hours.

Tip

You can embed almost anything in resin: Leaves, dried flowers, insect carcasses, twigs, paper or cardboard (brush paper items with the vinyl resin sealer before you embed them).

Warning

Work in a well-ventilated area. The resin has very strong fumes

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