Working with resin

[Crowning_Glory13]

I have seen resin stuff all over the place. It looks fun. If anyone out there can give me some advice.

What do I need to get started? Any simple projects out there to start on? Any frustrations as you work projects?

How does resin work?

I just keep seeing neat projects from pony to small flat stickers and they say they make them with resin. Peeked my interest.

[Uninu]

I've played a bit with resin casting and, well, it is not as glorious as it may seem. Resin is toxic and it can be messy and it costs a lot. Plus you need silicone for molds in most cases and silicone is even more expensive than resin itself. It is fun in the end, but I didn't find it fun enough to keep practicing it for that cost.

[Raindrop]

Molding with resin is not easy, and there is a learning curve involved.  I would recommend watching some YouTube videos to get an idea of what you are getting into and beginning with small, simple 1-piece, flat-backed molds.  Complex 3-D shapes often require a multi-piece mold and undercuts can cause complications.  Bubbles in the resin are a common problem, and a vacuum setup to remove the bubbles is pretty costly.  You have to measure and mix the parts very carefully to get the right proportions or the material won't cure correctly.  Be sure that the type of resin you use is suited to the size of the item you are molding--some of them generate heat as they cure and may not be suited to larger items, and others may shrink as they cure.  I recommend using gloves and protecting your workspace well--the chemicals are not good for you and are hard to clean up.  As Uninu says, the resin itself and the material for molds is expensive.  Dyes cost on top of that. 

Not to discourage anyone--it's just not a cheap or an easy hobby .  Start simple, and realize that there will be a cost for experimenting and learning to work with the material.  You will not be able to mold something like a pony without a lot of experience and sophisticated molding techniques.

[Crowning_Glory13]

And this is why I get opinion from the arena. I love the honesty and facts. Thanks for the insight. I had no idea it's toxic to work with.

[Aflame]

i made the celestial ponies in resin  plus a see through one
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these are my first ones and yes i watched a lot of you tube vids on how to do it and i mean watched and rewatched and rewatched !!!! xaflame

[brightberry]

Those are lovely!  Nicely done.


My niece and I play with Easy Cast resin and use silicone molds meant for candy.  It's not so bad when you're only doing small projects.  But it's messy if you aren't careful and very, very permanent.

Soap is a much safer project.

[Crowning_Glory13]

I love those resin ponies...that peeked my interest so much. I am taking notes so keep it all coming.

[glitterball]

i made the celestial ponies in resin  plus a see through one

Oh, they are amazing! 

[Uninu]

Resin ponies are so gorgeous. I'm a bit sad I didn't like working with casting.

[Aflame]

i did want to do more poses but the silicon is so expensive i could only do one at the time !

[pinkkittywinks]

And this is why I get opinion from the arena. I love the honesty and facts. Thanks for the insight. I had no idea it's toxic to work with.

It is toxic and you can be allergic to the chemicals too. It's pretty smelly as well, so it's best to do it in a well ventilated space.

My friend casts a lot and she comes up in a rash to most resins (she's tied a lot of different types and brands) she wears a fully body, hooded overall and mask when she is pouring, casting and sanding!

Resin fascinates me, I'd love to try it, but I feel intimidated by it.

Love pkw xxx

[Aflame]

you just have to take the plunge and try it ! it can go wrong but its fun when it goes right and yes do it with the window open or better in an out building if you have one i don't have a shed so i do it by the window and i sand out side with swimming goggles  and a mask on i get some very funny looks some times

[Crowning_Glory13]

Is there other things to use? I want to make replicas if things like wands and such. Simple fun things that I can melt and put into a mold.

Are there other things beside resin?

I live with my in law that has horrible azma. I could not use resin due to that.

[Taxel]

You could use polymer clay! Its safe, nontoxic, and can be cured at home in your regular oven. The Blue Bottle Tree is a wonderful source of tested, accurate information for all things polymer clay. Here is an overview of some of the most helpful posts. These ones will probably be most helpful to you as a newbie for these kinds of projects: Tips for Beginners, What’s the Best Polymer Clay Brand?, How to Buy (Sunny Day Crafts is my recommendation for clay), and Using Silicone Molds

The big thing to watch out for with polymer clay is that there's a TON of downright wrong information out there. Because its so readily available so many people buy cheap poor quality clay, make something, and consider themselves an expert. So many tutorials are wrong in ways that will cost you time and money.

[Crowning_Glory13]

Thank you:)