by Katherine Swift

Resin Fundamentals
The essential details beginners need to know to
successfully create art, jewelry, and crafts with resin

by Ka erine Swift

Resin Fundamentals:  The essential details beginners need to know to successfully create art,
jewelry, and crafts with resin

Copyright © 2020 by Katherine Swift

All rights reserved.  This book is for your personal use only.  It may not be sold, re-sold, printed,
or distributed in any format, printed or digital, without written permission from the author.
 Table of Contents

Chapter 1:  What I wish I had known from the beginning                  3

Chapter 2:  The '10,000 foot view"                                                        5
Chapter 3:  What are the di erent types of resin?                            13
Chapter 4:  Which speci c resin should I use?                                  15
Chapter 5:  Resin safety                                                                       16
Chapter 6:  Resin supply list                                                               23
Chapter 7:  How to mix resin and hardener                                      30
Chapter 8:  Troubleshooting                                                               35
Chapter 9:  How to master resin                                                        38
 Chapter 1:  What I wish I had known from the beginning

I began creating with resin in 2006.  Despite having worked with it for more than a decade, there
are speci c memories I have from the beginning that have never faded.  

Excitement.  Wonder.  Anticipation.  

Unfortunately, those feelings turned to frustration, disappointment, and rejection a few days later
after evaluating the mistakes in my rst projects.  I couldn't understand why I wasn't having
amazing results with resin from moment one.

What I know now is that my expectations were unrealistic.  Learning to use resin -- and getting
good with it -- is a journey.  A journey that I'm hoping to simplify and make easier for you in this
book.  I know you are anxious to get started, but I urge you to read this chapter so you can have
the right expectations and mindset going forward.

1.  You are not going to be good with resin right away

In fact, it is going to take several tries to feel like you are making anything more than a resin mess.
When you think about it, this really isn’t any di erent than anything else, right? We are not perfect
drivers the rst time behind the wheel, or expert pastry chefs the rst time we get in a kitchen. So
why should we expect working with resin to be any di erent? 

2.  Don’t blame it on the resin

In other words, the reason something didn’t work is most likely a mistake you made, not 'a batch
of bad resin'. Resin is not very forgiving of errors. While it may be tempting to blame poor
outcomes on the resin itself, in my experience, it has almost always been the fault of the user. I
have learned the hard way that improper techniques or not fully understanding the scope of a
project can result in a disaster.
3.  Keep a journal

I learned that when working with resin, writing everything down in a journal made it easier when I
wanted to recreate something later. By writing down details, no matter how insigni cant they
seemed at the time, they helped to refresh my memory on what things were like the hours to
days before when I poured the resin.  It made things much simpler for me to recreate my wins
and troubleshoot my losses.

4.  Resin gets everywhere

Even now, I'm careful when working with resin, but somehow manage to get drips, ink stains,
glue, and all kinds of glittery, cured resin stuck to my resin crafting area. Make sure you pick
somewhere to create with resin where this isn’t a big deal.

And this applies to your clothing too.  My favorite pair of shorts is forever stained by resin drips
that I still don't know how I got on them.

5.  Good lighting is essential

You have got to clearly see what you’re doing when you’re working with resin! Whether it’s
measuring the resin or looking for bubbles, a good, bright light will make things more
manageable and make mistakes less likely.

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 Chapter 2:  The 10,000-foot view

So now that you've decided you're up for the challenge of working with resin, you might be
wondering where and how to get started. It can be overwhelming knowing the steps you need to
take.  While I will get into more details in future chapters, let me break it down for you into a 'big
picture' scenario so you can know what to expect.

Step 1:  Decide what you are going to make

Knowing what you are going to make is necessary to choosing the right resin for your project.
Resin to coat artwork is not the same resin you want to use in molds.  Resin to make river tables is
not the same resin you want to use to coat a tumbler. Having a clear plan on what you are going
to make will save you time and money because you will buy the right products and make fewer
mistakes.

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Step 2:  Prepare your resin work area

Working with resin can  will be messy. You need to protect your work area to make sure resin
doesn’t ruin a surface.  Here's a list of items resin won't stick to and make great coverings to
protect an area from resin drips and spills:

  ax paper
w
 garbage bags
 parchment paper
 freezer paper
 plastic sandwich bags
 plastic painters' tarps

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Step 3:  Go through the steps of your project - in your head or on paper

Take a little time here too, at least mentally, to plan what resin projects you are going to make.
You don't want to wait to think about this after you mix your resin.  Once you mix the resin, you
only have a limited time to use it. You don’t want to waste precious time guring out the details of
your resin project while your resin cures in its cup.

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Step 4:  Gather your supplies

Besides resin, you will need measuring cups, mixing utensils, and safety gloves. You may also
decide you want items like colors, molds, and jewelry ndings to make your project. I've got a
supply list for you in a future chapter on what you will need to make art, crafts and jewelry with
resin.

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Step 5:  Mix and pour the resin

It is incredibly important to carefully measure and thoroughly mix your resin.  After mixing, pour
your resin right away. You want to use it before it starts to gel.

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Step 6:  Check for bubbles

Once you are satis ed with how everything looks, be sure to remove any bubbles.  While these
can sometimes pop on their own, I've had many a project ruined from not getting all the bubbles
out.  Remove them all before leaving your project to cure.

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Step 7:  Let the resin cure

Cover your project with a large container to keep dust and hair out of the resin while it cures.
Curing takes hours to days, depending on the resin you are using.

How to get started with resin - tips for making things with resin
Step 8:  Finish your work

Once the resin is dry, put on the nal touches. You may need to add jewelry ndings to make a
charm wearable or sand o rough edges. With resin art projects, you may need to remove drips
from the back of your artwork surface.

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 Chapter 3:  What are the different types of resin?

Now that you have an idea of the steps you need to take to make something with resin, you may
be wondering which type of resin should you use.  There are so many options!  Let's go through
the four types of resin you can use, along with a list of their pros and cons.

All resins are a two-part system, consisting of the base resin and the hardener (or catalyst).  By
themselves, they are inert compounds, but when mixed, a chemical reaction occurs where they
heat up and harden.  Note:  From here forward, I'm speci cally speaking about two-part resins. 
UV resin, which is a resin that requires UV light to cure, is not covered in this book.

There are four types of resin commonly used when creating art, crafts, and jewelry.

POLYESTER

This is a casting resin.  It is only suitable for projects made in molds.  I don't recommend it for
beginners because it can be hard to know how much resin and hardener to mix together.

It is good to use for projects where you need a very hard nish because it can be polished with a
bu ng wheel to achieve a shiny surface. Because it does cure very hard though, polyester resin
projects may break if dropped on a hard surface.

EPOXY

Epoxies come in casting and doming resin formulas.  It is the type I recommend for beginners. 
It's the most forgiving of mistakes and comes in a wide variety of formulas, making it easy to nd
one to t your project.

It usually mixes by volume, making it simple for users to accurately measure with measuring
cups.

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POLYURETHANES

These are casting resins.  They cure quite hard, but also cure quickly.  For this reason, I don't
recommend them for beginners.  This is a great formula to try once you're con dent with your
resin skills as you can create nished castings in minutes to hours. 

These also mix by volume.

SILICONE

Silicone resin is used to make molds for casting items made with the other three types of resin. 
While you can make jewelry and crafts with silicone resin, it's a bit unusual to do so.

How do you know which type of resin a kit is?

It should clearly say on the resin kit's packaging which of these four types of resin is contained in
the kit.  If it isn't clear to you, ask before making a purchase.  You don't want to buy a resin kit only
to nd out later that it isn't the right one for your project.

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 Chapter 4:  Which speci c resin should I use?

Now that you know that an epoxy resin is the one you should try rst, how do you know which
speci c epoxy you should use?  This is one of the questions I get asked most.

When choosing a resin, here is what you need to consider:

Fill a space or coat a surface?

Are you trying to pour the resin into something, or do you want to put it on as a coating?  If you
want to use resin so it creates a thin, even layer, you want to be sure you are using a doming
resin.  This kind of resin mixes thicker and has the extra surface tension to make sure it doesn’t run
over the sides.  If you want to ll a mold or space, you want to use a casting resin.  These resins
are formulated to pour in deep layers, yet still allow bubbles to escape easily.

What is the pot time, cure time, and mixing amounts for this resin?

This information is essential to know whether or not this is a resin that will work for your project.  

  ot time = the amount of time you have to use your resin once you mix it with hardener
P
 Cure time = the amount of time for the resin to be cured enough for you to handle.  This is
usually at the time when the resin is 90% hardened.
 Minimum and maximum mixing amounts = the amount of resin you need to mix, staying
within these limits so your resin cures as expected

You want to be sure a resin will t your project needs.   Having these numbers will also make it
easier to compare one resin formula to another.

For more help, read our RESIN BUYING GUIDE.  It contains a complete
breakdown of the resins sold in the Resin Obsession store to help you
choose a speci c resin for your project.

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 Chapter 5:  Resin safety

So now that you know the questions you need answers to before choosing a resin, you need to
be aware of how to use it safely.  I don't want to scare you, but like using any chemical, there are
steps you need to take to protect yourself and your environment so you can use resin for a long
time.

Wear gloves

You need to protect your hands from the resin and hardener liquids.  It’s no di erent than
protecting yourself from other things around your home you might use like bleach, ammonia,
paint, etc.  

What do you do if you get resin on yourself?

Baby wipes are a great thing to have handy to wipe it o your skin.  After that, use soap and water
to get o any remaining residue.  A pumice soap is helpful in case the resin is sticky.

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What should you not use to remove resin from your skin?

Don't use any type of solvent like acetone or alcohol.  These can aggravate a resin reaction.

Have adequate ventilation in your work area

Now I know what you are thinking, ‘What’s adequate ventilation?’  Well, if you were a lab animal,
you need a complete air exchange of the room every 15 minutes.  That may not be possible for
you, but here are a few other ideas:

Open a window or two

I like to have cross-ventilation in my resin crafting room, weather permitting.  I open a window on
each side of my studio to get air moving through the space.

Turn on a fan

If you have a ceiling fan in your room, set it to run such that it draws air away from you and up to
the top of the room.  This is especially helpful if you can’t open the windows.

Even a desktop fan can help to move the air.  This is a little fan I like to use to draw the fumes
away from the resin.

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Wear a plastic apron

When working with resin, spills, and drips happen.  Not only is it awful to ruin your favorite shirt,
but sometimes you don’t even know you have done it until much later.  Should resin get on a
plastic apron, you can wipe it o or peel it o once it cures.

Wear safety goggles

Hopefully, you aren’t in a situation where you have to worry about resin splashing into your eyes,
but to be completely safe, safety glasses are an inexpensive way to keep your eyes protected.

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Use a respirator

Okay, don’t freak out here.  Many resins do not require a respirator when using.  Once again
though, we are talking chemicals.  You cannot be too safe!  This is the respirator I use when I’m
resin painting and using large volumes of resin.  I want to keep myself safe from fumes, even
ones I may not be able to smell.  If you use a respirator, make sure it is a NIOSH approved
respirator for fumes.

How do you know if you need to use a respirator?  A resin kit's safety data
sheet details all the safety equipment you need to use in the personal
protection section.

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Have clean-up supplies handy

I like to have paper towels and a trashcan available to clean up the spills and drips that invariably
happen every time I cast resin. Baby wipes also work well to clean up spilled resin on bezels,
molds, and even your body.

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Use a resin that is approved for arts and crafts purposes

By law, any resin in the United States that is sold for the purpose of making art, crafts, and jewelry
must conform to ASTM D-4236.  In a nutshell, this means that an independent, third-party has
reviewed the resin kit components and determined they are safe for use for art purposes.  If you
are using a resin that does not have this statement on the packaging, it is unsafe for you to use. 

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 The good news is that all of the resins in the Resin Obsession store conform
to this important Consumer Product Safety Commission law and can be
safely used for any art purpose.

Review the resin kit's safety data sheet (SDS)

To be even more thorough, you should ask for a copy of a resin’s safety data sheet so that you
can know everything about the resin.  Not only does it include a section detailing the personal
protective gear necessary to work with the resin, but it also shares how to dispose of the resin
properly and who to call in case of a serious emergency.  I would never use a resin where a
company would not share a safety data sheet with me.  

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 Chapter 6:  Resin supply list

So now that you understand how to use resin safely, it's time to get your supplies,  but choosing
supplies to make art, crafts and jewelry can be overwhelming. How do you know exactly what
you need for creating with resin? Here are the resin supplies I consider essential and the resin
supplies that are optional, but are nice to have.

Essential resin casting supplies

Resin

We covered choosing a resin in Chapter 4, but here's a refresher:

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You are going to need either a casting resin or a doming resin.

Casting resins are for containers and spaces with ‘sides’ like a mold. They mix in a thinner
viscosity, making it easier to pour large volumes of them into openings without introducing
bubbles. Casting resins also release bubbles easier, which is essential if you are casting large
volumes or in deep pours.  However, casting resins will only produce a at surface, which may or
may not be even.

Doming resins are for the times when you want to create a raised, evenly level surface on
paintings, countertops, and jewelry bezels.  These formulas mix thicker and will level out on their
own to create an even surface.  Because they combine thick, though, they aren't ideal for casting
in molds or deep spaces because it will be hard for these resins to release bubbles before the
resin starts to cure.

A resin is either a casting resin or a doming resin.  It cannot be both.  The

Resin Obsession resin buying guide details all the resins we sell, including
whether they are casting resins or doming resins.

Mixing cups
Getting accurate measurements on your resin ensures it will cure properly.  Using mixing cups
will help you do that. If you don’t mix the right combination, then the mixture may not cure or may
cure sticky. Resin mixing cups have measurement lines allowing you to get precise
measurements on your resin and hardener.

Stirring Utensils
Plastic stir paddles are a great way to make sure you get your resin thoroughly mixed. Thorough
mixing is vital to making sure that not only your resin cures, but cures without any sticky spots.

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Safety equipment
Resins are chemicals, and you must protect yourself. Please get the safety equipment mentioned
in chapter 5 so you can use resin safely.

A level surface for casting

This is a supply item you shouldn't need to purchase, but it's something you need to be thinking
about.  Make sure your work area is not only at on the surface but is also level when resting on
the oor. You don’t want to pour resin only to nd out it didn't cure evenly because your table
surface wasn't level.

Resin molds

If you want to try making things with resin molds, there are lots of options out there to help you
make jewelry, dice, housewares, paperweights, and so much more.

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Wax paper, freezer paper or some other protective tarp
When resin casting, it is almost impossible not to have a resin drip or spill somewhere. By using
something with a waxy surface to protect your work area, you can let spilled resin on the surface
cure, then peel it o once it’s solid. You may even decide to throw it all away and start over since
these resin supplies are usually inexpensive.

Mold release
This helps to release resin castings from your molds. Mold release also prolongs the life of your
resin molds.  Twisting and popping can warp your mold or produce micro tears that reduce the
life of your mold. Mold release is also good to have in case something goes wrong; it may be the
only reason you can demold your resin.

Findings

If you want to make resin jewelry without having to worry about demolding, then metal bezel
blanks are for you. Simply add papers, charms, glitter, found objects, and more, then nish with
doming resin.

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Colors

One of the best things about resin is being able to color it anything you want. No more hunting for
stones or beads in the shade you want. Simply mix the color to make it with resin! 

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Resin painting surfaces

If you want to create resin art, you will need a surface to create your art on.  Artboards,
canvases, tiles, and vinyl records are just a few of the things that make an excellent resin painting
surface.

Optional resin casting supplies

Bright LED light

A bright light is incredibly helpful for seeing bubbles that are hard to see under ambient light.

Heat tool

A heat gun is a terri c way to remove bubbles and is much safer than using something with a
ame, like a propane or butane torch.  A heat gun is also helpful to push resin around to help you
make interesting patterns and designs in resin art projects.

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A sealant

You can use a clear drying white glue or resin gloss sealer spray.  Anything that changes color
when getting wet needs to be sealed before including in resin.

Adhesive

If you are using molds, you will need to apply ndings to nish resin charms after demolding. To
do that, you will need to use mixed resin or an adhesive designed for this purpose. 

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 Chapter 7:  How to mix resin and hardener

Finally!  It's the part you have been waiting for.  You're going to learn how to mix resin and
hardener together.  These concepts apply across all two-part resins.  If you are good at mixing
one resin kit, you will be great at mixing together a di erent resin kit as well.

Step 1

Clearly understand the mixing directions of the resin you are using.  Not all resins mix the same! 

It’s important to note several things when mixing resin and hardener:

  ow much of Part A do you mix with Part B?

H
 Does it mix by weight or by volume?
 What are the minimum and maximum mixing amounts?

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Step 2

Determine the total volume of mixed resin you need for your project.  From there, break it down
into the amount of Part A resin and Part B hardener you need to mix together.  Not sure how
much resin you need?  Our resin calculator does the math for you.

Step 3

Gather the resin supplies necessary to make sure you get accurate measurements on your resin
and hardener.  Make sure your resin work area, along with your resin and hardener, are at the
ideal temperature.  

One ounce and ten ounce graduated mixing cups are an easy way to measure your resin kit
components accurately.

You may see people using their resin kit lid caps, plastic drinking cups, and
other miscellaneous items to measure their resin.  I'm sure that works -- at
least part of the time.  The best way to avoid sticky resin is to measure your
resin accurately with measuring cups designed for resin.

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Step 4

Now it’s time to pour your resin and hardener into separate cups.  Measure precisely and resist
the urge to add extra hardener.  Doing this makes your resin heat up too quickly and shortens the
pot time of your resin.

Why use separate cups for the two components?  In case you overpour one
liquid, you can pour it back into its bottle without contaminating the contents.

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Step 5

Pour the two parts together and stir well.  Scrape the sides of the cups and your stirring utensil
several times during the process.

You will likely notice your resin having a wavy appearance when rst mixing the two parts.  This is
normal.  The mix should go clear when you are done combining it.

Here’s an example:

This is what the Resin Obsession super clear resin looks like after mixing the resin and hardener
for about 15 seconds.

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This is what it looks like after stirring for two and a half minutes.

While it’s always best to stir your resin in a way to prevent bubbles, sometimes it is unavoidable,
especially if mixing large volumes.  It is still better to thoroughly mix your resin and remove
bubbles later rather than undermixing to avoid bubbles.  Undermixed resin will not cure.

Now you are ready to use your resin!

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 Chapter 8:  Troubleshooting

When working with resin, technique is critical to ensure outstanding results.  Even when you think
you've prepared and planned, sometimes, things don't go as expected.  Here are some of the
resin problems you may run into as you create with resin.

Resin not cured or has not fully cured

The resin and hardener were not mixed thoroughly.  While combining, it is essential to scrape
the sides of mixing cups and stirring utensils several times during the process to make sure the
mixture is well blended.

Resin not mixed in the correct ratio of resin to hardener.  Recheck your kit instructions and
measure both parts separately and accurately in graduated mixing cups.

Resin is cold, or your crafting room is cold.  The ambient temperature of where you are resin
crafting needs to be about 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.  Gently warming your resin kit bottles in a
hot water bath for 5 to 10 minutes before using also helps.

Too much moisture in the resin casting.  This can happen when you color resin with a liquid that
isn't intended for resin use.

Pot life of the resin is shorter than expected

Too large a volume of resin and hardener mixed at once.  Try again, mixing less.

More hardener than necessary added to the resin.

The resin kit is too warm. 

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Pot life of the resin is longer than expected

The resin kit or the room is too cold.

Mixing too small a volume of resin and hardener.  Resins require a certain amount to be
combined for the curing reaction to occur.

Too little hardener added to the resin.

Cured resin has bubbles in it

Mixing the resin too forcefully.  The best way to make sure bubbles aren’t in your nal casting is
to avoid creating them when mixing the resin.

The resin is cold.  Warming a resin kit in a hot water bath for 5 to 10 minutes before use will help
thin out the resin and make it easier for bubbles to release.

Resin is reacting to something included in it.

The wrong resin was used for the project.  Doming resins, because they mix thick, will hold
onto bubbles if used in a mold or deep pour project.

Bubbles release after adding inclusions to the resin.  Trapped air can release from additions
once they get wet.

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Resin surface is cured, but tacky

Resin and hardener were not thoroughly mixed.  Be sure to mix completely, scraping the sides
of the container and stir utensil several times while mixing.

Sticky resin on the surface exposed to air during curing is to be expected when using polyester
resin.

Resin embedments have ‘wet stains’

Item took up moisture once added to the resin.  Porous items need to be fully sealed and dry
before using in resin.

Resin and/or hardener has yellowed

The resin kit is past its expiration date.

Improper storage of the resin kit.  Resin and hardener need to be stored in a cool, dry place,
away from sunlight and temperature swings.

The kit was opened, used, then stored with a large, open space at the top of the bottle. 
Exposure to air will cause the resin to oxidize and turn yellow.

Resin has cured cloudy

Resin components were cold when used.

Resin kit is contaminated with water.

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 Chapter 9:  How to master resin

What if I told you there are three ways to be better at creating with resin that have nothing to do
with your current skill level? Artists at any part of their journey can implement these resin tips to
help themselves be better with their next resin project. 

Make it happen

You need to get over your fear of making mistakes. Or bad art. Or that no one will like it. Tell that
voice in your head that insists you are wasting time and supplies that this is a chance for you to
review and master your techniques. I can guarantee you that if you don’t take the step of making
art — then making more — you will never be good at it. Sure, you are going to make blunders. If
you are a beginner, I can almost guarantee that you will not like your rst resin project. Or even
your second. And maybe not even your tenth. 

I can undoubtedly tell you that I have learned so much more from my resin failures than any of
my successes. If you never try, how will you ever nd a place you will feel comfortable as a
nish?  

Carve out fteen minutes a day for resin learning

Save fteen minutes of every day and devote it to your resin skills. Yes, I know that fteen minutes
isn’t enough to get your supplies out, much less mix and pour the resin. So, what can you do with
your fteen minutes to get you closer to reaching your resin goals? Here are some ideas:

*Seal items you want to include in your next resin casting.  They will be dry and ready for resin
when you have more time to use it.
*Research color scheme ideas for your next resin painting.  
*Watch a Resin Obsession YouTube video. Almost all of our videos are under 15 minutes!
*Sketch out design ideas for your next project.
*Research fashion and interior design blogs to see what the hot new trends are.

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Do some projects for yourself

In the beginning, resin was a way for me to have fun and express creativity. I didn’t have to worry
about making money from my craft as a way to support myself. It was simply a chance for me to
learn a new artistic skill. As I got more adept at resin, I began a productive art show and
wholesale career where I sold my resin jewelry. While I was thrilled to be able to run a business
selling my resin wares, one of the biggest mindset shifts I faced was focusing on creating art
based upon what others wanted, not necessarily what I wanted.

When I started my resin painting series two years ago, I took it back to basics and made it all
about creating resin art for me. There isn’t the pressure of ‘Will this sell?’ or ‘Will the customer like
it?’ While I’m incredibly grateful for the chance that having a resin jewelry business provided me,
I’m even more delighted to have the opportunity to make art that feeds my creativity, not
necessarily feeds my family.

Permit yourself to make art that only has to make you happy. What resin projects do you want to
explore? Find a way to work on them.

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About the author
Katherine Swift is an artist, author, entrepreneur, mom, and animal lover.  She started making
precious metal jewelry in 2001 and began incorporating resin into her designs in 2006.  After
taking over operations of Resin Obsession in 2011, Katherine has helped tens of thousands of
artists worldwide with supplies and advice to create their own art, jewelry, and crafts with resin. 
Katherine lives with her family in Gainesville, Florida.  

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