Watching Resin Dry

Is there anything as fun as watching resin dry? Maybe watching paint dry, or grass grow!  I’m working on something new – again! This time it’s a different type of alcohol ink coaster, using silicone molds and resin. So I thought I’d share a ‘work in progress’ picture with you.

SILICONE MOLDS

The molds I am using I had ordered from Amazon. This is my first time using them, so I’ll let you know what I think! For resin, I’m using the same brand that I used for my other coasters that I shared HERE. It’s FDA compliant, as well as heat resistant up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.  You can use different brands of resin, as long as how you use the pieces is in accordance with what the resin is intended.

To incorporate different colours, I did the same procedure as I did for my resin art piece HERE. After mixing Part A (resin) and Part B (hardener), I then separated the resin into smaller cups. Then, the alcohol ink is added to each cup, and mixed together.

With the colours ready, the resin is then poured into the molds.

Pardon the plastic bag covering the table! I tend to drip resin, so of course I want to protect my table top. In my other life, it’s known as my dining room table!

SMALLER MOLD

The smaller mold isn’t actually ‘small’; it measures 5″ across. It has faceted edges, which will give it a lot of interest, rather than just straight sides. I’m thinking that it’s rather large to be used as a coaster – more like a trivet for hot dishes, or for placing a decorative candle on it.

For this piece, I only used 2 colours; Ranger Gold Mixative and Ranger Everglades. The picture above was taken just after pouring. I just checked, and it already looks different! That’s the thing with resin, or any fluid. It keeps moving, and the inks move with it. So, you may start with an idea in mind, but it’s also a surprise when un-molding!

LARGER MOLD

This large mold is for making 4 geode-like coasters at once. You can see the white + dividing the 4 quadrants. The full mold measures 8″ across. Each coaster measures 5 1/2″ at the widest point (top) and 4″ from top to tip.

With this design, I used Ranger Gold Mixative, Cobalt, and Snowcap. I also mixed in Marabu Colour Shift Glitter in blue-green-gold into the Snowcap. You can’t see it in the photo, but there’s a fabulous glimmer to the ink! I also mixed gold chunky glitter to resin, and place it in the middle, or ‘point’ of each quadrant.

WATCHING RESIN DRY

I’ve ordered some more molds, to speed up the creative process!  The resin dries in about 8 – 10 hours, but takes 3 days to fully cure so it’s ‘rock hard’.  So it’s a slow process, especially when I want to have them finished, and in my store to sell!

STAY TUNED!

When these pieces are done, I’ll share them with you! Of course, I’ll be  putting them in my store, as well.  If you’d like to pre-order a set of coasters in specific colours, just leave a comment or click on ‘Contact Us’ to send me an email. I’m happy to accommodate custom orders.