Adding Beautiful Things to Resin And What to Avoid
In epoxy resin art, a little creativity goes a long way, and resin embedding has become increasingly popular worldwide among hobbyists, collectors, and professional artists alike. You can find it in many applications, from home décor to jewellery and even incredible artwork. Adding a highly visual item to epoxy art can open up a world of possibilities, but there are always dos and don'ts to remember.
What can you embed in resin, and what should you avoid?
What are the proper techniques to practice to earn the finish of a professional?
In this article, Just Resin explores all of these questions and more.
What Can Be Embedded In Resin?
The possibilities are endless when it comes to embedding items in resin. It allows you to preserve memories and create personalized gifts that hold sentimental value. The only limit is your imagination; let your creativity run wild with the endless combinations of materials that can be encapsulated in this versatile material.
The elements of nature, such as flowers and leaves
You can embed sunflower petals, daisies, even a special stone in epoxy resin, with striking leaves and flowers among the most popular resin embeddings. All it takes is a careful and proper application technique to achieve that dreamy look.
It is important to dry organic materials before beginning resin artwork because moisture can affect curing. For a 2-dimensional look, press the materials between the pages of a book, use silica gel to preserve the materials, or simply let them air dry for an aged look.
After drying, apply a clear sealant or varnish to prevent the items from reacting poorly during curing.
Aged Beach Wood Or Sticks
You should sand the pieces before casting them in resin so that they are smooth and free of splinters. Then, clean the timber with acetone or degreaser. Avoid metal polishing creams since they can stain and leave white deposits. Remember to use proper safety precautions when performing the above tasks, especially if you are cleaning with chemical products.
Preserved Bugs, Sealife and Insects
Embedding insects into resin requires adequate preservation, just like other things found in nature. It may be difficult to work with insects due to their delicate nature, so take care to treat them gently and carefully as you begin working on your project. Insects will decay inside resin closures if they are not preserved.
Souvenirs, Figurines and Toys
Small items, such as souvenirs, figurines, and toys, can also be covered with resin. You run the risk of not getting your prized possessions back in the same perfect condition, or even at all, if the process fails. The resin art casting piece is a great way to preserve these precious items and even turn them into works of art. But it is a permanent piece, so you might want to avoid embedding things you cannot bear to lose.
Food Products With Long Shelf Life
Make sure you use food options that do not expire, such as confectionery items, dried fruit, and even baking ingredients, when embedding specific food items in resin. In addition, if you plan on using food items with holes or gaps, seal them first to preserve their colour within your resin artwork. If you must use food items, seal them first to prevent air from getting trapped.
Paper Creations
Resin embedding of paper is beautiful, but might be challenging. Keep in mind that the resin can become damaged by water if it is not sealed. In order to prevent the paper objects from getting destroyed (and ensure you have copies of all photographs or artworks), use PVA glue to plug them and prevent them from being damaged.
Glitters and Sequins
For both beginners and professionals, glitter is a popular choice. In addition to its versatility, glitter can be added in layers or mixed before the resin is poured, so you can decide how much glitter you want to incorporate into the resin art work.
Smaller Delicate Items
If you are considering using small objects like confetti, sand, and beads in your crafts, they can add a unique touch to items such as resin coasters, jewelry, and picture frames. These materials are cost-effective while still making a big impact. To avoid issues with air bubbles or pieces shifting during the creation process, take your time and work carefully in layers when working with smaller items like these.
Don't Try To Embed These in Resin
In addition to exploring all the wonderful things you can add to your resin art project, it is also important to examine some of the materials you should avoid:
Some Liquids
Inks can be applied to resin without issue despite their liquid state, whereas water-based liquids, or items containing moisture, may negatively trigger a chemical reaction, increasing the solidification process and turning white.
Fresh Plant Life and Food
Fresh plants and food contain moisture, and any excess liquid could ruin the curing process. Additionally, fresh food and plants might rot inside the piece, ruining a once beautiful design.
Items you don't want to lose
Once encased in resin, items cannot be removed. It is important to remember that even seasoned professionals make mistakes, so it is always best to start with items you are comfortable losing if you are just learning about resin art. If you don't, you might find something precious, but it is completely beyond repair.
Lets Start Your Resin Casting Adventure!
Having learned more about resin embedding, you are now ready to experiment and create more eternal casting pieces. However, what really matters is that you enjoy the process while staying safe.
Just Resin helps resin artists with their resin craft by providing helpful resources and quality supplies for your every need. Browse our selection available online today, or contact our friendly team with any questions you may have about the process.
