Experiments with Resin
This was my first time using resin. I tested a few different techniques in 3 sets of molds.
Agate slice coasters
These are meant to look like slices of geodes. I love this look, although I would use a much darker color on the outer rim next time to create more contrast with the lighter inner ring colors. I used three mica powder pigments with the resin— the aqua on the exterior, a pearl white in the middle, and then a dab of copper in the center with a few bits of gold leaf. These were the first ones I did and I was worried about overfilling the molds but I actually under-filled them and they came out way too thin (also not at all level because my house is not level 🥴)
I think I used about 200g of resin for 4 molds and probably needed 375-400g to really fill them. I do love the little copper swirls with gold leaf in the middle. I also attempted these with the round coasters but the pigment was way too light and they looked boring and weird so I ended up adding some ink and making them a hodge-podge with silver leaf. They were my least favorite.
Alcohol Ink Coasters
I love how these came out and I am actually sad that they didn’t have enough resin to dry thick/flat enough. With these, I started by pouring clear resin and a little of the leftover pearl and copper resin mixes from the agate ones. Then I added a few drops of alcohol ink and swirled them with a combination of craft sticks and a hair dryer. They ended up in these really neat night-sky/galaxy patterns that I love. Unfortunately, I really didn’t use enough resin on these so some of the edges are untenably thin and flimsy. I think that I was filling them like batter in muffin tins expecting them to expand, but I really need to fill them right to the top next time. And maybe Rob can build me a workbench that is actually level in my house 👀
I used gold and silver paint pens to line the edges for a final touch. Unfortunately, none of these are worth saving since they’re so thin and uneven, but it was a good first attempt and I learned some good lessons for next time 🤞🏻
