Epoxy crafts with your own hands: step by step creation of simple and creative products for beginners with examples of photos

Many interesting crafts can perform in the house, on the street, on the summer terrace or in the country house not only decorative functions, but also have practical value.

A special role in the independent production of such accessories and interior objects plays, as the experience and skill of the master, and the choice of the starting material. For creativity is widely used epoxy resin, which has universal properties and high quality.

Pros and cons of the material used

Choosing a consumable material for creative activities, it is necessary to remember both the advantageous advantages and disadvantages of such a base. The advantages of epoxy resin should include:

1. Immediately after pouring the thick mass into the mold and after hardening, the material is not subject to shrinkage or deformation. Such a feature is associated with the absence of moisture evaporation.
2. If you follow the technique of preparation of the working solution and pouring technique, the future craft will have a smooth, even surface.
3. Thanks to the special consistency of epoxy resin is able to penetrate into all cracks, recesses, which allows you to perform at home, for example, a beautiful countertop.
4. All products made with the resin have absolute strength. Such surfaces are very resistant to mechanical stress, high and low temperatures, moisture, detergents and abrasive compounds.
5. No fungal colonies or mold areas ever form under the epoxy resin layer. The polymers in the resin prevent the formation and development of pathogens.
6. Resin can be perfectly combined with a variety of pigmented dyes, which allows you to create interior and decorative items with a completely unique design. In addition, the resulting paint does not burn out under the influence of direct sunlight.
7. For the production of a small object it is necessary to prepare quite a small amount of resin, which has a positive effect on the finances of the craftsman.
8. Using your own skills and dexterity, you can make easy epoxy crafts, such as jewelry for a hair clip, a personal keychain, or a beautiful panel with a composition for your bedside table. Only after a lot of practice can you start on more substantial projects.

The disadvantages of this kind of material are much less:

• Immediately before use, the craftsman needs to observe the ratio of resin to hardener with detailed accuracy. As a rule, detailed instructions are available in the enclosed instructions.
• Special requirements in the process of independent work are made to the workshop room, which must be equipped with good ventilation and sufficient heating.
• A mask or respirator, gloves and goggles must be worn as the epoxy has a toxic effect on the body.
• All pouring into the molds should be done while the working mass is hot enough, since the cooled resin will later become covered with cracks. In addition, improper stirring of the mass, combined with cooling, leads to the formation of air bubbles in the finished workpiece.

The workshop space must be kept clean, as settling dust particles will spoil the appearance of the product. Cured epoxy loses its transparency, becomes cloudy, and its glossy sheen disappears.

Before starting creative work, it is better for the craftsman to practice on small projects beforehand.

Technology for making crafts

Epoxy refers to a very capricious, but popular materials for home and extracurricular creativity. There are several basic techniques that are used to create original crafts:

1. One of the best-known techniques involves pouring a thick, hot mass into prepared molds. Forms can be both homemade and purchased in stores of goods for creativity. The material for making molds can also vary greatly (silicone, plastic, rubber, metal, plaster).
2. As more large-scale projects, pouring a decorative tabletop is known. In this case, the master has the opportunity not only to use a solid canvas for the basis, but also to restore damaged wooden tables with the help of casting resin.

Polymer resin is quite often used for interior decoration of rooms, such as kitchens or bathrooms.

To carry out such work requires a large amount of consumable material, as well as a certain amount of experience and skill of the craftsman.

Making epoxy resin

To begin independent work, it is necessary to prepare a container of sufficient volume, a wooden spatula for stirring the working mass, a purchased package with the main ingredients of the resin. The process of preparing the epoxy resin for casting:

1. Using measuring containers, measure the required amount of resin and hardener (the calculation is always given in the instructions).
2. In a separate container, mix the two components, and stir them thoroughly until homogeneous. If lumps form on the spatula, it is better to change the spatula.
3. The solution should be heated in a water bath, maintaining an optimal temperature of 65 degrees.

The prepared solution should be used within 30-35 minutes. After the specified time, epoxy loses its plastic properties, and the craftsmanship will have defects.

Pouring countertops

One of the most interesting methods of making crafts is pouring table tops. In this work can be used as a new wooden base, as well as old boards or a table. The process of preparing the working mass is carried out according to a universal scheme. The following are the instructions:

1. The prepared table is carefully inspected for decay or mold, knots or nicks, sharp edges and the condition of the sawn wood.
2. The wood is laid out in a clean, dry room (usually a workshop) according to the chosen scheme. If desired, the master can carve the wood, giving the future product the desired relief.
3. The first layer, which is applied to the surface of the tabletop, acts as a primer. This fills all defects, irregularities, cavities and gaps. The first layer should be evenly warmed for 2 hours, so that the air goes out of the defects and cracks.
4. The next step is to create a form for the filling. In this form the table blank is placed. Strips of resin (transparent areas of the tabletop) can go in the center or along the edges, depending on the owner's desire.

Over the first primer coat, the base coat is poured, and only after the base has cured, the second finishing coat is poured. After the polymer has cured completely, wipe the furniture surface with a clean dry rag to remove the muddy residue.

Decorative composition cubes

Epoxy resin is quite often used to create original interior objects. In this role can be a variety of objects, souvenirs, toys. A large layer of polymer gives a bright shine and gloss to the future product.

For work, you will also need a convenient form for pouring. Instructions on how to make epoxy resin crafts for beginners:

1. In a separate container, stir the main ingredients of the resin. Make sure that the number of air bubbles is kept to a minimum.
2. At the bottom of a clean and dry mold lay the selected composition, toy, souvenir, drawing.
3. The hot mortar is carefully poured into the mold, noting the uniformity of the pouring.

After complete solidification, the cubes are carefully removed from the mold, and they are also wiped with a clean rag to remove the plaque. The resulting souvenirs can be used in pure form, or you can arrange them in a metal facet.

Luminous epoxy shelf

Another option for the practical use of such material is to create a glowing shelf. The process of making a craft from epoxy for the home is no different from the technique of creating a table.

However, fluorescent paints or pigments must be used in the work. The boards for the future shelf are also placed in a mold, and then a step-by-step pour is made.

Epoxy kitchen apron

The kitchen apron is designed to protect the wall panel from moisture, grease plaque, and the development of pathogens.

Only high quality and durable materials are always used to furnish this area, including epoxy.

The base of the apron is wood, which is poured. In this case, the resin is applied on the type of acrylic varnish. Instructions for the master:

1. The wood panels are either removed from the apron area or a new base is prepared.
2. From the surface of the tree, remove the bark, cut and sand the cuts, remove nicks.
3. The first layer of resin acts as a primer.
4. Immediately before the base and finish pours, you can add dyes or luminous pigments to the epoxy mass.

The pouring process itself is performed according to the universal method. Only after the resin has fully cured can the finishing materials be attached to the wall panels. Such a coating has a particular strength and resistance to all external influences.

Decorating a knife handle

Beautiful kitchen utensils or personal hunting knife can always be decorated with resin. However, in order to get the right effect, you will need the optimal shape. If desired, such a part can be made with your own hands, for example, from plasticine:

• The finished form is covered with a piece of polyethylene film, on top of which lay a souvenir, an image, a beautiful carved sheet or other composition. After preparing a solution of epoxy resin, you can proceed to pouring.
• After the polymer hardens, the handle is removed from the mold, wiped with a rag, and a groove for a blade of the appropriate size is cut out.

The most beautiful furniture or interior objects are made with your own hands. Having experience with resin will allow you to create not only high quality, but also stylish accessories for personal use or home.

With the help of such crafts the owners can advantageously emphasize the style of the apartment or summer terrace, please children and friends with bright gifts, as well as significantly extend the life of the room furniture.

Photos of epoxy resin crafts