Teexpert-tech

Casting resin is an art. Whether you’re a perfectionist or not, you have to master the art of casting to deliver beautiful pieces. Repeating the same rookie mistakes over and over again does not enable you to master the art of casting epoxy resin, right? If you don’t avoid rookie mistakes in the early learning stages, they can stick like a bad habit that you can’t eradicate. Rookie mistakes make it difficult to improve and scale the ladder to the highest professional level. To attain your maximum potential, you have to avoid rookie mistakes when casting resins. Here are eight rookie mistakes to avoid when casting resin:

1. Using inappropriate resin for your project

It is a costly mistake to expect any resin to cast what it was not designed to cast. This is a rookie mistake and it will cost you money and time. You have to do some research before deciding the most appropriate resin to purchase for your project. When choosing the perfect resin for your project, consider what you want to accomplish. Do you need to coat or cast? Your project can benefit from a multi-purpose epoxy resin like Teexpert instead of a coat-only resin.

You also have to consider the material you’ll be working with like wood, metal, or canvas. Teexpert Epoxy Resin can work perfectly with different materials but other types of resins only work with either wood or metal but not both. This is why Teexpert is highly recommended for jewelry and artworks. It is easy to use and perfect for beginners and veterans alike. Choosing the right resin for your project is crucial for the success of your project.

2. Adding more hardener that recommended to cure quicker

Both casting and epoxy resins rely on a chemical reaction to cure. The chemical reaction depends on how the resin and the hardener mix and react. Adding more hardener to cure quicker is a rookie mistake. You cannot cheat the cure time by violating the ratio! For example, Teexpert Epoxy Resin is a two-part resin that should be mixed in a 1:1 ratio to cure.

Mixing Teexpert in an unequal ratio like 1:2 will disrupt its curing process. It can also affect the quality of your piece. Don’t try to cheat the cure time. It is a rookie mistake.

3. Mixing more resin than you can use

As a beginner, you have to be as cost-effective as possible to avoid going bankrupt before you know how to cast. Reducing wastage can help you become cost-effective. Before you open the bottle, you need to know how much resin mixture you need to complete your project. Answering this question before you start any project will help you avoid mixing more than you can use. You can also learn from experience to avoid this rookie mistake in the future.

4. Mishandling of air bubbles

You cannot address air bubbles in your resin art with brute force. Removing air bubbles is an art. If your cured resin has air bubbles, you have to use the right tools and techniques to remove them. Some professional resin crafters use razor blades to pop air bubbles on the surface to create open cavities. Then, you fill-up the cavities with a small mixture of epoxy and leave it to cure for several hours before re-flooding the surface for a smooth finish. If you feel this process is too complex, you can use a torch gun to remove bubbles in resin before it cures completely.

Even though heat guns and blow dryers can remove air bubbles in your resin, the rush of airflow increases the risk of introducing dust and hair in the resin. A torch gun can remove bubbles from your resin without any particles. Learning how to mix resins properly and choosing the right resin can help you avoid dealing with air bubbles in the future. For example, Teexpert doesn’t form air bubbles.

5. Poor time management

If you don’t plan your time appropriately, your resin-hardener mixture will harden before you’re done. You should allocate time to each activity before you start mixing. For starters, you only need to mix your resin for 10% of the pot time. For example, you can mix Teexpert Epoxy Resin for 4 minutes since it has a pot time of 40 minutes. This gives you 36 minutes to work, which is enough to perfect your piece. You’ll need to collect everything you need for your project around your work area to avoid time-wastage. Running around in search of a crucial tool will rob you more time.

Overestimating your abilities can also lead to time management issues. You have to accept what you can and cannot do. Don’t waste precious time trying to execute complicated designs you saw on social media. Focus on finishing the piece and learning one project at a time. You should also choose an epoxy resin with longer pot time like Teexpert to avoid time issues.

6. Procrastinating handling of mistakes

Postponing your casting errors for later is a rookie mistake. You can rectify most casting mistakes easily before your resin hardens. For instance, you cannot assume air bubbles forming in your resin art until you’re done. There are several strategies to prevent the formation of air bubbles while casting.

You can wait for about 10 minutes after pouring, then warm your epoxy resin slowly using a torch to bring the bubbles to the surface. It is much easier to remove any air bubbles on the surface than when it is deeper in your piece. You should respond to any mistakes as soon as they appear.

7. Lack of patience to let it cure!

The cure time cannot magically reduce no matter how many times you check on your resin craft. If you uncover curing resin every single minute to check whether it is cured, you only increase the risk of contamination. Dust particles or hair can settle on your piece. An epoxy like Teexpert first cures within 24 hours and will need 3 to 7 days to cure completely. You have to give your resin craft enough curing time. Poking your art every second to see if it is hardening is a rookie mistake.

8. Using the wrong tools for the job

All the tools for casting resins are designed to help you avoid specific problems. You cannot use the wrong tools and expect the right results. For example, using a triangular or rectangular mixing cup with sharp, hard to reach corners will make it more difficult to scrape and mix your resin and hardener perfectly. You need a circular cup to mix thoroughly

Silicone molds are better than plastic or latex molds for crafts with complicated dimensions. From mixing sticks to molds, syringe, and protective gear, each tool you use in your project should be appropriate for the job. Don’t cut corners!

Bottom Line

Rookie mistakes can prevent you from going pro. Whether you’ve been adding more hardener, managing your time poorly, mixing too much, mishandling air bubbles, or using wrong tools, you have to avoid these rookie mistakes in the future. The worst rookie mistake is using the wrong resin for your project. You can always rely on Teexpert for jewelry, wood artworks, and many other resin casting projects.

 

DIY gifts are not only thoughtful but can also be personalized specifically for the receiver. There are so many resin art ideas for beginners. To make it easier, choose a resin for arts that is beginner-friendly like Teexpert. All you need now is mold, acrylic paints, and the appropriate tools for casting resin. Don’t forget to wear protective gear and work in a well-ventilated area. Here are ten great and super easy resin art ideas for beginners:

1. Resin Galaxy Bracelet

For your intro to resin art, you can start with resin galaxy bracelets since they are super easy to make. It is the perfect DIY gift to your young princess or a queen in your life. You’ll need a high-gloss epoxy resin, bracelet resin mold, acrylic paints with their favorite color, and glitter. Measure and mix your epoxy perfectly.

Add small amounts of acrylic paints to your resin-hardener mixture while stirring. Sprinkle some glitter and continue stirring to blend evenly.

Pour the mixture smoothly into the mold while tapping to settle evenly. Leave it to cure, then polish to enhance the gloss and smoothness.

2. Resin Buttons

You’ve got a stylish jacket, but its buttons are either ugly or just plain boring. What do you do? Make the beautiful resin buttons for your jackets in just a few simple steps. You’ll need epoxy resin like Teexpert, resin mold for buttons, polyamine hardener, and acrylic paints in your favorite colors. After mixing your resin, add a small amount of your acrylic paint and stir until it blends evenly. Pour your colored resin mixture into the mold like an expert.

If the mold cannot create holes in your buttons, de-mold while still rubbery and pierce using a pin to create holes. Then let it harden and cure completely. You’ll have to repeat this process to make enough resin buttons for your jacket, sweaters, scarfs, purses, and throw pillows to add glam and style to your home.

3. Easy Glitter Ring

Whether it is romantic, friendship, or family, you can never go wrong with DIY glitter rings. Don’t sweat it. Glitter rings are super-easy. Rings are exposed to the elements outdoors. So, you need the best epoxy resin with anti-UV and anti-yellowing properties. Mix your epoxy resin in a 1:1 ratio.Add acrylic paints with their favorite colors and sprinkle glitter while stirring. Pour your perfectly colored glittery mixture into a resin mold for rings and leave it to cure.

After curing, you can polish or paint to enhance visual aesthetics. An epoxy like Teexpert can deliver rings that are durable, glossy, and hard like real gems. All these, plus your thoughtfulness make the gift of glitter ring priceless.

4. Flow Art Tray

You can beautify any space in your house with an easy-to-make flow art tray. This will be your intro to playing with colorants and resins to create an illusion of flowing motions. First, you’ll need the perfect epoxy resin like Teexpert, canvas-like wood ply in a frame, and mold to create a boundary when working on different areas of the canvas. You start by preparing your resin in several cups and add different colorants, then stir to blend. Pour resins with different colors artistically on the canvas to create unique flows.

Warm it with a heat gun to remove any air bubbles, then apply other layers after a few days or weeks until you attain the intended results.

5. Coated Picture Frame

The best memorable events in life are meant to be shared, right? You can coat old picture frames perfectly with resin to enhance the aesthetic value of displayed photos. First, paint the frame with your favorite color and let it dry. Use masking tape to create a barrier around the inner edge of the frame to ensure the resin only drips over the outside of the frame.

Cover your work area with cardboard, then start mixing your epoxy resin and pour slowly onto the frame.

Once the surface is completely covered, use a brush to spread the dripping resin to cover the sides of the frame. Leave it to dry before fitting your photo.

6. Rocky Coasters

To make artistic rocky coasters, you’ll need crystal clear resins like Teexpert, a mold for coasters, colorants, and glitter. So, how do you create rocky coasters using resin? First, mix your clear resin in separate mixing cups and add different colors to each cup drop by drop while stirring to attain a smooth blend. Add glitter to each cup of resin mixture and stir to blend evenly.

Pour your mixture into the mold slowly and alternating different colors to create an illusion of motion. Heat your resin slightly after each pour to remove any bubbles. Leave it to cure completely, then line the bottom of your rocky coasters with felt to avoid scratching your furniture.

7. Napkin Rings

Glittery rings can attract attention to your table napkins, drapes, and curtains. You’ll need an epoxy like Teexpert with anti-yellowing properties, your favorite colorants, metallic glitter, and a small-sized bracelet mold. Measure and mix your epoxy and add color, then sprinkle a little bit of glitter.

Pour the mixture smoothly into the bracelet mold while tapping to settle evenly. Leave your ring to cure, then sand it off any rough edge to a smooth, glossy finish.

8. Glittered Resin Snowflakes

You don’t have to wait until to enjoy some snowflakes. Epoxy resins allow you to make your own glittered resin snowflakes and enjoy them all year-round. You’ll need silicone snowflake mold, clear epoxy resin, glitter, fishing line, and casting tools. Mix your resin thoroughly, then add glitter while mixing to blend evenly. Pour your glittery resin mixture slowly into the mold.

Once it is cured, drill a hole at the top using the right tool and insert a strand of fishing line for hanging. Repeat this process to attain enough glittery snowflakes to hang around your house or your patio and wow your guests.

9. Resin Photo Art

Would you like to protect your memories from the elements? Easy-to-make resin photo art does exactly that. You can put your emotionally-loaded photographs out in the open for everyone to enjoy and protect it from wear and tear using a smooth layer of epoxy resin. You’ll need the clearest epoxy resins like Teexpert, a beautiful wooden jewelry box, and mold that fits inside the box. Seal your photo with a thin seal spray and place it in the mold. Mix your Teexpert Epoxy Resin perfectly in a 1:1 ratio, then pour like an expert into the mold to cover the entire surface.

Ensure the pour is perfectly level and smooth, then use a heat gun to remove any air bubbles. De-mold your resin photo art only after it has cured, then place it in your jewelry box.

10. Glitter Door Knobs

You don’t have to settle for that boring, aluminum concave doorknob. You can add a touch of style, glam, and artistry using epoxy resin. Some change the entire doorknob, but that will be your lesson once you become intermediate. The simplest option to style up your doorknob is to decorate the concave face of the knob.

Remove the knob and fit a piece of paper on the concave-face. Once you fit it perfectly, coat it with decoupage, and wait for the seal to dry. Measure and mix your epoxy resin, add glitter, and pour on the sealed concave face. Hold the knob at a 90-degree angle when pouring with the concave-face upwards for it to level perfectly. Leave it to cure before refitting on the door!

Bottom Line

Whether it is a glittery ring, flow art tray, rocky coasters, or a simple doorknob, epoxy resins can add the glamour you seek. These great resin art ideas for DIY beginners are super-easy. Some are perfect and thoughtful gifts. You should always use epoxy resins like Teexpert that cure hard and crystal clear with a glossy finish to guarantee durability and enhance the aesthetic value.