Silicone mixers, sticks, spatulas/matts
When working with resin, one thing to keep in mind is use supplies and tools that will NOT be used for anything else. You DO NOT want to use a silicone spatula for stirring resin and then for pancake mix. Resin is extremely toxic and should never be mixed with food or drink. I have gone to the dollar store and picked up many silicone spatulas to use for getting that last bit of resin out of a mixing cup. I picked up some silicone matts from Amazon and covered my work area with them. I do have a clear shower curtain over my table, but these silicone matts save the plastic from getting covered in resin, pigments, ink etc. Plus, you can easily peel off any cured resin from them, and they can even be thrown in a sick of soapy warm water to get extra clean. If you can't get any silicone matts, use regular dollar store parchment paper or waxed paper. They can line a working surface easily, and you can just roll it up and throw it out when done. Although, if you want to reduce waste, then wipe it if any resin gets on it, and reuse it more than once. Craft sticks While crafts sticks are cheap and easy to use, just note that sometimes stirring with wooden sticks can create bubbles in your resin. If you aren't going to worry about bubbles, since you're adding colours etc, then feel free to use them. I buy in bulk from Amazon and can get a box of 1000 for very cheap. Plus, you can also wipe them off and reuse them until they start to split. |
Mixing Cups and Pouring Cups
A trip to the dollar store for plastic measuring cups for larger amounts, is a cheap and effective way of mixing resin. Once cured, any left over resin will peel right out. It is also much better to reuse cups and items, instead of just throwing paper/plastic tiny cups out. That's not to say I never use the tiny plastic shot cups from the dollar store, because I do. They are perfect for mixing up one ounce of resin at a time, and easy to mix in colours and pour into molds. I do use baby wipes to clean them out, if possible, so that I reuse them at least a couple times before throwing them out. Resin crafting is not a trash reducing craft, unless you choose your tools carefully, so you can reduce the garbage you toss. I sometimes use the paper 2 ounce cups for mixing as well, but I find that usually after one use, they are soggy and can tear at the bottom when you are mixing up the resin. Baby Wipes/Hand Wipes
I started buying cheap no-name baby wipes from Walmart for my craft station. They are amazing for cleaning stir sticks, cups and even fingers if you happen to touch some resin. You can also use all purpose wipes, located in same aisle as face cleansing wipes, creams etc. I would not recommend using lysol or disinfectant wipes. I also use these unscented wipes to clean up my crafting surface. I do use silicone mats and shower curtains on my desk but the wipes are amazing to clean those off if I make any spills or messes. DO NOT use these types of wipes in your molds. They can ruin the shiny finish of the mold (if it is a shiny one) and cause problems with curing projects. |
Rubbing Alcohol/Baby Oil/Glycerin
You may be wondering, what am I going to use those for. Well, these items come in handy for many purposes. Rubbing alcohol can not only clean silicone sticks and cups, and your hands and surfaces to rid sticky resin spots, but a spritz of alcohol on your poured piece, will eliminate bubbles on the surface without using heat or lighters. I personally have never done this, as I always use a heatgun or lighter, but many swear by this trick. Baby Oil and Glycerin is important when you are making shakers. You know, those tiny little filled pieces that move when you turn them? Instead of buying shaker oil, which essentially is three times the price of a bottle of Walmart baby oil, just use baby oil to make your items move in shakers. Plus, it smells better. A tiny bit of oil works great for shakers as well. Alternatively, you can use mineral oil, or glycerin if you happen to have some laying around. Just note that resin will not cure if wet, be it with water or oil, so if you are making shakers, and using UV resin to seal the film, then wipe off really well with baby wipe to ensure a nice cured seal to avoid leaking. |
Heatgun/Lighters/Torch
I was intimated using a torch when I first started, so I've never used one, and still don't. The dangers of using a torch is that it can scorch the resin, and heat it up too much, too fast and then it will stick to the mold, ruining it. Most reputable mold makers will tell you not to use torches in their molds as it will ruin it. I have always used a heat gun, nothing fancy, just a cheap one from Amazon, and have had no problems. I also use the long bbq lighters from the dollar stores to pop any bubbles. Just DO NOT use open flames (lighters/torch) on any item that has alcohol ink in it. Do not use open flame, if you're going to spritz down the top of a pour with alcohol either, unless you want to lose an eyebrow :) Heatguns (or even a hairdryer) is perfect for getting rid of bubbles in resin, and can even help thin and spread the resin out a bit to flow. It is also the main tool required when you want to make waves for ocean beach theme pieces. |