When Norhaida Yusof purchased some resin art for her home in 2019, her husband made a remark that would change her life. "I think you can do this," he said to her. Fast forward to 2024 and what started out as something “just for fun” has now blossomed into a successful small business, Resin the Bar. From oceanic decor to floral preservations, Norhaida’s projects demonstrate the endless possibilities of resin art. “Resin, if done properly, is actually really easy and fun,” she says. “It’s a free-flow form of art; no-one can create the same two pieces and everything is unique. Even if you try to replicate something, you’ll never get the same thing.”

To help get you started, Norhaida has created two beginner-friendly resin art projects, perfect for personalised gifting, DIY home decor or just a fun weekend craft activity. These easy steps provide the perfect starting point to get familiar with working with resin; beyond that, the ideas and projects are endless.

SEE ALSO: 4 Colourful Art Projects for Adults to Try

Important Safety Notes: 

Resin, or epoxy resin, is created when you combine resin and hardener together. This causes a chemical reaction taking it from a liquid state to a solid form. With this in mind, it’s important to carefully read the instructions and safety requirements provided with your resin before starting your resin art.

Be sure to set up in a safe and well-ventilated area. Wear appropriate safety gear, including gloves, goggles and face mask is recommended, and old clothing, and ensure your hair is tied back away from your face.

Resin Art Project: Coasters

‍Suitable for 16+

Total prep time: 1 hour 

Total cure time: At least 24 hours

What You’ll Need:

A GIF series of products for making resin art coasters, shown on various brightly coloured backgrounds. Products include things like safety glasses, mixing sticks and foil flakes. 

Instructions

Step 1: Place your four coasters on an even surface and paint around the edge of each one to create a statement border. Leave to dry for 20 minutes, or until dry to touch.

A close-up of Norhaida’s hands painting a border onto the wooden coasters using a fine paint brush and black acrylic paint.

Step 2: While your coasters are drying, place three paper cups on an even surface. Using a wooden craft stick, scoop ¼ teaspoon of your first pigment and place it into a cup. With a new craft stick each time, repeat this for all your pigments, each into a different cup. (For this project, Norhaida used blue, turquoise and gold). Then, set aside. 

A close-up of gold pigment being scooped into a resin measuring cup. The pigment container sits on a stone surface alongside blue pigments, craft sticks and gold foil flakes.

Step 3: Combine 50ml of part A liquid gloss resin and 50ml of part B hardener into a resin measuring cup.

‍Step 4: Mix for 3 minutes using a resin mixing stick. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the cup as you’re mixing the resin. If you don’t properly combine the two parts, your resin won’t set properly and will become tacky instead of hard.

‍ Hot Tip: “Make sure you mix really well. When people mix they see it starts to get cloudy and they start to panic, but it takes a while,” says Norhaida. “It’s just a chemical reaction, so the more you mix – for about three minutes – [the cloudiness] will disappear.”

A pair of hands wearing black gloves mixing liquid gloss in a resin measuring cup using a resin mixing stick.


Step 5: Once the resin has been thoroughly mixed, pour equal amounts into the three cups with pigments, leaving an equal amount in the mixing cup. 

Norhaida pouring the liquid gloss mixture into a resin measuring cup that contains turquoise pigment. Either side of the cup are two other measuring cups containing gold and blue pigment.  ‍

Step 6: In the leftover resin, add ¼ teaspoon of gold foil flakes to the mixing cup that has clear resin in it and combine using a craft stick.

Step 7: Using a different craft stick for each colour, mix the resin and pigments together until well blended. This should take approximately 10 to 15 seconds.

Step 8: To achieve a similar coaster to the one pictured, pour blue resin in different diagonal patterns dividing the amount between the four coasters. Repeat this with the turquoise and gold resins, and then use the gold-flake resin to fill any gaps.

Hot Tip: To create different effects or patterns with your colours, use a new wooden craft stick and lightly swipe the surface to create a lacing effect. You can also try dragging or swirling your stick through the resin to create different patterns.

A GIF series showing Norhaida pouring resin into the coasters and using craft sticks to spread around the blue and gold pigmented resins. 

Step 9: When you’re happy with your design, place the coasters somewhere safe and away from dust. Leave your creations to cure for at least 24 hours before putting your new resin coasters to good use around the home or at dinner parties.

Hot Tip: When it comes to making your resin art stand out, Norhaida says it’s all about metallics. “I like to use a pop of gold, or you can use silver, to bring out the colours. For my pieces, they are ocean inspired, but the gold actually helps bring out that look. So I would recommend using something [that stands out] like that to help bring out the colours.”

A GIF series of the finished resin art coasters shown close-up, on a grey stone surface and being held by Norhaida.

SEE ALSO: How to Pick Up a Creative Hobby: Three Artisans Show You How

Resin Art Project: Trinket Dish

Suitable for 16+

Total prep time: 1 hour and 30 minutes

Total cure time: At least 30 hours

What You’ll Need:

A GIF series of products for making a resin art trinket dish, shown on various brightly coloured backgrounds. Products include things like gloves, a tray mould and pigments.

Instructions

Step 1: Place four paper cups on a flat surface. In one cup, add ½ tablespoon of black crushed quartz and ½ tablespoon of red crushed quartz.

Step 2: Using a wooden craft stick, scoop a teaspoon of your first pigment powder into another paper cup. Repeat this for your other pigments, using a new stick and cup for each. For this project, Norhaida used blue, turquoise and gold pigments. 

A pair of hands wearing black gloves using a craft stick to scoop blue pigment into a paper cup.

Step 3: Use a resin measuring cup to measure out 100ml of part A liquid gloss and then pour into a paper cup.

Step 4: Pour 100ml of part B hardener into a new or clean resin measuring cup. Add this to the paper cup with part A.

A pair of hands wearing black gloves pouring liquid gloss part B into a resin measuring cup.

Step 5: Mix part A and B together for three minutes using a resin mixing stick, remembering to scrape down the sides of the cup as you mix the resin. If you don’t properly combine the two parts, your resin won’t set properly and will become tacky instead of hard.‍

A pair of hands wearing black gloves mixing the liquid gloss parts together in a paper cup using a resin mixing stick.

Step 6: Once the resin has been thoroughly mixed and is clear, pour equal amounts of resin into the four paper cups with the pigments and quartz, leaving an equal amount in the mixing cup. 

Step 7: Mix the pigments in each cup until they are well combined. This should take around 20 to 30 seconds each.

A close-up of a blue pigment resin being mixed in a paper cup.

Step 8: Now it’s time to get creative and start pouring. To achieve a similar trinket dish to the one pictured, start by pouring the crushed quartz resin in lines to ‘draw’ the reef.

A close-up of a gloved hand carefully pouring a black and red quartz resin mix into a tray mould to create lines to represent ocean reefs.

Step 9: To create the ocean effect, pour the blue and turquoise pigments around the crushed quartz. Then use the clear resin to fill up the empty spaces and add some accents with the gold resin. 

A GIF series showing different resin mixes being poured into a tray mould.

Hot Tip: “To get rid of bubbles in resin you can use a heat gun, but the resin I used is actually self-popping so you don’t need a heat gun, which is perfect if you’re trying this out for the first time,” says Norhaida.

Step 10: Once completed, leave the trinket dish to cure for at least six hours before moving onto your second pour.

Step 11: For your second layer, mix up the same amount of resin following steps 3 to 5.

Step 12: Pour the entire cup with the clear resin into the mould. Keep it covered and let it cure for at least 24 hours. 

Step 13: Once fully cured, demould and adorn your hallway table or vanity with your bespoke trinket dish. 

A GIF series of the finished resin art trinket tray in close-up.

SEE ALSO: How to Start a Creative Side Hustle

More DIY Home Decor Ideas to Try

Glass Painting

Just as a touch of paint can freshen up your walls or furniture, glass paint can bring new life to your glass items and surfaces. Upcycle old tumblers or wine glasses by painting on some floral designs or patterns, or create your very own stained glass artwork using a photo frame and hang it in a sunny spot. It’s a fun way to add some colour and a dreamy quality to your space.

What You’ll Need:

Wall Art

If you’re tired of looking at white walls, or need a little extra something to bring your space together, try creating your own wall art. Design canvas wall art that reflects your style and is also easy on your wallet. Plus, it will add a personal touch to your home. Grab a paint brush and adorn your home with tasteful art by you! 

What You’ll Need:

If you are pregnant, it is not recommended to undertake any project using epoxy resin.