DIY Resin Coasters

DIY resin coasters

Lovely Indeed 

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 1 hr
  • Total Time: 1 day
  • Yield: Resin Coasters
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $20

Working with resin is easy, fun, and filled with possibilities! These DIY resin coasters are a perfect introductory project to crafting with resin. You can add all kinds of fun and interesting items to the resin, to encase them in the beautiful, clear epoxy. These DIY coasters contain gold flakes, but you could add sequins, dried flowers, glitter, beads -- just about anything you can imagine! It takes a little patience to let the resin set, but once you do you have a cool, modern creation that people will think you got from a chic boutique.

DIY resin coasters
Lovely Indeed 

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Stir sticks

Materials

  • Resin
  • Hardener
  • Mixing cups
  • Silicone coaster molds
  • Gold leaf
  • Latex gloves

Instructions

  1. Gather Materials

    As you are gathering your materials, look for a resin kit that comes complete with all of the tools and items you'll need to create your resin coasters. Many resin kits come with both the resin and the hardener, which you will need to mix together to create your DIY resin coasters.

    More detailed kits often also come with measuring and mixing cups, stir sticks, scrapers, and more. If this is your first time working with resin, one of these kits is a good introduction to the tools and techniques.

    Also keep in mind that you'll need to choose a silicone mold that works for coaster creation. There are lots of different shapes and styles to choose from!

    materials for DIY resin coasters
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  2. Measure Resin and Hardener

    When you begin your resin project, be sure to read the instructions that are specific to your resin and hardener. Most often, you will be instructed to pour exact equal amounts of each to create a resin that's crystal clear and cures well.

    Your resin and hardener should be room temperature. If they are too cold or too hot, it could cause bubbling or a sticky, gummy texture when they harden. Be sure to bring them to room temperature before you pour.

    Before you begin to work with your materials, put on latex gloves to protect your skin from any adverse reactions. Pour equal amounts of resin and hardener into two cups.

    Resin and Hardener for DIY coasters
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  3. Stir Gently

    Again, check the instructions on your own materials before proceeding to each step. Most often, you'll want to stir the resin and hardener mixture for about 3 minutes. As you stir, try to do so smoothly so that you create minimal air bubbles.

    Mixing resin and hardener for DIY coasters
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  4. Pour Half

    Before you pour, make sure that your silicone mold is clean of any dust or debris. To begin, pour the mixture into your silicone mold until it's just under halfway full.

    Pouring resin coasters
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  5. Add Gold Leaf

    Once the mold is half full of the resin mixture, carefully peel away small flakes of gold leaf and sprinkle them on top of the resin. Do your best to keep the gold flakes spread evenly around the coaster, so that there is a bit of gold in all areas.

    Gold flakes in DIY resin coasters
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  6. Pour Another Half

    Pour the remaining resin mixture over the top of the gold leaf flakes. Continue to fill the silicone mold until it's just below full. As you pour, it helps to try to pour the mixture directly over the top of the gold leaf flakes. This will help them sink to the center of the resin as it hardens.

    Pouring DIY resin coasters
    Lovely Indeed
  7. Press Gold Leaf Down

    If you find that your gold leaf wants to move or float to the top, use your stir stick to gently press the individual gold leaf flakes down into the mixture. Once they are weighted down they should stay in place.

    Gold leaf resin coasters
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  8. Allow to Cure

    Check the cure time of your specific resin kit to be sure that you allow the resin to cure properly. Cure time should be at least 24 hours. Once the coaster is cured, you can carefully remove it from the mold.

    DIY resin and gold leaf coasters
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  9. Make a Whole Set

    Make more coasters to complete your set! Use the same technique to create matching coasters - make as many as you like. Once completed, keep them for yourself or give as a fun handmade gift!

    DIY resin and gold leaf coasters
    Lovely Indeed