Inspiration – Janet Sparkles with Creativity

Inspire Through Tips and Tricks

A Look at the Tips & Tricks of Epoxy Resin and how to be Prepared for your First Pour

Safety first: always wear gloves, eye protection, and old clothes when working with resin, and work in a well-ventilated area. Resin can be toxic and irritating to the skin and eyes, so avoid contact and inhalation as much as possible.
Choose the right resin: there are different types of resin for different purposes, such as polyester resin, epoxy resin, craft resin, master cast resin, and art resin. Each one has its own pros and cons, such as curing time, clarity, durability, and cost. For beginners, epoxy resin is usually the best choice, as it is easy to mix, has a long working time, and produces a clear and hard finish ¹
Prepare your tools and materials: you will need some basic tools and materials to create resin art, such as spatulas, mixing cups, shot glasses, mica powders, glitter, acrylic paints, alcohol inks, silicone molds, canvas boards, heat gun, and torch. You can also use other items to add texture and interest to your resin art, such as dried flowers, shells, stones, crystals, or even photos ²
Mix and pour resin: the most important step in resin art is to mix and pour the resin correctly. You need to measure the resin and hardener in a one-to-one ratio and stir them for about three and a half minutes, scraping the sides and bottom of the cup regularly. Then, you can divide the resin mixture into smaller cups and add different colors and textures to them, such as mica, glitter, acrylic paint, or alcohol ink. You can then pour the colored resin onto a canvas board that is leveled and propped up on a tray, and create a pattern by tilting, swirling, or using a heat gun or a torch ³ ⁴
Remove bubbles and cure resin: after pouring the resin, you need to remove any bubbles that may have formed by using a torch or a heat gun, and being careful not to overheat or scorch the resin. You also need to cover your resin art with a box or a lid to prevent dust and debris from sticking to it. Then, you need to let the resin cure and dry for at least 24 hours, or longer depending on the type and thickness of the resin ² ⁴

These are some of the basic tips for beginners in resin art, but there are many more techniques and ideas that you can explore and experiment with.

I hope this helps you get started with resin art. Have fun and be creative!

My first Pour

The Magic of Organization for your First Pour and how to Set Up your Studio or Kitchen

Setting up your studio or kitchen for your first pour of epoxy resin project can be a fun and exciting process, but also requires some preparation and safety measures. Here are some steps to follow:

Choose a suitable workspace that is flat, level, dust-free, well-ventilated, and protected from direct sunlight, heat, and moisture. You can use a table, a countertop, a floor, or any other surface that can support your project and form ¹
Cover your workspace with a plastic sheet, a tarp, or a drop cloth to protect it from spills and drips. You can also use cardboard, newspaper, or paper towels to catch any excess resin ²
Gather your tools and materials, such as epoxy resin, hardener, mixing cups, stir sticks, gloves, respirator, eye protection, pigments, additives, heat gun, torch, silicone molds, wood pieces, tape, screws, caulking, level, and any other items you need for your project. Make sure you have enough resin and hardener for your desired volume and depth of pour ¹ ³
Place your project and form on your workspace and make sure they are level and stable. You can use shims, wedges, or blocks to adjust the height and angle of your project and form. You can also use clamps, weights, or glue to secure them to your workspace ¹ ³
Prepare your pigments, additives, and effects, if you are using them for your project. You can use mica powders, glitter, acrylic paints, alcohol inks, dried flowers, shells, stones, crystals, or any other items that can add color, texture, and interest to your resin. You can also use silicone oil, isopropyl alcohol 91%, or heat to create cells, swirls, and patterns in your resin ¹ ³

These are some of the basic steps to set up your studio or kitchen for your first pour of epoxy resin project. You can also check out some online courses, videos, blogs, and books that can teach you more about resin art and inspire you with different projects. Just go to Youtube and search out your dreams.

Torch with Me

Take Many Photos to Inspire You. Have Them Printed and Just Go With the Flow. Never Look Back!!

One way to visualize your concept is to sketch your idea on a paper or a digital device, using colors, shapes, and symbols that represent your concept. For instance, if your concept is about ocean and sunset art, you can draw a horizon line, a sun, waves, clouds, and other elements that relate to your theme. You can also add some notes or labels to explain your concept further. Sketching your concept can help you express your vision, communicate your idea, and refine your design.

Torch with Me

My Amazon List for Start Up of the Next Generation of Epoxy Artists

I have put together a list of items you might need as a Newbie to Epoxy Resin. This has been collected for the past year. I get no compensation if you purchase any of these products. I did buy them and only recommended the ones I liked. Enjoy!!

See My Amazon List for Epoxy Resin Newbies

Stick with what you Love- Scenery, Mammals, Sunsets, Sunrises

Know who you are, and what you love to see. I am known as an opacarophile who is someone who loves watching sunsets and enjoys the colors an beauty of the twilight sky. Some people find sunsets relaxing, inspiring, or even therapeutic. they may have a deeper connection with nature and appreciate the subtle changes in the atmosphere and mood,

Humpback Journey Video

How To Visualize your Concept.

Another way to visualize your concept is to create a mood board, which is a collection of images, texts, colors, and materials that inspire your concept. You can use online tools, such as Pinterest, Canva, or Adobe Spark, to create a mood board, or you can use a physical board, such as a cork board, a poster, or a wall. You can search for images that match your concept, such as ocean and sunset photos, resin art examples, or color palettes, and arrange them on your board. You can also add some words, quotes, or phrases that describe your concept, such as “calm”, “relaxing”, or “dreamy”. Creating a mood board can help you define your style, explore your options, and generate new ideas.

These are some examples of how you can visualize your concept. I hope they help you with your resin art project. Have fun and be creative!!

How to create a storyboard tutorial

Inspire Through Tips and Tricks

A Look at the Tips & Tricks of Epoxy Resin and how to be Prepared for your First Pour

The Magic of Organization for your First Pour and how to Set Up your Studio or Kitchen

Take Many Photos to Inspire You. Have Them Printed and Just Go With the Flow. Never Look Back!!

My Amazon List for Start Up of the Next Generation of Epoxy Artists

Stick with what you Love- Scenery, Mammals, Sunsets, Sunrises

How To Visualize your Concept.

Janet@JanetSparkles.com

Portland, OR 97202

503-803-4707

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