Epoxy Resin: A Beginner's Guide to Shiny Ambitions & Sticky Regrets

Because you definitely need another expensive hobby

One minute I was just trying to make a cute little flower thing, the next I was elbows deep in a very expensive chemical romance with a material that requires protective gear and emotional regulation. Welcome to epoxy resin, where everything is sticky, nothing goes according to plan, and you will definitely ruin at least one shirt.

This is your entry-level “wtf is happening” guide to epoxy resin.

We’ll go deeper later. Like… 2-inch pour depth deeper. Maybe even 4-inch pour for you overachievers.

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What Even Is Epoxy Resin?

Resin is the general term. Epoxy resin is a type of synthetic resin that comes in two parts: the resin and the hardener. When you mix them together (correctly, with your whole chest), you start a chemical reaction that turns liquid chaos into solid art. Magic? Science? Art? Yes.

People often say “resin” when they mean epoxy, but technically:

Resin = umbrella term

Epoxy = specific kind of resin, usually used for art, woodworking, and your new obsession

UV Resin = instant cure chaos that responds to UV light and zero time management

Polyester Resin = smells like death, used in boats, not your vibe

Epoxy Resin Types

Ranked by How Likely You Are to Cry

Tabletop Epoxy

Thin pours, fast cure, great for coating.

Not ideal for molds or thick layers — she gets hot and bubbly real fast.

Deep Pour Epoxy

Meant for 2”+ thick pours (think river tables or big chunky domes).

Long cure time = patience test. Also needs perfect conditions or it’ll go full cursed snow globe.

UV Resin

Fast cure under UV light, great for small jewelry.

Brittle, yellows fast, and not great for anything large.

General Purpose Epoxy

Middle ground, great for small crafts. Best for beginners, imo.

Can still overheat or underperform depending on depth, temp, and your emotional state.

Sidebar: Don't even get me started on how the different brands and formulations under each of these categories is wildly different. I may or may not have a rating system and tracker.

Color Me Unhinged: Pigments + Inks

Alcohol Inks:

Great for dreamy blends and petri dish effects

Sink like your hopes if used wrong (ask me how I know)

Can make your piece soft or sticky if overdone

Best way to make swirls

Add at different points to create different effects

Can mess with cure time if overused. And you will overuse it.

“Swirling galaxy in a coaster” vibe

Mica Powder:

Luxurious shimmery magic Sparkly fairy dust

Suspends beautifully in deep pours

Great for color depth and shimmer

Can be muddy or patchy if not mixed well

Will change as your piece cures

Unpredictable in the best way

Bonus Chaos:

Pigment pastes (intense color, thick af)

Glow-in-the-dark powders

So many glitters, including crushed dreams

Holographic and color shift pigments

Mistakes I’ve Made So You Don’t Have To:

Warning Label Edition:

“I thought it was mixed. It was not.”

“Oh no, it’s smoking.”

“I used a silicone mold… but torched the epoxy. Now it’s fused forever.”

“Fire is not your friend.”

“The Scully hair is… inside it now.”

"I don't need these instructions that came with this new brand of epoxy"

“I touched it to see if it was cured. It was not. And now I am sticky.”

Beginner-Friendly Projects

Resin with Training Wheels

Start with:

Coasters - small, flat, forgiving, functional

Keychains - fun molds, instant gratification

Shallow trays - optional glitter, required chaos

DO NOT start with:

Deep domes or pyramids

Jewelry with metal inclusions

River Tables (I learned this the hard way)

Open flames - seriously. NO

The Actual Useful Stuff

Mixing Tips:

Mix by volume or weight depending on your epoxy brand (do not throw away the instructions that come with it)

Stir slooooowly (speed = bubbles) use a non-porous stick

Scrape the sides, scrape the bottom, whisper sweet nothings Pour into a 2nd container and mix a little more

Add colors and mix, if you want

Now you can pour it in your mold, SLOWLY

Curing Conditions:

Ideal temps: 70–75°F

Humidity: under 60%

Gloves & respirator, no exceptions

Safety glasses if you are messy

Don’t pour angry (it never works)

Tips to Mitigate Panic

Because Screaming Into the Void Isn’t PPE

• Set up a mixing station. Label your cups and stir sticks. Future You will be grateful.

• Preheat your space. 70°F–75°F = happy curing. Below 67°F? Expect sadness.

• Read the label. I know. I KNOW. But not all epoxy is mixed the same. Some are by weight, others by volume.

• Use a timer. If you think “I’ll remember when I started,” you are lying to yourself.

• Always have baby wipes and rubbing alcohol nearby. Not for your hands. For your shame. (and hands)

• Don’t panic at bubbles. Most will rise and pop naturally, especially if you mix slowly and keep it warm.

• Do panic if it smells like fish. That means it’s expired. Throw it out and reflect on your life choices.

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Optional Chaotic Additions:

Try layering mica and ink for an unpredictable cosmic chaos effect

Use preserved botanical, but dry and seal them or you will be sad: Checkout Drying Flowers with Silica

Embed something weird: tiny bones? a Barbie head? a bug? your last shred of sanity?

Make a resin sandwich: glitter, flower, glitter

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It’s Fine, Probably.

Closing Thoughts

Epoxy is science, art, witchcraft, and grief. It will make you feel like a scientist, a wizard, and a goblin all at once. You will mess it up. You will have triumphs. You will have goo. You will also make something accidentally beautiful and swear it was intentional.

Start small, wear gloves, and embrace the chaos. Save the fire for year two.

Epoxy isn't for everyone. Try it, you might like it. You might hate it. If that is the case, you can donate your supplies to someone else. Or, if you don't want to go through this whole process, but want some cool epoxy resin art, you can always contact me for a custom order.

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Currently Blooming in the Garden

The passion flower is out of control. I think it’s trying to climb into the window and join the blog. Did it not get the memo that it was evicted from the garden last year? Note to self: actually believe the description when it says "invasive".

Unrelated But Vital Thoughts

How is there never a pair of scissors near by when I always need scissors? Even strategically placing them in every room. They just vanish the second I need them.

Glitter multiplies when stressed. This is science.

I am 99% sure Scully is an art critic now.

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About ChezleyDesigns

ChezleyDesigns is the handcrafted, unique archive of a chaotic resin artist with a hoarding habit and an eye for the ephemeral. I make one-of-a-kind epoxy art, botanical resin keepsakes, and original stickers that celebrate the weird, the rebellious, and the “wait, is that a cicada in there?” moments.

Everything I create is made with chaos and care — using foraged petals, shed wings, strange seed pods, nature’s leftovers, and ethically-gifted bugs from people who love me (and have strong stomachs). These are nature-inspired art pieces, preserved flower creations, and frozen in time keepsakes. Sometimes useful. Always intentional.

Looking for resin decor, botanical art, or weird handmade gifts? Wander through chezleydesigns.com or stalk me on Instagram @chezleydesigns.

Donations welcome: cool bones, seed pods, ethically-dead insects, and other oddities. No pressure. No live bugs. Obviously.