How Do You DIY Resin Shakers

Some of the most amusing things you can create with epoxy resin are shaker charms. In addition, it's like having your preferred home accents floating in oil! Unbelievable, no?

Imagine being able to create resin shakers yourself, however! I understand that you may be a little uneasy as a novice. But don't be alarmed by it! I'll teach you all you need to know in this video about making distinctive resin shakers. Do you even know what a resin shaker is, though? then allow me to begin there.

Making Resin Shakers: Steps

1. Planning

Put on gloves

Recall that hardeners and resin are chemicals. Therefore, you must shield your hands and skin from these liquids. The easiest method to do it is by putting on a pair of nitrile gloves. Nitrile gloves don't react with resins as latex gloves do.

Air Out Your Workspace

However, it's best to handle epoxy in a room with sufficient ventilation for your own safety. That's as a result of the toxic fumes that epoxy creates. Open the windows and doors to your workspace to improve airflow. Turn on the ceiling fan if there is one in the room. To divert fumes from your resin, you may also utilize additional fans.

Safeguard the work area

Last but not least, use a silicone mat to protect your work area. This will aid in defending it against any resin pills that could develop along the endeavor. Additionally, make sure that there are no pollutants or debris on the surface.

2. Picking a Resin Shaker Mold

The ideal kind of mold to use when dealing with epoxy is a silicone shaker mold. thanks to their non-toxic makeup and ease of cleaning. In addition, after resin dries, silicone molds are simple to remove. Additionally, silicone molds come in a variety of sizes and forms.

The two primary types of resin shaker molds are DIY and commercial molds. Which one would be best for your resin shaker project, though?

Industrial Molds

Commercial molds are easily accessible resin molds that have already been manufactured. They have many different styles and are extremely reasonably priced. With these molds, all you have to do is purchase a set and get to work on your project. They are the ideal choice for novices as a result.

You may choose from more than 200 ready-to-use shaker molds for epoxy.

As an example, you may choose animal resin molds. Polar bears, elephants, and alpacas are just a few of the forms that these molds may take. You may then build a resin charm with your preferred animal. Then you may use it to make Shaker keychain presents. Additionally, you may make a resin shaker with initials using silicone alphabet molds.

Customized Molds

These are personalized molds that you may create at home, as the name would imply. enabling you to design unique and personalized shakers. Fortunately, creating a silicone mold is not a difficult process. The best part is that you can make any form you can imagine with this. You may create molds that are shaped like flowers, stars, coasters, cubes, and hearts, for example. Making your own molds will not limit your creativity as buying commercial ones would.

The drawback is that creating molds takes a lot of time. Not to mention that ready-to-use castings might be less expensive than handmade molds.

3. Amount and Combine Epoxy

Next, measure the epoxy after selecting the best mold for your project. Measure out the resin and hardener in equal portions using different measuring cups. They should be added to a mixing cup and stirred for two minutes. The combination should then be left for around 30 seconds. A few bubbles are able to explode as a result of this.

4. Pour into the silicone mold

Pour your epoxy resin now into each silicone shaker mold component. I advise you to fill the molds' centre or base with resin. Once the castings are filled, let the mixture drip over the edges. As a result, there will be less bubbles that become stuck in the molds. Allow the molds to cure once they have been filled.

What happens if you wish to paint your epoxy? There are two methods you may take to make it happen. One option is to combine the resin and color in the mixing cup before adding it to the casting. Two, after pouring your resin, you may add color on the top of it. Then use a stir stick to move the color around.

5. Permit Unmolding and Curing

Give your resin adequate time to cure at this stage. Epoxy resin typically needs 24 hours to completely cure. The curing period, nevertheless, may be as little as 1 to 7 minutes if UV resin is used.

Use a toothpick to check if your resin has fully cured. Let it continue to cure if the surface is not yet firm. Then go ahead and gently remove it from the castings if it has cured.

As I said previously, it is quite easy to remove hardened epoxy from a silicone mold. Some edges, however, can end up appearing flat. If so, smoothen the edges using sandpaper or a file.

6. Clean residues and drill the shaker.

Carefully make a hole in the top or side of your resin shaker using a hand drill. You may fill your pieces with mineral oil or water thanks to this hole. Additionally, here is where you may connect the hardware for your key chain.

Clean the remains from the interior of your pieces once you've finished drilling them. Otherwise, your shaker will include tiny particles of floating resin.

7. Add Charms & Glitters.

It's time to fill your shaker with the charms, glitters, and other stuff you need floating about. Place a small coat of resin around the top edge after attaching your inserts. This aids in keeping the transparent coating in place. Make careful not to add epoxy glue to the fill hole, however. Less than a minute is needed for the thin coating to cure.

8. Set the Transparency Film

Use a marker to trace the Shaker area.

Trace the outside borders of your shaker with an erasable marker before covering it with a transparent film. then start cutting the movie.

If it's cloudy, stop the film and clean it.

I advise utilizing a cut file for this activity rather than a plotting machine. It's more accurate and will save you a ton of time. If the transfer film is foggy, clean it with baby wipes and alcohol. Then use a paper towel to dry it.

Position the Film

With your thumb and index finger, grasp the film. Then set it down and align the borders with your resin pieces. Avoid putting epoxy on the film where it isn't wanted by using your finger as a guide. Remove the film from the incorrect location, then reinstall it.

Close the Film

Seal it with UV resin or ordinary epoxy after applying the film. Super glue should not be used for this purpose. This is so that the resin doesn't acquire a white, chalky hue from the adhesive. More critically, if you apply the film in the incorrect location, super glue makes it challenging to remove.

Mix a tiny quantity of resin and hardener to seal the shaker. Utilizing a mixing instrument, apply the mixture to the resin piece's edges. Let your resin rest for 45 minutes before applying it for the greatest effects. Additionally, after application, let it an hour or two to dry before sealing the top borders.

Finally, prepare another epoxy and spread it on top of the film. Once you've coated the whole piece, repeat this step. After completing that, fill your shaker as you like!

9. Add liquid (water or mineral oil).

The ability to use any clear liquid of your choosing to fill resin shakers is one of their finest features. Because of this, you may use glycerin, mineral oil, or even water. So, it's up to you to choose what works best for your puzzle pieces.

You should be aware that different strategies work well in different situations. Water, for example, is ideal when you desire a quicker flow. Mineral oil, on the other hand, provides a slower glide.

Add the liquid via the drilled fill hole after selecting the best choice for your artwork. Put the syringe into the opening to do that. Squeeze it slowly to add water or oil to your shake. Remove the syringe after the shaker is filled, then wipe the top to get rid of any remaining oil.

Seal the fill hole with a few drops of glue and let it dry. Check to check whether there are any leaks by shaking your charm. Make the necessary repairs if you discover any leaks.

10. Fasten the keychain (Optional)

Drill a screw hole in your shaker if you want to use it as a key chain. After that, insert your eye screw into the opening. For more coverage, apply a few drops of epoxy where the resin meets the screw. Then, let it set. After that, fasten the keychain with a pair of pliers.

11. Coat the front and back

Apply a second coating of epoxy on your shaker to provide it with further protection. You have the option to skip this step and continue watching the movie as is. Your shakers won't leak in the future thanks to the coat, however. You will be amazed by this shaker acrylic keychain.

Conclusion

Your resin shaker is ready for use after you've finished the preceding procedures. Shakers make such interesting presents that everyone will adore them. Making shaker charms is also, as you can see, a really intriguing hobby. Make one for your keychain now, please!

Ricky is a graduate of computer science engineering, a writer and marketing consultant. he continues to study on Nano technology and its resulting benefits to achieving almost there.