The DIY trend is currently experiencing a remarkable upswing due to various factors. The yearning for individuality and self-expression, the satisfaction of creative needs, growing environmental awareness, community aspects and economic benefits are just some of the reasons why more and more people are taking the DIY route. By fostering creativity, sustainability and community building, DIY has the potential to continue to grow and positively impact our way of life.
So, why not roll up your sleeves and create something of your own? Let me show u how I poured this amazing tiered trinket tray!
This beautiful etagere is a combination of JESIN & RESIN. If you don't know what exactly JESIN is, just check out my blog post "WHAT IS JESIN?" because here I explain the properties of JESIN.
WHAT U NEED?
First, the "basic ingredients" (utensils) you need to make this beautiful creation yourself:
1) Silicone molds
It's best to use 3 different sizes of molds that go from large to small. Here, however, it is completely up to you which actual form to nimmst, because the Etagere can be both round and square or even oval as in my case.
2) Resin (=epoxy)
There are currently so many manufacturers on the market for epoxy resin, but for me personally quality is the most important, because I want to have something of my "work of art" for a long time and not be angry if it becomes dull or even yellowed already after weeks. My personal product recommendation can be found at the bottom of the blog page.
3) JESIN
This material just inspires me over and over again and you can actually do so much more with this material. But I use it here for 2 main reasons. First reason: it gives the trays the necessary stability so that it does not bend. Second reason: by using JESIN you get a unique, velvety 3D look.
4) Glitter
The best choice here is some coarser glitter or even better are mica flakes.
5) Dried flowers
With dried flowers there are different sizes and qualities. Please make sure that the dried flowers are not too voluminous, because otherwise they go beyond the casting height of the silicone molds and that only causes unnecessary work.
As I mentioned before, I'll list my personal recommendation for the products at the end of the blog post so you can shop right away and get started at home!
HOW TO POUR the etagere ?
Now let's get to probably the most exciting part of this blog by showing you how I poured my etagere.
I would like to mention briefly that I do not go into the basics of how to work with resin in principle. But if you need to catch up here, feel free to read through my blog post "BASICS about RESIN". There you will learn my personal tips & tricks about working with RESIN.
1) Mix the resin and the glitter (best here a ratio of 50/50 resin / glitter) and distribute it arbitrarily with a stick in the mold. This "layer" will be visible at the top of your tray. Make sure that you do not make it too dominant, otherwise you will not see much of the flowers and the JESIN.
-> Let these lines dry for min. 6 but max. 24 hours before you do the next step. If you don't do this and are impatient, the lines will blur and the glitter will spread everywhere.
2) In the next step, we pour clear resin over the dried glitter lines. It should be about 50% of the casting height of your silicone mold, so that there is still enough space to fill with JESIN.
3) Put your dried flowers into the resin and dip them a little bit into the resin. It's perfectly okay here - no, wait, I'll write it more understandably - if the flowers float back up to the surface, because that's exactly WHAT we need for the 3D look. Now, in the best case, this means that some parts of your incorporated dried flowers will float in the resin, and parts of the flowers will stick out of the resin. If this is the case: PERFECT!
4) ATTENTION: This step requires exact timing. After 4-6 hours of drying time of your resin layer, so if it feels like tough chewing gum (and now please do not test directly with your fingers, but take a stick for it), then now is the perfect time to fill the silicone mold once with JESIN.
If you don't follow the timing, JESIN will not bond with the resin - it has to be glued down, so to speak ;)
The JESIN you can also design with colors a little more colorful, but I stay with my creation in the natural cream tones, which the JESIN already brings from home.
5) After a final curing time of about 12-24 hours, you can now remove your creation from the silicone mold.
At Amazon, you can buy the etagere rods and it is myten also a small, matching drill with which you can drill exactly the hole size in your tray. No, do not worry! If you drill the holes carefully and cautiously, your little unique piece will not break.
Put everything together / assemble it and you can say with proud conviction: YES, I MADE IT MYSELF!
