Have you all seen resin geodes? When I first saw a resin geode on instagram my thoughts were “I need this in my life.”
I’ve had some experience with epoxy resin after I resurfaced our kitchen countertops. Since then I have even done a few jobs for others.
So I began searching for a “how to make a resin geode” tutorial. I found the BEST resin geode tutorial lady! She is amazing and her youtube channel is very new and very good! She’s great at explaining things, taking time on the pours, and speeding up the slow parts. Here is her youtube channel link. Her name is The Frugal Resinista. Another great fact is that she is great about knowing how to save money making resin geodes! Did you know you can purchase some of the stones for the center from Dollar Tree? Yes, Dollar Tree! The link I’ve linked you to above is the exact video I watched to make the resin geode pictured here. 🙂
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Class is FULL Class reopens 3/1/20
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Supplies to make a Resin Geode On Canvas
- 16×20 canvas – Large canvas for resin geode (These are a great price on Amazon, and you get 2!)
- 8×10 canvas – Smaller canvas for making Geode 3D
- 2 screws and a drill
- Acrylic paint colors – To mix in the epoxy (great price for ALL of these colors;)
- Gold Paint Pen – For drawing accents on hardened epoxy
- Crushed Stones – for the inner part of the geode
- Hot Glue gun – To glue down stones
- Epoxy Resin
- Optional- Sand
- Pop sickle sticks and plastic cups for mixing resin.
- Heat Gun
Steps to making a 3D resin Geode
Turn the 8×10 canvas to the side with the wood facing up. Place the 16×20 canvas over the 8×10, making sure to match the 16in. side with the 8in side. Drill 2 starter holes, and screw your 2 screws into the canvas. ( You are creating a pocket to set crushed stones in.)
After screws have been placed and the 8×10 is attached to the 16×20 canvas, you are ready to hot glue your stones! BUT FIRST: cut a slit into your 16×20 canvas. Make the slit similar to a cresent or half moon shape. Hot glue the canvas down that you have cut. Once the slit as been cut and hot glued to the canvas you are ready to add your stones!
At this point you should have a 16×20 canvas facing up with an 8×10 canvas attached to the back of the larger canvas, as well as a large crescent shaped cut and glued down. Begin hot glueing stones to the inside middle of your Geode. Fill with desired amounts of stones. 🙂 You can use as many colors and as many stones as you would like. 🙂 Make sure to take stones all the way over the edges of the cresent shape.
If you feel at all lost make sure to watch The Frugal Resinista youtube video!
When stones have all been placed you can begin by mixing your epoxy. (In the linked video I show you how to mix epoxy.) Epoxy is a resin and a hardener. You’ll need to measure equal parts making sure to have a 1:1 ratio. Mix epoxy with plastic cups and popsicle sticks. I always mix my resin for at least 2 minutes. Making sure your resin is mixed properly is important because you do not want sticky resin.
After Resin has been mixed you can add your colors! I generally make a large batch of resin and divide it between little cups so that you can add colors to the individual cups. When you add colors, you’ll want just a small amount of acrylic, just enough to give the resin the right color. Too much color can make a thick somewhat powdery resin. When resin colors have all been mixed you can start to pour! YAY!
I started to pour my resin right around the geode itself, alternating different colors as I went. If you follow the shape of the Geode you’ll naturally make this geode canvas art. It kind of lays a road map out for you!
When all of your resin colors have been poured onto your canvas you’ll want to take a heat gun to pop any bubbles. (Be careful!)
After bubbles are popped sit your Geode Canvas art in a safe place away from kiddos so that it can dry! I used epoxy that takes 24 hours to dry. (Because I resurface countertops that is what I had on hand) BUT, they do make art resin and it cures in about 15 minutes.
CLICK HERE for the link to Art Resin
The next day when the resin has fully hardened, you can take your paint pen and following the natural pattern of the resin begin to make lines. This is great because it’s an easy way to add skinny lines of detail. When you are pouring resin it can be hard to control how the resin flows. If you have it too thick in one spot a paint pin is a great way to break up that block.
PRO TIP: Mix a little clear resin and pour into the center of the crushed stones to optimize their adhesion!
PRO TIP: You can add sand OR stones OR both anywhere on your resin geode! 🙂
Click photo above for how to make your own ocean resin art! Free printable materials list when you sign up! Sign ups close 1/31/20! Class is FULL. Class reopens 3/1/20.
Do you think resin geodes are as cool as I do!? Leave a comment below if you have or have not worked with resin before! I’d love to answer if any of your questions! 🙂
Click here for how to resurface your countertops with epoxy resin!
