9. Pressed Flower Resin Coasters
Resin crafts capture botanical elements in crystal-clear permanence. Making botanical coasters adds a bespoke, organic touch to coffee tables while protecting wooden surfaces from moisture rings.
Materials Needed
- Clear epoxy casting resin and hardener
- Silicone coaster mold set (round or hexagonal)
- Small dried flowers, fern leaves, or gold leaf flakes
- Silicone measuring cups and mixing sticks
- Heat gun or mini butane torch (to pop bubbles)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Mix the Resin: Measure equal parts resin and hardener by volume. Stir slowly and thoroughly for three minutes in a silicone cup to avoid introducing excess air bubbles.
- Pour Base Layer: Pour a thin base layer of clear resin into the silicone mold (about $1/3$ full). Pop any surface bubbles using a quick pass from a heat gun.
- Arrange Florals: Using tweezers, place your pressed flowers face down into the wet resin. Add gold leaf flakes around the edges if desired.
- Top Off: Let this layer set for about two hours until tacky, then pour the final layer of resin to fully submerge the botanicals.
- Cure and Demold: Allow the coasters to cure undisturbed for $24$ to $48$ hours. Carefully peel them out of the silicone molds.
Tips and Variations
- Tip: Always work in a well-ventilated room and wear disposable gloves when handling un-cured epoxy resin.
- Variation: Tint the resin with a single drop of translucent alcohol ink in emerald green for a deep forest-pool effect.