These resin geode coasters will bring creativity and a pop of colour to your space with their layered, gemstone-inspired designs. Using resin and a few simple steps, you can create DIY coasters that look like mini works of art!
Whether you’re new to resin crafting or an experienced pro, this project is a fun and easy way to add some elegance to your home decor. Use these coasters to add a touch of glamour to your coffee table, or gift them to friends and family as a unique, handmade surprise!
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How to Make Resin Geode Coasters
Materials:
- Casting resin
- Mica powder (main colour, black, and white)
- Gold foil flakes
- Glitter (gold)
- Gold paint pen
Equipment:
Watch the step-by-step video tutorial:
Instructions:
Step 1: Find what you need
- Gather your supplies and materials.
Step 2: Prepare the resin
- Before working with resin, protect your working surface with a drop cloth and/or a silicone mat. Always wear protective nitrile gloves and eye protection.Work in a well-ventilated space and wear a respirator if your resin requires it. Read your resin’s label for safety requirements.
- Mix the amount of resin needed for the amount of geode coasters you’d like to make. We mixed 200 ml to make 3 coasters.Begin by adding 1 part of Part A to a silicone measuring cup. The amount of Part A should be half the total amount needed. (In our case, 100 ml.)Follow your specific resin’s instructions for ratios, drying times, and curing times.
- Add an equal amount of Part B to the measuring cup. Or whatever ratio your brand of resin suggests. (In our case, 100 ml.)
- Mix the resin and hardener together with a popsicle stick or a reusable resin stir stick.Stir slowly, scraping down the sides and bottom of the measuring cup. Continue mixing for 3 to 5 minutes or until the mixture is clear.
Step 3: Add colouring
- Divide the resin equally into 4 disposable plastic cups.
- Choose a main colour for your coaster. (We chose purple). Add about 1/8 teaspoon of this colour of mica powder to the resin in one of the cups. Then add about 1/8 teaspoon (or a bit less) of black to the same cup to darken the colour.
- Stir well with a popsicle stick until the colour is completely combined.
- Add about 1/4 teaspoon of the main colour to a second cup of resin and stir well. Add more colour, if needed, to get the desired colour. It’s recommended that the pigment be less than 6% of the volume of the resin.
- Add a small sprinkle of the main colour to a third cup of resin. Then add about 1/4 teaspoon of white to create a lighter colour. Stir well.
- Add a sprinkle of gold glitter and a generous amount of gold flakes to the last cup of resin. Stir these into the resin.
Step 4: Fill the molds
- Pour a thin layer of the darkest colour (that contains black) around the edge of a silicone geode mold. Make sure the resin is right against the edges, with no gaps.
- Pour a line of the main colour along the inside line of the darker colour, going all the way around.
- Repeat with the lightest colour (that contains white).
- Pour the gold and clear mixture into the center of the mold.
- Repeat these layers, placing the dark resin overtop of the dark, the light over the light, and so on, until the mold is full to the top.
- Use the rest of the resin to make another 2 coasters. Pop any surface bubbles with a toothpick or by spraying rubbing alcohol on the surface. Allow the resin to dry for 18 to 24 hours, untouched.
Step 5: Paint the edges
- Demold the coasters by grabbing the side of the mold and stretching it.
- Colour the edges of the coasters with a gold paint pen.
- Your resin geode coasters are complete!Don’t use the coaster until the curing time is complete (72 hours). Once the curing time is finished, you can also sand any rough edges. Be sure to wear a dust mask or respirator when sanding.
Helpful Tips:
- Pour resin only in a well ventilated area and be sure to protect your working surface. Wear basic PPE: nitrile gloves, eye protection, and long sleeves. Some resin also requires wearing a respirator.
- You can make a resin geode coaster with any colour or combination of colours. We liked the look of the single coloured ombre effect, but you can also use a rainbow colour scheme, black and white contrasting colours, or anything else you like!
- Pop any air bubbles on the surface of the coaster by spraying rubbing alcohol over the freshly poured resin. You can also use a heat gun, but be careful when using this method since it can move the resin around or cause the coaster to cure differently.
How do I know how much resin to use for my geode resin coasters?
We used about 200ml of resin total to make 3 of these DIY resin coasters. The exact amount of resin needed will vary, of course, based on your specific mold.
To find out exactly how much resin to mix, fill the mold with water first. Then pour the water from the mold into a measuring cup. This will show how much resin you need to mix total.
Be sure to dry your mold well before adding resin to it. You can also measure the size of your mold and use a resin calculator to determine the amount of resin needed.
What type of resin is best for my resin geode?
We used epoxy casting resin to make our resin coasters. Deep pour resin is recommended for any objects thicker than 1/2 inch, so if you’re going to buy one type of resin, casting resin is the one to choose.
How durable are resin drink coasters?
Resin coasters are pretty durable, but they can get scratched fairly easily. Using a high quality resin will reduce the likelihood of scratching.
And if your coaster gets scuffed, you can sand it down and then buff it smooth, or even add a thin layer of clear resin on top.
These resin geode coasters are a rock-solid addition to your decor! Each coaster will have its own one-of-a-kind look, with vibrant colours and stunning details that will sparkle in any setting. Whether they’re displayed on your table or gifted to a friend, these coasters are sure to impress!
Here’s even more resin craft ideas:
Now available
Low-Mess Crafts for Kids Book
72 cute and fun crafts that kids and parents alike can enjoy. All with as little mess as possible!
Where to buy:
You can purchase Low-Mess Crafts for Kids from Amazon, or wherever books are sold:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Amazon Canada
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