Introducing our Top 4 Ideas for using ArtResin!
This is the first video in the series, on embedding beer caps in ArtResin (or anything, for that matter).
To embed objects, first prep your platform. In this case, I'm using a wooden panel meant for painting on, but I've just turned it around so that I'm now working on the back. The edges create nice barriers for holding in the resin and the objects (in this case, beer caps).
I painted the background of the panel first with acrylic paint and waited for it to dry completely. Next, I mixed up a small amount of ArtResin—just enough to cover the surface and hold the beer caps in place. Next, with gloves on, I placed each beer cap in the wet resin in place where I wanted them. From the time you mix up the resin to the time it cures, there is about a 45 minute window, which is about 50% more time than other resins and very handy when you're working on larger projects! The tops of the beer caps were not covered at this point, so I let the resin dry overnight before returning to do my final coat. I always cover my curing resin with a box to prevent any dust from getting in it!
The next day, the resin had fully cured and I was able to do my final layer of resin. Normally when you do a second coat, you have to lightly sand the resin in between to provide some tooth so the resin adheres properly, but with this project you don't have to do that because the partially embedded beer caps provide enough to grab onto. I mixed up a bigger batch of ArtResin this time and poured it over my first layer. Everything was fully covered with the second coat. I used ArtResin's Artist Torch over the resin this time to get out any bubbles that had appeared - nothing gets bubbles out like a flame torch! Then once again, I left the resin to dry overnight and in the morning, I returned to find my beautiful project fully cured and ready to use as a decoration or tray (for serving beer on, clearly!).
