Epoxy resin is an excellent tool for turning everyday items into eye-catching custom products. From glitter tumblers and one-of-a-kind jewelry to personalized keychains and dog tags, resin offers plenty of easy ways for you to craft and profit.
The right projects can help you appeal to shoppers looking for handmade gifts, unique and practical accessories, decor, personalized keepsakes, and seasonal products.
In this guide, you will discover 12 great products you can make and sell with epoxy resin, many of which are perfectly suitable for beginner crafters. We'll also share a few basics for getting started with epoxy resin, including the differences between art and crafting resins, supplies you'll need, and beginner epoxy-crafting tips.
Additionally, if you're interested in using epoxy resin to craft custom drinkware, you can find everything you need at The Stainless Depot Company, including epoxy resin and kits as well as stainless steel tumblers.
What Is Epoxy Resin?
Epoxy is a two-part system consisting of resin and hardener that react when mixed, gradually curing into a hard, durable material.
This resin is popular for crafting because it can preserve decorations, hold vibrant colors, protect items, provide a glossy finish, and even form three-dimensional pieces in silicone molds.
Why Epoxy Resin Is Great for Crafts to Sell
Epoxy resin makes it possible to create a variety of customized products with minimal supplies.
Whether you're a beginner or experienced crafter, you can find suitable resin craft projects to create and sell.
You can also combine epoxy resin with other crafting supplies and decoration methods to make truly one-of-a-kind pieces. For example, you can use glitter, alcohol ink, mica powder, and endless other embellishments to decorate an item before preserving the additions with the resin.
Before diving into specific crafts you can make with epoxy resin, let's touch on the important differences between the two primary types of resin: art resin and casting resin.
What Is the Difference Between Art Resin and Casting Resin?
Art and crafting resin serve distinct purposes, so it's important to know which to use when creating custom items.
Generally, art resin is intended to coat surfaces with a smooth, glossy finish, making it ideal for creating durable layers over paintings, signs, tumblers, and other surfaces.
Casting resin, on the other hand, is formulated for pouring into molds to create solid, three-dimensional pieces, such as pendants, rings, keychains, paperweights, and other decorative items.
These two resin types can also differ in viscosity and curing time, so always check the manufacturer's specifications when using them in your projects.
Now that you know these important differences, let's explore 12 great epoxy crafts you can start making and selling today.
Top 12 Best Epoxy Crafts to Sell
The best epoxy resin crafts combine stunning designs with practical items that customers can actually use. The key is finding projects that suit your skill level while also offering enough room for creative designs.
These resin craft ideas include both beginner-friendly projects and more advanced pieces, giving you plenty of options for making and selling unique items.
1. Custom Tumblers
You can use epoxy resin to add glitter, metallic accents, colorful designs, and a glimmering finish to a plain stainless steel tumbler.
This is an easy and cost-effective way to craft custom drinkware, and the epoxy layer even makes the cup more durable and dent-resistant.
To get started, you can buy blank tumblers and art epoxy resin from specialty tumbler suppliers to keep your production costs low.
From there, you can add affordable embellishments like glitter or mica powders to turn your affordable blank into a colorful, higher-value product.
This makes custom drinkware an excellent choice for crafters looking to earn a profit without a large upfront investment.
2. Resin Coasters
Resin coasters are practical home accessories that can feature alcohol ink, pressed flowers, gold leaf, or marbled colors. They're one of the easiest epoxy resin crafts to make, requiring only a suitable mold, resin, and a few decorative materials.
Coasters are also small, helping keep material costs manageable while allowing you to sell individual pieces or matching sets at a higher combined price.
3. Personalized Keychains
From colorful initials to miniature glitter-filled shapes, resin keychains offer plenty of ways to create eye-catching accessories with personal meaning.
Their small size means each piece requires relatively little resin, and you can make several at once using a multi-cavity silicone mold.
Keychains are easy to craft and don't require significant supply costs, making them a great option for beginner crafters to sell.
4. Resin Bookmarks
Resin bookmarks can feature pressed flowers, gold leaf, glitter, tassels, or a variety of other ornaments for a distinctive decorative finish.
Designs inspired by popular book genres, literary quotes, famous authors, and reading-related themes can appeal to dedicated readers and book club members.
Bookmarks are affordable to make and sell, making them a highly accessible option compared to larger resin projects that require more advanced crafting skills.
5. Resin Jewelry
Epoxy casting resin is great for creating one-of-a-kind necklaces, pendants, rings, earrings, and bracelets in a wide range of colors and styles.
You can customize each piece with glitter, metallic flakes, colorful pigments, or pressed botanicals for a more natural look.
Jewelry is a popular option for sellers because small pieces require relatively little material, and you can sell them at different price points. Offering matching sets and personalized options can also attract shoppers looking for coordinated accessories or thoughtful gifts.
6. Resin Paperweights
Resin paperweights can feature miniature landscapes, colorful geometric patterns, or galaxy-inspired designs created with layered pigments.
Other options include embedding seashells, vintage coins, tiny figurines, or small decorative charms to create a themed display piece.
These crafts can appeal to gift shoppers and collectors, especially when the design reflects a hobby or personal interest.
7. Resin Lighting
Resin lighting can appeal to shoppers seeking distinctive home decor, themed gifts, or personalized bedroom accessories.
Unlike smaller resin crafts such as bookmarks and coasters, lamps and other resin lighting products can command higher prices.
However, lamps can be difficult to produce because they combine casting, finishing, and electrical components.
For that reason, start with a simple resin LED nightlight or illuminated block to gain experience with the process before moving on to more complex designs.
8. Resin Serving Trays
Epoxy resin serving trays can feature ocean-wave patterns, marble-inspired veining, or colorful geometric designs.
For a more rustic look, combine a wooden tray with resin-filled channels, or arrange bottle caps and mosaic tiles beneath a clear coating for a themed design.
Serving trays can help you earn more per item compared to smaller resin crafts, as customers are willing to pay more for functional home decor.
Just remember that these items will require more of your time and will cost more to produce than smaller crafts.
Important Safety Note: Only use food-safe resin when creating serving trays or other items that will come into contact with food.
9. Resin Hair Accessories
Resin hair accessories let crafters experiment with seasonal colors, fashion trends, and different clip shapes without needing large quantities of resin.
Offering several styles at different price points can help attract shoppers looking for everyday accessories or more distinctive statement pieces. Popular options include resin hair claw clips, barrettes, snap clips, and decorative hairpins.
Resin hair accessories offer plenty of room for your creative designs, from translucent pieces with metallic flakes to terrazzo patterns with colorful chips and tortoiseshell-inspired finishes.
10. Wood-and-Resin Hybrid Pieces
While combining wood and resin isn't a specific item to craft, you can use this method to create many lucrative custom items.
Common wood-and-resin creations you can start with include coasters, trays, decorative signs, jewelry, and pens.
Crafters often use resin to fill gaps in the wood with contrasting colors, creating a striking visual effect that highlights the wood's natural grain and texture. The result is a stunning product that appeals to a variety of shoppers.
Because this technique works across items at different price points, you can offer both small, affordable pieces or more elaborate wood-and-resin designs that command higher prices.
11. Personalized Pet Tags
With pet tags, you can create thoughtful, personalized tags while keeping your crafting costs low. You can also produce multiple tags in one batch, offer different shapes and color schemes, and customize orders with individual pet names.
Crafters typically make these by pouring epoxy resin into small silicone molds shaped like bones, circles, hearts, or paw prints, then personalize the tags with a pet's name as well as colorful pigments and other embellishments.
You can sell resin pet tags as standalone accessories or include them in coordinated pet gift sets with matching keychains or other personalized items.
12. Resin Art
Resin art can empower you to develop a recognizable style and create original pieces, whether you want to make paintings, panels, picture frames, or other handmade items.
You can offer smaller artwork for customers shopping for accent decor, along with larger pieces designed to be focal points in a room.
Crafting resin art gives you the opportunity to develop a signature style that's distinct from mass-produced decor. This one-of-a-kind style can encourage customers to return for new pieces or request custom commissions.
As we've seen, there are so many great epoxy resin crafts you can make to embrace your creativity while also profiting.
Next, we'll share a few considerations to keep in mind as you decide which epoxy craft is right for you.
How to Choose Epoxy Resin Crafts to Make and Sell
Choosing which epoxy resin crafts to get started with depends on your budget, crafting experience, and target customers.
Consider these suggestions before investing in supplies:
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Calculate Material Costs: Account for resin, molds, pigments, hardware, packaging, and any other material costs. Small items may cost less to produce, but you may be able to turn a more significant profit with more complex products.
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Start With Simple Projects: Tumblers, keychains, bookmarks, and coasters can help beginners practice resin techniques without committing to large quantities of materials. These smaller epoxy projects also offer plenty of room for experimenting with colors and decorative inclusions.
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Focus on Consistency: Choose designs and techniques you can reproduce reliably, with consistent colors, finishes, and overall quality. This helps you fulfill repeat orders and maintain customer satisfaction as your business grows.
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Consider Coordinated Collections: Matching coasters, jewelry sets, or themed accessories can encourage customers to purchase multiple items. Seasonal designs and gift-ready packaging also provide opportunities to reach shoppers throughout the year.
- Test Demand Before Scaling: Start with a small selection of designs and track which products attract interest and generate sales. Use customer feedback and actual profit margins to decide which projects to invest in as you scale.
The most suitable epoxy resin crafts are those that balance production costs, manageable crafting techniques, and customer demand.
Once you've chosen a few projects to focus on, you can refine your designs and expand your product selection based on what sells best.
Of course, to get started with epoxy crafting, you need to gather supplies. In the next section, we will explain what you need to get started with epoxy resin craft ideas.
How to Get Started With Epoxy Resin Crafts
Creating epoxy resin crafts starts with choosing the right resin and gathering essential supplies.
From there, you can follow a basic workflow for using art or crafting resin to make smooth, glossy custom items.
Essential Supplies for Resin Crafts
The exact epoxy supplies you will need will depend on the specific craft you want to make and any decorative elements you may want to include.
Here's what you'll need if you're coating an item with art resin:
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Surface Cleaning Supplies: Use a lint-free cloth and a suitable surface cleaner, such as isopropyl alcohol.
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Art Resin: Choose a two-part epoxy resin designed for coating and sealing surfaces.
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Mixing Cups and Stir Sticks: Use silicone mixing cups and stir sticks to combine the resin and hardener.
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Pigments and Decorative Materials: Gather mica powders, alcohol ink, glitter, and other decorative elements to customize the item.
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Epoxy Brush: Use a brush or another tool to distribute the resin across the surface.
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Protective Covering: Use plastic sheeting or silicone mats to protect your workstation, and a dust cover to shield projects as they cure.
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Safety Supplies: Wear protective gloves and use proper ventilation and respiratory protection as recommended by the epoxy resin manufacturer.
- Heat Gun: Use a heat gun to remove surface bubbles and help create a smooth finish.
For projects involving casting resin, you'll need:
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Casting Resin: Choose a two-part casting epoxy formulated for the size, thickness, clarity, and pour depth your project requires.
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Silicone Molds: Select molds in the shapes and sizes needed for your craft, such as keychains, pendants, coasters, or paperweights.
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Measuring and Mixing Tools: Use graduated cups, stir sticks, and a digital scale if the product specifies mixing by weight. Accurate measuring and thorough mixing help the resin cure correctly.
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Pigments and Decorative Materials: Customize castings with resin-compatible dyes, mica powders, glitter, metallic flakes, or small embellishments.
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Finishing Tools: Fine sandpaper can help smooth rough edges after demolding. You can also use a mold release spray to help remove the finished item from the mold after it cures.
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Safety Supplies: Wear suitable chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection, and follow the epoxy manufacturer's safety data sheet for ventilation and respiratory protection requirements.
- Heat Gun: Apply gentle, controlled heat over the filled mold to help surface bubbles rise and pop.
Now that you know which supplies you need, let's walk through the basic steps for working with art resin and casting resin.
How to Use Art Resin
To coat your items with art resin, you will mix the two-part solution, pour it over your item's surface, and let it cure.
Exact instructions can vary depending on your specific craft, but the basic workflow includes the following steps:
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Prepare the Surface: Clean and dry the project surface with isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth.
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Measure and Mix: Combine the resin and hardener using the exact ratio specified by the manufacturer. Stir slowly to reduce air bubbles.
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Add Color or Decorations: Apply pigments, alcohol ink, glitter, or other decorative elements to the project surface before pouring the resin, or mix compatible colorants into the resin as directed.
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Apply the Resin: Pour the mixture onto the prepared surface and distribute it evenly with a silicone brush.
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Remove Surface Bubbles: Use a heat gun to gently pop surface bubbles, keeping it moving to avoid overheating the resin.
- Cover and Cure: Protect the project from dust and debris while it cures for the recommended time. Epoxy resin typically takes 24 to 72 hours to fully cure, depending on the formula and conditions.
Once the epoxy has fully cured, the finished project should have a smooth, glossy surface with the colors and decorative details sealed beneath its clear protective coating.
Additionally, if you're interested in using art epoxy resin to decorate drinkware, you can read our comprehensive instructional guide "How to Epoxy a Tumbler."
How to Use Casting Resin
Using casting resin differs from art resin because it involves filling a mold rather than coating a surface.
Here's how to create three-dimensional objects with casting resin:
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Prepare the Mold: Ensure the silicone mold is clean, dry, and positioned on a level surface. If using mold release spray, apply it according to the product instructions before pouring your resin to help the cured piece release more easily.
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Measure and Mix: Combine the casting resin and hardener according to the manufacturer's specified ratio. Stir thoroughly as directed to ensure the mixture cures properly.
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Customize the Mixture: Add compatible pigments, glitter, or other inclusions to customize the item. However, use colorants and other decorative materials sparingly so that the resin can still cure properly.
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Pour Into the Mold: Pour the resin slowly to reduce trapped air, using a toothpick to reposition embellishments within the resin.
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Remove Bubbles and Cover: Use a heat gun briefly to pop surface bubbles, keeping it moving to avoid overheating the resin or mold. Cover the mold to prevent dust from settling on the resin as it cures.
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Allow the Resin to Cure: Wait until the resin has fully cured before removing the piece from its mold. Some products may require 10 to 24 hours or longer, depending on the formula and project conditions.
- Finish the Piece: Sand any sharp edges or excess resin once it has fully cured.
Once you remove the resin from the mold and smooth it, the finished piece should be fully hardened, smooth to the touch, and free of visible bubbles or rough edges.
With these basics covered, let's go over a few practical tips for beginners to help you achieve better results with your epoxy resin crafts.
Beginner Epoxy Tips for New Crafters
Working with epoxy resin takes practice, and small mistakes during preparation or curing can affect the finished piece.
Keep these tips in mind as you experiment with different resin crafts:
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Choose Beginner-Friendly Projects: Start with small crafts such as keychains, pendants, or coasters to practice your technique. Once you're comfortable with the process, you can experiment with more complex epoxy resin craft ideas.
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Control the Temperature: Resin is sensitive to temperature, and many work best in a workspace around 70°F to 75°F.
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Work in a Clean, Level Space: Dust, debris, and uneven surfaces can affect the appearance and shape of your finished craft. Use a level work surface and keep the project undisturbed while the resin cures.
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Follow Resin Safety Precautions: Wear chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection, ensure adequate ventilation, and use respiratory protection as specified in the product's safety data sheet. Keep uncured resin away from skin, children, and pets.
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Protect Your Workspace: Cover the work surface with plastic sheeting or a silicone mat.
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Mix Thoroughly and Slowly: Mixing too quickly can introduce excess air bubbles, while insufficient mixing can prevent the resin from curing evenly.
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Use Pigments Sparingly: Liquid dyes and mica powders are highly concentrated, so start with a small amount and add more only as needed. Excessive pigment can interfere with curing.
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Remove Bubbles With Care: Use a toothpick to address individual bubbles and a heat gun for surface bubbles, but be sure not to apply too much heat. Excessive heat can damage the resin or mold.
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Protect Resin While It Cures: Cover your project with a clean dust shield that does not touch the wet surface. Allow the resin to cure for the full recommended period before removing it from a mold or handling the finished piece.
- Smooth Rough Edges: Sand sharp edges and excess cured resin to give finished pieces a cleaner appearance.
Following these tips can help you avoid common mistakes and produce better-quality resin crafts, whether you want to make custom tumblers, coasters, artwork, jewelry, or other items.
With practice, you'll become more comfortable working with different resin types, experimenting with decorative techniques, and creating stunning custom items with a smooth, professional appearance.
Epoxy Crafts FAQs
What Are Some Unique Resin Craft Ideas?
Unique resin craft ideas include sparkly glitter tumblers, pressed-flower jewelry, marble coasters, galaxy-inspired paperweights, decorative nightlights, and colorful wood-and-resin serving trays.
What Are the Most Profitable Resin Crafts to Sell?
The most profitable resin crafts to sell are those with a strong markup relative to their production costs. Custom tumblers, jewelry, coasters, and keychains offer significant profit potential because material costs are relatively low compared to the price customers may pay for personalized designs.
What Kind of Resin Art Sells the Most?
Ocean-wave paintings, geode-inspired designs, and abstract resin art are popular styles to sell, with wood-and-resin pieces also appealing to buyers of distinctive home decor.
What Supplies Do I Need to Make Custom Epoxy Tumblers?
To make custom epoxy tumblers, you'll need stainless steel tumblers, two-part epoxy resin, mixing cups, stir sticks, brushes, nitrile gloves, a tumbler turner, and decorative materials you want to include.
Shop for Epoxy Tumbler Supplies Today
You can use epoxy resin to decorate and craft many different types of items, whether you want to create glossy, protective coatings with art resin or unique objects with casting resin.
These one-of-a-kind items are perfect for personal use, handmade gifts, or selling to customers who appreciate customized products.
If you're interested in creating custom drinkware both you and your customers will love, you can get everything you need from The Stainless Depot Company.
We feature high-quality, affordable tumblers specifically engineered for crafting, helping you achieve smooth, glossy results with epoxy resin.
These stainless steel tumblers also feature double-wall vacuum insulation for long-lasting temperature retention, along with BPA-free lids and straws, making them highly practical for both personal use and resale.
Plus, you can shop for epoxy kits and bulk tumblers to save money as you stock up for your crafting business.
Get started creating the best epoxy tumblers today with The Stainless Depot Company.
