What can be created with craft resin?

Epoxy resin is used across a wide range of project types, from small decorative pieces to large furniture pours. Which resin suits a given project depends mostly on size, depth, and how much working time the maker needs — the categories below are the most common starting points.

Tableware and everyday items

Coasters, trays, bowls, and tea-light holders are some of the most popular first projects, since they're small, forgiving, and quick to finish. Wine butlers, serving boards, and other decorative homeware are common next steps once the basics are comfortable.

A note on food contact: we do not currently make a food-contact claim for Craft Resin. Coasters and trays that will sit under food or drink should be treated as decorative rather than food-safe unless the maker has separately verified this.

Heat is also worth planning for. Cured resin has a rated heat tolerance, but placing very hot items — mugs straight off the stove, lit tea-lights without a barrier — directly on a piece can still cause localised damage over time. See the heat resistance article for specifics.

Art and decorative pieces

Resin is widely used as both a medium and a finish:

• Geode art — layered, poured pieces that mimic natural geode formations, often finished with crystals or resin "crystals."
• Resin paintings and pours — standalone abstract or fluid-art pieces.
• Protective coatings — a clear topcoat over an existing painting, print, or photograph to add gloss and surface protection.

Memorial and keepsake pieces

Because cured resin is durable and permanent, it's a common choice for preserving something meaningful:

• Ash keepsakes — small amounts of ashes encapsulated in jewelry, dog tags, or display pieces.
• Floral preservation — pressed or dried flowers from a bouquet set in clear resin.
• Photo encapsulation — photographs embedded in a resin block or frame.

These are usually one-shot, sentimental pieces, so it's worth practicing the technique on lower-stakes materials first before working with something irreplaceable.

Jewelry and small accessories

Earrings, pendants, bangles, hair clips, and keychains are all common resin projects. These tend to use small batches and simple molds, making them a good fit for beginners working with limited equipment.

Statues, figurines, and furniture

Resin can be cast into figurines and decorative statues — what's achievable here is largely a function of mold availability rather than the resin itself. At the other end of the scale, resin is also used for river tables, charcuterie boards, bar tops, and other wood-and-resin furniture pieces, which generally call for a thicker-pour product rather than a thin, fast-curing one. See the wood projects article for guidance specific to tables and boards.

Choosing the right resin for the project

Not every project uses the same product. Thin coatings and small craft pieces, thick single-pour projects, tabletop-style flat pours, and quick-cure small items each call for a different resin type. The "Arts & Crafts vs Table Top vs Deep Pour vs UV" guide breaks down which one fits which project, and is the best next read once you've picked a project from this list.

Related articles

• Arts & Crafts vs Table Top vs Deep Pour vs UV — Which Resin Do I Need?
• Using Epoxy Resin on Wood — Tables, Charcuterie Boards & Live Edge
• Colour Mixing Guide — Pigments, Mica Powder, and Ratios