Creative Touch

There are many creative activities I enjoy doing. The past year I have been learning how to create using epoxy resin. My interest started with You Tube videos. Watching others create jewelry, then proceeding to miniature sculptures frozen in time, to creating trays, bowls, tables and chess boards.

My first experience using epoxy resin was remaking a bathroom counter top. The old laminate counter top was dull from years of use. I had watched some videos on redoing counter tops using epoxy resin. The process of sanding the old laminate counter top, painting to create the illusion of granite, then applying epoxy resin as a sealer did not seem too hard of a project. The project turned out really nice. The epoxy resin gives the granite paint job a realistic look with depth.

The first project went well, so on to the next. For the second project I choose to do epoxy resin on the end tables in our living room. Children can be hard on furniture, especially tables. Since the rustic wood end tables were never sealed, even moisture from a glass in the summer or slight spill would leave a permanent mark. This summer, when my grandson was visiting we decided to start the project. My grandson enjoys doing different projects with me. A great time to bond, experiment and learn together. We sanded the tables to remove all marks, then covered with epoxy resin. In applying the first coat, we did not mix enough epoxy resin for both tables. A second coat was needed. We made more epoxy resin, measuring enough that would for sure cover both tables. Did the pour then wait for the results. Beautiful results. We decided to try something different.

Since we both love playing chess and my chess board and pieces are on the small side, we thought it would be great to create a chess game with epoxy resin. I ordered the molds and we worked on creating a chess game for him. We had fun learning how to mix the colors and the tedious pouring of one square at a time. The uniqueness of creating a one of a kind chess game thrilled us as we worked together. Upon completion we observed that the colors were not as strong as we desired, but still an eye catching chess game. He took the chess game home at the end of our visit. A reminder of the activities of that year’s summer visit.

I was enjoying the making of chess games. For Christmas gifts, I decided I would make chess games for my sons. Chess has been a game we have enjoyed playing since they were young boys and as adults. I felt the chess game would bring the past and the present together.

Currently I am learning how to create what is called blooms with epoxy resin in trays and coasters. I am also thinking about creating some bowls.

As with all activities involving a chemical reaction safety precautions need to be observed and used. I create in a well ventilated area using gloves. Before taking on any new adventure using materials you are not familiar with look at the safety procedures in using a product.

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