Things You'll Need
Rubber gloves
Waxed or freezer paper
Plastic disposable measuring cup
Wooden tongue depressor or stirring stick
Casting resin
Casting resin catalyst
Eyedropper
Latex or silicone rubber mold
Small disposable paintbrush
Vinyl resin sealer
Plastic wrap
You can make unique personalized paperweights with liquid acrylic casting material. Pour the liquid, which has a consistency similar to corn syrup, into a mold. Then, before it dries, add coins, shells, pretty stones, small toys or even photographs, and you'll have a customized keepsake paperweight for yourself or friends.
Step 1
Cover your workspace with waxed paper or coated butcher paper to protect it from spills. Put on rubber gloves.
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Step 2
Mix enough catalyst and casting resin, following the manufacturer's specifications for the ratio of resin and catalyst, to half-fill your mold. Use an eyedropper to accurately measure the catalyst, and mix the resin in a disposable measuring cup.
Step 3
Blend the resin and catalyst with a wooden stick. Cut the mixture slowly with the stick to avoid incorporating bubbles into the resin.
Step 4
Pour the resin mixture into the mold.
Step 5
Embed the chosen items into the resin in the mold when it stiffens to the consistency of jelly. Place the items so that the tops face the bottom of the mold. Brush a coat of vinyl resin sealer over photos and other paper items before embedding them in the resin.
Step 6
Mix enough additional resin and catalyst to fill the mold to about 1/4 inch from the rim. Pour the resin mixture into the mold, covering the embedded items.
Step 7
Cover the rim of the mold with plastic wrap; take care that the plastic doesn't droop down and contact the resin mixture.
Step 8
Remove the paperweight from the mold when it has completely cooled and hardened. This can take up to 24 hours.
Tip
You can embed almost anything in resin: Leaves, dried flowers, insect carcasses, twigs, paper or cardboard (brush paper items with the vinyl resin sealer before you embed them).
Warning
Work in a well-ventilated area. The resin has very strong fumes
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