FOREWORD

Although I’ve been involved with a wide variety of crafts over the years — first, as a small manufacturer of hand-crafted gifts, and more recently as a craft counselor and manager for Better Homes & Gardens Graft Creations — I’d never worked with casting resin! With a little experimenting, I quickly turned into a resin casting fan! When I discovered there were no craft books currently in print on the subject, I decided to put together what I was learning in the form of a basic instruction and project book. The CASTIN’ CRAFT IDEA BOOK is designed to be used by beginners as well as a 'refresher' for those of you who turned out grape clusters and clackers back in the 70’s.

The practical, pretty and fun projects shown in this book have all been made using simple polypropylene plastic molds which are available in eight sizes. Ideal for resincraft projects, these poly’ molds are inexpensive, reusable, versatile . . . and very easy to use.

Before making your first project, read thoroughly the sections on "Do’s & Don’ts", ‘Basics", and ‘Steps to Perfect Resin Casting”.

By understanding and following some basic guidelines, you should have excellent results with your first project. I know you’ll enjoy personalizing the projects shown for gift giving or own use. Once you’ve mastered the basic techniques of resin casting, you’ll be ready to create new projects using the poly molds shown here, some of the other mold types I tell you about in ‘Basics’, or perhaps even making your own molds from liquid latex.

I’m already working on projects for a new resin-craft book. If you have ideas you’d like to share and possibly see included, just write to me at the address below.

Happy Resin Crafting

Casey Carlton

DO’S & DON’TS FOR RESIN CRAFTING

DO keep resin, catalyst, dyes and pigments out of the reach of children.
DO follow the directions and cautions on resin crafting product labels.
DO work in a well-ventilated 65º to 75º F. room.
DO keep acetone or rubbing alcohol handy for cleanup of liquid resin.
DO use disposable gloves (and / or tweezers) when doing a project which requires dipping embedments into the catalyzed resin,.
DO use a clean mixing container and stir stick for each new batch of resin you mix.
DO use scratch-free clean and dry molds.
DO add the proper amount of catalyst and stir thoroughly with the casting resin.
DO experiment with small castings before attempting larger or more difficult projects.
DON’T pour catalyzed resin back into the resin can.
DON’T work with casting resin around food as it may affect its taste.
DON’T pour excess resin in sink . . . it will clog the drain!
DON’T disturb a casting until it has thoroughly cured.

LIABILITY

The information in this instruction hook is presented in good faith, but no warranty is given nor results guaranteed, nor is freedom from any patent to be inferred. As we have no control over physical conditions surrounding the application of information herein contained, ETI. disclaims any liability.