DIY Resin Acorn Molding and Casting

Learn how to make a mold for resin and cast resin in that mold. It’s a great fall craft idea to make resin pendants or keychains. I’m molding and casting acorns!

You will need:
Easy mold: https://amzn.to/2nGJCdJ
Acorn: Go for a nature walk!
Pigment powders: https://amzn.to/2nBWYI0
Jump rings: https://amzn.to/2nDDXFg
Keychain blanks: https://amzn.to/2okDMi2
Eye screws: https://amzn.to/2mKwOm1
Dremel: https://amzn.to/2okFjoi
1/16″ Drill bit: https://amzn.to/2oiP1HO
Dremel nuns: https://amzn.to/2okx8sh
Glue: https://amzn.to/2op8xlP
Resin (use whatever resin brand you like):
Easy Cast: https://amzn.to/2yjYmBC
Art Resin: https://amzn.to/2yk9X3z
Clear Cast: https://amzn.to/2z4rxGw
This is the resin I used for this project:

FX Poxy: https://amzn.to/2AF3Pkk ~ According to the manufacturer, this one is heat resistant to 500 degrees F.

Here is a video tutorial, so you can see exactly how I made them:

Directions:
1. I pulled out four cups and cut them down. If they are shorter, they are easier to work with.

2. I added hot glue to the top of the acorns and put the each into a cup. Gluing them to the bottom of the cup keeps them in place, when I pour the molding medium. Tip: Clean your acorns before you start working with them. Then, let them dry.

3. I did the same with the acorn caps, but I put the glue on the underside.

4. I tried to center them in the cups. If they are off center, it’s okay, they just need to have enough room to have the molding medium go around the pieces.

5. I mixed my molding medium. It needs to be equal parts of each the white and the blue. I mixed six ounces.

6. You must mix it until the color is consistent throughout. No streaks of white and no streaks of blue. It is thick and it will take a little doing.

7. Once mixed, I poured it into the cups slowly, until the pieces were well covered.

8. I tapped it on the table to help bubbles rise to the top and to make sure the mold material went into every nook and cranny.

9. I used my knife to pop bubbles, but it should degas itself. It needs to cure 24 hours.

10. I used my knife to cut onto the cup. Try not to cut into the mold.

11. I peeled the cup off of the silicone.

12. The challenge is getting it out. The acorn was soft and I ended up using pliers to pop it out. I did the same for the cap.

13. I mixed my resin and I wanted one acorn to be pink…cause I like pink. I mixed in pigment powder and poured it into the mold.

14. I repeated the process. For the other acorn, I used a bright gold and an antique gold mix. For the caps, I used a copper.

15. When the bubbles rose to the top, I popped them with my lighter. I let it all cure a minimum of 12 hours.

16. I carefully used my stir stick to help pop out the acorns add the caps. In hindsight, I probably would not have made the bottoms of the molds as thick. I could pop them out easier that way.