Remember a few months ago when Jo made a cast resin cookie tray for her parents, honoring her grandmother? It was so fun helping her with that project that I knew I wanted to make my own resin project, too. I was inspired with a great idea soon after when my husband was talking about his poker-loving friend’s upcoming birthday. Why not make a bowl with poker chips and cards cast in the resin?
I started with a square-ish acrylic bowl, although any shape would work. Then I went into my craft stash and found a half-deck of playing cards that I use just for crafty occasions like this, and I pulled out the cards necessary to make a royal flush (10, J, Q, K, A of hearts). I also raided the poker chips and took a few, and grabbed a pair of dice while I was at it.
The first step was to figure out just how much resin I would need. Just like we did for the cast resin cookie tray, I put the dice, which were the tallest item I had, in the bowl and added water just until the dice were covered. I poured the water off into a measuring cup and took note of how much water I had. I knew that I would need the same amount of resin to cover all the pieces in my bowl.
Then I artfully arranged the cards and attached them together with some regular tape on the back. I used some Zots adhesive dots
Finally, it was time to add the resin! I used EasyCast clear casting epoxy, which comes in two parts and is really easy to use. I mixed it in a coffee can and poured it slowly over my pieces.
Then I just left it to sit and cure until it was good and solid. This only takes a few days, but I left it for a couple weeks, just to be sure it was completely cured and set.
This bowl is all set to be filled with poker chips, cards, or even keys and pocket change!
21 comments so far:
What a great project! I have to try resin myself sometime now.
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What a neat idea … I think I’m going to have to do some varients on this, maybe a D&D version w/ hex paper base & dice & a spare mini or two … Or maybe a snack tray with magic cards and counters Hm. Def a reason to purchase that resin I’ve been eyeing
Now you’re thinking, Seul! We’d love to see what you come up with
that is too cool! wouldn’t it be fun to do jelly beans or popcorn or something like that too? GREAT idea, love it!
Great idea, Kathy! I’ve seen some of your cast resin stuff, and I’m sure you’ll agree that you can embed just about anything in resin
This looks so cool! My kids have collections, too, and I’d love to use this method to preserve them. Can you use a mold, or use some kind of spray so that the resin will release from your dish?
Cathy, they do make a casing resin mold release, but that is intended for silicone or rubber molds. I don’t think it would work for regular plastic dishes. Maybe you can find a silicone mold in the shape you want?
cathy, you can use wax for that.
This is pretty bangin’. I think I’d put something else in there instead of poker chips and the like.
Very Neat! I think I will make one myself, but with an original Monopoly theme!
Lynn, I love that idea, and I know Jo will too because she’s a huge Monopoly fan. You’ll have to share a photo with us after you’re done!
Where can I get a square bowl like that? I looked at my local Kohls, Christmas Tree Shop and AC Moore. Help please!!! I want to make this as a father’s day gift.
Jaime, I think we got it at Garden Ridge. Hopefully you have one of those stores in your area!
We don’t have those stores..but i found a bowl at Crate & Barrel (a little pricy though). I made it and it came out wonderful! I can send you a photo if you like
Jaime, we would love to see how your bowl turned out!
Love this idea! Want to do this for Christmas gifts. Will this work with glass bowls as well?
I haven’t tried setting resin in glass, Allison, but it seems like it would work. If you try it, please come back and let us know how it comes out.
I am looking for some creative ideas for presenting a gift card at a baby shower and a graduation. Any ideas???
Karen, you might be interested in our tutorials for turning a CD case into a gift card holder or for making a pillow box, which also includes a template.