Ocean Resin Shells

4 Materials
$5
1 Day
Medium

For my full step-by-step tutorial, please watch my YouTube video!


I’ve recently discovered the joys of ocean resin work, the beautifully elegant process of lacing white resin over blues and greens. My good friend collected some shells on her visit to the Carolinas and gave them to me to use in my crafts. I decided to make tiny little ocean worlds inside them using this technique.


With Christmas just around the corner, these little oceans are perfect little stocking fillers too.


What you’ll need:

  • Beach shells
  • Resin and liquid pigments - I’m using Epoxy Resin and pigments from The Epoxy Resin Store. For 20% off any purchase, use my code HANNAH20
  • Rubber gloves
  • Small mixing containers and mixing sticks
  • Plastic measuring jug and mixing spatula
  • Blow torch
  • Mod podge
  • Paint brushes


First, put your gloves on and lay some sheeting down to protect your work surface.


If your shells have little holes in like some of mine do, then paint a layer of mod podge on the inside of the shells to create a waterproof barrier so that the resin doesn’t drip through later.


One or 2 thin layers is all you will need. Then it’s on to your resin mixing.


For your resin, mix an exact 1:1 ratio of resin (A) with your hardener (B). You will be provided with both parts in your purchase. Use my link in the materials list above for 20% off any purchase with The Epoxy Resin Store.


First add in PART B to your plastic mixing jug. Then add in PART A. Always do it this way round.


For a handful of shells, you shouldn’t need more than a half cup of fully mixed resin. So, for example, measure out:


PART B = up to the 1/4 cup line in the plastic measuring jug


PART A = up to the 1/2 cup line in the plastic measuring jug as this already contains 1/4 cup of PART B


Then mix thoroughly for about 5 minutes scraping the sides and the bottom of the mixing jug regularly. If you do not mix the resin well enough, it will not cure properly. That’s why I bought a silicone spatula as it’s so easy to scrape every corner.


I’ve never had any problems with my resin not curing when following the above advice.


Pour the resin mix into 4 little cups.


With this type of resin you will have a good 40 mins work time, however, this lacing technique works best when the resin has developed a higher viscosity. Basically, leave it to stand for 15 mins before the next step.


The colours I used are a white, a deep blue and a teal green.


The white liquid pigment came as it is, just add a couple of drops, that’s all you need, to one of the small cups of resin and mix well using a mixing stick. Then set aside for later.


I made my deep blue colour by mixing blue and purple liquid pigments together in one of the other cups of resin. Only use a tiny amount of each pigment, one large drop of blue and a small drop of purple. Mix well again and set aside.


Finally, I made my teal colour in my 3rd resin cup by mixing green, blue and purple liquid pigments together. I added mostly green, a small amount of blue and an even smaller amount of purple. Mix well and fingers crossed you will achieve a lovely teal colour.


Leave the 4th cup of resin clear.


Bring back your shells and add a small amount of teal to the middle of each. Add less than you might naturally want to, shells are shallower than you think and you can always add more later if needed.


Then add some deep blue to the back of the shell.


Blend the join of the 2 colours together with a toothpick to create a more natural gradient.


Then add some clear resin to the front of the shell to thin the colour out ready for the white. Again, use a toothpick to blend the join between colour and clear for a natural gradient.


Now add a small amount of white to the front of the shell.


Using your blow torch, held at a low angle, direct the flames in short bursts across the resin in your shells, as if you were trying to blow the white across the blues. Be careful not to burn the resin by holding the flame directly on top of the resin or for too long.


Once you’re happy with how your oceans look, leave them to cure for 12 hours.


I hope you’ve enjoyed this project and feel inspired to give it a go too. Again, for the full step-by-step tutorial, please see my YouTube video, link above.


Please also take a look at my instagram for more crafty inspo - @hannah_somerville88


If you have any questions on this tutorial or any of my others, write them below and I will be happy to get back to you.


Happy crafting! X


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2 of 15 comments
  • Carla Carla on Nov 23, 2019

    Love resin & acrylic arts! It must be the water effect why I like it so much

  • Jennifer Jennifer on Nov 23, 2019

    Thanks for answering my question! They're very pretty! I thought the shells were a mold for something else!

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