From Hesitation to Vending: My Resin Art Story
As a dedicated hobbyist and an avid explorer of new creative ventures, resin was always on my radar. In 2020, a dear friend of mine, Kali, introduced me to the world of resin art. That Christmas, I gifted her some adorable crystal molds, which sparked the beginning of our resin journey. We crafted miniature resin crystals and, coincidentally, she had a spare phone case that fit my phone perfectly. Kali, with her multifaceted talents, also had expertise in cake decoration, and she suggested a unique idea - crafting a phone case that resembled cake icing, complete with our resin crystals and charms. We even added bracelet charms to spell out my name, resulting in an enchantingly cute creation. I cherished it immensely, although it did pose a practical challenge: it couldn't fit in my pocket, making it cumbersome to carry around. Nevertheless, I treasure it to this day.
Fast forward two years, and resin had temporarily faded from my thoughts. That was until one Mother's Day when I visited my mom and discovered her engrossed in her own resin projects. She was mainly crafting resin skulls and wine stoppers in a dazzling array of colors. We joined forces to create some resin pieces together, and I even gifted her some molds, setting the stage for our weekly ritual. Every week, I'd visit her to pour resin and collect the previous week's creations, patiently waiting for the 24-hour curing process to complete.
Gradually, my enthusiasm for resin art grew to a point where it consumed my thoughts. I decided to take the plunge and purchased my very own resin kit along with some molds. Crafting trinket trays, decorative containers, and even Ouija boards. I relished the satisfaction of creating functional art. I also began crafting personalized trinket trays for my friends, finding solace in mixing and pouring resin while listening to podcasts, excited to wake up the next day to a finished product.
This daily routine continued for about two months, and just when I was contemplating a break, a friend named Veronica sparked my interest with a compelling idea. As I proudly showcased some of the trays I'd made, Veronica suggested, "You should sell these." My initial reaction was resistance. I worried that turning this hobby into a business might drain the joy out of it and add unnecessary stress. However, Veronica had a plan to alleviate those concerns. Her approach was simple: create resin items that I already enjoy making to maintain the relaxation factor, build an inventory, and participate in an arts vendor event. Although the thought of venturing into this unknown territory seemed daunting, Veronica assured me it could be stress-free. She had experience in this domain and generously offered to share a booth with me to ease the transition.
After some careful planning, we decided to split a 10x10 booth at a spooky Halloween-themed event, and joining us was our friend Tiffany. This arrangement was perfect, given that my collection included Ouija board and coffin molds, aligning with the spooky theme. Each of us would have our own booth - I'd focus on resin art, Tiffany on her resin creations, and Veronica on her wood art. We currently have one confirmed vending date, and I am buzzing with excitement to take this leap of faith. Stay tuned for an upcoming blog post where I'll share my entire vending experience. Follow my Instagram for updates for when and where the event will be and be sure to check out our collective Instagram account, CraftyCovens, to explore our creative endeavors.