The Soul-Healing Power of Creating Art

The Soul-Healing Power of Creating Art (And My Latest Resins!)

There is something incredibly therapeutic about sitting down at a messy workbench, surrounded by paints, brushes, and endless possibilities. Creating art is truly a balm for the soul. It forces us to slow down, channel our energy into something beautiful, and spend our time in a deeply positive way. As long as we are putting light and creativity out into the world, that time spent creating is never wasted.

Lately, I’ve been channeling that positive energy into working with eco-resin, and I wanted to share a sneak peek of what’s currently on my desk!

Behind the Scenes: The Reading Dragon & "Jeweled" Experiment

Right now, I'm working on this adorable sitting dragon reading a book. He’s a fresh eco-resin pour, meaning he is completely blank and unpainted right now—a literal clean canvas. Half the joy of a project like this is the planning phase: deciding on the colour palette, shading, and how to bring his little personality to life.

Beside him, you’ll see a vibrant, multicoloured disc. This is from a brand-new mold designed to look entirely jewelled. I have to say, the texture and mold design work incredibly well! I’m still actively experimenting with this one to see exactly what I can—and want—to do with it, whether it becomes a standalone decorative piece, a base for another sculpture, or something else entirely.

Quick Tips for Your Own Crafting Journey:

• Embrace the Blank Stage: Don't rush into painting. Look at your raw resin pours and map out your highlights and shadows first.

• Experiment Without Pressure: When trying a new mold (like my jewelled disc), treat the first few pours as pure experiments. Play with colour blending just to see how the light hits the texture.

Art is all about the journey and the positive headspace it creates. Stay tuned to see how these two pieces turn out once the paint starts flying!

How to Make Beautiful Resin Skulls & Crescent Moons

Eco Resin + Epoxy Resin Tutorial

Hey everyone! Welcome back to Helen’s How-To!   Today I’m showing you how I created these two fun pieces: a glowing turquoise skull and a dramatic red crescent moon. Both were made using simple silicone molds I purchased online, and yes — I use the same molds for both eco resin and epoxy resin without any problems, as long as I keep them clean.

Here’s a peek at the pieces in progress:

Resin Skull and Moon Materials You’ll Need:

Silicone molds (skull and crescent moon) 
Eco Resin (for the skull) – great for the environment and easy to work with 
Epoxy Resin (for the moon) – gives a super clear, hard finish 
Acrylic paints or resin dyes/pigments (I used “Red Unicorn” paint for the moon) 
Mixing cups, stir sticks, and gloves 
UV Resin (optional, for small details or top coats) 
Paintbrushes for hand-painting details 
Sandpaper (if you want to smooth edges later) 
 
Step-by-Step Process:

Prepare Your Workspace 
Work in a well-ventilated area on a protected surface. Always wear gloves! 
Mix the Resin  For the skull: I mixed eco resin and added a little blue colouring directly into the mix before pouring.   

For the crescent moon: 

• I used clear epoxy resin and tinted it with vibrant red unicorn paint. 
• Pour into the Molds 
• Slowly pour the mixed resin into your molds. Tap gently to release air bubbles. Let them cure according to the product instructions (eco resin and epoxy have slightly different cure times). 
• Demold 
• Once fully cured, carefully flex the flexible silicone molds and pop out your pieces. They come out beautifully detailed every time! 
• Hand-Painting & Details (This is the fun part!) 
• Most of the beautiful colour on the skull was added after demolding using acrylic paints and metallic accents. 
• The moon got its rich red from the tinted epoxy, but you can always add extra shading and highlights by hand. 

Finishing Touches 
These two pieces aren’t fully finished yet! Next steps will include sealing with a clear coat (matte or gloss), adding extra metallic details, or even a layer of UV resin for extra shine and protection. 
 
Helpful Tips:

• Keep your silicone molds clean between uses — a quick wipe with isopropyl alcohol works great. 
• Eco resin and epoxy both work well in the same molds. 
• Experiment with colours! Mixing a bit of pigment into the resin gives a translucent glow, while hand-painting gives you full artistic control. 
• Have fun with it — these pieces are perfect for altars, desks, bookshelves, or gifts. 

Would you like to try making your own magical resin creations? Let me know in the comments which piece you love more — the skull or the moon!  I’ll be back soon with the finished versions and more resin projects.  Happy crafting!

Rocky Mountain Beauty – Kananaskis Country

Some people might scroll past a photo of “just a mountain,” but I never do.  This one stopped me in my tracks when I took it in Kananaskis Country. The jagged peaks of the Canadian Rockies cut sharply against a moody sky, while the forest below glows with early fall colour — those bright yellow larches popping against the deep green evergreens. There’s something quietly powerful about it. No fancy summit, no dramatic sunrise, just raw Rocky Mountain beauty doing what it does best.

 

I love moments like this. Standing there with my camera, breathing in the crisp air, feeling tiny next to these ancient giants. Kananaskis always delivers that perfect mix of rugged wilderness and unexpected colour. One minute you’re surrounded by thick forest, the next you round a bend and the mountains open up like this.

 

Photography for me is about freezing those little reminders that the world is still wildly beautiful — even on an ordinary day in the foothills. No filters, no drama, just the Rockies being magnificent.

If you’re someone who also stops for mountains, sunsets, or a perfect stand of golden larches… this one’s for you.   Kananaskis Country, Alberta - Shot on location by me

What’s your favourite “just a mountain” moment? Drop it in the comments — I’d love to hear!  📸

How to Be a Good Soul (It’s Simpler Than You Think)

How to Be a Good Soul  In a world that can feel loud and complicated, being a good soul doesn’t require grand gestures. It’s built in the quiet, everyday choices we make.

Here’s a simple guide:

• Be Kind Without Expecting Anything Back 
• A genuine smile, holding a door, or sending a thoughtful message costs nothing but can brighten someone’s entire day. 
• Listen More Than You Speak 
• Sometimes people don’t need advice — they just need to be heard. Offer your full attention. 
• Appreciate the Small Things 
• Stop and really look at a flower blooming by the roadside. 
• Notice the sunset. 
• Say thank you for the little joys. Gratitude keeps your soul soft. 
• Be Honest, But Gentle 
• Truth matters, but it doesn’t have to be harsh. 
• Speak with care. 
• Forgive Quickly — Including Yourself 
• We all mess up. Let it go and keep growing. 
• Leave Things (and People) Better Than You Found Them 
• Whether it’s picking up litter, encouraging a friend, or simply being polite — small acts add up. 

You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to care.A good soul isn’t loud or flashy. It’s someone who brings a little more light into the world, even on ordinary days.

Important Note: 
Being a good soul doesn’t mean letting people take advantage of you. Kindness is not the same as weakness. Stand up for yourself when needed. You don’t have to conform to anyone else’s expectations or way of thinking. Protecting your peace and staying true to your own values is also part of being a good soul — and it’s essential for your own happiness.

You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to care — while still protecting the beautiful soul that you are.

What’s one small thing you do that makes you feel like a good soul? Share in the comments  
 

Dragon Resin Collection | What I have been working on

Works in Progress Resin Dragons

Step into my creative world and you’ll find a colourful menagerie of dragons emerging from resin, each one hand-crafted with love, patience, and a touch of magic. This latest photo captures several pieces from my ongoing collection, all made using silicone molds, layered pigments, mica powders, and alcohol inks.

The star of the image is the large multi-colored dragon hatching egg. Its dramatic gradient shifts from deep ocean blues and teals at the base to fiery magentas, golds, and shimmering metallics at the top. Creating this piece required a careful, multi-stage pour that took considerable time and precision to avoid bubbles and achieve the flowing colour transitions. A detailed baby dragon is already visible, wings spread, eagerly breaking free from its glittering shell.

Beside it sits a charming purple-and-blue baby dragon figurine with bright yellow eyes and silver horns, looking curious and ready for adventure. Smaller dragon eggs in golden tones with silver dragons embossed on the surface, a pink floral geode-style piece, and various blue resin molds and cabochons complete the scene.

None of these pieces are finished yet. They still need final detailing—additional painting to bring out scales and textures, a protective resin top coat, varnish, or high-gloss finish to make the colours truly pop and the surfaces glass-like. The process is as rewarding as the final result, turning raw resin into miniature fantasy worlds.

These dragons represent hours of experimentation with colour blending, layering techniques, and problem-solving when pours don’t go exactly as planned. They’re destined for my website, Thoughtstoyou.com, where I share my handmade resin art, jewellery, and fantasy-inspired creations.

If you love dragons, fantasy, or the satisfying journey of watching art come to life, keep an eye on the site. More finished pieces will be appearing soon, each one unique and full of character.

What do you think—should I name the big hatching dragon? Suggestions welcome!  

 

Dragon Egg Creation in Progress | Made with ResinCrete

ResinCrete Fantasy Art Piece  Here’s my latest creation — a dramatic dragon egg that’s hatching right before your eyes! I’m absolutely loving how this piece is turning out and wanted to share the work-in-progress with you.

This dragon egg was cast using ResinCrete, a super versatile material that gives a nice solid, stone-like feel once cured. To get that vibrant green base for the “shell” and rocky texture, I mixed in Unicorn Spit acrylic paint right into the ResinCrete before pouring. It gave the perfect mossy, earthy green tone straight through the material.The egg itself is a deep, rich purple, that I painted on, with a glossy finish that really makes it pop. I hand-painted the cracks and rocky sections in various shades of green to create depth and realism. The little dragon emerging from the shell has beautiful golden wings and a detailed sculpted body. I plan to keep him mostly green but will be adding some highlights and shading soon to bring out even more dimension.

I’m really happy with the contrast between the shimmering purple egg, the textured green shell, and the metallic gold accents on the wings. It has such a magical, fantasy vibe — perfect for anyone who loves dragons, D&D, or just whimsical home décor.

Materials I used so far:

• ResinCrete (main casting material) 
• Unicorn Spit acrylic paint (mixed into the ResinCrete for the green) 
• Additional acrylic paints for the purple egg and detailing 
• Gold paint for the wings 

This is still a work in progress, but I’m excited to finish the dragon’s highlights and maybe add a few more details to the base. Once it’s complete I’ll do a full reveal with better photos and maybe even a short video.

Would you like to see a step-by-step tutorial on how I cast and painted this dragon egg? Let me know in the comments! I’m thinking of turning this into a full how-to series for fantasy creatures and eggs.

If you’re into creative crafts, resin work, or fantasy art, give this a like and follow along — more magical makes are coming soon! 

 

New Resin Art Piece Venetian Mask

New Resin Art Piece: Venetian Mask on a Swirling Epoxy Background

I just finished creating this colourful Venetian-style mask plaque, and I’m really excited to share it with you!

The centerpiece is a detailed ResinCrete mask in shimmering shades of blue, gold, and silver. I love working with ResinCrete — it’s much less odorous than traditional epoxy, making the whole process more enjoyable. The mask has beautiful ornate details with metallic finishes that catch the light beautifully.

Behind it sits a vibrant epoxy resin plaque with a flowing, marbled design in rich purples, magentas, deep blues, and bright turquoises. The scalloped edges give it an elegant, organic feel, and the glossy finish really makes the colours pop.

Right now the mask and background are separate pieces, but I’m planning to mount the ResinCrete mask onto the epoxy plaque to create one cohesive wall art piece. I think the combination will look stunning once they’re joined! I always enjoy the creative process with these materials. While some epoxies can have a stronger smell, there are lower-odor options available, and ResinCrete continues to be my favourite go-to for pieces like this.

What do you think of this Venetian mask design? Would you display something like this in your home? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!