Do Art! (And Finish What’s on the Go)

 Hey All You Artsy People,

Welcome back to the website, how to do what? Who knows right, just how to breathe somedays! Today’s post is a little peek into my current art corner and a gentle reminder I needed to hear myself.

Here’s the workspace right now: brushes standing tall like a forest, bottles of Liquitex gloss varnish, DecoArt metallics, acrylics in every colour, and a few pieces I’ve been working on. Front and centre is the skull—nearly finished, with its soft pastel washes and that rosy jaw. Beside it sits a shiny coppery-pink owl, a little blue mushroom house, a clear resin sphere filled with dried flowers and citrus slices, and a couple of other experiments still finding their way.

I made all of these. The skull is so close I can almost call it done. The others? Honestly, I’m not sure what their final story will be yet. And that’s okay.

Somewhere along the way I saw a sign (wish I could remember the exact wording) that said something like: “I’m not a hoarder of art supplies… I’m a collector of what I may need in the future.” That hit home. The shelves are full, the brushes are waiting, and the paints are ready—but right now my focus is on finishing the projects already started. Once those are complete, the door opens for brand-new ideas.

Over the years I’ve learned so much through simply showing up and making. Some days it feels like you haven’t progressed at all… and then you look back and realize how far the quiet practice has carried you.

So if you’re doubting yourself, keep going. Find the peace you’re seeking and let it develop from there. The supplies will wait. The ideas will wait. Just do the art that’s in front of you today.

Moral of the story?
Do Art!

What are you working on right now? Any nearly-finished pieces sitting on your desk, or a favourite “collector, not hoarder” quote of your own? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

Happy creating,
Helen of How To Just BE
#DoArt #ArtStudio #FinishWhatYouStart #HelenHowTo

Going With the Flow: Resin, Random Projects & Why I Refuse to Stick to One Thing

Some days I sit down with a clear plan.
Most days? Not so much.

This photo is a perfect example of what my studio table looks like when I’m just… going with the flow. There’s a big circular resin piece full of swirling colour and dried petals, a little rectangular one packed with deep red flower bits, a tiny purple square with soft hydrangea blooms, a sparkly pink crescent moon with a face, and a few other half-finished experiments hanging around the edges. None of them were made on the same day. None of them followed the same “recipe.” And that’s exactly how I like it.

I’ve learned that I don’t have to do the same kind of art every single day. In fact, I work better when I don’t. One afternoon I’m pouring a big coaster-style piece and watching the colours swirl. The next day I might be obsessing over a tiny moon charm or carefully placing dried flowers into a small square. Then suddenly I’m eyeing some new silicone mold or a bag of glitter I “needed” and the cycle starts all over again.

If I’m being honest, I’ve developed a bit of an addiction to acquiring other art creation pieces and supplies. A new mold here, a different pigment there, a pack of dried flowers I couldn’t walk past… it adds up fast. But instead of feeling guilty about it, I’ve started treating it as part of the process. Every new little item is just another invitation to try something different.

That’s the real “how-to” I want to share today:

How to create without forcing yourself into a rigid routine

1. Let the mood decide the project.
   Feel like big and bold? Make a larger pour. Feel quiet and detailed? Work on tiny charms. There’s no rule that says you have to finish one series before starting another.
2. Keep a few different things going at once.
   Having unfinished pieces sitting around isn’t failure — it’s fuel. Looking at them often sparks the next idea.
3. Embrace the “ooh shiny” moments.
   Yes, collecting new art supplies and molds can get out of hand. But that curiosity is also what keeps the work feeling fresh. (Just maybe don’t buy three of the same mold in one week like someone I know…)
4. Photograph the mess.
   Even if the photo isn’t perfect (this one definitely isn’t), capture the stage you’re in. It becomes a reminder that creativity doesn’t always look neat and finished.

I used to think I needed to pick one style and master it. Now I realize bouncing between projects is its own skill — and one that keeps me excited to show up at the table.

So if your creative life looks a little scattered right now, with half-finished resin pieces, random molds, and a growing pile of “just in case” supplies… you’re not doing it wrong. You’re just going with the flow.

And honestly? That’s where the best stuff seems to happen.

 

How to Make a Beautiful Eco Resin Dragon (Reading Book Sculpture)

Hi everyone! Today I’m sharing an easy, beginner-friendly project: creating this charming little dragon reading a book using Eco Resin Casting Powder. It’s a fun, non-toxic, water-activated material that’s perfect for detailed silicone molds. I got my gorgeous dragon mold from Temu, and the whole process was quick and satisfying.

Materials You’ll Need:  

• Eco Resin Casting Powder (available on Temu, Amazon, etc.) 
• Silicone dragon mold (I used a detailed reading dragon one from Temu) 
• Digital scale (for accurate measurements) 
• Mixing cup and stir stick 
• Water (room temperature) 
• Sandpaper (fine grit, optional) 
• Acrylic paints (I used metallic silver, gold, bronze, and black) 
• Paintbrushes 
• Clear sealer or varnish (to protect the finish) 
• Paper towels or a tray for workspace 

 
Step-by-Step Instructions:

• Prepare your workspace 
• Cover your area with paper towels or a plastic tray. This stuff sets fast! 
• Mix the Eco Resin 
• Follow the ratio on your powder (usually 3 parts powder to 1 part water by weight). 
• Example: For a small dragon like this, I used about 150g powder + 50g water. 
• Stir thoroughly for 1–2 minutes until smooth and creamy (no lumps). Work quickly — you have about 5–10 minutes before it starts to thicken. 
• Pour into the Mold 
• Tap the mold gently on the table to release air bubbles. 
• Slowly pour the mixture into the mold, filling all the details. Tap again to remove any trapped bubbles. 
• Let it Set 
• Wait about 30–60 minutes (depending on your brand and room temperature). It should feel firm and cool to the touch. 
• Demold 
• Carefully flex the silicone mold and pop out your dragon. 
• Let it cure fully for 24 hours for maximum strength. 
• Paint & Finish 
• Lightly sand any rough spots if needed. 

I painted mine with metallic acrylics — silver body with gold accents on the wings, books, and details. Add shading and highlights for that realistic look. 
Once the paint is dry, apply 1–2 coats of clear sealer to protect it. 
 
And that’s it! You now have your own eco-friendly, larger-than-life (in personality) little dragon companion.This project is great for gifts, desk decor, or just because dragons are awesome. The powder is affordable, low-odor, and much easier than traditional epoxy resin.

Have you tried Eco Resin Casting Powder yet? 
Let me know in the comments what you’re making next!

Happy Crafting! 

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!