Blue Resin Skull — Making Time to Make Something

There’s a blue epoxy resin skull sitting on my work surface right now. The colour is mine, mixed and poured. The eye sockets hold a metallic copper tone that catches the light differently every time I move it. It’s not finished. The surface still needs work, the photo doesn’t quite capture it the way I want, and I’m not sure when I’ll get back to the last steps. That’s fine.

I made it because I wanted to. Not for a market, not for a deadline, and not because anyone asked for a resin skull. Just because the idea was there and I had a stretch of time that wasn’t already claimed by something else. That small choice is what this piece is really about.

The practical side

Epoxy resin rewards patience more than speed. For a cast like this:

- Work in thin layers if you’re building color or inclusions. Thick pours trap heat and can yellow or crack.
- Colour thoroughly before you pour. Transparent dyes and mica powders behave differently; test a small batch so you know how the shade will look once it cures.
- Keep the workspace dust-free for at least the first few hours. Once the resin starts to gel, anything that lands on the surface stays there.
- Demold only when it’s fully hard. Flexing a soft cast is the fastest way to leave fingerprints or distort the shape.
- Finish work (sanding, polishing, additional pigment) can happen later. The skull doesn’t need to be perfect the day it comes out of the mold.

None of that is complicated, but it does require showing up when the resin is ready rather than when the calendar is convenient. The same is true of most handmade things.

Why the unfinished version still counts

A lot of creative work gets abandoned because it doesn’t look like the version in our heads. The blue skull is a good reminder that the value isn’t only in the polished final object. Part of the value is in the decision to mix the resin, pour it, and let it cure while the rest of life continues. That decision says the time belonged to me for a while.

Most days are full. Work, family, errands, and the general maintenance of living leave little leftover. The leftover is usually small — an hour after dinner, a quiet morning, a stretch when no one needs anything. Those fragments are easy to spend on scrolling or nothing in particular. They’re also the only time most of us will ever have for making something that exists only because we chose it.

The skull doesn’t solve anything large. It won’t organize a week or finish a project that actually needs finishing. It does prove that a person can still decide, on an ordinary day, to turn a material into a shape that didn’t exist before. That choice is small and it is also complete.

If you have a half-finished piece sitting somewhere — resin, wood, fabric, clay, or something else — it doesn’t have to be perfect to have already done its job. The job was to claim a bit of time and use it for yourself. The rest can wait until you have another small stretch.

That’s the part worth keeping.

Create Art as Your Heart Decides

This little skull was never meant to follow a trend.

I poured it in eco resin, chose every colour myself, painted the bone tones and soft pinks by hand, and gave him a pair of golden cat-like eyes that stare right back at you. Not to make him spooky or macabre. Just to give him life. I want my creatures to be able to see. I want them to have character. I want them to feel like they could sit on a shelf and quietly watch the world go by with a bit of personality of their own.

He isn’t perfect. He isn’t trying to be. He is simply what happened when I stopped asking what “they” are making this week and started listening to what I actually wanted to make.

Sometimes the loudest advice floating around is to copy whatever is currently popular, to match the colour palette the algorithm is rewarding, to produce the same shape the crowd is already sharing. I understand the temptation. But I keep coming back to a quieter truth: create as your heart decides. Not because someone said it was trending. Not because the mob has already decided what “good” looks like this month. Create from you, for the betterment of you.

When the work comes from that place, something shifts. You stop measuring yourself against strangers online and start measuring the piece against your own satisfaction. Does it make you smile when you look at it? Does it feel like it belongs to the person you actually are? If the answer is yes, then it has already succeeded—long before anyone else ever sees it.

This skull is one of those pieces for me. I like him. The soft peach of the bone, the white of the teeth and the brain-like ridges, the unexpected brightness of those feline eyes. He sits there looking slightly amused, slightly curious, completely himself. And that is enough.

So if you are standing in front of your own materials right now, wondering whether your idea is “on trend” or “too different,” I offer the same quiet permission I give myself:

Don’t be one of the crowd.
Allow yourself to be unique unto yourself.

Make the thing that only you would make. Give it eyes if it needs eyes. Choose the colours that feel right in your hands. Let it come to life in whatever way your heart decides.

The rest will take care of itself. Below you will see my other little friend, I nearly typed fiend, but look at him, he looks kind of happy, doesn't look mean, not really a fiend.  The fellow at the top of this page, I would be more worried about him, if we are going supernatural. 😁 🖖

 

Creating My Skull Epoxy Trinket Tray

Creating My Skull Epoxy Trinket Tray (That Can Double as an Ashtray)

Hey everyone! I’m excited to share one of my recent resin creations with you. Meet this striking blue skull trinket tray (or ashtray, depending on how you use it). I absolutely love how it turned out — the translucent turquoise edges with the metallic silver skull centre and those dramatic, wavy, flame-like borders give it a mystical, almost glowing vibe.

I’ve always been drawn to skulls, dragons, and other whimsical, slightly edgy designs. There’s something powerful and timeless about a skull motif — it can feel bold, artistic, or even a bit rebellious. At the same time, I balance it out with plenty of fun, fantasy-inspired pieces. This one sits right in that sweet spot I enjoy creating.

Why This Piece Works So Well

I used a purchased silicone mold and Magic Resin (a 1:1 mix epoxy). The result is a sturdy, beautiful piece with great depth. It’s functional too — perfect for holding keys, jewellery, small treasures, incense, or yes, as an ashtray for those who need one. The translucent blue resin catches the light beautifully, especially around the irregular, organic edges.

How I Made the Skull Resin Trinket Tray

Materials:

• Silicone skull/tray mold (purchased)
• Magic Resin epoxy (or similar quality 1:1 ratio epoxy resin)
• Resin pigments or colors of your choice (I went for turquoise blue and metallic silver tones)
• 99% isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle
• Mixing cups, stir sticks
• Gloves, ventilation (always work in a well-ventilated area and follow safety precautions for resin)

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Prepare your workspace and resin — Set up in a dust-free area with good ventilation. Measure and mix the Magic Resin at a 1:1 ratio. Stir thoroughly for about 5 minutes. I let it rest for around 30 minutes afterward — this helps with initial bubble release before coloring and pouring.
2. Color the resin — Right before pouring, I add my pigments. For this piece, I created a vibrant blue for the main body and a metallic silver base for the skull design. Mix gently but thoroughly so you don’t introduce too many new bubbles.
3. Pour into the mold — Carefully pour the colored resin into the mold. I like to pour the base layer first (silver for the skull area) and then add the blue, letting the colors blend naturally for depth and interest.
4. Remove bubbles — I skip the torch (it’s never worked great for me and sometimes fuses resin to the mold). Instead, I give a couple of light spritzes of 99% isopropyl alcohol across the surface. This pops most surface bubbles effectively without disturbing the design.
5. Let it cure — Allow the piece to set undisturbed. This resin starts to thicken and become gooey around the 40-minute mark, so work fairly quickly once you start pouring. Any marks or adjustments after that point may stay visible in the final cure. Full cure usually takes 24–72 hours depending on temperature and humidity — follow your specific resin’s instructions.
6. Demold and finish — Once fully cured, gently flex the silicone mold and pop out your creation. Trim any excess if needed and admire your new artwork!

Tips from My Experience

• Timing is everything with this resin — it has a good working window but thickens noticeably after about 40 minutes.
• Experiment with colors and layering for unique effects. The translucent properties really shine in pieces like this.
• Always prioritize safety: wear gloves, protect your surfaces, and work in a ventilated space.
• Don’t be afraid to play — resin is forgiving in many ways, but small details like bubble removal and pour timing make a big difference.

I’m really happy with how this skull tray turned out. It’s one of those pieces that makes me smile every time I see it. If you try something similar, I’d love to hear how it goes!

Want to see more of my resin art, dragons, skulls, whimsical creations, and other pieces? Check out the full collection here: Art for Sale on Thoughtstoyou.com

Thanks for stopping by Helen’s How-To! Drop a comment if you have questions about the process or share your own resin adventures. Happy creating! 💀✨