In our special issue Mixed Media Scrapbooking, Becky Olsen grew a garden of fresh flower accents—homemade resin flowers in custom colors! I asked her to show our readers how to create their own DIY resin scrapbook accents.

Resin Flowers by Becky Olsen, as seen in Mixed Media Scrapbooking, a 2012 special issue from Creating Keepsakes magazine, p. 64.

Aren’t those gorgeous? I can’t believe they’re made by hand! Becky, show us how it’s done!

You’re shopping for beautiful scrapbook embellishments. Gasp! Here’s the perfect shape! Sigh… But it’s the wrong color.

Ranger Industries to the rescue! You can create your own custom resin embellishments with a Ranger product called Mold-n-Pour.

Using it is easy—you’ll get the hang of it quickly—and today I want to show you a couple different ways you can use it to create amazing homemade resin flowers, buttons, and other accents.

Supply List:

• Ultra-Thick Embossing Enamel (UTEE) colors of your choice
• Mold-n-Pour
• Melting Pot and Melting Pot tools
• Heatproof craft mat
• Distress Embossing
• Items you wish to make molds of (let your imagination run wild!)

How to Create a Mold Using Mold-n-Pour

1. Roll out a ball of each Mold-n-Pour component so that both balls are the same size.

2. Combine both balls of Mold-n-Pour, mixing well.

3. Using the heel of your hand, press the Mold-n-Pour until it is flat but still thicker than the item you are creating the mold from. Press the item into the center of the Mold-n-Pour.

4. Set aside to dry, leaving the item in the Mold-n-Pour.

5. Remove item when the Mold-n-Pour is dry.

How to Pour a Resin Accent

6. Preheat the Melting Pot. Sprinkle the desired color of UTEE into the pot and allow it to melt.

7. When the UTEE is fully melted, carefully pour into molds.

8. Allow both the mold and the UTEE to cool completely. Note: Melted UTEE is extremely hot and can cause serious burns if not handled carefully.

9. Remove the newly created embellishment from the mold. You’re ready to use it on a project or create some more DIY resin accents!

In a Hurry? Try the Sprinkle Method

If you have a crafting surface that can take more heat, you can also use the sprinkle method I developed when I was in a hurry to get an item made a little more quickly.

1. Prepare the mold by removing any UTEE remaining from previous projects.

2. Apply a small amount of Distress Embossing Ink re-inker to your finger.

3. Use your finger to apply embossing ink to the inside of the mold.

4. Carefully sprinkle the UTEE powder color of your choice into the mold.

5. Using a craft heater (be sure you’ve placed the mold on a heatproof surface!), heat the UTEE until melted.

6. Sprinkle another layer of UTEE into the mold. Heat until melted. Repeat until mold has been completely filled.

7. Set molds aside and allow UTEE to cool completely. Again, the UTEE is very hot and can burn if not carefully handled.

8. Remove the newly created embellishment from the mold. The accent and mold are ready to use again.

Creating with DIY Accents

Thank You Card by Becky Olsen.

Now that you know how to make perfectly matched items in a very short time, you’re all set to start creating paper crafts with your freshly created embellishments. Happy creating!

Thank you, Becky. I love the way you used the star accent on that thank-you card. It’s too stinkin’ cute for words!

Readers, I know you’ll want to check out another great resource about creating your own resin accents. This exclusive Creating Keepsakes video tutorial by Terry Horvath and Ranger Industries shows you how to create custom-colored resin accents, this time shaping with a cookie cutter.

—Nicole Larkin, online editor, and Becky Olsen