Garden sculptures can be made from nearly any durable material. The most popular are concrete, resin, and metal. Here are some things you should know about each. ashtray epoxy molds
Concrete garden statues: Because these are made from molds, you can get nearly any size, shape, or style of this type of statue that you would like. Concrete statues are sold in both finished and unfinished styles. It is very affordable and if you buy unfinished and paint it yourself then it is even more so.
One thing you should know about concrete garden statuary is that it can get very heavy, very quickly. If you live in a high wind area this is great, but be sure that you have help moving big pieces. The only real downside is that concrete is not as detailed as resin.
Resin garden statues: Resin is a hard plastic material that can be molded into just about any shape imaginable. Because it takes detail very well, it is a great material for statues for your garden. You will often find statues of children playing, Disney characters, and animals made out of resin.
Resin is an extremely durable substance. It is much lighter than concrete, but often more expensive. Resin statues look great in cottage gardens.
Metal garden statues: These are perfect for formal gardens & are generally absolutely beautiful. However, metal statues for the garden can be quite pricey. Also you need to be aware that many metal statues will develop a patina over time. For instance, copper will turn a lovely shade of green (think the Statue of Liberty). In general metal garden statues are well worth it.
If you are wondering what type of resin you should choose, you are on the right page. As a matter of fact, this is one of the most common questions that people ask about making crafts and jewelry with resin. Let's find out more.
It is important to keep in mind that there is no one size fits all as for resin is concerned. Therefore, you need to consider a lot of things before making a choice. If you are just starting out as a resin caster, we suggest that you give a go to an epoxy resin first.
The reason is that it is easier to work with the epoxy resin as you don't need to put on a respirator mask. Besides, it is the most forgiving in case of different types of environmental factors.
Another good thing about epoxy resin is that it has the longest shelf life. You will have between 20 and 40 minutes to work with it which is plenty of time. Therefore epoxy resin is the ideal choice for beginners.
If clarity is more important to you, we suggest that you get started with the clear resin. Here it is important to keep in mind that clear resin is not free of color. Even if you get a clearer resin, it will have a yellow tint based on the resin brand you have chosen.
If you have more questions about resin, you may want to ask your retailer before making a purchase decision. Generally speaking, the cost of a clear resin will be higher than regular resin.
If you are going to put the resin on something that has no sides, the doming resin can be a great choice for you. The reason is that this kind of resin features the extra surface tension. Plus, it is a little thicker. These are the qualities that prevent the resin from running over the sides. However, keep in mind that you will find it harder to remove the bubbles from it.
Important to keep in mind that epoxy resin has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, as a beginner in the field of jewelry making, you may want to try out different types of resin. In the end, you will be able to make the right choice.
While casting epoxy resin, especially for the first time, you may end up denting your fingernails if you try hard enough. Also, polyurethane and polyester resin become really hard when cured. In fact, they will look as clear and hard as glass.
Some types of polyurethanes and polyester smell so bad that you will have to wear a respirator mask before working on them. However, the good thing is that polyester resin is cheaper and can be a great choice if you want to cast deep molds.