Have great pictures from your last beach vacation and no way to display them? Turn an old window into a gorgeous beach picture display with a few resin craft supplies. This is perfect for those that love the ocean and beach crafts.
Resin supplies needed for your beach crafts project:
• Mod Podge
• Sand
• Resin Obsession Super Clear Resin
• Resin Obsession Bright Blue Color Pigment
• Mixing cups
• Stirring sticks
• Paintbrush
• Old window
• Paint to refinish window if desired
• Hot glue and glue gun
Step 1: Reclaim a window
Start with any old window you want to turn into a display for your beach photos. I gave an old window a rustic paint treatment to give it that chippy look. You can use your window as is or paint it first.
Step 2: Add glue
Apply Mod Podge with a paintbrush to the BACK of your window.
Step 3: Add sand
Sprinkle on the sand and allow it to dry completely. I recommend overnight.
Once dry, remove any excess sand. Make sure you are happy with the look of the sand from the front of the window before continuing. You can add another layer of Mod Podge and sand if desired.
We are going to pour the resin portion of the beach crafts picture display next.
Tip: Run a bead of hot glue all the way around where your window meets the wood on the back. That ensures that there are not any tiny holes for leaks when pouring. Then gather your supplies for the resin portion.
Step 4: Mix resin
Mix the super clear resin two parts A to one part B. For this beach crafts project, I wanted an incomplete mix of colors to give me an appearance that looked more like water. So I mixed part A and part B of the resin for crafts first, then dripped in a bit of pigment. I did a brief stir, so there were still streaks in the resin.
The amount of epoxy resin will ultimately depend on the size of your window, but you only need a thin coat.
Tip: Here’s how to figure out the amount of resin you need.
Step 5: Pour resin
Protect the area under your window, then set it so that it is level with the backside up. Begin to pour the resin onto the surface and spread it to a thin coat. I stopped where the sand began. Resin darkens sand, so I left that area with just the Mod Podge.
Step 6: Add your vacation pictures
Allow curing completely. Then, you are ready to stick your pictures on the front of the window with some decorative tape.
You can see in the picture that the line where the sand meets my “water” is darker. This is what the resin does anywhere that it touches the sandy area. But it makes it look like my sand is getting wet.
I love the marbled appearance of the blue in the ‘water area.’ The mix of blues reminds me of the ocean, which is the point, right?
What else could you make with resin and an old window besides beach crafts? Add in dried flowers, doilies, paper cutouts, butterflies, leaves, etc. Enjoy your beach picture display window anywhere in your home. You will love the way your beach pictures look in this gorgeous window.
Ready to make your beach crafts with resin but unsure where to start?
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originally written by Angie Holden
Unpublished Blog Posts of Resin Obsession, LLC © 2023 Resin Obsession, LLC
I love your craftyness if there is such a w o rd. Question when resining over glass did you have to prep the glass in order for the resin to stick? I have been searching for an inexpensive way to use resin and this is an awesome idea. Also will the resin stick to clear polished acrylic? I have found a few sheets of acrylic as well as blocks and would love to use them for resin projects. Thank you for sharing all that you do.
Brian
As long as the glass is clean, the resin should adhere without any problems. Either soap/water, window cleaner or rubbing alcohol should do the trick.
This is wonderful what a great idea !
Thank you. You have just made my day.
Very pretty! Love that you have a surface that can be easily updated after each beach vacation. Visiting from Friday Favorites party.
What a cool way to display pictures!
This is so cute! I’ve never seen this technique – definitely on my list of crafts to try! Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty
Adorable and so unique! It is so gorgeous! Thanks so much for sharing at Celebrate It!
Pretty DIY thanks for sharing this at the Inspiration Spotlight party @dearcreatives
I’m trying to find out if putting clear resin on a sea glass and shells windowpane to preserve it…will affect it negatively
Hi Brenda, what specifically are you worried about?
I want to make a sun catcher with Marbles that turns around in the wind. I need to lay the ring flat on a table and lay all the Marbles out. So what do i put underneath to coat the surface so the Resin doesn’t stick on the flat
Hi Gayle, this article will give you some ideas: https://resinobsession.com/resin-resin-resin/surfaces-resin-wont-stick-to/
I want to use resin to seal a layer of sand and shells in a glass block. Can I just seal the top or does it need to go all the way to the bottom?
Hi Lynn, a single resin layer should be fine.
Great tremendous things here. I’m very glad to look your article. Thank you so much and i am taking a look ahead to contact you. Will you please drop me a mail?
Hi, we have replaced some of our old windows in our beach house. We have so many assorted shells, sand dollars, pieces of coral etc. I’d love to arrange them onto the glass of the old windows, perhaps as a suncatcher or nice wall decoration. Could I just arrange the pieces and pour the resin over them? Will everything stay in place?
Thank you,
Kimberly
Ps. I look forward to your email.
Yes, Kimberly, you can do that.