Terrazzo Tutorial: How to Make a Terrazzo Tray from Resin
Learn to make unique home accessories by hand using creative terrazzo techniques and eco-resin
Resin is a versatile material that allows artists of all disciplines to create unique products by hand. Capable of being molded into everything from jewelry to furniture, it’s become particularly popular in the interior design space in recent years in the form of terrazzo – a composite material traditionally made using marble chips.
The history of terrazzo dates back to 15th-century Venice where it was invented by mosaic workers looking to reuse leftover marble. Since then, it’s traveled around the world thanks to its potential for customization and has been adapted into a low-cost material that is both durable and eco-friendly.
Surface and product designer Olivia Aspinall (@oliviaaspinall) specializes in creating terrazzo furniture and accessories from her studio in Nottingham, England. In this free tutorial, she takes you through the steps to chip and cast your way to your very own terrazzo collection!
1. Weigh your liquid and powder resin
Start by weighing your resin, working with 1 part liquid to 2.5 parts powder. Olivia uses 125g of liquid and 312.5g of powder, being precise with the ratio to make sure the material sets properly later in the process.
2. Add pigment to your mixture
Next, it’s time to color your resin by adding water-based pigments to your liquid. Olivia opts for a faded blue color in this case, but you can experiment with different shades to achieve the finish that suits your interior.
3. Combine your liquid and power, and mix
When mixing together your liquid and powder, it’s important to do so thoroughly to avoid lumps and achieve a consistent finish. Working quickly is also essential to prevent the resin from setting in the cup.
4. Pour resin onto a plastic sheet to set
To create your terrazzo chips, pour your mixed resin onto a plastic sheet, spread it evenly, and allow it to set for 10-20 minutes. The neatness and thickness of the material don’t matter too much at this stage as any inconsistencies will add character to your finished project.
5. Break to create terrazzo chips
Once matte and firm, break your resin into terrazzo chips. You can repeat this process as many times as you like with different colors to make your finished pattern. Again, these shapes don’t need to be perfect since their imperfections are what make terrazzo unique.
6. Weigh the resins, pigment, and chips for your tray
Repeat the weighing process, this time for the tray itself. Olivia mixes 240g of chips to create a dense pattern, along with 170g of liquid, 430g of powder, and 12g of white pigment to color the background of the tray.
7. Mix your desired consistency
Mix all of your materials well to ensure your design comes out even. The resin has a 20-minute pot life before it starts to set so Olivia recommends working quickly and having both your workspace and mold prepared.
8. Pour into your silicone mold from a height
When pouring the mixture, try to make sure it’s as evenly distributed as possible. To do so, Olivia likes to pour into the center of the mold and from a height. She also pours in stages, being careful not to overfill.
9. Gently shake the mold for an even finish
Shake the mold and allow the resin to fall into the sides. This movement also helps to ensure that any air bubbles fall to the bottom of the tray and don’t appear on the surface itself.
10. Let your tray set
Let your mixture set for 30-60 mins. The full cure is 24 hours but you can demold after one to start the sanding process. Once your resin is set, remove the mold, being extremely careful to work around the edges and gently release the tray so as not to damage the finished result.
11. Use wet and dry sandpaper to reveal your pattern
Olivia uses wet and dry sandpaper of varying strengths to finish her project, first submerging both the tray and the paper into the water to remove any dust. Use the rough sandpaper to reveal the pattern, then move on to the finer version to remove any scratches, applying a small amount of pressure so as not to distort the design.
12. Wax the surface of your tray
To wrap up the tutorial, Olivia shares her advice for sealing your tray with wax to preserve it and make the colors pop.
Want to take your knowledge of terrazzo further? Check out Olivia’s course: Terrazzo Techniques for Resin Furniture Making.
You might also be interested in:
- Terrazzo Home Accessories with Jesmonite Resin
- Interior Decor Tutorial: How to Arrange and Care for Indoor Plants
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