Are you bored at home? Looking for something new to do? Have a desire to start a new hobby? Everyone has a creative mind! Let's put that creativeness to work! There is a large range of activities you can do that don't take up too much time or materials. Invite some family and friends to join in on the fun! Check out these fun crafting ideas you can do anytime, anywhere. 

1. Resin Making

• What is Resin Making?

There are several approaches to resin crafting, but what is it at its essence? Briefly said, resin making is the technique of producing or recreating shapes via the use of different molds. These molds are loaded with epoxy resin, which is poured into the molds as a fluid. This fluid then tends to dry and solidifies to create a replica of the cavity from the mold hold.

• What Materials are recommended?

• Epoxy Resin
• Mixing Sticks
• Plastic or Silicone Mold(s)
• Polyurethanes
• Gloves
• Safety Goggles/Glasses
• Respirator (If you plan on using materials with toxic materials and fumes)
• Mixing Cups
• Oil Paint Brushes or Etching Ink/Oil Pens

• What Can Be Inserted Into Resin?

Resin may be filled with nearly anything! New leaves and flowers, for instance, should be prevented since they possess dampness. Paper, plastic, cloth, metal, clay, wood, natural components, glitters, and powders, and just about any similar arrangement, perform well. 

• Shaping and Molding

Silicone molds may be the more favorable mold for resin. Because of its flexible nature, they may be utilized for more complicated and elaborate designs. Silicone molds have more advantages than just being flexible. They are strong and sturdy despite their lightweight material and can be considered indestructible or unbreakable. You can drop them from a standing position and they will not break or dent. 

Visit here to purchase our high quality silicone molds!

NOTE: Our silicone molds will produce matte resin pieces. If you would like them to be shiny, we recommend buying a gloss coating for your creation. 

Plastic molds can not be used with resin, as it will stick to the plastic mold and will not come out. 

 2. Melt-and-Pour Soap

Melt and pour soap crafting is an enjoyable, low-cost, and simple method to craft at home. Some people progress from melt and pour to cold process soap production, however many people prefer the convenience and safety of melt and pour soap. You may very well be creative with this activity by using unusual molds or combining smells. 

• What Exactly is Melt-and-Pour Soap Crafting?

Melt and pour soap is a ready-to-use soap base derived from fatty acids, glycerin, and other natural components. A melt and pour soap base is melted using radiant heat or in a microwave oven, which is commonly used to melt relatively small amounts of the base.

• Molding the Soap

Because of their simplicity of use, silicone molds are immensely popular. Silicone molds are strong yet flexible, making it simple to unmold both cold process and melt and pour soap. On the other hand, you might like using plastic molds more because they are inexpensive, usually 1.5 to 2 times less expensive than silicone molds. Even if they break, they can be replaced at a low price.

• What Materials Should Be Used?
• Melt-and-Pour soap base
• Plastic or Silicone mold
• Scale
• Measuring cup
• Large Knife
• Fragrance Oil
• Rubbing Alcohol in Spray Bottle
• Soap Color Dye

TIP: Spraying rubbing alcohol onto the surface of your already-poured soap will get rid of bubbles in the soap.

Yes, this is all you need! Put that creative mind to work!

3. Chocolate Making (Melt and Pour) 

• What is melt and pour chocolate making?

Melt and pour chocolate is very easy! You can buy chocolate bars at stores that are made to melt and hardens back over time. They are used to pour over confections, but in this case, to be poured into molds to create stunning shapes!

Here are some quick and easy steps for chocolate making:

1. Purchase specialty candy-making chocolate. Most grocery stores and/or craft stores carry this particular type of chocolate. It is important that you use candy-making chocolate when molding; otherwise, the chocolate will not set properly within the chocolate molds.
2. Fill bottom pan of a double-boiler pan with hot tap water. Don't fill the bottom pan more than half-way; the water must not touch the pan above it. 
3. Insert top pan with selected amount of candy-making chocolate into place above the bottom pan.
4. Use medium heat to warm the candy chocolate. Stir often to avoid hardening and overcooking of the chocolate.

For more information on chocolate crafting, visit this blog.

Note: Plastic molds are heavily recommended with molding chocolate. Chocolate molds for home cooks are often composed of thin plastic with shallow cavities that quickly release and work well for solid chocolate delicacies. They will sustain moderate usage. 

Get the best of the best Plastic Molds here on Shapem!

4. Gummy Candy Making

• YUM! What Materials do I Need to do this Craft?

Things you need to create some delicious gummies are:

• Flavored beverages (like fruit juice or Gatorade because of their strong and yummy flavors)
• Gelatin (if you don't want to use gelatin, you may use agar agar)
• Citric acid
• Corn syrup (or golden syrup)
• Granulated sugar (can be spotted in the canning section at the grocery store in most places)
• A small amount of Candy Flavoring Oil (to enhance tastes) 

• Which gummy molds are the best?

The greatest gummy molds are composed of malleable food-grade silicone. The size of the gummy candies, as well as the number of cavities on the mold, are entirely subjective. 

You can get Gummy Bear Shaped Silicone Molds here!

• GUMMY BEAR SILICONE MOLD (50 CAVITY)
• LARGE GUMMY BEAR MOLD (6 CAVITY)

• Gummy Making Gelatin Alternative: Agar

Because gelatin is derived from animals, many can not or desires to consume it. Agar is a great alternative to regular gelatin. It is derived from a plant instead from an animal source. As a result, it is suited for vegetarian and vegan diets, as well as other dietary constraints.

• Don't anticipate having similar results when substituting agar for gelatin in a recipe. Because agar agar is stronger than gelatin, you'll need to use very little of it. Begin with half and observe where it takes you. Agar is firmer than gelatin and not as chewy, although it is still a wonderful option.

 Start the Fun! 

Well, get to crafting! Try these entertaining activities with people all around you or if you prefer to do them independently. Don't forget to be yourself and have fun! After all, that's what crafting is all about.