Lesson 1Tools, equipment, and PPE: mixing cups, scales, spreaders, heat sources (torch vs. heat gun), respirators, gloves, eye protection, ventilation and workspace setupSet up a safe, efficient resin workspace with the right tools and PPE. You will choose accurate mixing gear, heat sources, and ventilation, and learn how to protect your lungs, skin, and eyes during every pour in your home studio.
Essential mixing cups, sticks, and scalesSpreaders, brushes, and detail toolsTorch vs. heat gun: when and how to useRespirators, gloves, and eye protectionVentilation strategies for small studiosOrganizing a clean, dust-controlled areaLesson 2Sourcing realistic product examples: how to compare brands by TDS, customer reviews, and lab data (what to look for in examples)Learn how to evaluate real epoxy products using technical data, lab tests, and user feedback. You will compare brands, spot marketing hype, and build a shortlist of reliable resins for different craft applications available locally or online.
Key info to extract from epoxy TDS sheetsUsing viscosity, hardness, and clarity metricsInterpreting cure schedules and temperature limitsEvaluating yellowing and UV resistance claimsWeighing lab tests against customer reviewsLesson 3Additives and modifiers: pigments (mica, powdered, liquid dyes), alcohol inks, UV stabilizers, thickeners, and flexibilizersLearn how additives change colour, flow, flexibility, and durability. You will compare pigment types, alcohol inks, UV stabilizers, thickeners, and flexibilizers, and practice safe, measured dosing for repeatable results in your crafts.
Mica powders for shimmer and coverageLiquid dyes and transparent colour effectsUsing alcohol inks without overreactingUV stabilizers and anti-yellowing packagesThickeners, fillers, and texture modifiersFlexibilizers for impact-resistant piecesLesson 4Inclusions and findings: natural inclusions (dried flowers, shells), metallic leaf/foil, glitter types, pigments vs. dyes — compatibility and sealing needsExplore how flowers, shells, metals, and colourants behave in resin. You will learn which inclusions are safe, how to dry and seal them, and how to prevent bleeding, bubbles, and corrosion in finished pieces for local markets.
Preparing and drying natural inclusionsSealing porous items to prevent bubblesUsing metallic leaf, foil, and metal findingsChoosing glitter types that resist sinkingPigments vs. dyes: opacity and bleed controlTesting compatibility before full poursLesson 5Understanding resin chemistry: pot life, working time, exotherm, cure stages, and shelf lifeGain a practical view of epoxy chemistry so you can pour safely and predictably. You will learn how pot life, exotherm, cure stages, and storage conditions affect working time, strength, and long-term stability in warm climates.
What pot life and working time really meanExotherm: heat buildup and how to control itGel, green, and full cure stages explainedEffects of temperature and humidity on cureShelf life, crystallization, and storage tipsLesson 6Types of epoxy resins: casting, laminating, tabletop, UV, doming — properties and appropriate usesUnderstand the main epoxy resin families and when to use each. You will compare casting, laminating, tabletop, UV, and doming systems by depth limits, clarity, hardness, and heat resistance for specific craft projects in Botswana.
Casting resins for deep, clear poursLaminating resins for layers and fiberglassTabletop resins for coatings and bar topsDoming resins for jewellery and labelsUV-curing resins: pros, cons, and limitsLesson 7Molds and mold materials: silicone, rigid molds, two-part molds — release, shrinkage, and surface finish considerationsDiscover how mould materials affect cure, clarity, and demolding. You will compare silicone and rigid moulds, learn when to use two-part moulds, and manage release agents, shrinkage, and surface finish quality for precise results.
Choosing between silicone and rigid mouldsDesigning and using two-part mouldsApplying and selecting mould release agentsManaging shrinkage and dimensional accuracyImproving gloss and reducing surface defectsLesson 8Product selection checklist: how to read technical data sheets (TDS) and safety data sheets (SDS) for curing times, mix ratios, temperature ranges, and yellowing resistanceDevelop a step-by-step method for choosing epoxy products. You will read TDS and SDS for mix ratios, cure times, and hazards, then build a checklist that matches resin properties to your specific craft goals in local conditions.
Key sections of epoxy TDS to reviewFinding cure time and recoat window dataReading SDS for health and fire hazardsChecking temperature and humidity limitsAssessing yellowing and outdoor durabilityBuilding a repeatable selection checklist
