If you’ve worked with epoxy resin for any length of time, you’ve probably experienced the same situation. You finish a project, look into your mixing cup, and realize there’s still resin left.
Throwing it away feels wasteful, especially when resin isn’t cheap. Unfortunately, once resin is mixed, it can’t be saved for later. The clock is already ticking.
The good news is that even small amounts of leftover resin can be transformed into beautiful and useful projects. In fact, many resin artists keep a collection of small molds nearby specifically for this purpose.
These leftover resin projects are a great way to reduce waste, experiment with new techniques, and get more value from every batch of resin you mix.
Whether you’re creating coasters, trays, resin blooms, geodes, or wall art, here are 25 creative leftover resin projects to inspire your next creation instead of throwing that extra resin away.
Why You Should Use Your Leftover Resin
Using leftover resin isn’t just about reducing waste. It can also become a valuable part of your creative process.
Many resin artists view leftover resin as an opportunity rather than a problem. Since the resin is already mixed and ready to use, it’s the perfect time to experiment without the pressure of working on a larger project. Small leftover pours allow you to practice new techniques, test color combinations, and explore different pigments, alcohol inks, glitters, and embellishments before committing them to a more expensive piece.
Leftover resin is also ideal for creating handmade gifts. Small projects like keychains, bookmarks, jewelry, ornaments, and magnets can often be completed using only a small amount of resin, making them a great way to turn what might have been waste into something beautiful and useful.
If you sell your artwork, those small projects can also help build inventory for craft fairs, holiday markets, online shops, and gift-giving seasons. Many customers are drawn to smaller, affordable items, and leftover resin projects can help you create a variety of products without significantly increasing your material costs.
Perhaps most importantly, using leftover resin helps you get more value from every batch you mix. Instead of throwing away resin you’ve already paid for, you’re maximizing every ounce and creating additional artwork in the process.
Over time, those small leftover pours can add up to an impressive collection of bookmarks, ornaments, jewelry, magnets, coasters, and decorative pieces that would have otherwise ended up in the trash. You may even discover that some of your favorite creations started as nothing more than a little extra resin left in the bottom of a mixing cup.
Looking for molds and supplies? For your convenience, I’ve compiled an Amazon Idea List filled with molds, supplies, pigments, and embellishments that work well for many of the leftover resin projects featured in this article.
1. Resin Jewelry
Small jewelry molds are perfect for leftover resin because they require very little material.
Try creating:
- Pendants
- Earrings
- Bracelets
- Necklace charms
Add dried flowers, glitter, metallic pigments, or alcohol inks to create unique wearable art.
Looking for jewelry molds and embellishments? Browse my Amazon Idea List for some of my favorite supplies for creating resin pendants, earrings, charms, and more.
2. Resin Keychains
Keychains are one of the easiest projects for beginners.
Popular designs include:
- Initials
- Names
- Pet tags
- Inspirational words
- Geode-inspired designs
They also make wonderful handmade gifts.
Need keychain molds or accessories? Check out my Amazon Idea List for molds, pigments, glitter, and other supplies that work well for custom resin keychains.
3. Resin Bookmarks
Bookmarks are functional, beautiful, and easy to customize.
Popular embellishments include:
- Pressed flowers
- Gold leaf
- Metallic flakes
- Ocean-inspired colors
- Alcohol ink effects
They’re also a great item to sell at local markets and craft fairs.
If you’d like to make your own resin bookmarks, take a look at my Amazon Idea List for bookmark molds, dried flowers, metallic flakes, and other fun embellishments.
4. Resin Magnets
A small amount of leftover resin can create several decorative magnets.
Try making:
- Mini geodes
- Floral designs
- Seasonal decorations
- Holiday-themed magnets
Simply attach a magnet to the back once cured.
5. Resin Dominoes
Domino molds are a fantastic way to use extra resin while creating something functional.
Many artists enjoy experimenting with:
- Color combinations
- Metallic pigments
- Alcohol inks
- Glitter effects
Each set becomes a unique piece of playable art.
Ready to create a custom domino set? My Amazon Idea List includes domino molds and supplies that are perfect for experimenting with color and resin effects.
6. Resin Coasters
Coasters remain one of the most popular resin projects for good reason.
You can create:
- Resin blooms
- Geode designs
- Beach scenes
- Abstract art
- Metallic effects
Even if you don’t have enough resin for a full coaster, you may have enough for decorative accents or embellishments.
Coasters are one of my favorite resin projects. Visit my Amazon Idea List for coaster molds, pigments, alcohol inks, and decorative add-ins.
7. Plant Stakes and Garden Markers
Plant markers are becoming increasingly popular among gardeners.
Use leftover resin to create:
- Herb markers
- Succulent labels
- Flower identifiers
- Decorative garden stakes
These are especially fun when paired with dried flowers or pressed leaves.
8. Trinket Dishes
Small trinket dishes require surprisingly little resin.
They are perfect for storing:
- Rings
- Earrings
- Keys
- Loose change
These pieces also make excellent gifts.
Small trinket dishes make beautiful gifts and home décor pieces. Browse my Amazon Idea List for molds and embellishments that are perfect for creating unique designs.
9. Christmas Ornaments
Holiday ornaments are a great year-round project.
Popular ideas include:
- Snowflakes
- Geode ornaments
- Personalized family ornaments
- Glitter ornaments
- Floral ornaments
Creating them throughout the year can help build inventory for holiday sales.
Planning ahead for holiday crafting? My Amazon Idea List includes ornament molds, glitter, metallic flakes, and other supplies that work beautifully for resin ornaments.
Looking for molds and supplies? For your convenience, I’ve compiled an Amazon Idea List filled with molds, supplies, pigments, and embellishments that work well for many of the leftover resin projects featured in this article.
10. Mini Wall Art
Not every resin artwork needs to be large.
Small canvases, wood rounds, and panels are perfect for leftover resin.
Try creating:
- Mini geodes
- Ocean scenes
- Resin blooms
- Abstract artwork
These small pieces are often quick to create and easy to display.
11. Phone Grips
Phone grip molds use very little resin and are fun to customize with colors, glitter, and metallic pigments.
12. Wine Charms
Create decorative wine charms for entertaining or gifting.
They are easy to personalize and can match seasonal themes.
13. Hair Accessories
Resin can be used to create decorative:
- Hair clips
- Barrettes
- Hair combs
These projects work especially well with dried flowers and metallic accents.
14. Refrigerator Clips
Decorative clips can add personality to kitchens and offices while using only a small amount of resin.
15. Badge Reels
Badge reels are popular among teachers, nurses, and office professionals.
A decorative resin top can transform an ordinary badge reel into something unique.
16. Gift Tags
Create reusable gift tags that can be enjoyed year after year.
These are especially popular during the holiday season.
17. Candle Holders
Small resin candle holders can become beautiful decorative accents.
Always follow manufacturer recommendations and use appropriate inserts when working around heat.
18. Decorative Jar Lids
Transform ordinary storage jars by adding decorative resin accents to the lids.
This is a simple way to personalize jars used for craft supplies, office supplies, kitchen ingredients, or bathroom storage. Resin jar lids can be customized with colors, glitter, dried flowers, shells, or metallic pigments to create functional décor that matches your personal style or home décor theme.
19. Drawer Pulls and Knobs
Small resin molds can be used to create decorative cabinet hardware and furniture accents.
Custom drawer pulls and knobs are a fun way to add personality to furniture, jewelry boxes, craft room storage, or kitchen cabinets. You can incorporate glitter, metallic pigments, dried flowers, or alcohol ink effects to create one-of-a-kind pieces that transform ordinary furniture into functional works of art.
20. Ring Holders
Ring cones and ring holders require very little resin and make thoughtful handmade gifts.
Looking for ring holder molds and embellishments? Visit my Amazon Idea List for supplies that can help you create beautiful resin ring cones and jewelry holders using leftover resin.
21. Paperweights
Create colorful paperweights using leftover pigments, glitter, metallic flakes, or dried flowers.
22. Letter Magnets
Alphabet molds allow you to create custom refrigerator magnets, name displays, or educational tools.
Want to make custom alphabet magnets? My Amazon Idea List includes letter molds, pigments, glitter, and decorative add-ins that are perfect for personalized resin magnets.
23. Picture Frame Embellishments
Add resin accents to picture frames for a personalized touch.
Small flowers, shells, glitter, and metallic pigments work beautifully.
24. Mini Geodes
Tiny geode molds are perfect for testing color combinations and creating decorative accents.
Because they require so little resin, they are ideal for using up the last bit left in your mixing cup.
Mini geodes are one of my favorite ways to use leftover resin. Check out my Amazon Idea List for geode molds, metallic pigments, glitter, and other supplies to create these small but eye-catching pieces.
25. Technique Practice Pieces
One of the smartest ways to use leftover resin is simply to experiment.
Test:
- New pigments
- Alcohol inks
- Glitter combinations
- Bloom techniques
- Color palettes
- Embellishments
Small practice pieces allow you to learn without risking a larger project.
Keep a Small Mold Station Ready
One habit I’ve developed over the years is keeping a collection of small silicone molds beside my resin workspace. Whenever I finish a larger project and have resin remaining in my cup, I can quickly pour it into a mold instead of throwing it away.
Over time, those small leftovers become bookmarks, ornaments, jewelry, keychains, and decorative pieces that would have otherwise been wasted.
The next time you finish a resin project, don’t toss that extra resin. A few ounces may be all you need to create your next favorite piece of art.
If you’re not sure where to start, I’ve created a Silicone Molds for Leftover Resin Projects list that includes many of my favorite molds for turning extra resin into beautiful finished pieces.
Recommended Silicone Molds for Leftover Resin Projects
If you’re tired of throwing away leftover resin, one of the best investments you can make is a small collection of silicone molds. Keeping a few molds within arm’s reach makes it easy to pour extra resin into a project instead of wasting it.
Over the years, I’ve found that having a variety of mold sizes gives me the most flexibility. Some projects leave only a few teaspoons of resin, while others leave enough for several small pieces.
Here are some of my favorite types of molds for using leftover resin.
Jewelry Molds
Jewelry molds are perfect when you only have a small amount of resin remaining. Pendant, earring, and charm molds require very little resin and offer endless creative possibilities.
I love using jewelry molds to test new pigments, alcohol inks, glitter combinations, and metallic powders before using them on larger projects.
Bookmark Molds
Bookmark molds are one of my favorite ways to use leftover resin. They create functional pieces that are easy to customize with pressed flowers, gold leaf, glitter, or alcohol ink effects.
Because bookmarks are relatively thin, they often require less resin than many artists expect.
Keychain Molds
Keychains are beginner-friendly, quick to make, and perfect for gift giving. Alphabet molds are especially useful because they allow you to create personalized initials and names.
These molds are also excellent for testing color combinations and embellishments.
Coaster Molds
If you frequently have larger amounts of resin remaining, coaster molds are worth keeping nearby. Even if you don’t have enough resin for a complete coaster, you can often create decorative accent pieces that can be incorporated into future projects.
Coasters remain one of the most popular resin art projects because they are both decorative and functional.
Domino Molds
Domino molds are a fun option for artists who enjoy creating colorful resin designs. Every leftover pour becomes a chance to experiment with unique color combinations, metallic effects, and alcohol ink techniques.
Over time, those extra pours can add up to a complete custom domino set.
Ornament Molds
Ornament molds are useful year-round, not just during the holidays. Creating ornaments throughout the year allows you to build a collection of handmade decorations and gifts before the busy holiday season arrives.
Snowflakes, circles, stars, and geode-inspired designs are all popular choices.
Trinket Dish Molds
Small trinket dishes are beautiful, practical, and surprisingly easy to make. These molds typically require a modest amount of resin and can be customized to match almost any décor style.
They make thoughtful gifts and are perfect for holding rings, earrings, keys, or loose change.
Flower and Botanical Molds
If you enjoy working with dried flowers, botanical molds are a wonderful addition to your collection. Leftover resin can be used to preserve flowers and create decorative accents, jewelry, magnets, and ornaments.
These molds are especially popular for seasonal and gift projects.
If you’re not sure where to start, I’ve created a Silicone Molds for Leftover Resin Projects list that includes many of my favorite molds for turning extra resin into beautiful finished pieces.
Build Your Own Leftover Resin Station
One of the simplest ways to reduce resin waste is to create a dedicated leftover resin station near your workspace.
Keep a small basket or drawer stocked with:
- Jewelry molds
- Bookmark molds
- Keychain molds
- Ornament molds
- Small silicone cups
- Dried flowers
- Glitter
- Metallic flakes
- Alcohol inks
When you finish a project, you’ll be ready to immediately use every last drop of resin instead of throwing it away.
Over time, you’ll be surprised how many beautiful projects can come from what would have otherwise ended up in the trash.
