Experimenting With Wood & Resin
Woodworking is a passion that took root in my heart during my university days. Although my plans to take woodshop classes were stopped by the COVID-19 pandemic, I refused to let that stop me. With YouTube as my guide and my hands as my tools, I embarked on a self-taught journey, filled with trial and error, and endless discovery. The joy of crafting everyday items for my home fuels my passion. Take a look at my latest creation, a wood and resin charcuterie board.
Making this wood and resin charcuterie board was a blast!
Here’s the step-by-step process:
First, I cut the wood board in half, setting the stage for the project. Using some extra plywood I had at home, I built a frame to hold everything in place.
Next, I mixed the resin with a blue glittery color, creating a vibrant, sparkly blend. I poured this mixture between the two halves of the wood board, making sure it filled the space evenly.
To get rid of any bubbles in the resin, I used a lighter to pop them as they surfaced.
After the resin dried, I sanded the top and bottom of the board with an orbital sander until they were smooth.
Then, I trimmed the top and bottom edges with a jigsaw to ensure they were perfectly perpendicular.
Using a router table, I smoothed out the edges for a clean, finished look.
Finally, I applied a coat of food-safe wax and oil, giving the board a nice shine and protecting it from water.
Throughout this experiment, I learned several valuable lessons:
Attention to Detail: Creating this charcuterie board required a lot of focus and precision. Every cut, mix, and sand needed to be approached with delicacy to ensure the final product looked professional and flawless.
Creative Problem-Solving: Mixing two different materials, resin and wood, introduced unique challenges that I had to tackle as I went along. With limited machinery, I had to rely on my hands and creativity to find solutions, which taught me to think on my feet and adapt quickly.
Patience and Persistence: Waiting for the resin to set and carefully sanding the board taught me that patience and persistence pay off.
Overall woodworking has provided me with a therapeutic experience, allowing me to find peace and creativity in the process of shaping and crafting each piece