I’ll admit it – I have a lot of craft supplies. Some people collect shoes, others collect books. Me? I collect, pens, paper, glitter, wool, silicone moulds and tubs of Jesmonite… you name it – mostly to admire on my shelves.
But the other day, I opened new set of moulds, ready to have a play. I was carefully weighing water like a scientist in my kitchen when my teenager and her friend walked in.
“What are you doing?” they asked.
How a Craft Session Became a Teenager Workshop
Two teenagers, genuinely curious. Naturally, I launched into full “craft educator” mode, explaining pigments, moulds, curing times… the works.
Before long, they weren’t just watching — they wanted to try it too. Suddenly, my dining room table became the location for an impromptu Jesmonite workshop, complete with giggles, colour experiments, and a lot of questions like:
- “Why are you tapping the mould?”
- “Can I make mine green?”
And yes, I may have sounded a little too excited explaining how to get bubbles out of the mix.
Jesmonite for Beginners: What You Need
If you’re tempted to give Jesmonite a go (with or without teenagers), here’s what you’ll want to start with:
- Jesmonite AC100 Powder – powder, liquid, and mixing essentials.
- Jesmonite pigments – a few drops go a long way – cheap enough for beginners experimentation
- Squirrel mould I own– because tiny animals make everything better.
- Ghost mould – great for beginners cute + spooky – what’s not to love.
- Tiny Bears – super cute – how can you live without them.
- Silicone mould set – perfect for coasters, trays, or experimenting.
👉 Tip: Start small. It’s much easier to learn using mini moulds than pouring a massive tray or vase. That’s why we started with the bears… oh and the ghost. Plus, if you make a mistake (you will), it’s less waste.
👉 Tip: Watch those ears. It’s tempting to turn out your mould quickly and admire your creations. If you’ve got moulds with ears or other knobbly bits – give them a little extra time to cure. I’ve got a sad looking squirrel currently sat next to me with no ears due to my impatience.
Crafting for the Win, and Tiny Bears 🐻
Were the results perfect? Do you know what – the girls did a great job. We made tiny bears as a starter and then a tray and a ghost. A air bubbles but nothing that could even be considered a fail.
Why Jesmonite Makes a Great Screen-Free Activity
What surprised me most wasn’t the resin itself — it was the fact that the girls completely forgot about their phones.
For a couple of hours, there was no TikTok, no scrolling, just chatting, laughing, and comparing who had the best colour mix. It turns out Jesmonite is not just a beginner-friendly craft — it’s also a sneaky way to create screen-free activities for teenagers. The wins? Some unexpectedly gorgeous swirls, some perfectly little bears, and a wholesome afternoon I didn’t see coming.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means I may earn a small commission if you buy through links in this post, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my craft experiments (and my growing family of tiny resin bears).