Colored Pencil Vase Turned on the Lathe DIY


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Make your own colored pencil vase with 216 colored pencils, easycast resin and a lathe for wood turning.

 Colored Pencil Vase Turned on the Lathe DIY!


I love office supplies. This colored pencil vase is an especially fantastic DIY project from start to finish. My husband and I worked on this fun craft together. 


Make your own colored pencil vase with resin and a lathe for wood turning. This fun conversation piece will be the talk of the coffee table!


This awesome resin post as Posted first on Resin Crafts Blog


Make your own colored pencil vase with 216 colored pencils, easycast resin and a lathe for wood turning.

Colored pencils are the best. When I was in junior high I was invited to an advanced art class, but I needed to have some supplies. High quality colored pencils was on the list. Back in the day before the internet, it was much harder and more expensive to buy these colored pencils.


It was a financial struggle for my mom, but she got me a 24 pack anyway. They were more than a dollar each. But, they were the greatest colored pencils ever...and I learned my love of crafting, not art. Haha, I am a crafter but would not consider myself an artist.


Make your own colored pencil vase with 216 colored pencils, easycast resin and a lathe for wood turning.

Despite using 216 colored pencils for this vase, the real star of the show for this project is the high gloss resin finish. It looks dull and unimpressive without it. Let's get started!


Make your own colored pencil vase with 216 colored pencils, easycast resin and a lathe for wood turning.

Supplies Needed for Colored Pencil Vase:

  • EasyCast Clear Casting Epoxy
  • Mold Release Spray
  • Colored Pencils (lots of them)
  • Plastic Container for Casting (small vinegar bottle)
  • Piece of scrap wood
  • Rock or weight
  • Empty Box
  • Mixing Cups, Stirring Sticks, Disposable Gloves and Work surface
  • Hobby Knife
  • Packing Tape
  • Table Saw
  • Lathe/Lathe Tools

Make your own colored pencil vase with 216 colored pencils, easycast resin and a lathe for wood turning.

Step 1: Pencils


Begin by finding a container that is about the right size for the lathe. No more than 8 inches in diameter and no more than 12 inches tall. 

I found this Cleaning Vinegar at the dollar store and the container was perfect. I cleaned the bathrooms and toilets...then set off to work on the colored pencil vase.


Begin by finding a container that is about the right size for the lathe. No more than 8 inches in diameter and no more than 12 inches tall.   I found this Cleaning Vinegar at the dollar store and the container was perfect. I cleaned the bathrooms and toilets...then set off to work on the colored pencil vase.

Use the hobby knife to cut the top of the container off.


Use the hobby knife to cut the top of the container off.

Firmly pack the colored pencils in the container tightly. I fit 216 colored pencils in the container.


Firmly pack the colored pencils in the container tightly. I fit 216 colored pencils in the container.

Then use some clear packing tape and wrap it around the container and the tops of the colored pencils.


Then use some clear packing tape and wrap it around the container and the tops of the colored pencils.

Step 2: Mix Resin


Mix up 8 ounces of EasyCast resin according to the package directions in the 2 phase process. It is super important to mix the resin properly or it will not harden right. 


Mix 1 part of resin and 1 part hardener, stir for 2 full minutes, scraping the stick and sides of the cup. Then pour the resin into the second cup and using a second stick, stir the resin for 1 full minute.


Step 2: Mix Resin   Mix up 8 ounces of EasyCast resin according to the package directions in the 2 phase process. It is super important to mix the resin properly or it will not harden right.    Mix 1 part of resin and 1 part hardener, stir for 2 full minutes, scraping the stick and sides of the cup. Then pour the resin into the second cup and using a second stick, stir the resin for 1 full minute.

Step 3: Pour Resin


Then pour the resin over the top of the colored pencils. It will seep inside and in between the sticks. We pulled out one colored pencil to all it to fill easier and then stuffed it back inside at the end.


Step 3: Pour Resin   Then pour the resin over the top of the colored pencils. It will seep inside and in between the sticks. We pulled out one colored pencil to all it to fill easier and then stuffed it back inside at the end.

Then I placed a piece of scrap wood and a rock on top to keep the colored pencils from floating. Now just let the resin cure and harden for a few days.


Then I placed a piece of scrap wood and a rock on top to keep the colored pencils from floating. Now just let the resin cure and harden for a few days.

After the resin is hard, use a hobby knife to cut and remove the plastic container.


After the resin is hard, use a hobby knife to cut and remove the plastic container.

Step 4: Lathe Turning


Now prepare the resin block for the lathe. In our case we screwed it on to the mount piece. But we ended up removing the wood piece and cutting the back so it was level.


Step 4: Lathe Turning   Now prepare the resin block for the lathe. In our case we screwed it on to the mount piece. But we ended up removing the wood piece and cutting the back so it was level.

Then get the block spinning on the lathe. Use the lathe cutting tools to cut and form the vase. Work slowly and take little pieces off at a time.


Then get the block spinning on the lathe. Use the lathe cutting tools to cut and form the vase. Work slowly and take little pieces off at a time.

This is a long process, but better not to rush it. Some of the pencil leads chip out while working, this is expected.


This is a long process, but better not to rush it. Some of the pencil leads chip out while working, this is expected.

The vase is taking shape! We decided to dig in deeper to expose the second layer of colored pencils from the side.


The vase is taking shape! We decided to dig in deeper to expose the second layer of colored pencils from the side.

Add decorative lines and curvy shapes as desired. It's fun to cut into the vase to show all the layers of colored pencils.


Add decorative lines and curvy shapes as desired. It's fun to cut into the vase to show all the layers of colored pencils.

When completely satisfied, we used a saw to cut the bottom edge off the vase.


When completely satisfied, we used a saw to cut the bottom edge off the vase.

And the remaining piece looks just as cool!


And the remaining piece looks just as cool!

Now the vase is all carved and amazing!


Make your own colored pencil vase with 216 colored pencils, easycast resin and a lathe for wood turning.

The top looks so fun with blunt colored pencils sporadically placed around.


The top looks so fun with blunt colored pencils sporadically placed around.

And the base is awesome too---it gives the full scope of the quantity of colored pencils used.


Make your own colored pencil vase with 216 colored pencils, easycast resin and a lathe for wood turning.

Too much handling causes the pencil lead to smudge a bit.  This is precisely why it needs a resin finish.


Make your own colored pencil vase with 216 colored pencils, easycast resin and a lathe for wood turning.

Step 5: Glossy Finish

Supplies Needed for the Resin Finish:

Make your own colored pencil vase with 216 colored pencils, easycast resin and a lathe for wood turning.

Begin by placing the vase on the cup turner. Cup turners are a life saver, they rotate the vase continuously to keep the resin from dripping.


Begin by placing the vase on the cup turner. Cup turners are a life saver, they rotate the vase continuously to keep the resin from dripping.

Then mix up the High Gloss Resin according to the package direction, in the 2 phase process. Make sure you are wearing disposable gloves for this part.


Then mix up the High Gloss Resin according to the package direction, in the 2 phase process. Make sure you are wearing disposable gloves for this part.

Then turn on the cup turner and pour the high gloss resin out slowly on the vase. Use your fingers to spread the resin all over the vase.


Then turn on the cup turner and pour the high gloss resin out slowly on the vase. Use your fingers to spread the resin all over the vase.

Give the full vase a nice, thick coat of resin and let the cup turner work overnight.


Give the full vase a nice, thick coat of resin and let the cup turner work overnight.

Repeat the high gloss resin process again if necessary. Then coat the inside of the vase as well. This is done by turning the vase by hand for about an hour...then letting it sit overnight. 

Some resin will puddle in the base, but it's okay.


Make your own colored pencil vase with 216 colored pencils, easycast resin and a lathe for wood turning.

The vase looks amazing all coating in high gloss resin. The places where the colored pencil leads have been chipped out, the resin fills in and smooths it out completely.


Make your own colored pencil vase with 216 colored pencils, easycast resin and a lathe for wood turning.

Fill with colored pencils or other fun office supplies. Fill it full of candy and place it on the coffee table.


Make your own colored pencil vase with 216 colored pencils, easycast resin and a lathe for wood turning.

Enjoy this uniquely spectacular conversation piece!


Make your own colored pencil vase with 216 colored pencils, easycast resin and a lathe for wood turning.

Isn't it amazing? What would you fill it with?


Make your own colored pencil vase with 216 colored pencils, easycast resin and a lathe for wood turning.

That's it!


I love doing resin projects and having a full woodworking shop to play in. 

 

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Make your own colored pencil vase with 216 colored pencils, easycast resin and a lathe for wood turning.









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