So, here’s the thing about me… when I get excited about something I don’t do half-measures. I get invested, I get fixated, and I dive deep – I can’t help myself.
Why I Fell in Love with Resin Dice Making
I was searching for a creative outlet that produced something I could hold. Something real, not digital. A tangible and tactile experience that catered to my geekier passions and that could be proudly displayed. That simple desire, combined with my pre-existing love for fancy math rocks, led me down the spectacularly nerdy rabbit hole of resin dice making.
And I thought they’d be a great compliment for the artisanal dice bags my wife makes (yeah, she’s wicked talented, photo for reference).
I binge watched the YouTube channels of some amazing resin dice creators – Cassiopeia Dice, Rybonator, Druid Dice, Cly Faker, Artemis Dice Company, and others – each one showcasing the making of mesmerizing resin dice. I was instantly hooked, and excited to create dice of my own.
My First Attempt at Making Resin Dice
And so, with zero real concept of how much was involved, I jumped in. I purchased a resin dice mold from Amazon along with some resin and safety gear. I learned quickly that watching videos of people making resin dice, and actually making resin dice, are two very different things. My first attempt was riddled with bubbles and voids.
Remember when I said I don’t do half-measures?
Well, after that initial failure, I became determined to make it work. I read that I needed to use a pressure pot, so I bought one. Which meant that I needed an air compressor, so I bought one. The next dice set I attempted was better, but still not perfect. Further research implied that the cheap dice mold was potentially the problem, and that the best option is to learn how to make my own, so I bought silicone. But then I learned that silicone molds are best made with ‘master dice’. And finally, after explaining to my wife why I need to buy expensive master dice, she asked ‘why not just spend that money on a resin printer?’… so now I own a resin 3D printer.
Thankfully, I have a supportive wife.
Turning a Hobby into a Full Creative Journey
What started as a casual interest has turned into a full-blown creative journey. I’ve gone from watching videos to building a mini production line in my workspace. My plan is to logically work through each step – resin printing dice masters, making silicone dice molds, and finally dice making – one step at a time. My goal is to be able to produce quality custom resin dice with full technical and creative control.
So, here goes – wish me luck! I’ll be sharing every step, and misstep, as I learn and grow along the way.