Glitter tumblers are all the rage right now and it’s no surprise why. They’re beautiful, vibrant, UNIQUE and catch the eye...But before you dive headfirst into this DIY/business, there are a few things to consider.
You may remember a popular blog post of mine about Why I made the Switch from Epoxy to Crystalac Products- and that post has A LOT of valuable information!
When I first started making tumblers I was living in military housing, had JUST had a baby and I was using epoxy. I was NOT aware at that time of the dangers of using epoxy- you can say I didn't do my research. I want to EMPOWER YOU with the knowledge that I didn't have at that time so you don't end up hurting yourself or others around you. Soon after I started making tumblers, I learned of the CORRECT way to use epoxy and made the decision that my home and lifestyle at the time was not adequate to use epoxy- so I switched to using Crystalac's Brite Tone, a non toxic product that was safe to use indoors around my kids and pets. The Crystalac company allowed me to still make my pretty tumblers but safely in my home and I am so thankful for that!
Now, I have since moved to a bigger home (Thank you Army life!) with an outdoor she-shed and a large studio and garage that allow me to create with BOTH epoxy and an epoxy alternative in a safe way! I feel that it's important to share my knowledge with YOU so you can learn from my mistakes!
First, you need to decide whether you want to use epoxy or an epoxy-free option.
Epoxy is a popular choice as it creates a high gloss, durable finish that lasts for a long time and this is what people think of using when creating glitter tumblers. However, it can be toxic and requires proper ventilation to use. EVEN IF your epoxy brand totes NO VOCs it is STILL toxic when part A & B are mixed (This creates the chemical reaction which is the epoxy is curing/ hardening up) but will be inert once cured. Even if you can't smell it, the vapors are harmful. If you have adequate ventilation, no known chemical allergies, a dedicated space to working with resin not around family, friends or pets and full PPE (face mask for organic vapors and nitrile gloves) than epoxy may be right for you! With epoxy, you can create deep pours and use molds to create beautiful art.
If you have an epoxy allergy, kids or pets at home or live in a small space with limited ventilation, an epoxy-free product like Grande Finale 2.0 from Crystalac may be a better option for you. While you cannot use molds with products like this, you can use acrylic blanks and accomplish the same designs that you would with epoxy with just a few tweaks of the creative process.
It’s also important to consider the cost of starting up.
Buying the supplies to make glitter tumblers can add up quickly, so it’s a good idea to master one design or concept first before spending a lot of money on supplies for various designs. TRUST MEEEEEE, I spent so much money on products I rarely even use because I wanted to try out a design and realized it wasn't for me. I recommend trying a marble/milky way tumbler and going from there.
You can find discounted supplies in de-stash & Buy, Sell, Trade (BST) groups on Facebook and FB marketplace. Also, the power of the coupon and sales- be on the lookout for those great deals to stock up and save if you plan to sell.
Additionally, don’t feel like you need to buy every color of glitter out there. In fact, starting with just a few colors in different sizes will be plenty to get started. Shameless plug-my glitter sets like the Retro Rainbow glitter set from the Glitter Heart Co in both chunky and fine cut sizes is a great option to start with! I would also add in a good white and chunky opal. Opal glitters can be used as a cheat glitter over colorful designs because they're transparent, they take on the color underneath them.
PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE!
Contribute to the community, tag those that inspire you, ask for help and always strive to be better than you were yesterday. Practice is so important and that is how we GROW. You will get better through trial & error- You won't be a master of glitter with one ombre- it will take multiple haha!!!
Making glitter tumblers is a fun DIY and skill to add to your small business but there are a few important factors to consider before getting started. Whether you decide to use epoxy or an epoxy-free option, keep in mind the cost of supplies and the space you’ll need to create. And remember, you don’t need all the glitter in the world to start creating beautiful and unique tumblers.
Most IMPORTANTLY, HAVE FUN and don't let ANYONE product shame you. Use what works best for YOU and your situation. There are many ways to create and I'm just here to show ya how I do it. Take the pointers that you love and leave the rest!
YOU GOT THIS, BABE!