Phew, what a week. I’ve been working on about 5 different projects simultaneously. The biggest accomplishment this week was my screened porch makeover. I have been itching to make it an outdoor living and relaxing room for about 4 years now. Well, it is about 95% done. And to celebrate, Pretty Handsome Guy and I slept outside on the porch last night.

One of the projects I completed for the porch was an old curbside window that I turned into a unique piece of art using a product that ETI sent me. The product is called EnviroTex Lite and it is a high gloss resin polymer compound used for sealing and protecting arts, crafts, jewelry, countertops and more!

I am thrilled with my art project and it looks fabulous hanging up in our porch.

I have to admit, I was a little scared of the EnviroTex Lite. Especially when I read the part in the instructions about using a propane torch! I had visions of having to rent a welder’s helmet and lighting a big propane torch. YIKES!
Well, my fears were unfounded, and I ended up using a bic lighter like this one: The utility lighter was more within my comfort level. And the prep and pouring steps were easier than I had envisioned. Won’t you come along to see how I made it?

My beautiful butterfly window started out looking like this:

Someone was throwing away these old windows. So, as usual, I slammed on the brakes (as my kids expressed their disgust at me) and saved them from the landfill. It took a lot of scraping, cleaning and painting to get them in a presentable state, but I’ll show you those steps in another tutorial. Let’s just fast forward to a clean shabby chic painted window for times sake.

Creating the Art:

Big Butterfly Window Materials:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

• Cardstock weight scrapbook paper
• Cardstock letter paper
• Butterfly hole punch
• Real Butterfly Wings (found in my yard from a cat’s discarded hunt remains)
• Glitter
• Mod podge
• Small cup (to pour mod podge into)
• Scissors
• Paintbrush
• Eye bolts for hanging
• Rope for hanging

Start by cutting out paper letters and punching out butterflies until your thumbs are sore. Then lay out the design on the window panes.

When you are happy with the design, anchor everything onto the window using mod podge. Paint a thin layer of mod podge on the back of each letter and paper butterfly. Then pressed them down onto the window panes. This step is important as it keeps everything in place while pouring the resin.

Use extreme caution with the butterfly wings so as not to break them or brush too much of the color off.

Gently press the wings onto the window. You may need to replace the butterfly’s body with a paper one so it doesn’t stick up above the resin. (My poor butterfly was bodiless. I think the cat ate it. I just hope my winged friend didn’t suffer.)

Before the mod podge can dry completely, carefully wipe any excess off the window. If you leave some mod podge exposed on the window, it will be immortalized in the resin forever!
Rub on transfers work perfectly for the butterfly’s missing antennae.

Pouring the Resin:

Big Butterfly Window Materials:

Included in the EnviroTex Lite kit:

• Bottle of Resin
• Bottle of Hardener
• 2 Mixing Cups
• Stir Sticks
• Rubber gloves
• Disposable brush

Not included in the kit:

• Utility lighter
• Glitter
• Protective plastic to cover work surface
• Exhaust fan (set up in a window to pull fumes away and out of the room)
• Dust mask
• Eye goggles
• Level

Set the window on the protective plastic. Set the level on top of the window.  Check both directions and prop up your piece using shims under the window or under the table legs until the window is completely level. Skipping this step will result in the resin puddling in the corners of each pane and leaving an inconsistent depth.

Put on your protective gloves, dust mask and eye goggles. And don’t forget to turn on the exhaust fan. No need to fry your brain during this project.

Pour equal amounts of each bottle into the first cup.

Stir the resin and hardener mixture thoroughly with the wooden stick. Be sure to scrape the sides of the cup. Then pour the mixture into the second cup. And thoroughly mix the mixture again. Failure to follow these directions could result in a BAD CRAFT-FAIL! So, just follow those directions. Okay?

After your mixture is thoroughly mixed, begin by pouring small amounts into the center of each pane. (I only poured the resin into the four panes that had objects pasted on them.)

Use the brush to gently spread the resin mixture to the edges of each pane. The resin will level itself as it dries.

After the resin is spread evenly, sprinkle some glitter around the letters and butterflies.

After a few minutes little bubbles will rise to the top of the resin. Use the lighter several inches above the project to pop the air bubbles. (I think I had more fun popping bubbles than any other step!)

Check back after about 5-10 minutes and pop any newly formed bubbles. Let the resin dry overnight (at least 4-5 hours. Times may vary depending on temperature and humidity.)

When the resin is completely hardened, use a drill bit to drill holes in the top of the window.

Then insert eye bolts on each side.

Thread some rope through the eye bolts and hang your new piece of art!

I just love how the beauty of the butterfly is preserved in the resin forever! 

This project was a lot of fun, and the results truly exceeded my expectations. I did not pour any resin in the top two window panes. The panes that do have the resin are completely transparent and look exactly as clear as the naked panes.

What do you think? Would you try a resin art project yourself?

Disclaimer: ETI sent me EnviroTex Lite to try out. I was not paid or compensated for this post. My opinions and critique of the product are honest, truthful and my own.

You won’t believe all that you can do with this product.  Envirotex Lite was created by Environmental Technologies Inc. (ETI), which is the home for many resin and mold making products.

The use of resin in jewelry making, mixed media and paper arts continues to grow in popularity. Today, artists are using ETI’s products in many crafty ways and they will be showcasing these works of art on their new blog “Resin Crafts”.

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