You Can Make Refillable RESIN Pens Using Silicone Moulds 😍

[@rentechpad]

To make my resin pens reusable, so you can slide out the empty ink and slide in a new one and I don't have to use a whole pen that can actually be seen and make everything look odd, I found that coating the ink/ball part with a good mold release product such as PVA or Vaseline. You don't need the horrendously expensive stuff unless you already have that. Before putting the ink tube with the ball point in the mold I paint on several layers of mold release letting it dry between each coat. I also put a drop at the top of the pen so a bit is forces down into the top opening by the little sprue on the mold that fits into the op of the ink tube in case any resin creeps in. Then I proceed to add any decorations or other things that I want in before pouring the resin and then pour the resin and following whatever technique I am using whether I am layering or pouring all at once or whatever. Once cured and de-molded the ink tube and ball point will be easy to pull out by gripping the ball point area with small pliers or heavy duty tweezers and then just sliding a new one in. The only thing to watch out for is to be careful went adding anything like charms or flowers or other decorations to the pen body that these do not touch or lay against the ink tube. If they do that can allow mold release to be disturbed and resin to get to the ink tube or the ink tube can hang up on the decorations. Otherwise it makes great reusable pens so that I can make very personalized ones as gifts, even with names or appropriate quotes in the pen, and the gift is not one that once the ink is cone is worthless. The first one I made like this was one I gave my husband to match a set of dice I made him with the name of the Wizard he always plays over two years ago and he has used up the ink and replaced the ink now several times with no difficulties. Because the mold release, if applied properly in several think layers and allowed to fully dry between each layer adds very little space around the ink tube, when you replace the tube it is a very snug fit when pushed back in and lines up correctly in the end where the mold sprue was so it cannot move around and will not slide back out.

[@maureenparrish6730]

Can you use straws instead of putting whole pen in the mold?

[@girlmomonabudget7709]

Thanks for this comment. I’ve been asking around on insta and everyone seems to gatekeep when it comes to the answer. Thanks so much

[@girlmomonabudget7709]

@@maureenparrish6730 I’m guessing you should plug the ends. Kind of the same concept as his

[@AcrylicArtBySharon]

You are a genius my friend. I've been trying to think of a way to not make them a one and done type of pen. And like others have said tips are scarce. I like his idea but your way takes up less room in the mold leaving more room to add your touches too. I'm definitely going to give this a try asap. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@carriebecker1097]

@@maureenparrish6730 I use clear stirring straws. I put a little ball of clay in the bottom opening where the ink tube will slide in and out. Once cured I take out the clay and insert an ink tube.

[@createinspain]

I'd be tempted to brush the pen holders with resin and stick the leaves on it, put a little resin in the mould to coat it, pop the holder in and then fill it.

[@TemperedStorm]

I love the idea of creating resin pens, but I was concerned about the one-time use resulting from the design. I'm glad for seeing that there is a work-around.

[@ashleycady8656]

You can also use silicone spray

[@Thumperrr247]

I went and purchased vinyl tubing that fit the ink refill. You will need mold release or something to lube the inside of the tubing as it has a snug fit. But it works well, I've had no issues pulling the refill out.

[@sarahmallonee]

@Steve McDonalds arts and crafts will you please do an updated video of this showing us what u figured out please and could u show us how to do them traditionally but try putting mold release on the pen inside cartridge before putting the resin so hopefully we could pull it out to change them but not have to put a whole pen cylinder in the mold. Thank you in advance

[@jessicaraelene5276]

I was thinking too that what if you covered the ink Wells themselves in a liquid silicone and then put them in the mold like you normally would if that would then make it so you can take the ink out because the silicone will keep it from sticking completely to the resin and then you can pop new ones in every time. I don't know if this would work but that was another idea I had

[@grootboot]

Hello! You’ve convinced me to pick up these pen blank molds 😀

[@3ch1dna07]

Make sure you get the right inks to fill. I made that mistake with the ones I bought for my husband. He was so excited to use them but had to wait for new refills because I got the wrong ones.😕

[@samicraftinbitsnbobs3020]

instead of doin it that way could u not rub vaseline over the inner part and then resin it as resin dont stick to vaseline that way u can pull it out after? x

[@sewlady33]

Do you have any videos (or ideas) on how to *modify* a silicone mold? Example: There are many ashtray molds available but I don't smoke and would like to 'plug' the cutout of where the cigarette rests and change the mold to become a bowl or coaster mold.

[@sewlady33]

@@SteveMcDonaldArtsandCrafts Oooh! That would be WONDERFUL!! I'm looking forward to it!

[@meaghanb9118]

I love when you talk to yourself! This is a cool way to make pens!!

[@SueFrancis-hl3wg]

That’s brilliant! I’ve loads of inks for the moulds. All I’ll need are a few bic ones to make the reusable bit and I’ll include the refills I’ll have a go at that soon

[@alexiscraftyourlifeaway9587]

I bought those molds because of you and I love them great idea

[@MCher2]

Definitely better to reuse! I have avoided purchasing pen molds for that very reason. Great idea, thank you!

[@galady8632]

Such a simple solution to a 'former annoying problem'. Thank you!.

[@PixieBulb]

You absolute champion. I have been pondering this very problem for weeks. (I have also seen some great ideas for other solutions in the comments... any chance you'd experiment with those too?)

[@CabbagePatchSoap]

Functional art :) Great job finding a way to make them reusable!

[@pinkiekel]

You are pure genius and I love your channel. Thank you Steve 😊

[@klairbaranek]

You can also use the pen molds for crochet hooks

[@stahrbryght]

If you buy those molds on Amazon you get the ink fills that stick on the tabs inside of the mold. It keeps the resin out the resin becomes the case of the pen!

[@ssue4q]

Great experiment! Today's the first time I've ever heard you be a little goofy and not so much as a matter of fact. I loved it and was a welcome surprise!😆

[@ssue4q]

@@SteveMcDonaldArtsandCrafts 😆 I can actually tell that. And yes the other is the teacher in you for sure. Thanks for letting your true self out let's see more of it we're not in the classroom! ✋ well I guess we really are! LOL just goofing around myself. 💘 all your videos and experiments keep them coming! NO need to reply I know you're busy much more than I.💗

[@sharonkayboone7043]

Good job Steve!! You are so fun to hang with and learn from. Thanks!!!❤️

[@ziyazaveri3297]

This is the best creative resin video that I have ever seen... Thankyou so much

[@buzzybee543]

I just bought refills and set them in the resin and it worked fine

[@mairem.9300]

@Steve McDonald Arts and Crafts Do you think maybe, when making the pen with just ink refill, if you spray the ink refills with mold release, it might be possible to change out the ink refill??

[@AriamaAhram]

Lol, my gosh this same general idea (using a mold release to minimize internal pen parts) has been commented nearly 10 times here. Before commenting a suggested idea or asking question, I’ll always scan through (at least some) video comments to see if it’s already been suggested/asked…especially if the idea or question isn’t particularly unique seeming. I don’t want to post a comment that has already been repeated and repeated. This idea shows up at least three times within the first 15 comments. 🙄😑 I figured that most other viewers did the same before commenting, but it seems that I’m very incorrect. Many commenters don’t consider that their idea could be something that’s been repeated over and over again already. Anyways, it’s a suggestion. Scan existing comments for 1 minute or so before posting.

[@mairem.9300]

@@AriamaAhram Why does this bother you so much? It does no harm to you personally. Just scroll past. So it's a couple extra flicks of the scroll wheel. Namaste

[@AriamaAhram]

@@mairem.9300 Scrolling past repeated comments is far too minuscule of an “issue” itself to be bothered by, I agree. What perplexes me, and initiated my comment, is how so many people can have comments or questions that are fairly obvious, however fail to consider that the comment has already been posted by someone else. Say there’s a baking video, where someone is demonstrating how they bake a certain cake, however the creator fails to detail the time and temp for baking the cake. The question “What is the bake time and temp?” would be a question that many would likely have, and is easy to think “hmm I’m sure others have the same question…”. Isn’t that a nearly intuitive thought? Followed by “I bet someone has already posted that question” and a quick scroll to verify. It’s not something that makes me angry or particularly irritated, but more perplexed. When I notice occurrences that seem to happen due to, what I conclude are lapses of intuitive/obvious/basic/common sense or logic, then I find myself feeling perplexed. This is not about things that would require particular skill or intelligence or education, but things like: seeing a car speed up on a freeway, despite the obvious presence of a slower car quite close ahead, for which the accelerating driver would have to immediately slow down for (assuming there’s no available “passing” lane to for the speeder to use to pass around the slower car ahead)”. Isn’t it obvious that, immediately after accelerating you’re going to have to decelerate, due to the clear presence of that slower car in front of you? In the epoxy resin pen making technique displayed in the video here, the sensical alternative method is to use a “mold release” technique. I don’t dabble in epoxy resin crafting at all, however I still considered the alternative method to be a very pedestrian thought, and a thought that I’d expect nearly all resin crafters to have as well. Perhaps it has to do with the fact that I see - and on an increasing frequency - so many of these “lapse in common sense” actions. The other day I was at Walmart and needed some of those “fold and close top” sandwich bags. I didn’t see any on the shelf (and there was a stocking ladder blocking some of my view) so I asked the employee on the ladder if they had any of the bags available. He said “we don’t carry those anymore” meanwhile he HAD the exact item in hand, ready to restock the shelf! I saw the item in his hand, after I had approached him. Following his response, I informed him that my needed product was in his hand, for which he handed me the box and smiled. Like - what on earth?? Not only being clueless as to having the item in his hand, but also (clearly) making up “we don’t carry them anymore”… it’s all so perplexing and nonsensical. Or when I was set to use a Walgreens app discount on a purchase. At the register, the employee was confused because the system wasn’t processing the transaction properly, and the assisting manager insisted that the discount wasn’t applicable DESPITE the fact that the exact product I was trying to buy was clearly listed under the discount as a “qualifying item”. Typically I would let something like that go, however it was extremely clear that my purchase qualified for the promotion, and his response of “it doesn’t qualify” (with no justification as to why he was saying it failed to qualify), was just too absurd and incorrect for me to accept (and surely had only to do with the computer system). In that kind of situation, when he KNEW that I was correct, AND particularly because there was a line behind me, I would expect a manager to manually enter the discount in the system, and keep things moving. After the intervention of another supervisor, it came to light that the product or deal hadn’t been entered into the system properly, and the 2nd supervisor quickly overrode the issue and the qualifying transaction finally concluded. Again a very clear cut transaction situation, for which the manager was, perplexingly, set on refusing for absolutely no valid reason whatsoever, in the face of my indisputable “qualifying item” evidence and a growing line. Or when I asked the Target employee if they stocked a particular food item (which was made in several flavor varieties, the particular flavor I hadn’t specified yet).After looking at her device, and without asking me “which flavor?”, she replied “it’s out of stock”. It was clear to me that the employee wasn’t going to be helpful, so I said “thank you” and walked away. Again, a situation where her actions were nonsensical. Wouldn’t she need to ask me “what flavor?” or if all sold out, detail that “all flavors are out of stock”?? As I approached the check out stand, I saw that each checkout line snack area was stocked with various varieties of the item I had inquired about. This is way too long, I’m very much aware, and surely leads to the assumption that my original comment was likely spurred, largely, by repeated and frequent similarly sense-lacking experiences. I’m by no means perfect, however I do my best to think over a situation before taking action, and like to think that I act with sense. If for whatever reason, that’s not the case, I wouldn’t take issue with someone questioning me about my unexpected action - because I certainly want to know if and when I’m doing something that isn’t logical seeming. And from my side, I do want to know why a driver would accelerate only to have to immediately slam on their brakes to accommodate the obvious slower vehicle ahead. Or why the Target employee made up her “out of stock” comment (although I imagine it was due to her seeing something on the screen that she wasn’t familiar with, and didn’t want to put forth the effort to clear it up and provide me with an accurate response). And here - does it not occur to commenters to quickly scan the comments section before posting something that isn’t particularly unique? Laziness? Or am I vastly overestimating the extent of common sense that I expect most people to have? Or overestimating how much thought people put into their actions before doing them? (More like, do I expect people to think about an action at all, before doing such a thing? And my error is expecting them to have any such preemptive thoughts whatsoever?) 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@3ch1dna07]

Best idea ever!! I love it.

[@mookzmom]

Brilliant! And nicer for gifts, since they're re-fillable!

[@horsecrazy123456789]

I wanted one after the first video, now I want one even more, they’re so pretty!

[@stephanya.alfaro7509]

Thank You so much ❤ I want to make a pen for my daughter but I wanted to make sure she can keep using it. ❤

[@marydavis4533]

Thank you for your experiments. You educate us as well as entertain.

[@pamsprojects]

I'm so happy you figure out how to make reusable pens. I am more likely to buy the molds.

[@LisaVornhagen]

This is fantastic! I have those pen molds and have made several pens. I hated the thought of having to throw the pen out. I'm so glad you found a solution!

[@gaiaaoi1005]

Your content is so helpful. Thank you!🤩

[@musa-abdullah-123]

yeh gum lagai hai bhai ne ??

[@heathersmythe9096]

I got these yesterday! Looking forward to how they turn out! Great tips thanks

[@lilaflohr602]

Thank you Steve! What if you cover the ink stick With petroleum jelly before you put it in the mold? Much like a Bic pen, where you can pull it out the ink stick out of the bottom after you put in the resin, and it's cured. I hope I am explaining it correctly. I love your channel and cannot wait for you to get a 3D printer, that will be so fun! Yay!!

[@aleciab83]

I was wondering/thinking the same thing.

[@ramonalucas2642]

Going to pick some molds up now! I thank you for sharing. God bless you and your family

[@abigailchipman8732]

I got these molds for Christmas and am SO glad I can make refillable versions!

[@safrahanan1571]

thank you soooo much that what i was searching , i dont want to throw up what i made ty again :)

[@janinepenny3368]

Lovely way to make reusable pens, might have to invest in some pen moulds. Did you find a way to clean your pipettes, if you haven’t, try nail varnish remover. I tried it the other night, worked really well so I saved a pipettes for later use. You have to clean when resin is still wet though, once set it won’t work.

[@leesescraftycreations6719]

When I got those moulds I just got sent a load of refills. Could work out how to stop resin spoiling the refil.

[@jaydejones5292]

That's a smart idea! I like when you can refill nice pens!

[@thelmabirt7626]

IN GENIUS! ! Got my pens and molds ready now!

[@angelinapabon7617]

now that was really really cool ..... thank you so much

[@simoneboothe3344]

I'm just about to start using resin. Love your videos and the ability to make reusable pens that will be more eco friendly. Thanks so much

[@karenwaddell4724]

I was admiring your little gadgety thing. I like little gadgety things too. 😊

[@anjalijoseph7164]

Finally I found u...I really wanted to try making pens but concern about single use ones..

[@lindamiddleton1045]

I think that is so clever thankyou so much

[@janicehelmore-pouringwithf3360]

Really cool and uses less resin too! 👌💖💖💖

[@jodarklunia]

Ouhhhh thank you thank you thank you! I got those awhile back and been wondering just that!

[@bloodycreekdesigns1419]

Blooooody brilliant steve

[@DarlaWolf120]

Wander if there is a way you could use these molds to make a fountain pen and use an ink converter in them. That way the converter can be refilled with botteld ink.

[@suesmith9202]

That's brilliant steve. I just made so pens tonight and thought about having to throw them away. Well I'm going to do this from now on. Thank you so much

[@sasha6912]

Trying to figure out how to use pentel energel “gel ink” vs ballpoint pen refill for a reusable pen

[@craigstadler9773]

Adding a clear plastic drinking straw works like a charm

[@MammaT83]

@@craigstadler9773 where do you purchase those? I take it they are smaller in diameter to standard drinking straws. I'm just not sure what to look for.

[@richBev77]

Which of the pens, pentel,(which type) bic or focus worked best considering the diameter of the pens?

[@DrDIYhax]

hope you get your 3d printer i have one and am constantly making lots of cool stuff ., i really need to start uploading again its been a while , with 3d printing only use pla as its non toxic and doesn't produce harmful fumes where as abs and other filaments create toxic fumes

[@shannonblackman467]

Love these!!!!!

[@linzmcglynn3526]

Steve, you are a genius 👏 🙌 👌

[@sarahelliott5790]

Fabulous idea! Very eco friendly.

[@craftydemon529]

Thank you! I have 2 pen molds but I havent used them yet because I was also trying to think of a way to make them reusable

[@prempremglamourz1]

Useful tip of project. Thanks very much for sharing 👍🏽

[@tammyscraftspace]

Thanks so much Steve, you made my day with this technique. Woo hoo.👍

[@offairhead]

I have these molds right in front of me. Thanks for the video.

[@heathersobsessions5247]

Such a cool idea!

[@kirimccoll]

How do you stop the pen from rising. I tried those twice but both times the pen rose to the top ☹️

[@LiLiJughead]

Thanks for making this video. This is just what I wanted to know.

[@rosemariereynolds2048]

They look awesome

[@connieholden5786]

Love it!! I have these molds!! Thank you!! I love your "animation" when you get excited 😆

[@kizzy5607]

You are a clever stick 😁 Really like the mica powder one

[@krystadominguez5147]

Hi thank you so much for the tutorial! Your videos are never a letdown! Im jw instead of using blue tac could i use clay(air dry or oven bake) or another type of putty? Thanks again😘🤗

[@kimcronic1800]

Omgosh I just found your channel and I love you!!!

[@grannie2100]

Those would make great gifts

[@CAVEMAAN76]

Thank you👍

[@marlenireyes]

How did you remove the top plug of the pens?

[@Ebonybones47]

Hi Steve how do I stop the pen from floating ?

[@Nirmanakaya3]

I made these and the top of my pen, the part that is exposed looks unfilled. I try filling with the epoxy you cure with the lamp, and then they got over filled. Please help!

[@angharadlocke]

I love the reusable pens x

[@safrahanan1571]

can we use the one wich children play with ??

[@lisapupillo1724]

That's a great idea but how do you cap it?

[@otfspaidz2484]

So I have these and made a few but they are coming out with sharp edge lines where the mold ends at the top. Any suggestions? Thank you and thx for the video!

[@ibmoondance23]

I'm sure you've heard this before but you're a genius!! You're my favorite tinkerer!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@tracytaplin2014]

Brilliant, I had done a few n although it came out nice it did seem a shame that it could only be used once xx

[@drupativazirani3956]

I love this but pl let us know which resin to take. For this everyone gives something,so which ever is with. Amazon. Thank you

[@tracygilder1229]

Oh my! What a great idea! Now I want to get pen moulds 😂

[@hazelmom1]

Can u use uv resin ?

[@ynanigurl]

Great idea!

[@brandiekee5249]

Genius!! Thank you

[@lisademayo8589]

hey Steve? what is the little sticky stuff you put on the pens' edges/stick into the holes? I don't know what that stuff is and i can't understand the name of it when u say it?

[@greenthings1941]

It's blu-tack

[@bonny9680]

Love the fact that you can reuse, did you put an air hole anywhere to keep the ink flowing? Also of course, less resin needed!

[@nicolejenkins3503]

@@SteveMcDonaldArtsandCrafts sooooo I shouldn’t be filing up that lil hole near where the pen comes out lol

[@nicolejenkins3503]

Do you have to use different pen brands for each pen? If so, which pen brand for which mold?

[@barbking2708]

Great idea!!

[@Cheries_pot]

How can I get the pen blinks

[@taztastic4058]

OMG THIS ID AMAZING IM GONNA BE TRYING THIS SOON AS POSSIBLE THANK YOU DI SO SO MUCH

[@AndreaStevens2012]

Cool vid...I was wondering how to make these refillable. Thanks for sharing! What was the blue stuff you put in the ends to prevent the resin from getting into the tube?

[@greenthings1941]

blu-tack

[@tammymurphy1268]

Well Epic expermint!!! Your chnl is awesome!!!!!

[@khayrunnesaisha999]

Did you use the polymer clay for seal the pen? I'm from Bangladesh.

[@ThestuffthatSaralikes]

THANK YOU STEVEN!!!! I’m doing end of year teachers gift and *everyone* does tumblers now😠 so I wanted something useful to add to the gift card, so it’s not, ya know *just* a little card… So I’ll add a personalized pen, with a refill and call it a day!! Thanks!!!!

[@LowVisionUKTerrysView]

nice one mr M. I burst into song when you said two out of three aint bad haha x

[@chelseaball7182]

Hey Steve, My pen plastic keeps popping up out of my resin. Any tips on how to stop this? Many thanks from Sydney, Australia 🇦🇺

[@marcusgreen4609]

I think I’d just go with the bic pen and not bother with the blu tac on the end. I think the pens would look nicer with the top encased in the resin and that end doesn’t really have a function other than showing the colour of the ink with a bic pen.

[@craftylittlerthings]

Nice one, I love me s....I have many lol. I also love little gadgety things as well, so I need a list o f all gadgets I can get lol....thanks for this hugs x Ann x