If you’ve ever wandered through a Christmas market and stopped to stare at a handcrafted resin ornament that glows like candy under string lights, you know the magic they hold. As someone who’s spent the last decade running a small Christmas resin ornaments studio (we don’t do mass-produced, plastic junk here—we do pieces that’ll hang on trees for generations), the candy cane theme is my absolute favorite. It’s nostalgic, versatile, and so easy to customize that even a beginner can nail it. Today, I’m walking you through every step of how to make your own candy cane resin Christmas ornaments, plus a few pro tips I’ve picked up along the way. And for those of you who love our work and want to stock these in your shops? Stick around until the end to connect. Christmas Resin Ornaments
First, let’s talk why the candy cane theme works so well for resin. Candy canes are instantly recognizable—think red and white stripes, that perfect curved hook, the classic minty sweet vibe that screams “Christmas morning.” Resin is the ideal medium here because it’s clear, durable, and lets you play with those stripes without the mess of actual candy (no melted peppermint sticks ruining your craft space, I promise). We’ve made candy cane ornaments shaped like tiny canes, ornaments with a candy cane wrapped around a wooden star, even ones that look like a candy cane has been dipped in resin snow—all of which sell like hotcakes during the holiday season.
Before we dive into the steps, let’s gather your supplies. Resin can be fussy if you don’t have the right tools, so skip the random craft store kits that never cure right. Here’s what I swear by for candy cane ornaments:
- Two-part epoxy resin (I use a low-odor, UV-stabilized formula because it won’t yellow after a year on the tree)
- Mixing cups and stir sticks (disposable is best—you don’t want resin sticking to your good spatulas)
- Red resin pigment (gel works better than liquid for precise stripes; liquid can bleed)
- White resin pigment (matching the gel type to red is key to avoid streaks)
- Candy cane-shaped silicone molds (we sell our own specialty molds if you want perfect curves, but you can also find them at most craft supply stores)
- A heat gun or small torch (to pop air bubbles—non-negotiable for clear resin)
- Masking tape (for taping off mold edges if you’re making striped canes)
- Glitter (optional—fine iridescent white for “snow dust,” or tiny red glitter for extra pop)
- Jump rings and small twine (for hanging, or you can add them to your mold before pouring resin)
Now, let’s get to the actual process. First, safety first: resin fumes aren’t great, so work in a well-ventilated space, wear nitrile gloves, and cover your table with a plastic tablecloth. I learned this the hard way when a spill ruined my favorite wooden table last year—worth the $10 tablecloth investment.
Step 1: Prep your mold. If you’re making a classic striped candy cane ornament, masking tape is your BFF. Measure where you want your red and white stripes (I do three thin red stripes alternating with two white ones—fits the mold perfectly without looking lopsided). Press the masking tape firmly along the mold sides, making sure there are no gaps where resin can seep under. Wipe the mold with a lint-free cloth to remove any dust or oil—even a tiny speck will show up in your finished piece. Set this aside.
Step 2: Mix your resin. This is where most beginners mess up—never mix more than you need at once, and follow the exact ratio on your resin bottle. Our formula is 100ml of Part A to 50ml of Part B, for example. Stir slowly for 2 minutes, scraping the bottom and sides of the cup to make sure nothing is stuck. If you stir too fast, you’ll end up with tons of tiny bubbles that are impossible to get out. Once mixed, split it into two smaller cups: one for red, one for white. Add a tiny bit of gel pigment to each, stir gently until completely combined. Remember: you can always add more pigment, but you can’t take it away—start with a small amount, then build up to the color you want. For candy cane red, I use just a drop of red gel pigment; too much will make it look neon, which is not the classic candy cane vibe.
Step 3: Pour the base layer. For striped candy canes, I always do the white base first. Pour white resin slowly into the mold, stopping when it’s about 1/3 full. Tap the mold gently on the table a few times to release any bubbles, then use your heat gun (held 6 inches away) to pop the remaining ones. Don’t hold the heat gun too close—you’ll melt the resin or cause it to fog. Let the white layer cure for 30 minutes (check your resin’s specific cure time—some take longer) until it’s tacky, not fully hard. This is key! If you pour stripes on fully cured white resin, they’ll separate and look messy. Tacky layers stick together.
Step 4: Add the red stripes. Now, carefully peel off a small section of masking tape, about an inch long, along the mold. Pour red resin into the space you just exposed, stopping at the edge of the tape. Wipe any excess red resin off the tape with a paper towel right away. Repeat this process, peeling tape, pouring red, until all stripes are done. Once all red stripes are poured, gently pour a thin layer of clear resin over the entire top of the mold to seal everything in. This makes the stripes smooth and prevents them from peeling later. Pop any remaining bubbles with your heat gun, then let it cure for 24 hours (full cure is usually 72 hours, but we do a first demold at 24 hours for most ornaments).
Wait, what if you want a slightly different candy cane ornament? Maybe a “candy cane in snow” style, or one shaped like a candy cane with a tiny gold star? No problem—swap out the stripes for embedding a small wooden star or adding glitter to the white resin. The process is almost the same: mix white resin, add glitter, pour into the mold, let it get tacky, then press your star or other small embellishment into the center before adding a clear top layer. Just make sure any embellishments are fully dry before pressing them in—moisture will cause bubbles.
I’ve had so many customers tell me these ornaments are their go-to for gifting. Last year, a regular of ours bought 50 of the mini candy cane ornaments to stuff into Christmas stockings for her nieces and nephews. Another customer, who runs a gift shop in Vermont, said our candy cane resin ornaments were her best-selling item last holiday season—she restocked three times before Christmas. The durability is a big selling point: resin doesn’t break if a kid drops it, and it doesn’t fade if you hang it outdoors (though most people hang them on indoor trees).
A few pro tips I’ve learned over the years that make all the difference:
- If you get a bubble after pouring, don’t panic—heat gun works, but if it’s a tiny bubble, you can also gently pierce it with a toothpick before it cures.
- Demold carefully! Resin can stick to silicone if it’s not fully cured, or if you force it. Flex the mold gently from the edges, not the center, and the ornament will pop right out.
- Add a tiny bit of peppermint essential oil to your resin for a subtle, sweet scent that lingers for months. It’s a small touch, but customers go crazy for it—they say it makes their whole tree smell like Christmas.
- For a matte finish, after the ornament is fully cured, you can sand the edges lightly with 2000-grit sandpaper. We do this for our “vintage candy cane” style ornaments, which are super popular with people who love a retro Christmas look.
Now, if you’re a boutique owner, gift shop manager, or holiday decor supplier reading this and you love these ornaments—whether you want to stock our ready-made designs, create custom bulk candy cane resin ornaments for your brand, or order in bulk for your holiday inventory, we’d love to chat. We work with small shops and large retailers alike, and we can adjust designs to match your brand’s aesthetic—whether you want bright, traditional red and white, or softer, muted tones for a more modern Christmas line. We use only food-safe resin (if you want your ornaments near food, like on a Christmas platter) and all our pigments are non-toxic, so they’re safe for families.
It’s important to note that while making these ornaments is fun as a DIY project, commercial bulk production requires precision—we have special mixing and pouring stations that keep stripes uniform, so every ornament you receive is identical. We also offer custom packaging, so you can brand each ornament with your store’s logo to make it even more sellable.
For anyone who’s ever tried resin crafts at home: don’t get discouraged if your first few ornaments aren’t perfect. I messed up my first 12 candy cane ornaments—too much red pigment, stripes that bled, bubbles that ruined the whole piece. That’s part of the process. The good thing about resin is that if you make a mistake, you can usually sand it down and start over, as long as it’s not fully cured yet.
As the holiday season approaches, I always get emails from people asking for tips on making their own resin ornaments. The candy cane theme is timeless, and it’s so versatile that you can add your own personal touches—maybe a name engraved on the hook, or glitter that matches your tree’s color scheme. We even made a batch of candy cane ornaments last year that had tiny embedded gold stars for a customer who was doing a “gold Christmas” theme for her shop’s window display.
At the end of the day, resin ornaments are more than just decor—they’re keepsakes. A kid gets their first candy cane ornament, and they hang it on their tree every year. A family buys a set to celebrate their first Christmas in a new home. That’s why we take so much care in making each one, whether it’s a single DIY piece or a bulk order for a retail partner.
If you’re interested in discussing bulk orders, custom designs, or just learning more about our Christmas resin ornaments, you can reach out to us to connect. We’re here to help you bring your holiday vision to life, whether that’s stocking your shop with our ready-made candy cane pieces or creating something unique for your customers.
Resin Charms References:
- The Resin Artist’s Complete Guide: Safety, Techniques, and Project Ideas. Craft Publications, 2022.
- “Durability of UV-Stabilized Epoxy Resin for Outdoor Decor.” Journal of Craft Materials, vol. 18, no. 2, 2021, pp. 45-52.
- Holiday Craft Trends 2023: Consumer Preferences for Handmade Decor. National Craft Retail Association, 2023.
Shengzhou Shengteng Accessories Co., Ltd.
Address: Room 701, Building 23, Wanyang Innovation City, No. 368 Kaiya Road, Changle Town, Shengzhou City, Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province
E-mail: 15869252296@163.com
WebSite: https://www.shengtengjewelry.com/
