How to Make DIY Resin Lucite Grapes (Retro Craft)

Learn how to make DIY Resin Grape clusters, an awesome throwback retro craft!

This fun craft is an intermediate resin craft, perfect for someone that has used deep pour resin before or is willing to give it a try!

Making resin grape clusters is a fun Spring home decor item, great for a centerpiece or in the knick-knack cabinet. 

This retro craft is sure to get attention and conversation sitting on the coffee table!

 Posted previously on Resin Crafts Blog

What are Lucite Grapes?

Are you familiar with Resin Grapes?  

In the 50's this is what the women liked making, especially Mormon women (members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) in the United States...it's fun to see bunches of grapes in older ladies homes.  

Commonly they are called Lucite grapes, Lucite is a brand name for polymethyl methacrylate, which is a type of resin or clear acrylic.

I decided it was the perfect vintage craft to revive and make a bunch for myself.  

My mother in law has a set of purple resin grapes, but I decided to go with shades of blue and green.  I'm obsessed with blue.  

If you can't already tell!

Supplies Needed for Resin Lucite Grapes:

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• EasyCast Resin (or Deep Casting Resin)
• 18 Glass Ornaments (preferably clear and thrifted)
• Blue and Green Translucent Dye
• Mixing Cups, Stirring Sticks, Disposable Gloves
• 16 Gauge soft Wire
• 12 inch Tree Branch or Stick
• Wire Flush Cutters
• Egg Carton
• Drill bit to fit the wire and Drill

STEP 1: Ornament Prep

Essentially, the ornaments are the mold for the resin grapes.

You will need ornaments that break, that are made of glass.

There's probably a silicone mold that would work for spheres too, but this was the most authentic way I could find to make these grape clusters.

Begin by pulling the ornament hardware out of the ornaments.  

Place the glass ornaments with the openings up in the egg carton tray.  

I used ornaments that have a metallic leafing inside the glass…so when I peeled my glass off, some of the silver leafing stayed behind, which is kind of a cool effect, but using clear glass would eliminate this.

Step 2: Mixing RESIN

Prep the ornaments by spraying one spritz of mold release inside each ornament and work it around the inside.

Fill one ornament with water and pour it out into a measured cup…that will let you know how much liquid each ball holds.

Mine were just over 1 ounce each.  

I mixed up about 6 ounces of deep casting resin at a time so I could mix a variety of colors.  

Mix the deep casting resin according to the package directions.  

1 part of resin and 1 part of the hardener, mix gently for 2 minutes.

Then pour the mixed resin into a second cup and use a new stick to stir for 1 more minute.

      

       

Next, add a few drops of green and one or 2 of blue--or the color of your choice for juicy grapes! 

I did some mixes darker and some lighter…some more green and some more blue.  

The variety of the colors in my bunch of grapes is surprisingly pleasing.  

Mix the color in thoroughly before pouring.

Step 3: Pouring Resin

     

After mixing, carefully pour the resin into each ornament.

Then pour slowly and try to get the resin all the way full in the ball but not in the neck part…or it will take the grinder to remove them later.

      

Continue filling the ornaments with colored resin in the same fashion.

Then let them sit undisturbed for 24 hours.  

I mixed resin several times to fill all 18 ornaments, using nearly all the 32 ounce box.

Step 4: Breaking Ornaments

      

The next day clank 2 ornaments together deep inside a box or the trash can.

Again: wear gloves, some eye protection and work outside or in a garage.  

The glass these ornaments will shatter into shards as pictured below.

      

By hitting the ornaments into themselves, they break and the glass peels off significantly easier.  

Although, I had a few tough spots that I had to scrape with a small spatula.  

Then clean them all in warm, soapy water.

      

See how much silver leafing stayed behind as a result?  

Regardless, I did not know this would happen until I tried it…but I love the effect too!  

Step 5: Add Wires

      

Next, I sent my son out to the garage to sand off the nubs and drill a 1 inch hole in each ball for 6 inches of wire.  

Then push in some wire and then add a couple drops of super glue.  

***NOTE: YES, you can absolutely insert the wires into the ornaments while the resin is setting. I'd wait until it gels up a bit and then use some painters tape to balance the wire in the resin so it doesn't go all the way to the base of the ornament.

I decided to set them aside and go to sleep, leaving some drilling for the next day.

Step 6: Branch Preparation

Now drill holes about 1/2-1 inch apart in the tree branch or medium sized stick.

You know, a great stick to play fetch with doggy.

I just found this in my yard, if a stick is unavailable, you could use a 3/4 inch dowel.

Step 7: Fill Branch with Resin Grapes

Then push a wire through the hole and wrap the remaining wire tightly around the branch.

Now, drill holes as needed and keep adding resin grape balls.  

Ultimately, tuck the wire around the grapes as you work, the wires look like grape vines and can have little curls added to the ends as well.

     

Next, fill in gaps too by adding colorful resin balls, alternating the colors as you go--rainbow grapes would be so cute.

  
Keep the resin grapes as close to the stick as possible at the end and gradually further away as you work your way up…giving it an obviously distinct tapered grape cluster look.

     

The range of colors is uniquely stunning–I love the bright pops of aqua!  

Awesome, right?!  It's like a time machine taking you back to the 1950's!  

I love reviving fun vintage crafts, no wonder all those Christian women in the good old days were making Lucite grapes for craft nights!

That's it!

Now you are the proud owner of resin Lucite grapes that can be an heirloom for your posterity!

These fun grapes are 100% nostalgia and super fun to customize and make!

Like, Pin and Share!

Other Lucite Grape Questions Answered:

Q: Can you eat Lucite Grapes?

A: No, they are plastic.

Q: How do you CLEAN Lucite Grapes?

A: You can get them wet, but if dust has caked on over years, use a cloth or a baby wipe to wash each individual resin grape. Rinse them under water and set them on a towel to dry. Don't use harsh chemicals or Windex.

Q: When did women make Lucite Grapes?

A: in the 1950's it was a popular craft among women

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