First Set Made!

Wow, what an adventure it's been to finally craft my very own D&D dice set! I've been dreaming of making a unique, personalized set for ages, and seeing these shimmery purple beauties come to life has been incredibly rewarding. There’s something magical about rolling dice you’ve crafted with your own hands, especially when you see that critical ‘20’ pop up on the largest die! For anyone else thinking of diving into the world of handmade polyhedral dice, let me share a bit about my journey and what I’ve learned. It started with wanting a set that truly reflected my style – something with that gorgeous, almost ethereal shimmer. That’s where the idea of combining vibrant pigments with mica powder came in. Getting Started: My Essential Kit First off, you’ll need good quality epoxy resin. There are UV resins too, but for a full set of seven dice, a two-part epoxy is usually the way to go. Don’t skimp on safety gear – gloves, a respirator mask, and good ventilation are non-negotiable. Molds are crucial; you can buy silicone molds or even try making your own if you're feeling extra crafty. I chose a standard D&D dice set mold which includes all the d4, d6, d8, d10, d%, d12, and d20. Achieving That Shimmery Purple Effect To get that incredible shimmery purple, I experimented with different dyes and mica powders. Mica powder is your friend here! It gives that beautiful, iridescent sparkle that catches the light so wonderfully. I mixed a deep purple resin dye with a fine silver or iridescent white mica powder. The key is to mix thoroughly but gently to avoid too many bubbles. A pressure pot is a game-changer for eliminating bubbles entirely, but if you don't have one yet, a slow cure resin and a gentle pour can still yield great results. I found that layering slightly different shades of purple, or even adding a touch of clear resin with just the mica, helped create more depth and that mesmerizing, almost transparent shimmer. The Crafting Process: From Liquid to Luster Once your resin is mixed and colored, carefully pour it into your molds. Take your time to fill each cavity, especially the smaller ones. After pouring, it’s all about patience. Resin needs to cure, and this can take anywhere from 12-24 hours depending on the type. After demolding, the real magic begins: sanding and polishing. This is where your polyhedral dice really start to shine. I used a series of progressively finer grit sandpaper, wet sanding to get a smooth, clear finish. Inking the Numbers Then comes the final touch: inking! This step truly brings your handmade Dungeons & Dragons dice to life. I used a metallic silver acrylic paint to highlight the numbers. Wipe off any excess quickly before it dries. Seeing that ‘20’ clearly defined on my d20, gleaming in silver against the shimmery purple, was such a proud moment. It's been a fantastic journey, from gathering materials to holding my complete set of unique, shimmery purple D&D dice. If you’re a #gamergirl or just someone who loves #art and wants to personalize your tabletop gaming experience, I highly recommend giving dice making a try. There’s nothing quite like rolling your own luck!