Turn dust into design — MR. JO Artsand: the clean, colour-fast sand for classy resin art
Turn dust into design — MR. JO Artsand: the clean, colour-fast sand for classy resin art
A little texture can lift a resin piece from “nice” to “memorable.” But many additives bring problems: they bleed colour into the clear resin, cloud the pour, or sink and clump. MR. JO Artsand solves those problems for makers — it’s a binder-coated decorative sand available in 30+ colours that stays put, doesn’t leach colour into resin or water, and gives a refined, glassy finish when used with clear casting or coating systems.
Below is a practical, problem-solving blog you can use on the product page or share with your community.
The real problem artists face
You want texture, sparkle or natural grain in a resin piece — a river table, tray, pendant or planter — but run into predictable headaches:
- Colour bleed: raw sands or pigments dye the resin or water, ruining clarity.
- Settling & clumping: uncoated sands sink to the bottom or form uneven piles, losing the intended look.
- Dulling the finish: some sands create a cloudy or matte appearance when embedded.
- Inconsistent results across batches — the same mix behaves differently each time.
Artsand was made to solve these exact problems.
How Artsand solves them (practical benefits)
- Coated & binder-locked: the sand’s surface is sealed so it doesn’t colour the surrounding resin or water, keeping pours crystal clear.
- Consistent suspension & placement: particle coating improves how the sand sits in resin — less clumping, more predictable textures.
- Wide colour palette: choose from 30+ shades to match your design concept without additional pigments.
- Glassy finish with clear resin: when embedded in clear Artcast/Artglue systems, Artsand produces a refined, sparkly/glossy look rather than a dull, sandy matte.
- Versatile: works in resin art, mixed-media, decorative planters, terrariums, clear epoxy countertops, and even grout highlights.
Artisan scenarios — creative uses that work every time
1. River-table designer
Problem: Natural sand sinks and creates a muddy look.
Solution: Use a layer of Artsand across the river channel and pour clear resin (test small sample). The sealed sand stays vibrant and the resin cures crystal-clear, giving a suspended, natural bed effect.
2. Pendant maker
Problem: Tiny grains settle and hide behind inclusions.
Solution: Add a whisper of fine Artsand into shallow pendant molds for consistent sparkle and colour without staining the resin.
3. Tile/grout finisher
Problem: You want a subtle sparkle in grout lines without pigment bleeding.
Solution: Mix a small amount of Artsand into the final grout mix (or broadcast on tack coat) — it adds controlled texture and sheen without discolouration.
4. Classroom or workshop
Problem: Students want bright, reliable colour without messy dyes.
Solution: Artsand’s coated particles are easy to handle, produce predictable results and clean up more easily than loose pigment powders.
Job-ready workflow — embedding Artsand in resin (step-by-step)
- Plan your look: choose coarse or fine grade depending on desired texture. Do a small sample pour to verify colour in your exact resin system.
- Prepare mold & inclusions: seal porous items (wood/stone) with a clear seal coat first.
- Mix resin: follow product TDS for your clear resin (e.g., Artcast 3:1 systems). Mix accurately and gently to avoid bubbles.
- Add Artsand: fold in Artsand sparingly. Start at 0.5–6% by weight of the mixed resin for subtle to medium effects — test to dial in the look. (For broadcast or surface scatter, add less — you can always add more.)
- Placement: pour a base layer, place sand where needed (use a spoon or sieve for even spread), then pour the final clear layer slowly to avoid disturbing the sand. For surface broadcasts, press gently to embed.
- Bubble control: use a quick torch pass to pop surface bubbles after pour.
- Cure & finish: cure in a dust-free environment. Once cured, sand/polish if required — Artsand keeps its colour and doesn’t stain the resin
Dos & Don’ts — get consistent, beautiful results
Do:
- Test a small sample with your exact resin & ambient conditions.
- Use a dust-free tent for curing fine, clear finishes.
- Start with small percentages and increase to achieve the desired visual density.
- Seal porous inclusions before embedding Artsand.
Don’t:
- Don’t assume all sands behave the same — Artsand is coated, but other sands may bleed.
- Don’t overmix into very thin pours — heavy loads can increase viscosity and trap bubbles.
- Don’t forget PPE — fine sands can be dusty if handled dry; use a mask when pouring loose sand.
Troubleshooting — quick fixes
- Sinking clusters: pre-blend sand in a small resin portion to wet particles before adding — this helps suspension.
- Cloudy finish around sand: may be air trapped under dry sand — pre-wet or pre-mix small sand portion into resin first or degas mixed resin if possible.
- Colour looks different after cure: colours shift slightly when encased; always test a sample to set expectations.
- Dust during cure: use a cover/tent — cured clear resin shows any dust.
Creative ideas and combinations - Mix fine Artsand with Artsparkle for a textured-sparkle effect (broadcast sparkle on top for highlights).
- Create gradient sands by layering two colors and pressing gently between pours.
- Use Artsand in clear vase bases to anchor florals attractively without staining water.
- Combine with small stone chips or shell pieces for naturalistic terrarium beds.
Storage & safety
- Store in a cool, dry place in sealed containers.
- Avoid inhaling dust — use masks/gloves when handling dry sand.
- Keep away from drains; sweep up any spills before washing down.
If you love the look of natural aggregate but hate the mess and uncertainty, MR. JO Artsand gives you predictable, colour-fast texture that plays beautifully with clear resin. It’s the tiny design secret that keeps work looking refined — and repeatable — across batches.
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