DIY Resin Wood Wall Art With LED Lights and Objects

In this instructable, I show you how to make resin and wood wall art with embedded lights and objects.

Even if you don't need to make an epoxy wall art piece, the techniques covered in this DIY tutorial can be translated towards any resin and wood project.

There are several things which are difficult to fully explain with words and images, so be sure to check out the video tutorial!

Epoxy Resin

Purple Glow Powder

Odie's Wood Butter

RO125 Sander

Soft Sanding Pad

Sandpaper

Vacuum for Dust

Wool Skin Pad

Bandsaw

Track Saw

MFT Table

Furniture Wax

Vaseline

Hot Glue Gun

Clamps

¼" clear tubing

Mardi Gras Beads

Heat Gun

Rubber Mallet

Soft Rags

Chisel Set

LED UV Light Strip

Rocker Switch w/ Wire Leads

9v Battery

9v battery connectors

Solder

Start with a chunky reclaimed slab like 5-inch-thick cypress—uneven is fine, adds character to your resin wood wall art.

Too thick? Resaw it into three 1.25-inch pieces.

Quick Tip: If you don't have the tools to resaw or plane the wood, pay your local hardwood dealer to do this for you.

Use a flat 2x6 as a bandsaw resaw jig: Drill pilot holes, countersink, and screw it to the cypress for a reference surface.Mark 1.25" on the wood, set your bandsaw fence, and slowly cut while letting the blade do the work. Remove screws, run the flat side against the fence for the next cuts. Boom—three live-edge beauties ready for resin.

To build your epoxy mold, Grab particle board (or melamine) and cover it with packing tape for a smooth release. Wax it up with furniture wax or Vaseline—no sticking.

Secure the wood slab in place with scrap wood and clamps. Seal gaps in the middle and ends with hot glue or caulk to contain the pour.

Here's the trick to embed LED lights in resin without 'em falling out later: Lay your ¼" clear tubing along the "river" path where you want the glow.

This forms a tunnel—secure it lightly if needed. Place a rod in the tubing to hold the shape. We'll pull it out post-cure to slide in the LED strip.

Mix epoxy resin - about 16 ounces at a 1:1 ratio, per instructions.

In a separate cup, add 1 oz purple glow powder and stir thoroughly—mix resin first, then powder for even blend.

Pour a thin base layer (about ⅛") to cover the bottom and check for leaks.

Torch off bubbles. Let cure overnight. This seals it up and minimizes waste if something drips.

Mix another 16 oz resin with 1 oz glow powder.

Pour over the first layer, spread if needed, torch bubbles.

Allow this to cure for 12 hours.

Spread green and gold Mardi Gras beads across the tacky surface.

Why did I choose Mardi Gras Beads? Although I live in Florida, I was born and raised in New Orleans. The Big Easy holds a special place in my heart.

Mix 14 oz clear resin, pour over the beads to embed 'em.

Heat gun bubbles away—moves resin without contamination if you're dust-free.

Allow this to cure overnight.

Mix 22 oz resin, pour on top.

Use heat gun to remove bubbles.

Repeat with another 22 oz pour.

Torch bubbles and allow to fully cure for 24-48 hours.

Tap with a rubber mallet to pop off ends, lift the piece—it should release easy from the taped/waxed base.

Use track saw to square ends: Cut 1" off one side for reference, measure 33" marks, cut straight.

Remove the rod/tubing to reveal your LED tunnel.

Follow my go-to resin sanding technique to sand resin like a pro.

Progressive grits from 80-220, vacuum dust between.

If you sand too deep (like shaving beads), Don't worry. I'll show you how to fix this next.

Sanded off bead tops? Mix 4 oz resin, split into cups, add metallic pigments to match colors. Carefully dab over shaved spots and allow resin to cure fully.

Clean the surface. Apply Odie's Wood Butter—clumps on with a stick, rub in with rags. Let set 30 minutes, buff with wool pad on sander.

This brings out the grain and shine without issue.

Thread string through the tunnel using the removed rod.

Tie to UV LED strip end, pull through—it'll fit snug.

To conceal the battery, I used a chisel to knotch-out a space for the 9v battery.

Wire to rocker switch, 9V battery connector, and solder connections.

Turn off the lights in the room and turn on the LED UV lights.

Leave the room for about half hour.

Keep the lights off in the room and turn off the LED light strip.

The epoxy glow powder charges under UV light for that eerie purple shine.

I hope this instructable provided you with value. Please feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions - I'm happy to help.

Be sure to checkout my YouTube channel and my website for more DIY tutorials.