Nudos del Mar

Experimenting and creating with eco resin

We unmolded, checked the tray from all angles and looked up to see those of our colleagues. We all got it perfect the first time!

Author: Aina Coll

Photographer: Jaume Oliver

We like to experiment with our hands. Learning, playing, testing. To test our imagination and to create unique objects. That's why we signed up for the workshop given by Yvonne, from the Nudos del Mar project, at Estiu Concept Store one afternoon in January. Yvonne, an artist of German origin but based in Andratx, has been giving workshops on the island for a year now. She has a masterful command of resin and with it she teaches how to create objects that make our spaces - our bathroom, our desk - special.

We are the first to arrive, so we take the opportunity to chat with her for a while while the rest of the participants show up. When we are all here, we take our places around the table, which is perfectly organized and covered with the materials and tools we will use to create an ecological resin tray. After giving us a warm welcome, Yvonne begins to explain what the different materials she has put at our disposal are: the eco resin, formed by liquid, powders and terrazzo chips, molds of different sizes and shapes, and a sandpaper that will help us give it a perfect finish.

Yvonne guides us throughout the workshop and also provides us with instructions detailing the process, step by step, and the quantities needed: first, we will measure the exact amounts of resin and chips; then, we will mix the liquid with the powder until we get a consistent mass without lumps. Eager to get started and feeling a bit excited as it is normal to feel before entering a new discipline, we get down to work.

First of all, we choose the chips that will give the touch of color to our tray. We chose a mix, already prepared, multicolored. Using a scale, we measure the amounts of liquid, powder and chips, mix the first two ingredients and, as if we were executing a baking recipe, we beat vigorously until we have the perfect dough. Once we get the ideal texture, we add the chips and, as expected, we get our hands dirty. What's the difference? For us, getting dirty is the unmistakable sign that we are experimenting - and enjoying it.

Then comes the key moment: the time to pour the mixture into our mold. Yvonne recommends us to be patient and do it little by little to make sure that we cover the bottom of the mold well and evenly and, for this, she gives us a trick: move it from the corners, with small touches, which will also avoid the possible appearance of air bubbles. This is how we do it. Very carefully, pour the dough slowly while gently tapping the edges of the mold. Once poured, we wait half an hour for the dough to dry and take shape.

In any artisan process, moments of waiting are inevitable and, for us, an invitation to conversation and the perfect opportunity to meet people. Today, at the Nudos del Mar workshop, it isn't any different: Yvonne offers us some chips and some water while we share the experience with the other participants and take a look at the craft and design products that Peti Collage selects for its space, always inspiring. During the chat, we keep an eye on our creation, which is heating up - a good sign! The tray is on the way.

After thirty minutes of waiting, enlivened by a conversation with the group, Yvonne gives us the sign to start unmolding. Somewhat nervous and expectant, we set about the task cautiously. We unmold, check the tray from all angles and look up to see those of our colleagues - we all got it perfect the first time! However, the work doesn't end here. Now comes the most physical part: scraping the surface with 1000 grit sandpaper to enhance the colors of the terrazzo.

We take a piece of sandpaper, wet it and start scraping. As the tray is not completely dry -for that we should wait forty-eight hours- we can see how, slowly, with patience and attention, the colors make their way through and gain prominence. In our case, we decided to scratch subtly so that the coloring is intuited without standing out too much.

When we are satisfied with the result, we take a 2000 grit sandpaper to give it the last pass and now we have our tray practically ready. We will only have to give it, in two days, a protective layer of wax. The workshop has been a novelty for us -it was the first time we faced the resin- and, proud of our work, we took some pictures with the group to immortalize our creations and this atypical afternoon that we have enjoyed so much thanks to Nudos del Mar and Estiu Concept Store.