Behind the Pour: How I Craft My Epoxy Resin Pieces
Every tray that leaves my Knoxville studio tells a story — one that begins long before the resin ever touches the mold.
It Starts With a Vision
At Trayz n’ Beyond, nothing is mass-produced. Each piece begins as an idea — a color palette, a texture, a feeling I want to evoke. Whether it’s the deep obsidian and gold of my signature black-and-gold aesthetic or the soft botanicals pressed into my Pressed in Time collection, every design is intentional. I don’t just make trays — I craft experiences.
The Pour
Epoxy resin is a two-part material — resin and hardener — that, when combined in precise ratios, creates a crystal-clear, glass-like finish. I mix each batch by hand, carefully folding in pigments, metallics, and botanicals to achieve the exact look I’m after. The pour itself is meditative — slow, deliberate, and deeply satisfying.
Once poured into the mold, the magic begins. Pigments bloom and swirl. Gold leaf catches the light. Botanicals settle into place like they were always meant to be there. No two pours are ever identical — which means no two pieces are ever exactly alike.
The Wait
Patience is part of my craft. After the pour, each piece cures for a minimum of 24–48 hours before it’s demolded. Rushing this process would compromise the clarity and strength of the finished piece — so I wait. Good things take time.
Finishing Touches
Once demolded, each piece is sanded, polished, and inspected by hand — by me. Edges are smoothed. Surfaces are buffed to a high-gloss finish. Any imperfection is addressed before the piece ever leaves my studio. This is where the artisan work truly shows.
Made for Your Home
The result is a piece that’s as functional as it is beautiful — a tray that holds your whiskey glasses, your shot glasses, your coasters — and does it with the kind of quiet luxury that elevates every corner of your home.
This is what I mean when I say handcrafted. Not just made by hand — made with intention, care, and a deep love for the craft.
Shop My Handcrafted Collections →
— Erick, Trayz n’ Beyond