How To Preserve A Mushroom In Resin

You can preserve a mushroom in resin by first drying it completely and then embedding it in a clear casting resin.

If you’ve ever foraged a beautiful mushroom or grown one in your backyard, you probably know the disappointment of watching it shrivel up and rot within days.

But here’s the good news: learning how to preserve a mushroom in resin is a fantastic way to keep that natural beauty forever.

Whether you want to make a unique paperweight, a stunning piece of jewelry, or just a cool display piece, resin preservation is the way to go.

In this post, we’ll walk through the entire process of how to preserve a mushroom in resin, including the best methods for drying, the exact steps for casting, and the common mistakes to avoid so your project turns out perfect.

Let’s dive right in and get those mushrooms locked in time.

How to Preserve a Mushroom in Resin: The Essential Preparation

The most important thing to know about how to preserve a mushroom in resin is that you cannot just pour resin over a fresh mushroom.

Fresh mushrooms are full of moisture, and that moisture will ruin your resin project completely.

You’ll end up with a cloudy, sticky mess that never cures properly.

So before you even think about mixing any resin, you need to dry your mushroom thoroughly.

Here’s the best way to get that done.

1. Silica Gel Is Your Best Friend

When you preserve a mushroom in resin, silica gel is the most reliable drying agent you can use.

This is the same stuff that comes in little packets inside shoe boxes, but you’ll want to buy it in bulk for this project.

Place a layer of silica gel at the bottom of an airtight container.

Gently set your mushrooms on top of that layer, making sure they don’t touch each other.

Then, carefully pour more silica gel over them until they’re completely buried.

The gel will absorb all the moisture over the next five to seven days.

This method is fantastic because it preserves the mushroom’s exact shape, color, and delicate details.

You’ll be amazed at how perfect they look when you dig them out.

2. The Air Drying Method

If you want to preserve a mushroom in resin but you don’t have silica gel on hand, air drying works too.

This method is slower and it’s best suited for tougher, woodier mushrooms like reishi or chaga.

Just slice your mushrooms thinly and place them on a wire rack in a warm, dry, and dark room.

Leave them for a couple of weeks until they’re completely brittle.

Keep in mind that air-dried mushrooms might curl up or lose some color compared to silica-gel-dried ones.

They’re still beautiful, but the final look will be a bit more rustic.

3. Why You Should Skip the Oven

You might be tempted to speed up the process by popping your mushrooms in the oven on a low heat.

Don’t do it.

Oven drying tends to cook the mushroom, which causes it to shrink, brown, and lose its structural integrity.

The goal when you preserve a mushroom in resin is to keep it looking as natural and lifelike as possible.

So stick with silica gel or air drying for the best results.

 

The Best Resin for Preserving Mushrooms

Once your mushrooms are bone dry, you need to choose the right resin for the job.

Not all resins are created equal, and picking the wrong one can ruin all your hard work.

Here’s what you should look for.

1. Clear Casting Resin Is the Winner

To properly preserve a mushroom in resin, you’ll want a high-quality, clear casting resin.

This type of resin is specifically designed to cure in thick layers, so you can pour it deep without worrying about it overheating or cracking.

Look for a resin that says “casting resin” or “deep pour resin” on the label.

These formulas self-degas well, which means they release air bubbles on their own, leaving you with a crystal-clear finish.

2. UV Resin for Small Projects

If you’re making small mushroom jewelry, like earrings or pendants, UV resin is a great option.

UV resin cures in just a few minutes under a UV lamp, which makes it super convenient.

However, it only works for thin layers, so you can’t use it to embed a whole mushroom in a thick block.

You’d use UV resin to coat the surface of a small, flat mushroom slice instead.

3. Epoxy Resin as a Backup

Regular epoxy resin can work, but it’s usually thicker and harder to work with for deep pours.

If you go this route, you’ll need to pour in very thin layers, like an eighth of an inch at a time, to prevent overheating.

It takes way longer, but it’s still a solid option if that’s all you have.

 

Step-by-Step Process to Preserve a Mushroom in Resin

Alright, now comes the fun part.

Here’s the exact step-by-step process you can follow to preserve a mushroom in resin successfully.

1. Seal the Mushroom with a Clear Coat

Before placing your dried mushroom into the resin, apply a thin coat of clear spray sealer or even a bit of brush-on resin.

This is called sealing, and it’s a crucial step.

It prevents the mushroom from absorbing the liquid resin, which could cause it to float, move, or turn translucent.

Spray your dried mushroom with a clear acrylic sealer and let it dry for a few hours.

This barrier ensures your mushroom stays looking stunning and lifelike inside the resin.

2. Prepare Your Mold and Mix the Resin

Get a silicone mold in the shape you want, like a sphere, cube, or even a bezel for jewelry.

Mix your casting resin according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Make sure you stir slowly and gently to avoid whipping in extra air bubbles.

You should mix for about two to three minutes, scraping the sides and bottom of the cup as you go.

3. Pour the First Layer and Let It Tack Up

Pour a thin layer of resin into the bottom of your mold, maybe about a quarter of an inch deep.

Let this layer sit until it becomes tacky, which usually takes about an hour or two depending on your resin.

This sticky base layer will act like glue and hold your mushroom in place.

Once it’s tacky, gently press your sealed mushroom into the resin so it stays perfectly centered.

4. Pour the Rest of the Resin

Slowly pour the remaining resin over and around the mushroom.

You want to pour from a corner so the resin flows gently and surrounds the mushroom without creating too many bubbles.

If you see air bubbles trapped on the mushroom, you can pop them with a toothpick or a quick burst from a heat gun.

5. Wait for the Cure

Now, the hard part is waiting.

Casting resin usually takes 24 to 72 hours to fully cure.

Cover the mold with a box or a lid to keep dust and pet hair out of the sticky resin.

Once it’s fully hardened, you can pop your mushroom resin piece right out of the mold.

Then, sand any sharp edges with fine-grit sandpaper to give it a beautiful, polished finish.

 

Common Mistakes When You Preserve a Mushroom in Resin

Even if you follow the steps perfectly, a few common pitfalls could still trip you up.

Let’s make sure you avoid them.

1. Skipping the Drying Step

If you try to preserve a mushroom in resin without drying it fully, you’ll end up with disaster.

The water inside the mushroom will mix with the resin and cause it to become cloudy, or it will never harden properly.

Always ensure your mushrooms are 100% dry before you start.

2. Forgetting to Seal the Mushroom

Without a sealer, the resin will soak into the porous flesh of the mushroom.

As it cures, the mushroom can expand or release gas, creating bubbles and cracks.

That’s why the clear coat sealer is so important.

3. Using Too Much Heat to Remove Bubbles

A heat gun is great for popping bubbles, but using it too aggressively can melt or distort your mushroom.

Use short, quick passes and don’t hover over one spot for too long.

 

So, How Do You Preserve a Mushroom in Resin?

You preserve a mushroom in resin by drying it completely first, sealing it with a clear coat, and then casting it in a clear epoxy resin.

The whole process takes about a week because of the drying time, but the end result is absolutely worth it.

It’s a brilliant way to capture the beauty of nature and keep it as a keepsake forever.

Now that you know exactly how to preserve a mushroom in resin, you’re ready to start your own project.

Just be patient, take your time with the drying, and you’ll create something truly amazing.

Happy crafting.