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How to Make a UV Resin Project With Mini Christmas Lights

 

How to Make a UV Resin Project with Mini Christmas Lights

This post may contain affiliate links, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.


A complete, detailed beginner tutorial for creating glowing holiday décor with UV resin and LED fairy lights.

One of the cutest and trendiest UV resin Christmas crafts involves embedding mini Christmas lights (fairy lights or micro-LED strands) into resin pieces. These projects glow beautifully and make perfect ornaments, window decorations, table accents, and gifts.

This tutorial will walk you through everything: choosing the right lights, casting the resin, embedding the wire safely, curing properly, and finishing the design.

SUPPLIES YOU’LL NEED

UV Resin

Any clear, high-quality UV resin works:

Mini Christmas Lights

Use battery-powered micro LED lights (cool-to-the-touch, thin wire):

Avoid plug-in lights as they are too bulky and unsafe for resin embedding.

Silicone Molds

Shapes that work especially well:

Other Tools

STEP 1: Choose the Right Lights for Resin

Not all fairy lights work safely in UV resin.

Best Choice: Micro LED lights on bendable wire

Choose:

  • Battery-powered

  • Low-heat LEDs

  • Thin wire, preferably copper

  • Short strands (1–3 feet) for small resin pieces

These will stay cool during UV curing and won’t damage the mold.

Avoid:

  • Bulky bulbs

  • Anything powered by an electrical outlet

  • Lights that get warm when left on

  • Thick insulated wires 

STEP 2: Plan Your Mold Layout

Before pouring resin:

  1. Set your mold on a flat silicone mat.

  2. Place your light strand inside the mold to pre-shape it.

  3. Bend or curve the wire so each bulb sits where you want it.

TIP:

Leave the battery pack OUTSIDE the mold.
The wire should exit from one edge, where it will be sealed.

STEP 3: Pour the First Thin Layer of UV Resin

This thin base layer:

  • Holds the lights in place

  • Ensures the bulbs don’t touch the mold surface

  • Creates a smooth “front face” of your project

How to do it:

  1. Add a very thin layer of clear UV resin to the mold (1–2 mm).

  2. Cure for 20–30 seconds until tacky but not fully hardened.

This tacky layer helps the lights grip and stay in position.

STEP 4: Embed the Christmas Lights

  1. Carefully place the micro light strand into the mold.

  2. Position each bulb in the design (Be mindful of your placement.).

  3. Use tweezers or a toothpick to guide the wire.

  4. Make sure the battery pack stays outside the mold with only the wire inside.

TIP:

Push the bulbs slightly into the tacky resin layer so they don’t float.

STEP 5: Add the Next Layer of Resin

Pour enough UV resin to cover:

  • The wire

  • The bulbs

  • Any decorative additions

Add resin SLOWLY to avoid trapping bubbles around the wire.

Add optional decorations:

  • Holographic glitter for snow

  • Gold foil

  • Green mica powder

  • Confetti stars

  • Iridescent flakes

Use a toothpick to gently move resin around bulbs so everything is fully coated.

Cure Time:

Up to 2 minutes per side depending on thickness.

STEP 6: Bury the Wire Exit Point

Where the wire exits the mold:

  1. Hold it centered and straight.

  2. Add a small amount of UV resin to seal the gap.

  3. Cure thoroughly.

This prevents leakage once the piece is removed.

STEP 7: Build up additional layers

For thick pieces:

  1. Add resin in thin layers, curing each layer fully.

  2. Continue until the mold is filled to the top.

  3. Do not rush as UV resin cures clearer when done in layers.

STEP 8: Final Cure and Demold

  1. Cure the top surface for an additional 2 minutes.

  2. Gently remove the piece from the mold.

  3. Check the edges, they should be smooth and fully cured.

If sticky:

  • Cure again under lamp

  • Apply a thin UV topcoat and cure (this removes tackiness)

STEP 9: Hide or Decorate the Battery Pack

Depending on your project you can:

  • Glue the battery pack to the back of the ornament.

  • Insert it into a small felt pouch.

  • Tie it with ribbon behind a wreath.

  • Mount it under a coaster stand.

  • Decorate it with scrapbook paper or vinyl.

For ornaments:

  • Add a bow

  • Use a cord or ribbon to hang the piece

  • Attach battery pack on the back with clear mounting tape

PROJECT IDEAS USING THIS METHOD

Here are several Christmas UV resin projects you can create with embedded lights:

1. Resin Christmas Tree with Lights



Make a glowing mini tree ornament or tabletop decoration.

2. Candy Cane Light-Up Window Hanger



Perfect for windows, kids’ rooms, or entryways.

3. Star Ornament with Fairy Lights



Use gold glitter + warm white LED lights.

4. Light-Up Gingerbread House Panels



Create glowing candy windows or lantern-style houses.

5. Resin Bell With Twinkle Lights

Use mica and holographic glitter.

TROUBLESHOOTING COMMON ISSUES

Lights float to the top

  • Always start with a thin, tacky base layer.

Bubbles form around the bulbs

  •  Use a toothpick to agitate the resin around each bulb.
  • Warm lights gently before embedding.

Resin doesn’t cure under bulbs

  • Cure from multiple angles.
  • Do thinner layers.

Wire sticks out awkwardly

  • Redo the seal on that exit point with a thin resin topcoat.

Project is tacky or soft

  •  Cure longer under a more powerful lamp
  •  Apply a UV resin topcoat

Embedding Christmas lights in UV resin creates magical, glowing pieces that look far more advanced than they actually are. 

The combination of resin clarity + tiny twinkle lights is visually stunning, beginner-friendly, and endlessly customizable. 

If you want to try your hand at another resin project check out 5 Easy UV Resin Christmas Projects for Beginners.

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