Cross Car Freshies - Floral Resin Art Pieces Trending On Social Media

The Rising Popularity of Cross Car Freshies

Cross car freshies, also referred to simply as "freshies," are a popular craft among creative minds on platforms like TikTok and YouTube. Freshies are resin art pieces made by arranging dried flowers, petals, leaves, and other botanical materials within layers of colored resin poured into molds. Cross car freshies get their name from the cross-shaped molds often used to create them. The dried botanicals suspended beautifully within these fluid resin pieces create unique works of art for the home or as meaningful gifts. Let's explore the world of cross car freshies and their growing popularity.

What Are Cross Car Freshies?

A cross car freshie starts with a cross-shaped silicone mold that has two pieces - a front and back that latch together. Dried flowers, leaves, and other plant materials are carefully arranged within one half of the mold. Colored resin, usually made from two liquid parts that must be precisely mixed together, is then slowly poured over the botanicals until the mold is filled. The two sides are latched together, sealing the contents inside.

As the resin cures, it holds the plant matter securely in place, showing it off through crystal clear or tinted resin. Vibrant blossoms, textured leaves, and delicate stems end up preserved yet visible within the cross car freshie's unique shape. This makes each piece truly one-of-a-kind. The finished resin cross can be left smooth or embellished with glitter, paint, charms, or other decorations before displayed as wall art, a coaster, holiday ornament, or eye-catching accessory.

Why Are They Gaining Popularity?

Cross car freshies and other floral resin art have grown very popular thanks to social media. The mesmerizing process of making them is satisfying to watch in itself. Seeing dried flowers seem to come alive again inside colorful fluid resin has a magical quality about it. The calming, creative process of arranging the botanicals appeals to makers and viewers alike.

Beyond aesthetics, personal expression and meaning can be infused into cross car freshies. Makers carefully choose materials that symbolize a loved one, special time of year, treasured memory, or important value to encase within the clear or tinted resin. Gifting these personalized pieces makes for lasting, heartfelt presents. Displaying them in one's home allows enjoyment of their beauty and significance every day.

Trending On Social Media

From established resin artists to everyday crafters, people are sharing eye-catching cross car freshies across Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. Clever videos show the process of making them from start to finish in satisfying timelapses. Stunning photos showcase the unique designs and color combinations that can be achieved.

Watching resin pour over the flowers and viewing the vibrant finished pieces seem to inspire viewers to try making cross car freshies themselves. Hashtags like #freshies, #freshiesoftiktok and #freshiemaking lead users to instructions, ideas, troubleshooting tips and stunning examples to admire or recreate. Comments and shares show the appeal these crafty projects have to everyday consumers hooked by their visual interest.

Getting Started With Cross Car Freshies

Once you discover the eye-catching beauty of cross car freshies, you'll probably be eager to start making your own. Creating these floral art pieces does take some special supplies, equipment, and safety measures to implement correctly. But the dazzling results are well worth the effort for most resin art enthusiasts.

Choosing Materials

High quality resin designed specifically for art and casting, reliable silicone molds, dried flowers and botanicals, sealants, plastic pipettes, cups, mixing sticks, isopropyl alcohol, gloves, respirators or safety masks, and more will be essential. Craft stores like Michael's tend to carry many typical resin art supplies for convenience.

Pick out vibrant blossoms, textured leaves, wood slices, seeds, dried herbs, and any other plant matter that appeals to you visually and symbolically. Collect more materials than you think you'll need to allow for ample arranging options.

Taking Safety Precautions

When handling resin and other chemicals, work in a well-ventilated area and use gloves and a respirator or protective mask. Carefully measure out resin components according to package directions and mix thoroughly to activate. Have isopropyl alcohol ready to clean any spills and to soak used mixing tools. Work slowly and deliberately as resin can cure quickly. Follow all safety guidelines provided with your specific products.

Arranging and Pouring

Plan your design and botanical arrangement. Mix activated resin and slowly fill your cross car freshie mold from one corner, allowing it to gradually cover all materials to prevent trapping bubbles. Let cure fully before removing your finished piece from its mold. If desired, lightly sand and polish your cross car freshie and embellish further with paint, glitter and more. Attach hardware to use it as a coaster or ornament too.

Display your first cross car freshie with pride or gift it to someone special. Then delight in making more as you get comfortable with the basic process and explore new size molds, unique source materials, and custom color and design ideas.

FAQs

What are cross car freshies made of?

Cross car freshies are made by arranging dried flowers, leaves, and other dried botanical materials inside layers of colored resin that is poured into cross-shaped silicone molds.

What kind of resin is best for making cross car freshies?

An epoxy resin specifically formulated for resin art and casting, such as EasyCast or TotalBoat clear casting resin, works best. Be sure to carefully follow all safety precautions when using resin.

How long does it take for the resin in cross car freshies to cure?

Cure times vary by brand, with most resins taking 24-48 hours to fully cure at room temperature. Check packaging for specific cure times of the resin you choose.

Can you use real flowers to make cross car freshies?

No, only fully dried botanical materials like flowers, leaves, bark, seeds etc. can be safely encased within resin without rotting. Never use fresh flowers or greenery.

What can you do with finished cross car freshies?

Display them as wall art pieces, use them as unique coasters, give them as meaningful gifts, attach a hook to hang as an ornament, incorporate them into jewelry, or set them on shelves and tabletops to admire their handmade beauty.