Have you ever restored a piece of furniture, only to struggle finding doorknobs to match your vision? That’s exactly what happened to me. I was left with a stunning upcycled buffet but couldn’t find the right knobs to finish the look. That’s when I decided to make my own—and this DIY project turned out better than I expected!

With leftover epoxy resin from another project, I made stunning custom doorknobs using steampunk charms and a few supplies from around the house. In this post, I’ll show you exactly how to make epoxy resin doorknobs or drawer pulls that are both practical and beautiful.

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How to Make Epoxy Resin Doorknobs with Steampunk Charms

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Materials Needed

• Epoxy resin (I used a 2:1 ratio)
• Silicone moulds (cake moulds work great)
• Steampunk charms
• Nuts and bolts (recycled or new)
• Wooden chopsticks (or pencils)
• Painter’s tape or masking tape
• Measuring jugs or a digital scale
• Small plastic containers to support the chopsticks
• Colour pigment (optional)
• Unicorn SPiT stain and glaze (optional)
• Crème brûlée torch (or straw for bubbles)
• Sandpaper (100-grit and 240-grit)

Step 1: Choose Your Moulds

I found some silicone cake moulds in the cupboard—unused because, frankly, I’m a terrible baker! They were perfect for this project. You can find moulds in various shapes and sizes online, or reuse what you already have at home.

Step 2: Set Up Your Bolt Supports

To hold the bolts upright, tape together two chopsticks and place your bolts between them. Secure the bolts so they stay centred and stable. Support the chopsticks with containers on either side so the setup stays balanced while the resin cures.

To keep the bolts upright while the resin sets, tape together two chopsticks—or any similar straight items—and sandwich the bolts between them. This keeps the bolts stable and centred. Rest the chopsticks across two level containers or supports of equal height on either side of the mould. This setup ensures the bolt heads sit about one-third deep in the resin and remain in place while it cures. Keeping everything level is essential to avoid crooked or uneven knobs.

Step 3: Add Your Decorative Elements

For the steampunk knobs, place the gears and charms flat inside the moulds. For the colourful ones, drop small amounts of Unicorn SPiT directly into the mould and swirl the colours gently. If you don’t want to see as much of the clear resin, add more charms.

Step 4: Mix and Pour the Epoxy Resin

I mixed 200 ml of resin with 100 ml of hardener, based on my 2:1 ratio product. Be sure to follow the instructions on your resin kit. Mix thoroughly—scraping the sides and bottom—to avoid sticky or soft finishes.

Pour the resin slowly down the back of a spoon. This helps protect your arrangement of charms from shifting. For the Unicorn SPiT moulds, give the colours a gentle swirl with a toothpick.

Step 5: Add Pigment and Insert Bolts

To deepen the colours, you can add a few drops of resin pigment. In my test, I added it too late and didn’t mix enough. For better results, blend it with the Unicorn SPiT before pouring.

Now lower your bolts into the resin, held in place by your chopstick support. Make sure the bolt heads are submerged at least one-third into the resin for strength.

Step 6: Remove Bubbles from the Resin

As the resin settles, bubbles will rise to the surface. Blow gently through a straw or pass a crème brûlée torch over the surface to pop the bubbles. Avoid holding the flame too long in one spot to prevent scorching.

Step 7: Let the Resin Cure

Drying times vary, so follow your resin’s instructions. I let mine cure for 24 hours. Once hardened, turn the mould inside out to pop the knobs out.

If the backs are rough, use 100-grit sandpaper wrapped around a wooden block to level them. Finish with 240-grit to smooth it out.

My Results: What Worked and What Didn’t

The steampunk knobs turned out amazing! I was thrilled with the clarity and placement of the charms. The Unicorn SPiT version didn’t work as well. Fine holes appeared on the surface—probably due to poor mixing.

This project opens up endless creative possibilities. I had so many people asking what else you could embed, I decided to experiment with a few different styles. Truth is, you can add almost anything—charms, beads, dried flowers, glitter, or even fabric scraps—making each knob truly one-of-a-kind.

Where You Can Use Your DIY Resin Knobs

These knobs aren’t just for drawers and cupboards. You can:

• Attach them to a coat rack for quirky hooks
• Use them as necklace hangers
• Add them to custom storage boxes

I used mine on a buffet unit and simply shortened the bolts at the back to fit.

More Resin projects you may like

See how I shape resin into a unique-shaped bowl.

This sun catcher was made from a hollow slice of wood, featuring a hand-crafted African scene to create a striking garden focal point.

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