Making Squid Game Inspired Decor
I am a nerd and often use media I like to inspire projects. Squid Game was extremely popular this year and I, like very many, am anxiously anticipating a second season.
To test my maker flexibility, I wanted to make some decor inspired by Squid Game. For projects like this, I like to use techniques I want to incorporate more in the future, like our laser and epoxy.
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Tools Used
Table Saw
Miter Saw
Caulk Gun
Epoxy Mixing/Pouring Tools
Mixing Cups
Disposable Gloves
Popsicle Sticks
Silicone Mat
Silicone Mold
Materials
Maple scraps
Plywood Scraps
Total Boat MakerPoxy
Epoxy Mica Powder Pigment
Laser Hardboard
Blue Tape
Silicone
CA Glue
Wood Glue
Steps for Build
Laser and Paint Shapes
Cut Frame Scraps to Size
Assemble Frames
Attempt Epoxy Pour #1
Wallow in Self-Pity
Epoxy Pour #2 to Fix #1
Apply Additional Styling
1 - Laser and Paint Shapes
I started out by cutting the shapes out of hardboard for each project out on our laser. Since we were cutting several shapes out, the laser saved time and was precise the first time. If you don’t have a laser, you can cut the shapes out with anything like a scroll saw or hand coping saw.
Once the shapes are cut out, add a coat of white spray paint. Mine were a little rough, so I sanded them and applied a second coat so the finish was smooth.
2 - Cut Frame Scraps to Size
Two of the projects have frames, so I decided to use wood from my scrap bin instead of purchasing new material. From some solid wood, rip 1/2” strips that will be the frame itself allowing it to be ~1” thick. Cut 1/4” plywood to the interior size of each frame.
Cut a 45 degree miter on one end of each frame strip. Hold it up to the plywood and mark where the inside miter angle should start. I found it easier to mark and cut each of these individually instead of trying to measure and cut them all at first.
3 - Assemble Frames
Once all the pieces are cut, assemble with wood glue using tape and some clamps to keep everything together until dry.
Once dry, add a small bead of silicone to every interior corner. This will ensure the epoxy cannot leak out accidentally during the pour. You can also add your shapes to the frames using some CA glue. I went back and forth about whether it was better to add these first or pour epoxy, then add the shapes.
4 - Attempt Epoxy Pour #1
Get your pour area set up with cups, gloves, the mica powder, and silicone mats (epoxy won’t stick to silicone, so clean up will be easier later). Mix the epoxy for a minute or so before adding pigment. For a somewhat glittery look like I had, use the color and a white glitter powder for both. Make sure you have all your colors ready before the pours as well.
Pour the epoxy, allowing the colors to swirl to your heart’s content. You can also use some stir sticks to help with the swirl. If the shapes are already glued in, make sure to not cover them with epoxy.
The epoxy can be poured directly in the frames. For the coasters, I used round silicone molds that I also poured directly in.
5 - Wallow in Self-Pity
About half-way through the coaster pour, I realized that my frames were not level and my epoxy pour was starting to tilt and overflow the shapes. I did everything I could to scrape the epoxy off the shapes and even used a cup to remove some of the epoxy to lower the levels.
Messing up one of the signs was not fun and I thought the project was completely ruined. Fortunately, this wasn’t for a commission and I’ll use the errored sign as a reminder to level epoxy pours in the future.
6 - Epoxy Pour #2 to Fix #1
Fortunately, I was able to salvage a sign and all the coasters. Once the epoxy was dry, I mixed some more epoxy, added more pigment, and tried to fill in where the first pour had let some of the wooden frame backer show through.
The coasters were a bit easier. I double checked level, then just added a thin clear coat of epoxy. This let me pour over the shape while still allowing it to show through.
7 - Apply Additional Styling
The last bit of styling was to add some “blood” splatter with red paint. Squid Game is quite a violent show, so it seemed appropriate. I found adding some water to the brush before adding paint helped the paint to spatter more realistically. You can be as subtle or aggressive as you want here, just make sure the shapes still show through.
Overall, the projects came out not bad. Definitely some issues during the builds, but they were lessons that I will keep with me for all future epoxy projects. Sometimes, the best way to learn and get better is to try something new and mess it up a little so that you can continue to get better every time. I definitely don’t foresee ever forgetting to level my work surface before pouring anymore epoxy again in the future.
