Yes, they are.😊 You can read more about it here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherry_blossom#:~:text=Cherry%20blossoms%20and%20leaves%20are,filled%20with%20red%20bean%20paste.

Thank you so much for the helpful suggestion. Appreciate the advice!

Hi, the ink refills are from assorted BIC pens. There are alternative pens that are unbranded, but their ink refills are similar to the BIC refills and function in the same way.

@stacynation1268 Thank you so much for your kind words and for joining our community! I'm delighted to hear that my videos have been helpful to you.🌷😊 I purchased the colored straws a long time ago from various supermarkets. I'm not sure if they still sell this type of straws due to environmental laws, but it's worth checking your local supermarket. As for the nail polish, I'm glad you like it! I believe the color is called Bubble Trouble (04), by the brand Essence. I must say, I have a lot of their nail polishes, and they are quite good. They are also some reviews about their products on KZfaq as well. I appreciate your support and I'm thrilled to have you as a new subscriber. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask. Happy crafting!❤

Thanks for responding so fast. I will look for some in our stores. I will most likely order from the link you posted and save me a headache. Lol! ☺️ Enjoy the rest of your week.

Hi, not at all! In my case, using a bendy straw was crucial due to the larger diameter of the straws compared to my pen refills. The ribbed/bendy part of my straws provided grips and a smaller diameter, which helped keep the refills securely in place in the pen. However, if you purchase straws with the correct diameter for your refills, you won't necessarily need the bendy part. It was a practical solution for the specific situation I encountered. Thanks for your question!

It's not necessary to cover the other end of the straw. While some people may apply a small bit of Tack-It and remove it after curing, I've found for me that this is not required and haven't encountered any issues without it. The straw end (the invisible end) naturally touches the silicone inside the mold, and since the straw doesn't fill out with resin, there's no need for additional covering. To secure the other end of the straw (the visible end), I insert the little silicone bit into the straw. This ensures that it remains in place throughout the pouring and curing stages. You might notice that the straw feels quite bouncy when touched after insertion. This means your straw is the correct length. This positioning allows the length of the straw to be situated in the middle of the pen, ensuring proper placement. If you follow these steps, you should achieve great results in your resin pen-making process!

@@procraftive WOW! All this explanations for me?🥺. Thank you very much 🤭. I just thought there'll be a hole by the other end of the straw and I wanted to know how to cover it up 🤭. I'll try it out tomorrow and give you feedback on here🥺. Thank you very much for the quick response 🤭

@@ayibatonyekipaminikurobo1685 No worries, definitely let me know how it goes! Have fun!😊

Thank you so much!💟

@samhill8337 Thank you so much!💟 This is Spirit of Fire by Jesse Gallagher from the KZfaq Audio Library. The author also has a KZfaq channel @JesseGallagher. Enjoy!

@bbsaid218 Thank you for your tip!👌

Thank you so much! I hope it brings you joy! Enjoy and happy creating! ☺🌷

That sounds like a clever solution! Have a fantastic craft night filled with creativity and fun! 🎨✨

@lindamcpherson1134 Hi there! I don't think you're doing anything wrong. It's possible that the straws you're using have a slightly larger diameter/bendy bit, which could be causing the ink refills to fall out. These bendy straws come in various sizes and variations from different manufacturers, and even a small difference like 0.5mm/ 0.02 inches can impact the fit. Visually, the straws may seem identical, but the slight variation in size can affect how well they hold the refills. If you have various packs of these straws try another batch. You might want to consider purchasing the specific type of straws I've shared a link in the pinned post, and you may also find them on Amazon. These straws have proven to be a good fit for the ink refills, with many people on AliExpress leaving reviews confirming their suitability. I personally tested them, and the Bic refills fit perfectly with these straws.

Thank you. My straws are supposed to measure the same as yours, but who knows, right? I bought another pen refill that a reader suggested. I''ll try those. I teach a craft group on Monday so I don't have time to order new straws.

@@lindamcpherson1134 Thank you for the update! It's indeed puzzling how slight variations can affect the fit. I hope the pen refills suggested work better for you. Best of luck with your craft group on Monday, and I hope everything goes smoothly for you! I shared this with another reader: Alternatively, you can experiment with what you have. One effective technique is to slit your straw lengthwise and then reduce its diameter by overlapping the sides to match the diameter of your ink refill. In this case you don't need to use the bendy bit. Then simply secure the straw back together with some nice washi tape or clear tape. I've personally tried and tested, and used this method, and while it may take a bit more time, it's a reliable solution. If you have any questions feel free to reach out. Happy crafting!

Thanks!@@procraftive

I had that problem with some straws I had (not the bendy ones) and rectified it by putting a small bit of UV resin around the inside rim of the straw with a toothpick, just a tiny bit at a time

You are welcome! Enjoy!💗

@etyrnalia If your straws don't have bendy parts, don't worry! You have a couple of options. Firstly, you can consider purchasing straws that match the type/diameter of your ink refills. I've left a link in the pinned comment for your convenience, providing straws that are suitable for the ink refills featured in my video. Alternatively, you can experiment with what you have. One effective technique is to slit your straw lengthwise and then reduce its diameter by overlapping the sides to match the diameter of your ink refill. Then simply secure the straw back together with some nice washi tape or clear tape. I've personally tried and tested this method, and while it may take a bit more time, it's a reliable solution. Happy creating!🖊✂✏

@@procraftive tysm!

Hi there! While I haven't personally tried using alphabet beads in these pen silicone molds, it sounds like a creative idea! I suggest you give it a try and see how it turns out. Experimenting with different materials is part of the fun in crafting. If you decide to use alphabet beads to write a name, please feel free to share your results with us. Your experience could be helpful for others who are considering a similar project. Happy crafting!

Once the resin is cured, the straw becomes an integral part of the pen and cannot be removed. It's an essential part of the pen's design and functionality. The inclusion of the straw is what makes the pen refillable, allowing for easy and convenient ink changes. Hope this helps.🌼

@@procraftive thank you! And can I ask which ink refills do u use for these and what size straws?

@@311danthony No worries. I sourced the straws for this project from my craft stash, which I purchased from a supermarket a while back. Although the package didn't specify the size, I measured the diameter, and they appeared to be around 5mm, with the bendy bit slightly smaller to prevent the ink refills from falling. However, after creating this video, I found straws that perfectly match my ink refills, see my pinned comment. I believe the straws I purchased from the link are around 4mm to 4.5mm. You can find the link in my pinned comment. Additionally, you may also find similar straws on Amazon. As for the pens I use, they are from the BIC brand, and I also have some unbranded pens with the same appearance: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DBLXnz3

Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. The paper I used is KOZO PAPER, specifically the 25gsm variant. It's a beautiful and thin mulberry paper, also known as UNRYU. I purchased it a few years ago, and unfortunately, I don't remember the exact place. However, you can easily find this type of paper by doing a Google search with the provided description. Many small businesses sell KOZO UNRYU paper, so you should be able to discover some wonderful options for your own creative projects. Happy creating!✏✂🌼

thank you so much, you are so kind! :)@@procraftive

I sourced the straws for this project from my craft stash, purchased from a supermarket a while back. Unfortunately, the package did not specify the size, but I measured the diameter, and they appeared to be around 5mm. After creating this video, I found straws that perfectly match my ink refills, as mentioned in my pinned comment. I believe the straws I purchased from the link are around 4mm- 4.5mm. If you're interested, you can find the link in my pinned comment. You may also find similar straws on Amazon.

Thank you so much!💗 I typically use cardstock with a weight of around 200gsm (approximately 70lb cover) for my projects. However, for the particular boxes featured in the video, I used Epson archival matte paper with a weight of 189gsm.This media is also highly suitable for printing intricate designs, delivering super high-quality prints. Its smooth matte texture and weight contribute to excellent printing results. If you're looking to achieve vibrant and detailed prints, this media is a great choice.😊

You're welcome! I'm glad to hear I could prove you wrong in a positive way.😊If you ever need that missing info to start making those pens, don't hesitate to reach out. Happy crafting! 🖊

Look for the Bic Cristal, Bic pens, or similar alternatives. Available in most stationery shops or online.🖊

That's fantastic to hear! 🌟 I'm thrilled that you tried the project and it turned out so well for you. Using heavy weight cardstock and chipboard for extra support sounds like a brilliant idea! I'm so glad you enjoyed making it! If you have any pictures or want to share more details, I'd love to see them. Keep up the fantastic work! 😊✨Happy Holidays!💌

@@procraftive sure!

Thank you so much!💗💌💗

@zuhanaweti4121 Hello. The templates can be used successfully with any model Cricut or Silhouette cutting machines, except for the Joy.💟

@@procraftive I purchased them but I am not able to understand it

@@zuhanaweti4121 You are welcome to contact me via Etsy messages, if you have any questions, regarding your purchase. I'm always happy to assist. Alternatively watch the Cricut DS video tutorial: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/Zp5dicdivJuxqJ8.html . There is a PDF document included with the purchase, containing additional helpful information for beginners and links to the video tutorials.🌷

Thank you so much! Happy crafting!✂😊

Thank you so much!❤

The measurements are in inches.

You are most welcome!☺ Have fun creating your very own size TN! I'm sure it will be very special and beautiful!❤

Approximately 3 hours (give or take). Beeswax generally burns the longest compared to soy and paraffin wax.

Happy creating!✂✏🙂

Hello dear Debbie, you definitely need smaller diameter straws. The 5mm bendy straws should work. Since I made this video I purchased some basic straws from Aliexpress and they work great with the BIC pens I have in my stash. Using the blu tack method sounds a great idea!😊❤ Let me know how it goes, I'm happy to assist with everything I can! 😊 Here is the link to the straws: www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001998222699.html?spm=a2g0o.order_detail.order_detail_item.3.7d1df19c4FyOLL

You are very welcome!❤😊

You are welcome! Happy crafting!❤

Thank you! 🌷Happy crafting!

Thank you so much!❤God bless you!❤

Thank you so much!💟 I use a Deko drill. I have purchased it from this exact store. It was delivered with a courier to Europe within couple of weeks : s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DemUqKJ

Thank you so much!

Hey Gina, thank you so much! Belgium is one of my favorite countries!😊❤Greetings from England/United Kingdom! Happy watching! Best wishes!😊🌷

@@procraftive I’am really glad that I find you Mia. MvgGinaBelgium

Thank you so much!😊❤