I spent three months scrolling TikTok for "modern retro scrapbook ideas" only to leave every local thrift store with a crumpled pile of kitschy 80s scratch-and-sniff stickers, faded 90s cartoon cutouts, and neon 70s die-cuts that felt more like a middle school time capsule than the warm, intentional, sleek aesthetic I was after. The problem with most pre-made retro scrapbook supplies? They lean so hard into nostalgia that they feel dated the second you buy them, and they never quite match the soft, muted, cool-yet-cozy vibe modern retro is all about.
That's when I started messing with DIY resin embellishments, and it completely changed how I scrapbook. Resin lets you capture all the best parts of retro nostalgia---bold 70s shapes, 90s tech charm, vintage packaging nostalgia---without the kitsch, and you can customize every single piece to fit your exact color palette and vibe. The glossy, almost plastic finish of cured resin even mimics the sleek material of 70s home decor and 90s tech, so it feels authentically retro instead of like a cheap sticker. Below are my four go-to DIY resin embellishments for modern retro scrapbooking, all of which take less than 30 minutes to make and require zero fancy art skills.
Muted 70s Geometric Resin Pendants
70s design is the backbone of modern retro, with its bold organic shapes and warm, earthy tones, but loud neon 70s brights feel more costume than contemporary. These subtle geometric resin pieces lean into the decade's iconic shapes without the overwhelming color palette, and the glossy resin finish mimics the sleek plastic of 70s home accessories for an authentic, elevated feel.
To make them, grab a pack of cheap silicone molds in classic 70s shapes: sunbursts, amoeba blobs, hexagons, and freeform squiggles. Mix clear two-part resin with a tiny pinch of matte mica powder in a muted retro shade---think burnt orange, sage green, mustard, or terracotta, no neon allowed. If you want a subtle nod to 70s glitz, swirl in a single fleck of gold leaf before the resin sets to avoid overdoing it. Pour the mix into the molds, pop any air bubbles with a toothpick, and let cure for 24 hours. Add a tiny jump ring if you want to hang it off the edge of a page, or glue the flat back directly to your layout.
I made a batch of terracotta sunburst pendants for a layout of my coastal road trip last summer, and they pair perfectly with a vintage polaroid of the beach and a thin strip of cream washi tape for a look that's retro without feeling kitschy.
90s Tech Shard Resin Charms
90s Y2K nostalgia is a huge pillar of modern retro, and these charms lean into that vibe without feeling like a cheap kid's craft. The glossy resin elevates the scratched, well-loved plastic of old tech, making it feel intentional and sleek instead of like trash you glued to a page.
To make them, thrift old, scratched floppy disks, CDs, or even old Game Boy cartridge fragments (ask friends for old tech they're throwing away to keep it sustainable). Wear gloves and carefully break the items into small, smooth fragments with no sharp edges. Arrange 1-2 fragments in a small round or square silicone mold, then pour a thin layer of clear resin over top. For a subtle 90s twist, mix a tiny bit of iridescent holographic mica into the resin for that soft, rainbow glint that doesn't overwhelm your layout. Cure fully, then glue the flat piece directly to your page or use it as a page topper.
I made a handful of these for a layout about my childhood afternoons playing Pokémon Gold, and the tiny Game Boy cartridge shard embedded in the resin makes that page feel so much more personal than any store-bought sticker ever could.
Vintage Snack Label Resin Slabs
70s and 80s snack packaging is having a huge moment in modern retro, and these sealed resin slabs let you showcase vintage labels without worrying about fragile paper tearing or fading. The glossy resin finish matches the shiny coating of old candy and soda packaging, so it feels authentically retro instead of like a random glued-on cutout.
To make them, source vintage soda labels, candy bar wrappers, or snack package prints from eBay, thrifted vintage magazines, or even save wrappers from retro-themed snacks you pick up at the grocery store. Cut the label into a small square or rectangle, then place it face up in a shallow silicone mold. Pour a thin layer of clear resin over the top, and if you want to frame it, mix a tiny bit of mustard or terracotta resin to pour a thin border around the edge of the label. Cure fully, and you've got a durable, glossy retro memento that will last for years.
I used one of these with a 1970s Fanta label for a layout about my grandma's childhood in Mexico, and the sealed resin keeps the fragile vintage paper from crumbling every time I flip through my scrapbook.
Swirl Mica Retro Resin Drops
Soft, organic swirls are a staple of 70s design, but loud tie-dye patterns feel more festival than modern retro. These subtle mica swirl resin pieces lean into the decade's love of organic shapes with a muted, blended color palette that feels soft and intentional, not overwhelming.
To make them, mix clear resin with two complementary muted mica shades---try terracotta + cream, sage + soft yellow, or burnt orange + pale pink. Don't mix the two shades fully: swirl them gently together to create soft, marbled streaks that feel vintage but not loud. Pour into teardrop or irregular blob silicone molds (the classic 70s organic shape), and pop any air bubbles before curing. For an extra retro touch, add a tiny fleck of gold mica to the swirl before it sets.
I use these as corner accents on almost every layout now, and they add just the right amount of soft, retro texture without cluttering the page.
Styling Tips to Keep Your Layouts Cohesive (No Kitsch Allowed)
The line between modern retro and overwhelming nostalgia is thin, so keep these tips in mind when using your DIY resin embellishments:
- Stick to 1-2 resin pieces per page: Modern retro relies on negative space and intentional, uncluttered layouts, so don't overdo it with resin pieces. Let each one be the focal point of the page instead of competing with other embellishments.
- Pair with a limited color palette: Stick to 3-4 muted retro shades per layout (mustard, terracotta, sage, cream, soft brown) and avoid bright neons or clashing patterns. The resin pieces will pop against solid, neutral cardstock or subtle retro patterns (think small polka dots, thin stripes, or muted geometric prints).
- Mix old and new: Pair your resin embellishments with vintage black and white photos, old handwritten notes, or thrifted ephemera, but balance them with modern clean elements like thin gold washi tape or minimalist hand lettering to keep the vibe current, not stuck in the past.
- Skip the glue mess: Most of these resin pieces have flat backs, so you can use a tiny dot of strong craft glue or even a glue dot to attach them to your page without any smudging or warping, keeping your layout clean and sleek.
At the end of the day, the best scrapbook pages are the ones that feel like yours , not something you copied off Pinterest. These DIY resin embellishments let you build a stash of custom pieces that fit your exact version of modern retro, whether you lean more into 70s boho, 90s Y2K, or 80s Memphis design. No more generic kitschy stickers that don't match your vibe---just custom, tactile pieces that make every page feel like a little nostalgic time capsule, without the clutter.