Table of contents
Every Quincy Art lamp starts as two simple things: a piece of raw burl wood and clear epoxy resin. Between those two materials and the finished lamp on your shelf are many hours of handwork, several days of waiting, and a lot of small decisions that can't be automated. Every piece is made to order, one at a time, in our workshop in Vietnam.
Here is a look at how a resin lamp comes together, and why no two of our lamps are ever exactly the same.
Step 1: Choosing the wood
The base of every lamp is burl wood, and it's where the process begins. Burl is the rounded growth that forms on some trees, and it's prized by woodworkers for its swirling, irregular grain. We hand-select each piece for the beauty of that grain, because the wood isn't just a stand. It frames the whole scene, and its pattern shows through the edges of the resin once the lamp is lit.
No two pieces of wood have the same grain, which means no two lamp bases look identical either. That's the first reason every lamp is one of a kind.
Step 2: Measuring and cutting
Once a piece is chosen, it's measured and cut to match the shape and size of the lamp it will become. Each design comes in three sizes (S, M and L), and the proportions differ from design to design, so the wood is cut specifically for the lamp it belongs to. You'll find the exact dimensions for each size on every product page.
Step 3: Building the mold
Next comes the mold. Every design has its own mold shape and dimensions, prepared in advance for that specific lamp. The mold is built around the wood so the resin will hold the right shape as it sets and meet the wood cleanly.
Step 4: Creating the figures
The characters and scenery inside each lamp, such as castles, horsemen, ravens and dragons, are the heart of the design. Depending on the piece, a figure starts either as a 3D-printed resin blank or is sculpted and shaped by hand. Either way, every figure is then painted by hand, which is why the colors and small details on each one carry the marks of the person who painted it.
Step 5: Pouring the resin, layer by layer
A lamp isn't made with a single pour. The resin goes in over several layers, and the number of layers depends on how much detail the scene holds. A simple scene needs fewer layers, while a scene full of figures and depth needs more. Each layer is a separate stage of work, which is part of why a detailed lamp takes longer to make.
Step 6: Curing, the part you can't rush
Once the pouring is done, the resin needs time to fully harden. This curing stage usually takes 3 to 5 days, depending on the lamp's shape and size and even the weather in the workshop. Sometimes it takes longer. There's no shortcut here: resin that hasn't fully cured can't be finished properly, so we let each piece take the time it needs.
Step 7: Sanding, polishing and oiling
A freshly cured lamp comes out of the mold rough and dull. Each one is sanded to smooth its surfaces and edges, then polished until the resin turns clear and glossy and the scene inside can be seen properly. To finish, the wooden base is treated with natural wood oil, which deepens the color of the burl and brings out its grain.
Step 8: Adding the light
Finally, the LED lights are soldered into place. Their position is chosen for each design so the light rises from the base and brings the scene inside the resin to life. Every lamp is USB-powered and comes with a remote control that lets you change the light color to suit your mood or your room.
Why every lamp is one of a kind
Natural burl grain, hand-poured resin and hand-painted figures all add up to a piece that's truly individual. Your lamp will match the design you chose, but small differences in color, pattern or finish are a natural part of handmade work, and they're what makes your piece yours. You can read more about this in our FAQs.
Why handmade takes time
Because each lamp is made to order and the resin needs days to cure, please allow 8–12 business days for us to handcraft your lamp and prepare it for shipping. Delivery time then depends on your destination. You'll find the full details in our Shipping Policy. If you're shopping for a gift or a special date, we recommend ordering early.
Find your piece
Every design in our Quincy Originals collection goes through the process described above, from the glowing sky of the Howling Wolves Northern Lights Resin Lamp to the fiery Fire Dragon Resin Lamp. Take your time looking around, and if you have any questions about a design, we're always happy to hear from you.
