Team bonding is an important element in establishing a successful and productive workplace. It plays a vital role in enhancing communication, trust, and collaboration among team members, ultimately leading to better performance and productivity. We'll explore some exciting team bonding ideas that are fun, affordable, and effective in Sydney.

What exactly is Team Bonding?
Team bonding is the process of creating connections and building relationships among team members outside of work. It entails providing opportunities for team members to interact and get to know each other better, leading to a sense of camaraderie and a stronger bond among team members.

When selecting a team bonding activity, it's crucial to consider the interests of the team members and narrow down a few activities so that they can vote.

Here are our top 5 team bonding ideas to get you started:

Group Volunteer Work: Volunteering as a team can be a fulfilling and rewarding experience. It not only improves teamwork skills but also contributes to the community.
Escape Rooms: Escape rooms are a fantastic way to challenge your team's problem-solving skills while working together to solve puzzles and escape the room.
Creative Workshops: At Seed and Spark, we specialise in creative activities like making resin cheeseboards and coasters, succulent terrariums, jesmonite homewares, floral arrangements, floral wreaths. These workshops provide functional art and are a great way to encourage creativity and foster a shared sense of achievement.
Team Lunches: Taking your team out for lunch or organizing a potluck is an excellent way to bond over good food and conversation.
After Work Drinks: A relaxing evening out with your team can be a great way to wind down and bond outside of work.
​
By engaging in these team bonding activities, you can foster a positive and collaborative work environment, strengthen teamwork skills, and build long-lasting relationships among your team members.

Resin has become a popular material for crafts and DIY projects in recent years, thanks to its versatility and beautiful, glass-like finish. However, not all resins are created equal and with technology there are cleaner system resin that is more versatile to use. At Seed & Spark, we use ArtResin in our classes because we believe it is the best choice for both safety and quality.

Why Use ArtResin?
ArtResin is a non-toxic, no VOC, and FDA-approved resin that is safe to use at home or in the studio. Unlike some other resins, it doesn't give off harmful fumes or require a respirator to use. This makes it a great choice for beginners or anyone who wants to work with resin in a safe and healthier way.

But safety isn't the only reason we love ArtResin. It also produces beautiful results. ArtResin is crystal clear, self-leveling, and doesn't yellow over time like some other resins. It is easy to mix and pour, and produces a smooth, high-gloss finish for our cheeseboard and coaster workshop.

Many of our students complete a workshop are equipped with the knowledge to DIY at home. And if you want to DIY here are some information to help you get started.

Materials and Tools
To get started at home, you'll need a few basic supplies. Here's what we recommend:

• ArtResin (can be purchased at any reputable art store or online or even on Amazon.)
• Mixing cups (you can buy silicon reusable cups or disposable)
• Stir sticks ( (you can buy silicon or plastic reusable or wooden disposable paddle pop sticks)
• Gloves ( we recommend Nitrile gloves to protect your hands from chemicals)
• Painters tape
• Pigments (we love a good quality mica like colour obsession brand, pigment pastes, we love Just Resin brand and non toxic acrylic paint)
• Optional: Molds, heat gun

Step-by-Step Guide to creating a resin cheeseboard
Creating a resin project with resin as demonstrated in our workshop is easier than you might have initially thought. Here's a step-by-step guide to making a simple resin cheeseboard  using ArtResin:

1. Prepare your work area by covering it with a plastic sheet.
2. Tape the underside of your cheeseboard with painters tape.
3. Mix equal parts of ArtResin and hardener in a mixing cup.
4. Stir the mixture together for at least three minutes, scraping the sides and bottom of the cup to ensure it is fully mixed.
5. Pour the resin into seperate cups and add pigments to colour. Sticks to under 10% pigment to mixed resin ratio.
6. Pour on the desired surface, using a stir stick to spread it evenly.
7. Use a heat gun or torch to remove any air bubbles that rise to the surface.
8. Allow the resin to cure for at least 24 hours before removing it from the mold or using it.

Tips and Tricks
Working with ArtResin can be tricky at first, but with a few tips and tricks, you can achieve great results. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Measure carefully. ArtResin requires an exact 1:1 mixing ratio to cure properly, so use a measuring cup or syringe to ensure you get the right amount.
• Use a heat gun or torch to remove bubbles. ArtResin is self-leveling, but air bubbles can still form as it cures. Use a heat gun or torch to remove them quickly and easily.
• Creating cells can be a challenge but by using a 'pigment paste' you can achieve this. Read more on our ocean art tips and tricks blog.
• Sand and polish your finished project. Once your project is fully cured, sand it with a fine-grit sandpaper and polish it with a polishing compound to achieve a perfect finish.

Creative Possibilities
The possibilities for using Resin in your crafts and DIY projects are endless. Here are just a few ideas:

• Make jewellery: Use Resin to create beautiful pendants, earrings, and other jewellery pieces.
• Create homewares: Make custom coasters, trays, or even furniture using Resin.
• Decorate your walls: Use Resin to create stunning wall art or add a glossy finish to your paintings.
• Try a new technique: Experiment with layering, adding colour, or embedding objects in your Resin projects.

Our ArtResin Classes
If you're interested in learning more about working with Resin, we offer a variety of classes at Seed & Spark