‘Be careful’: Warning over $10 Kmart craze

The department store has launched a discounted version of a popular craft item – but it’s prompted some shoppers to voice their concerns.

It’s safe to say that the last two years of lockdowns has sparked a demand for DIY.

But as anyone who has ever attempted a craft project will know, those raw materials can be pricey, sometimes costing more than what it be to buy the item already made.

Kmart recently jumped on the trend, launching a range of affordable craft kits – with one range in particular sparking a frenzy among shippers.

The discount department store is selling resin kits and candle-making supplies, with their resin kit costing just $10, making it a fraction of the cost of kits sold elsewhere.

While the resin kits have sparked a huge frenzy among shoppers, they’ve also caused concern from experienced resin makers who have criticised the kit’s lack of PPE and warnings about resin’s toxicity.

Kmart told news.com.au its resin kits have been “been tested and assessed so that they conform to Australian labelling requirements for safe handling, hazard assessment and hazard identification”.

Resin artist @procrastipainter shared her review of the kit on TikTok, saying there were “no warnings about how toxic it is, nothing about using a respirator, and definitely no gloves”.

Kmart’s $10 craft resin pack does not come with gloves, however, they are included in the $6 resin tool kit.

Kmart is now selling DIY resin and candle kits. Picture: TikTok/@davidorsteven

But concerns have been flagged over the decision to sell resin. Picture: TikTok/@davidorsteven

“I always wear a respirator while I work with the resin,” she said in another video showing her making the Kmart kit.

“The fumes I got walking into the well-ventilated room to check on this was enough to give me a sore throat. PLEASE WEAR A RESPIRATOR.”

She also alleged Kmart’s safety directions on the kits didn’t have the same cautions as other resin-making products.

The outside of the craft resin box and instructions booklet has first aid information advising people to contact a “Poisons Information Centre” if the mixture is swallowed, as well as warnings on what to do if it gets into eyes or on skin or hair.

The instruction booklet also has safety directions telling users to avoid contact with eyes and wear eye protection, as well as wearing protective gloves and avoid contact with skin or inhalation.

On its website, Kmart also instructs users to “wear a pair of disposable gloves and lay down a disposable plastic sheet over your work area. Use in a well-ventilated space”.

Resin artist procrastipainter warned users to wear a respirator when making resin. Picture: TikTok/@procrastipainter

“Caution: Keep out of reach of children. Read safety directions before opening or using. Wear eye protection when mixing or using. Avoid contact with skin. Wear protective gloves when mixing or using,” another warning read.

Many customers argued these warnings were not enough, especially in comparison to what other resin kits had.

“I love Kmart, but they need to concentrate on better clothing and leave resin and candle making to experts,” one person wrote.

“Resin and Kmart should NEVER be used in the same sentence,” another commented. “I heard and NOPE, just seems unwise.”

“Yikes, resin should remain in art stores and not in Kmart,” one person wrote.

“Please be careful with this stuff,” another person warned. “It won’t be the best quality and can be very dangerous.”

Another TikTok user @davidorsteven shared a video about the range and warned shoppers who wanted to try out the new craft supplies in the comments that resin was “toxic” and safety precautions needed to be taken when making trays.

“Please research before using,” he added.

But the kits are still proving popular, with some saying they had sold out already in stores. Picture: TikTok/@courtneytraeger

Kmart told news.com.au that resin crafting was an “increasingly popular trend” that they were “pleased to be able to offer this to customers at an everyday low price.”,

“Customers so far are loving the new range and we have loved seeing on social media the unique creations they come up with,” a spokeswoman said.

“The Kmart resin range includes the resin, tools, protective gloves, moulds and embellishments so you can personalise and colour the resin with dyes and mix-ins.

“We recommend customers follow all usage and safety instructions included on the product packaging and the Kmart website page.

“This includes keeping out of reach of children, wearing gloves and eye protection and ensuring correct ventilation.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

As well as a coaster.

“The products have been tested and assessed so that they conform to Australian labelling requirements for safe handling, hazard assessment and hazard identification.”

Despite the concerns raised by some customers, resin products are still proving popular, with TikTok user @courtneytraeger sharing a series of videos of her trying out Kmart’s resin kit which have racked up more than two million views.

“Trying the new Kmart resin kit … hoping it’s not ugly when it’s ready in 24 hours,” she captioned the first video, showing her mixing the resin before pouring the pink and gold glitter mixture into a mould.

The resin tray was “super easy” to make she said, adding that she had gone back the following day to buy more but they had “sold out already”.

Her videos have earned hundreds of comments from customers saying they “need to do this”.

“As a long-time resin maker and user I’m so happy I don’t have to go far or pay much to get those cute resin pigments and $8 for the lot of them,” one person wrote.

“Kmart making it really hard for me to save,” another commented.

“I couldn’t find any at my store,” one person said.