Resin Jewelry
Resin jewelry is something that I have wanted to try making for a long time, but never had the right motivation to start the process before.
On the list of 21st Century Skill(s) that all freestyle students are challenged to explore, I feel that my project helped me improve my creativity and self direction. I usually find it difficult to manage my time properly and meet deadlines, so I was worried that I would struggle with completing my jewelry when I got to choose my own deadlines. However, I was able to use my time efficiently and meet all of my deadlines with much more confidence than I had when this project was first introduced.
Materials needed:
- Epoxy resin
- Gloves
- Disposable cups
- Craft sticks and toothpicks
- Silicon molds
- Flowers/rocks/shells/etc.
Protect your work area by covering the surface with paper and paper towels
- Start by choosing what you want to go into your mold and think of how you want to arrange your objects.
- In two cups, measure out the resin into one and hardener into the other at a 1 to 1 ratio. Keep in mind that you should only pour half of what you want to use for each.
- Combine the resin and hardener by pouring both into a third cup and slowly mix together using a craft stick.
- Fill your mold about halfway with the resin making sure that it covers the bottom of the mold evenly.
- Carefully place your chosen objects into the resin.
- Set mold aside on an even surface with something covering the top to keep out dust.
- Let cure for 24 hours.
- Pour a second layer of resin into mold.
- set aside to let resin cure for another 24 hours
- Remove resin from mold
- *Optional: smooth rough edges with fine grit sandpaper (600 to 1600) and lightly spray with a protective finish
Final Product
I made a total of 8 necklaces
Infographic
I created a step-by-step poster that goes through the process of making the jewelry
If I were to do this project again I would try a different technique for preserving the flowers so that they keep their color. I would also make sure that I had the correct amount of all of my materials and put more energy into getting rid of most of the air bubbles.