Resin jewelry step by step: getting started

Since uploading my images into a gallery on SCS, I have been asked many times about the resin jewelry project I made. Because of the amount of interest, I will be writing a “how to” here on my blog. This will take place over the next week or so, updated once the previous step is finished. I hope this will serve as a guide to explain more behind the process. I discovered handmade resin jewelry this past year and was fascinated by it. It is a simple, yet tricky process which can get beautiful results. My hope with the jewelry I am learning to make is to become good enough at it to give as gifts and also sell.

In an attempt to keep this tutorial from becoming a novel, I am breaking it up into 4 sections. The first section will talk about the supplies you need and where to find them. The second section will be stamping the images and laying them into a foundation of clear resin. The third part will be layering the set clear resin with a colored background. And finally the 4^th part will consist of sanding, and buffing the finished pieces.

First I would like to talk about the supplies. Before attempting to do this yourself, just by my little blog alone, I HIGHLY recommend that you purchase Sherri Haab’s amazing book “The art of resin jewelry”. I bought this and read it in one night and then bought my supplies the next day. She not only shows you step by step in writing and pictures how to make amazing pieces, but also where to buy the items!

Here are the supplies you will need to complete the first phase of this process:

1) “The art of resin jewelry” by Sherri Haab
2) EasyCast clear casting epoxy
3) Castin’ Craft mold release spray
4) Plastic cups with measuring markings for ounces
5) Wooden stir sticks or popsicle sticks
6) Resin mold

I use the EasyCast resin because it is labeled as ‘low odor’, I actually find that it has ZERO odor. (Please make sure that the resin you buy for this project is labeled EasyCast.) In fact, the only item that has odor when I am making resin is the mold release spray. The majority of supplies you can find at www.creativewholesale.com. But Sherri has her own website where she sells the same supplies but not always at the same good deal. The wonderful thing about her website is that you can buy the jewelry molds, which you CANT buy anywhere else. So you will need to purchase from two places to get everything you need. Unless you want to buy your basics from her, but she doesn’t offer the larger sizes of resin and I like to buy at a good price.

Easycast is also used to make doorknobs for cabinets and drawers. Castin’ Craft (the brand behind EasyCast) also makes molds in larger shapes, which are available through the link above. If you wish to make larger pieces or if you want drawer pulls, then these are excellent. I actually own all of the molds available by them and several of Sherri’s.

You absolutely must use a plastic measuring cup, one that is marked in ounces. If you use a wax cup, the wax can flake off into your resin….not good. You also must use a wood stick, as any kind of metal can react with resin and effect the outcome.

Tomorrow I will take pictures and give you a step by step for the first part of mixing and pouring the clear resin, and embedding your stamped images. Please feel free to contact me or leave a comment if you have questions about this or any of the other steps in this process. Have a great night and I will see you tomorrow!

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