DO'S AND DON’TS WHILE MAKING RESIN JEWELLERY

Resin jewellery is the new trend in DIY Jewellery making that uses epoxy resin to create jewellery pieces like pendants, earrings, necklaces and bracelets.

Resin is popular amongst artists, crafters and DIY jewellery makers as a versatile, user- friendly, shiny and beautiful jewellery making material.

You can easily create jewellery by layering wood, beads or precious gemstones with resin. Apart from this, it can also be used as a glossy, protective topcoat for jewellery pieces made of polymer clay, paper, fabric or butterfly wings.              

Though it is easy and fun to use resin for jewellery making process, there are certain Do's and don'ts you should keep in mind while making resin jewellery so that it comes out beautifully.

 DO'S

- Cover the entire work area (desk, table) with wax paper to avoid Resin drips and splashes as they are very difficult to remove.

 -Wear rubber or plastic gloves and safety goggles while working to prevent direct contact with skin or eyes.

 -Work in an area with good ventilation and keep windows open and fans running to prevent fumes from building up as they can lead to breathing difficulties.

 -Make sure that all the embellishments used fit inside the resin mould properly and are visible to the user.

-  Do not forget to coat the porous embellishments such as fabric and scrapbook paper with a clear sealant before putting it in the resin and let it dry. This is necessary to avoid the discoloration of the embellishments and also building up of air bubbles in the resin.

- Make sure whether to use bezel or mould to shape the jewellery. Mould gives proper shape to the resin and provides flexibility, while bezels are easy to work with and ready to use once the resin sets in.

-If using a plastic mould, you must spray it with mould release product and let it dry before continuing. This makes it easier to remove the finished resin piece.

-For best results choose polyurethane casting resin as it is less toxic and odourless.

-Pour the resin slowly in the mould to prevent any air bubbles. To remove the air bubbles hold a hair dryer or lighter, 10 cm above the resin for a minute.

-Any embellishments must be added after the first layer is slightly hardened. Use a tweezer to adjust them if they move. Then add the second layer.

-For better results, let the resin piece dry overnight and cover it.

DON'TS

-Use isopropyl alcohol instead of water to remove the resin from the surface, if you accidentally get it.

-Avoid using loose crystal gems as embellishments, as they would disappear inside the piece.

-Do not spray bezels with mould release. Most silicon moulds also don't require it.

-Do not use polyester casting resin as it is more toxic and tends to retain an odour even after the pieces harden.

-While warming the resin and the catalyst, avoid using boiling water. Use hot tap water instead.  

-Do not add all the liquid colour at once if making coloured resin jewellery.

-Avoid using needle and pins to adjust the embellishments in the resin as it damage the piece.

Written By- Pranjali Gupta