How to make a resin necklace

by Mylene Hillam

Supply list:

FastCast Urethane resin
Piñata Alcohol Ink: Señorita Magenta, Baja Blue
Hoobbe Silicone Butterfly Ice Tray
Silver beading wire or tiger tail
Silver beading supplies:  8 silver crazy wire beads, 2 silver wire guardians, 2 silver split rings, 2 silver crimp tubes, 2 silver crimp covers, Silver clasp
1oz graduated measuring cups
Disposable acid brushes
Emery board
Drill with 1mm drill bit
Ruler
Permanent marker
Gloves
Jewelry pliers: chain nose pliers, split ring pliers, crimping pliers, flush cutters

Designer’s Notes: FastCast has a short pot time so it’s best to mix several small batches of resin so that it doesn’t begin to gel whilst you’re still pouring it into the mold cavities.  Be sure to follow the mixing instructions in the resin kit. Because you are mixing small amounts of resin, use an acid brush which will help mix the resin more thoroughly than a stir stick.

Step 1

Measure out 1 tablespoon Part A.

Step 2

Color the Part A resin with 2 drops of Señorita Magenta alcohol ink.

Step 3

Mix the color into the resin thoroughly using an acid brush.

Step 4

Measure out 1 tablespoon Part B.  Mix the two parts together thoroughly, scraping the walls and bottom of the cup to free any unmixed resin.  Repeat mixing in a second cup.

Pinch the lip of the cup to create a pouring spout to help you pour into the cavities.

Step 5

Pour a little resin into several cavities.  You only want to partially cover the bottom of them.

Your mold should look something like this. Leave the resin to set for 15 minutes.

Step 6

Measure out 1/4 ounce of Part A resin in a clean cup.  Color it with 3 drops of Baja Blue alcohol ink.

Step 7

Combine the color thoroughly into the resin.  Measure out 1/4 ounce of Part B hardener and mix the two parts together according to the package instructions.

Step 8

Pour a little of the blue resin into the empty cavities and then pour the rest into the cavities with pink resin.  Leave the resin to set up for about 15 minutes.

Step 9

Mix more batches of pink and blue resin as needed to fill the cavities.  Leave the resin to cure.

Step 10

Once the resin has cured, twist the mold to help release the resin from the silicone.  Then, press each of the cavities from the bottom of the mould to push the pieces out of the mold.

Step 11

Use an emery board to file the sharp edges.

Step 12

Select the pieces you’d like to use in your necklace. Measure 5/16” from the top of each piece and place a mark halfway between the front and back with the permanent marker.

Step 13

Drill a hole from side to side on each piece.

Step 14

String the wire beads and resin pieces onto the beading wire, alternating them.  Begin and end with a wire bead.

Step 15

Decide how long you’d like the necklace to be and cut the beading wire adding a couple of extra inches.  String a crimp onto one end, followed by a wire guardian. String a split ring onto the wire guardian and then insert the wire back through the crimp and crimp it into place securely.  Place a crimp cover over the crimp tube and close it.  Repeat on the other end of the necklace.

Step 16

Open the split ring and insert it into one half of the clasp.  Repeat on the other end of the necklace.

Your resin necklace is now complete!  By using the different parts of the butterfly wing mold, you can create charms that are complementary, but do not exactly match.

What colors would you use to make a resin necklace?