Exploring Resin

I recently went on a workshop day to learn about using resin in jewellery making.
The lovely designer Fiona Potter led the session, giving us an introduction to the possibilities by sharing some of her wonderful makes.
You can find her work here:

https://www.facebook.com/Fionapotterguestdesigner

We started by weighing and mixing clear resin and hardener to pour into a mould and throughout the day we added layers to this basic mould starting with inclusions - I used some jump rings.
This would not be ready until the next day so when I finally turned it out it was a surprise to see what I had created. The bottom most layer ( which becomes the top layer when turned out ) was clear. Then another clear layer with jump rings. The third layer has multi coloured glitter, the fourth is very dark blue.

my finished piece

We used a bezel with a simple wire worked shape to create compartments then coloured clear resin with a variety of things. I chose to use a deep blue glitter for one section, alcohol ink for a second and some crushed chrome diopside (gem art ) for the third.
We created the wire shape and gently hammered it to give a flat base which would act as a seal. The wire had to fit very tightly otherwise the resin would bleed between sections.  We weighed out resin and hardener, mixed it for 2 minutes and let it stand to settle out the bubbles.
We then put a small amount into the bezel where the wire would sit to "glue" it in place
 I carefully sprinkled the diopsode into a section and then  I used a cocktail stick to carefully add very small amounts of resin to my bezel. Finally I mixed in some glitter into the resin I had left and added it to the bezel.

I am very pleased with this piece

We also used wire to create free form shapes which we gently hammered to give a flat back. Then we firmly stuck this shape onto sticky backed plastic to prevent seepage and added the resin. I chose to use an orange mica powder added to one and blue glitter to the other. I got better at manipulating the wire with the second one!

work in progress - still stuck onto the plastic

work in progress - still stuck onto the plastic

All our pieces were just about touch set before we left so we were able to take everything home. The next day I added a final doming layer to finish of my pieces.

after a final layer of doming resin

the finished piece

New Year Resolutions

Christmas seems to take over crafters. I spent lots of time making cards - which anyone who knows me will probably be rolling round laughing all over the floor about...you might even have received one...they were a bit like hen's teeth tho'!
I am not very good with shape and space as Maths teachers call it...I seem to be a bit 3D challenged and apparently I get it from my mum who also cannot open a packet, carton or paper bag to save her life. So you can see why card making is also a challenge but this year I did make about 25. And much blood sweat and tears was involved!!

I also received some treats......


plenty of friendly plastic to keep me going and to help me develop my skills

a resin starter kit 

a couple of new moulds

this one will make a super pendant

a filigree heart

and more jewel enamel than I have room for!!


So my resolutions for this year are:
1. to get much better at creating things with Friendly plastic and use it across a variety of media

2. To learn how to use and make jewellery with Resin

3. To be more inventive with the way I use UTEE jewel enamel.

As a way of making sure that I do expand my creativity I have been through my box of bits and bobs of odd pourings, extra pours and experimental pieces. I sorted by colour and realised that I make a vast amount of blue, usually leaning towards the teal end. I hardly ever use the metallics apart from as an accent and I rarely melt straight into a bezel. This is probably because I like using the bezels as moulds but I have so many other moulds now that I really do not need to do that so could afford to give away plenty more pendants created straight into the bezel itself.

a mix of blue and green with silver accents created straight into the bezel

Talking of giving away - I am going to approach a friend who creates cards for a local hospice and donate some of my makes to be sold. I cannot store anymore made up pieces so need some space and a hospice seems the ideal charity to support.