Resin is a versatile supply when you are making your own jewelry. It is often used to seal embellishments like gems and glitter into DIY jewelry projects. You can also use it to add a shiny top coat to pendants and earrings. Instead of making resin the supporting cast, try adding resin to open-backed jewelry to make the resin the star of the show!
ADDING RESIN TO OPEN-BACKED JEWELRY
Supplies You Will Need
When you do your shopping for this craft project, you should look for open-backed jewelry bezels like these. You should be able to find them at your local craft store, but I will also link to some online options at the end of this post.
Next, you will want to pick up some jewelry resin. Typically, jewelry resin is sold in much smaller amounts because you use so little of it in each project. This smaller project will let you know if you like working with resin before investing in a larger supply.
Prep Your Bezels
Start by cutting a piece of contact paper slightly larger than the bezel you will be using. I used dollar store contact paper, but transfer tape would also work. Remove the paper backing and stick the contact paper to the back of the bezel. Make sure you have good contact between the bezel and the contact paper so that the resin does not leak under the back of the bezel.
Adding the Resin
Put on a pair of gloves and mix up a very small amount of jewelry resin according to the package’s directions. Very small. Less than you think. You can also mix more resin, but once it’s mixed you have to use it or throw it away. Pour a small amount of resin into the bezel. Spread the resin with a craft stick or by tilting the bezel from side to side.
Embedding Embellishments
I embedded a small glittery sticker in the resin of this bezel. Then, I added a second layer of resin on top of the sticker to seal it in. This will create a window effect in the finished piece.
If you notice any bubbles in your resin, just blow lightly over the surface of the resin to pop them. Allow the resin to cure for 24 hours. When the resin has fully cured, carefully peel thecontactt paper off of the finished bezels. You should now have a beautiful translucent piece of jewelry!
Experiment with Dyes and Glitter
While the clear resin itself is very pretty, you can get all kinds of gorgeous stained glass effects with resin dye. Add these specially-made transparent dyes as you are mixing the resin to give it a beautiful vibrant color. All I did to the moon pendant was to add blue dyed resin into the bezel. I added glitter to the heart and star keys. A little glitter goes a long way, so don’t over-do it! I think my favorite results came from swirling colored resin in the large circle bezel and the star wand bezel. Do your own experiments to see which technique you like the best!
You can use these pieces as necklace pendants, key chains, and more! How would you use these lovely jewelry pieces?
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- open-backed jewelry bezels
- ETI Jewelry Resin
- Castin’ Craft Transparent Resin Dye
- mixing cup and stir stick
- contact paper
You might like these other fun DIY jewelry projects:
DIY GEODE NECKLACE WITH POLYMER CLAY
STONE CLUSTER JEWELRY WITH JEWELRY CLAY
