Resin Bracelet Using Crayons

With classes starting tomorrow I thought I would post a Back to School related post!!

I love using crayons in crafting for all sorts of things. I wanted to see what would happen it I used them with resin. It's a neat and unique look!!

I used EasyCast Resin, Castin' Crafts Mold Release, a bracelet mold, crayons, and a sharpener.

*ETI suggests wearing gloves when working with resin for safety* Gloves also help keep your nails nice :)

Start by picking some crayon colors. Unwrap them and make piles of the crayon shavings.

Make piles of each color you want to use.

Mix up a batch of EasyCast Resin and spray your mold with mold release.



This is a mold from Yaley Enterprises.
They make resin and Deep Flex Resin Molds along with a variety of colorants.
Check out all the offer here: http://yaley.com/SitePages.asp?ID=46
 

Fill the mold about half full of clear resin.

Put pinches of crayon shavings into the resin. You can make patterns or just go at random.

Make sure that the crayon is completely submerged in the resin.



Top it off with some more resin to be sure the crayon is fully encapsulated.

You can add more shavings if you have gaps! Then let set for 24-72 hours until hardened.

The crayons keep the original color and have a very unique texture. These crayons are too cool for school!!

Pink Glowing Pin and Hair Pin Set

I found some shaped glitter that matched the pale pink of this glow in the dark puff paint and just had to whip up some accessories! They are so soft and delicate looking :)

Supplies: EasyCast Resin, Castin'Crafts Mold Release, Wilton Gum Paste Mold, Tulip Glow in the Dark Fabric Paint, and shaped glitter.

Spray the mold with some mold release and mix up a batch of EasyCast Resin.
*ETI suggests wearing gloves when working with resin for safety* Gloves also help keep your nails nice :)
Squeeze in some Glow Paint and stir gently but thoroughly.

Pour into the prepared mold...

Add some of the shaped glitter and embed to the bottom of the mold cavity using a toothpick.
Let this set to harden for 24-72 hours.

The flower buttons don't have any glitter, while the bow does.
They both glow bright and beautiful!

To turn the resin pieces into accessories I'm using some E-6000 and a pin back and hairpin blanks.

Add a dab of E-6000 to the jewelry finding...

Then press onto the back of the resin piece.
Let these sit for 24 hours to achieve the maximum adhesion!

 

Super sweet and simple :)



 

 

Part 2 Casting Resin using a Blanket Mold

Welcome to part 2 where I'll be casting resin using a Blanket Mold made with EasyMold Silicone Rubber!

You can find part 1 here: http://resinjewelry.blogspot.com/2013/08/making-blanket-mold-with-easymold.html

When you are using blanket molds they may need to be reinforced so that the resin doesn't alter the shape of the mold. They might also need some extra stability if they don't sit quite level. This is achieved with some sand (or rice) and a bowl that is big enough to hold the mold.

You can use sand from the beach and sanitize it (bake on a cookie sheet at 200F for 30 minutes) or grab some decorator sand from a dollar store of craft shop.

If you get a bowl with a lid you can store the same sand for future use!

Nestle the mold into the sand but be sure not to get any sand in the mold.

 

Grab your supplies: EasyCast Resin, Dyes, Glitter, and the Mold.
*ETI suggests wearing gloves when working with resin for safety* Gloves also help keep your nails nice :)

 

 

Mix up a batch of EasyCast Resin and start adding in your "ingredients". This is some of my scrap glitter, it is almost black looking but is made of several different colors.

 

I'm also using some Pearl Pigment...

And some transparent blue dye...

It culminated in this navy spacey blue :)

Pour the resin mix into the mold...

Let this set for 24- 72 hours until completely hardened.

Begin unmolding by gently peeling the mold away from the resin.

EasyMold Silicone Rubber is really flexible and makes getting your resin out super easy!

The original is on the left and the new one is on the right!

My surface was not level (OOPS!) so I got a couple of jagged bits...

To remedy this I am sanding the jagged areas. This makes the resin surface opaque so it needs to get another coat of resin.

Mix up another batch of EasyCast Resin and fill in any pocket areas and use a toothpick to spread the resin over the opaque areas to get that shine back! Let this set for another 24-72 hours to harden completely.

The layer of resin really helped get rid of jagged areas!! The glitter settled causing a color gradient...

I love how the EasyMold Silicone Resin was able to replicate the bracelet so I can match my wardrobe!! 

 





Making a Blanket Mold With EasyMold Silicone Rubber Pt 1

I'm going to cover making the mold in this post and then add the instructions to a Silicone Rubber Blanket Mold Tab for quick reference. Then on Wednesday I'll be posting the resin project using the mold!

I found this cute bracelet at a discount shop and I was thinking of all the possibilities it had it as a mold so... I tried out ETI's Silicone Rubber to make a blanket mold of the bracelet!!

To start I covered my work space with wax paper.
To make a mold you need some EasyMold Silicone Rubber, the item you want to make a mold of, a measuring cup, stirring stick, and brush.

 

 EasyMold Silicone Rubber is a 2 part mix. Part A is white and Part B is blue. These are mixed in a 1 to 1 ratio which means you need to mix equal amounts together.



 

Measure out some of Part A into your measuring cup...

Add an equal amount of Part B...

Mix thoroughly until a uniform color is reached. Be sure to get all of it from the bottom and the sides of the cup.

 

If you have difficulty measuring by pouring (this stuff is super sticky!) here's an alternate method of mixing.
You can use a disposable spoon: scoop up a spoonful and then level it with a popsicle stick and scrape it into your measuring cup. Do this for as many spoonful as you think you'll need.

Use a second spoon and stick to repeat with Part B making sure to add the same number of spoonfuls.

Mix the two parts together thoroughly...

until a uniform color is reached.

Once mixed, brush a thin layer of the mixture over the item you are making a mold of.

Once you have covered the item, spread the silicone about an inch around the inside and outside of the item- this will give you "handles" to make the mold easier to hold onto when filling with resin and to help when removing resin from the mold!
Let this layer of silicone rubber set up for at least an hour but not more than 12 hours.

Once the rubber sets for an hour or so you can peel the silicone rubber remnants out of your measuring cup and reuse the cup!

Mix up another batch of the silicone rubber and brush on a second layer an give it another hour or so...

 

Now mix up and brush on a third layer of silicone rubber and let it set for at least 12 hours

 

 

After the silicone rubber has set for at least 24 hours you can remove your item from the mold. Start by gently peeling the edges up to release it from your work surface. 

Don't worry if there has been some seepage...

Use an exacto knife to make a slice along the mold cavity being careful not to cut the original item.

Then you can remove the original item from the mold! The mold needs to rest for another 24 hours to make sure that the silicone rubber has fully cured before using it to cast resin.

Now you are ready to create wonderful projects with your new mold! 

 

Stay tuned for Part 2 on Wednesday which will show a project casting resin using the blanket mold!