Beach Vacation Souvenir Necklace

This can be done with sand and shells that you found while on vacation at the beach or ones that were purchased at the local craft store.

I'm using EasyCast Resin, Castin' Crafts Mold Release, Sand, Tiny Shells, and a Seashell Candy Mold.
*ETI suggests wearing gloves when working with resin for safety* Gloves also help keep your nails nice :)
I'm doing this project using 2 pours.

For the first part: Spray the mold with mold release and mix up a batch of EasyCast Resin. Pour a layer of clear resin into the mold but only about half fill the cavities.

Place a layer of the shells into the resin making sure they get cover completely.
I let this harden for 24 hours before adding the next layer.

For part 2: mix another small batch of EasyCast Resin. Pour a layer of clear resin into each of the cavities but don't fill all the way full.

Add a layer of sand to the resin...

 

Top off the sand with another coat of resin to make sure that the sand is completely encapsulated.

 

Let these sit for 24-72 hours until hardened. This type of mold might need to be put in the freezer for a few minutes to help pop out the resin pieces.

These are super cute souvenirs that could be turned into magnets or keychains or in this case a necklace!

To make this into a necklace we'll need a necklace cord, split ring, bail, E-6000, and some jewelry pliars.
This necklace cord was found at Hobby Lobby.

Apply some E-6000 to the bail...

Press the bail onto the back of the resin piece and let dry for 24 hours to get maximum adhesion.

Attach to the necklace cord using a split ring and Viola!! You can take your vacation with you everywhere!!

Molding a Resin Cuff Bracelet

I've been using the small shapes of the Wilton fondant/gumpaste molds for resin and have long thought of how nice the strip pieces would be as a bracelet. So I thought I would see if it could be done... and it can!

Start with some supplies: EasyCast Resin, Castin' Crafts Mold Release, the mold, and glitter.
*ETI suggests wearing gloves when working with resin for safety* Gloves also help keep your nails nice :)

 

Spray the mold with your mold release and set aside to dry and Mix up a batch of EasyCast Resin.

 

 

 

Add some glitter- I add a good bit but you have to be sure that it will still be pourable liquid so add a little at a time.

 

 

Mix your glitter into the resin, gently to avoid creating bubbles, but well so that all the glitter gets covered with the resin.

 

 

Pour into the mold.

 

Here is the experimental part: Do not let this harden completely!!! Check your resin after about 8 hours- It took me 12 hours but I'm in a very humid climate so the time can vary based on humidity and temperature, etc. You want the resin to be firm enough that it holds the detail and comes easily from the silicone mold- If it is stuck in the mold let it sit another 30 minutes. Be careful as the resin is still pliable and can be distorted.

 

 

Take your piece and wrap it around your wrist to be sure of how big you need the gap at the back to be. Once this hardens it will no longer be flexible. You want enough space to get you hand in and out but not so much that it will fall off. If you have a cuff bracelet that fits you can use that as a guide. 

 

Find a place that won't be disturbed. Place your bracelet in the shape you want making sure that the gap is the right size then, use some things to hold it in place. Let this set for an additional 24-72 hours or until completely firm.

 

 

Now it is holding its shape on its own!

 

I can see gift requests in the near future!!



Pearlescent Swirl

This tutorial will show you how to make this dangle necklace, along with the resin swirl technique, and a sampling of using pearl powder and use of some different molds.

We need some EasyCast Resin, Castin' Crafts Mold Release, some Pearl Powder, a Wilton Gumpaste Mold, and a Silicone Mold from A Little of This and That. For coloring I'm using Anita's Fuchsia acrylic paint and Anita's Hawaii acrylic paint.
*ETI suggests wearing gloves when working with resin for safety* Gloves also help keep your nails nice :)

 

Start by spraying the molds with Castin' Crafts Mold Release and Mix a batch of EasyCast Resin.

 

Seperate the resin into 2 cups- one for each color and add a scoop of pearl powder to each.

Add a drop of paint to each cup and mix well. Just keep working powder lumps, they will distribute in a moment.

Now, have nice pearlescent resin.

Randomly pour some of one color into the mold.

Add some of the other color.

Continue alternating colors until the mold cavities have been filled.

 

Using a toothpick or an eyepin swirl the colors around- not too much though or the colors will combine.

 

Continue with the rest of the cavities you've chosen and let set for 24-72 hours.

Now, we have some nice swirl pieces.

For the piece I'm making, I need to employ a "Dremel" drill- this is a generic brand but it works just fine! I'm using the smallest drill bit I have.

I drilled holes on either side of the large piece to attach a necklace chain.

I also drilled a hole at the bottom of the piece to add a dangle. And a hole at the top of the small pink piece as this is the dangle!

You can sort of see the drill holes here- they just look like small black dots.

To put it all together, I need a necklace chain (seperated in the middle), some jump rings (large and tiny), and pliers.

Using a large jump ring, attach half of the necklace chain to one of the side drilled holes.

Repeat on the other side.

Add a large jump ring to the bottom hole and a tiny jump ring onto that.

Attach the small resin piece to the dangling jump ring with an additional large jump ring.

 Now, it is ready to wear. I just love a good dangle!