How To Make A Resin Necklace

Once you've learned the fundamentals of casting resin, your next step is to figure out which type of jewellery you'd like to create when using resin. And the great thing is that you can produce any type of jewellery you can think of – resin is an incredibly versatile material that will lend itself to making decorative pendants, rings, charm bracelets and much more.

To give you some inspiration for making resin jewellery we've put together two project ideas that will take your resin castings to the next level just with a few simple findings and finishing touches.

How to make resin pendants

The easiest way to make resin pendants is to use pre-cut pendant blanks. Invest in some pendant blanks that have a ridge around the edge to catch the resin as it flows, and you can be as creative as you like, all with just a few simple tools.

Here's a simple but effective way to make a resin pendant:

Choose a pendant blank that is deep enough to hold the resin in place until it sets. If you choose a pendant blank that already has a bail attached, it means you'll spend less time adding fiddly findings.
Mix your resin, hardener, and resin colour of your choice. Always remember to follow the specific instructions of the resin kit that you buy as they can differ.
Want a little extra something? Choose a pearlescent colour or add a touch of glitter to your resin mixture to create a unique look.
Once thoroughly mixed, slowly pour it into the pendant blank. Be careful not to pour too much into the pendant blank as you don't want it to spill over and cause a mess.
Leave to cure.
Once cured, add a chain to the pendant bail and start thinking about your next jewellery resin project!

How to make resin rings

Ready to step things up a notch? If you want to take the next step in making resin jewellery, creating your own moulds can make your designs really stand out from the crowd. All you'll need in addition to your resin kit is a mould making kit. Choose a silicone based mould making kit as this can be kept and used again and again without much wear and tear.

Here's how to create a unique resin ring:

What type of ring would you like to make? As you're creating your own ring mould you can either use an existing ring to make your mould or you can create a new ring shape using clay. Either way, make sure that the object you use is solid enough so that it won't break as you make the mould.
Chosen your object? Now you can make your silicone mould. Mix your silicone compound – this is usually an equal ratio of two elements that you'll need to bring together but always make sure you check the instruction of your mould making kit.
Once the compound is fully mixed you can start applying this to your ring shape. Start off with a small amount and slowly push it into all the intricate, detailed areas of the design. This will capture the detail in the mould.
Now you've pushed your mould mix into the smaller, intricate areas of the design you can continue to apply the compound until you have used up your compound or until you're happy that the mould will be easy to work with. For example, have you left enough of the compound on the ring design so that you can comfortably hold it and pour the resin in once the mould is ready?
Wait for your mould to dry. When completely dry, gently peel back the mould away from the ring design.
Now you're ready to pour! Mix your chosen resin and hardener, and any other pigments, glitter, or smaller details you want to add to your ring.
Slowly pour the resin mixture into the ring mould until you've filled it. Then leave to cure.
When your resin is completely cured, peel back the mould to reveal your ring. File any excess resin to tidy up your design, and you're left with a unique resin ring.

How to add findings to resin jewellery designs

Making resin jewellery can be as simple or as complex as you like. Are you casting a flower or paper into clear resin using a mould? Or are you adding some colour to a pre-cut pendant blank? Whatever design and method you choose, you'll need to bring this altogether with jewellery findings.

You can do this in a variety of ways depending on the tools you have and what you feel comfortable with.

Embed the finding in the resin as it cures. Remember that if you're using moulds you may need to remove the casting and add your own eyepin to the resin before it fully cures. Some jewellery makers may find that putting the eyepin in immediately after pouring the resin works well. Others find it easier to gently push the eyepin into the resin once it's almost cured. Whatever method you choose, always check the resin and hardener you're using to see how long you'll need to wait to remove your resin pendant from its mould. This is no exact science. It's a case of trial and error, so make sure you test this method out before adding eyepins to all your designs.
Drill a hole in the resin once it's fully cured. Already have a pendant drill in your tool box? You may find it simple to drill a hole in your resin pendants once it's cured so that you can add in your eyepin. With this method, however, you may need to add some glue or a tiny amount of resin to the bottom of your eyepin to make sure it's secured in place. Remember to drill slowly so that you don't go too far into your resin design and spoil the overall look you've created.
Glue on your findings. This is a simple way of getting started when making resin pendants. Some trusty glue and a flat back pendant bail are all you need to create a simple but effective look.
Wire wrap your resin jewellery design to secure it in place. Wrapping jewellery making wire around your resin creation and securing it in place with creative twists can leave you with a unique look.

Want to learn more about basic wire wrapping techniques? Read our wire wrapping tips to help you refine your designs.

Armed with new resin jewellery project ideas and tips on adding findings to your resin jewellery designs, you'll be able to experiment with new approaches. Try producing different mould shapes, trial setting different objects in clear resin, and don't forget to invest in all the resin casting supplies and resin kits you need to take your jewellery making projects further. Remember to take a look at our guide to casting resin too, for the essentials you need to know about how to mix and cast resin.

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Author: Cooksongold