Tutorials
Part 1 of Exploring New Techniques with Resin
Since the start of the pandemic in March, I have been trying to set aside time to create. When I started to feel depressed, I knew it was time for me to get back in balance and to MAKE THE TIME. So, I blocked out a couple days on my calendar, cranked up the music in my office and allowed myself the joy of creative exploration.
Part 1 of this series of posts covers the first of the five new techniques I explored. Although I don’t have videos or tutorials on any of these techniques, and God knows when I will get to that, I think I can talk you through most of the critical how-to steps.
Part 1 of Exploring New Techniques with Resin
THE EXPLORATION:
The technique for this collection of jewelry came about totally by accident. A friend had told me about a pure metal powder that was being used by polymer clay artists, so I had ordered some to try out with Epoxy Clay, a 2-part epoxy air dry clay.
I’m not exactly sure what I was doing, but I decided to use the pure metal powder with resin, like I would with PearlEx Powder. What I discovered is that the pure metals acted totally different, almost like an oil slick on top of the resin. It was silky and smooth and just dissolved right on the surface of the resin.
Click on each jewelry image below to see exactly which Nunn Design Findings were used.
THE HOW-TO:
Here is a quick and brief explanation of what I did to create this look:
- Clean Nunn Design Bezels with rubbing alcohol.
- Mix Nunn Design 2-Part Resin.
- Drizzle the mixed resin into the bases of the cleaned bezels.
- Scoop up a toothpick worth of pure metal powder. Place the toothpick over the resin filled bezel and gently tap. The pure metal powder will drop onto the surface of the resin act like an oil slick… oh such a beautiful thing!!!
- Let the resin cure. I think I did 12 hours, but I think you could do it sooner. The resin just needs to be firm.
- Mix another cup of Nunn Design 2-Part Resin and drizzle into the bezel until domed
SHOP THE SUPPLIES:
SHOP METAL POWDERS
Harryman Designs
Harryman Design’s was more expensive, but it is sold in a small jar. It was easy to open the lid and there won’t be as much waste.
Northern West Stuff
Northern West Stuff on Etsy sells pure metal powders within small bags. It was far less expensive to purchase and because of how they packaged the powders, it was less expensive to mail.
I initially thought it was difficult to access the powders and was concerned that a lot of the pure metal was wasted on the sides of the bag and on my hands. Here is what Steve and Cathy explained to me:
“We are aware that our packaging is more difficult to use than little jars. It was a conscious choice driven by our desire to keep costs as low as possible for our customers. To offset what appears to be waste left on the sides of the bag we actually ship 5.6 grams so that when a customer decants, they actually get more than the 5 gram bag that they paid for.”
TEASER!
Here is a teaser for what is to come! Visit Part 2 to see what is to come in this multiple part series!
Shop Nunn Design Wholesale
Nunn Design has been supplying jewelry artists with findings for over 20 years. Shop wholesale jewelry findings for creative jewelry makers.
Shop Nunn Design!How to Purchase Wholesale?
If you are interested in becoming one of the many designers who trust their jewelry to Nunn Design Findings, please join us by registering to become one of our wholesale customers!
Please visit our Where to Buy Page for a listing of online stores that sell Nunn Design Findings retail.
If you enjoyed reading this post, please subscribe to our blog. Here are 10 Reasons Why to Subscribe and a place to do so!
Wondering, once rubber stamped, do you wait for the clay to harden before continuing with the resin? Thank you in advance.
If you are referring to the technique where I rubber stamped onto Crystal Clay and then pour on colorized ND Resin, then the reply is no. It is not necessary to let the clay harden or cure once you have rubber stamped. Mix up that resin, colorize and apply!
I really like this look!!!
I will have to try this with the metal powder ?
Thanks for sharing!
Joan
Thanks Joan! It is a lovely look!!!
I was completely intrigued when I first saw these designs. I was so curious as to how you achieved it. It’s a very cool and artsy look! Can’t wait to try this. Thank you!
These pure metal powders have been so exciting to work with. I can’t wait to see what you create with them Nancy!
This is so lovely and original; and it sounds like a novice such as I might could replicate it. I’m excited about the metal powders. Thank you for mentioning a couple of retailers.
I think this is a technique that the beginner and the more advanced resin user can master! It is a great place to begin your resin journey.
Very pretty. The heart pendant looks almost hollowed out. Is it domed with resin?
Debbie-
The heart pendant bezel has a small amount of resin in the base, resulting in a slightly concave look. I then applied the copper pure metal powder to the concave resin. Once that cured, I then applied a second coat of resin to create a high dome. It does look almost hollowed out!