Making/Using Molds, Nunn Design Online Classes, Tutorials
Create a Faceted Epoxy Clay Charm Tutorial
I’m pretty pleased that we found a way to create a faceted insert to drop into Nunn Design Bezels. It is a challenge to find a mold that will be a perfect fit for the selection of bezels we offer, but this solution allows you to make your own mold!
Once you have the mold, you can create a faceted insert in any color of Epoxy Clay that you want to use. You can also use the mold to create resin inserts!
Fast Tutorial Video:
Watch this Fast Video For a quick overview of the process and then read the full tutorial below!
Long Tutorial Video:
Watch the Long Video to see the complete process!
Learn How!
Supplies:
Nunn Design Charm Flat Back Faceted Circle 13mm and 9mm
Silicone Molding Putty
Epoxy Clay – Black
Nunn Design Bezels
E6000 Glue
Other Supplies Needed:
Q-Tips
Rubbing Alcohol
Wet wipes
Gloves
Toothpick
Tools Needed:
Flush Cutters
Cutting the Faceted Charms
Step 1. With a pair of flush cutters, trim away the loop off of the Nunn Design 13mm and 9mm Faceted Charms.
The Charm Flat Back Faceted Circle 13mm will fit into the Mini Link Single Loop Circle, and the 9mm will fit into the Itsy Link Single Loop Circle.
Making the Silicone Mold
Step 2. Easy Mold Silicone Putty has a 3-minute working time. For best results and maximum window of being able to work with the putty, make sure your room temperature in brought up to 70 degrees.
Step 3. Lay a piece of plastic, such as a small Ziploc Bag, onto your work surface. Pinch off a small grape-sized ball of Part A and Part B of the Easy Mold Silicone Putty. Getting the knack for mixing just the right amount of putty will take some practice. You might mix too much or too little putty the first time. Try your best to guess the amount of putty you will need to have approximately 1/8” putty around the outside edge of your bezel’s rim. You will also want the thickness of the silicone putty to be approximately 1/8”.
Step 4. The working time of the silicone molding putty is only 3 minutes, so you will need to work quickly. Take a moment to make sure you have the following supplies. Laying out everything on your work surface prior to mixing will provide more ease.
- Nunn Design Charm Flat Back Faceted Circle 13mm and 9mm for your mold creation
- Wet-wipes
- A flat surface to press the silicone putty into a flat disk
Step 5. Knead both part A and part B together until the putty is blended completely and is uniform in color.
Step 6. Roll the fully mixed Easy Mold Silicone Putty into a smooth round ball that is free of creases. Place the mixed putty onto a piece of plastic. If you have creases, try your best to have the smoothest side of the mixed silicone ball facing up.
Step 7. Use one of the lids from the containers of Easy Mold Silicone Putty or a flat surface, such as a glass bowl, to press down into the silicone putty. Creating a nice round and evenly flat disk out of the silicone putty.
Step 8. Press the faceted charms into the molding putty right away (it sets up really fast!).
Use the lid of the putty or a flat surface to press the faceted charms firmly and evenly down into the Easy Mold Silicone Putty.
Let Cure: 20 min then 24 hours
Step 9. The Easy Mold Silicone Putty will start to set and be firm to the touch after 20 minutes. Remove the faceted charms from the putty.
IMPORTANT! Let the mold cure for 24 hours. This allows off-gassing prior to embedding Epoxy Clay.
If you do not allow the mold to off-gas, you may get a texture from the gassing like this.
Mixing the Epoxy Clay:
Step 10. Epoxy Clay is a 2-part epoxy. Mixing equal parts of A & B activates the clay. Once the clay is activated you have 90-120 minutes before the clay hardens and you can no longer sculpt or embed objects. Prior to mixing the 2 parts, it is recommended by the manufacturer to wear gloves when handling. Once the clay is mixed it is activated and is neutral and gloves are no longer necessary.
The gloves that are included in the Epoxy Clay 50gr Kits are not my favorite. They are way too big for my hands and I have a heck of time mixing and colorizing the clay while wearing them. If you are having the same challenge try a different brand. If you do not have a latex allergy, I recommend using a pair of industrial, powder-free, 5 mils, latex glove sized to fit your hand snugly.
I use my latex gloves over and over again to prevent waste. To get the most usage out of the gloves, place baby powder generously over your hands prior to putting the gloves on. This will make it easier to get the gloves off once you are finished mixing and colorizing the Epoxy Clay.
Step 11. With the gloves on, open up the packages of Epoxy Clay and pinch off two equal-sized balls of Part A and Part B. Blend together the 2 parts fully until the clay is no longer marbled and is uniform in color.
Tip: I guesstimate the amount of Epoxy Clay that I will need to fill the bezels for the project I’m working on. I would recommend having plenty of bezels prepped just in case you have excess clay.
Tip: Make sure to wrap up your Epoxy Clay to prevent it from drying out and hardening. Store Part A and Part B in separate zip-lock bags to avoid contamination while it is in storage.
Step 12. Once the clay is mixed, you can safely handle the clay without wearing gloves. Prior to removing the gloves, use a wet-wipe to clean them fully. Store the gloves for your next creative jewelry making project.
Use a wet-wipe to also clean your hands of any baby powder prior to handling the clay.
Inserting Clay into Mold:
Step 13. Roll the thoroughly mixed Epoxy Clay between your palms until it forms a smooth round ball. Press the clay into the mold. If you have too much clay, pull the clay out of the mold and pinch off some of the excess. Roll into a ball again and press the clay back into the mold. The clay should be flush with the top of the mold.
Step 14. Let the Epoxy Clay cure for 12 hours. It will be hard to the touch, but will continue to fully cure for another 72 hours.
Step 15. Once the Epoxy Clay is hard to the touch, bend back the mold and remove the faceted charm impression.
Step 16. Double check the Epoxy Clay faceted insert will fit into the bezel. If it is too large, use a pair of scissors to cut away a bit of the excess.
Preparing Your Nunn Design Bezels:
Step 17. The Nunn Design Findings are oxidized to provide the aged look to the precious metal plating. To remove any excess oxidization, get the tip of a Q-Tip wet with rubbing alcohol and clean the bezel thoroughly.
Gluing the Epoxy Clay Faceted Charm into the Bezel:
Step 18. Squeeze a little dab of E6000 glue onto a piece of plastic. Apply some of the glue onto a toothpick and smear it around into the base of the bezel. Press in the Epoxy Clay faceted impression. Use a wet-wipe to remove any of the excess glue off of the bezel if any squeezed out when applying the Epoxy Clay faceted charm.
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