Open Frames with Colorized Resin Tutorial

This is the third tutorial inspired by one of the Nunn Design Team members. Christee Ballard created these great earrings during our most recent Art Day using the Open Frame Bezels and colorized Nunn Design 2-Part Resin. Here is how she created them.

Learn How!

Supplies Needed:

Open Frames
Castin’ Crafts Opaque Pigments
Nunn Design 2-Part Resin Kit

Others:
Packing Tape
Wet-wipes
Toothpick or headpin

Tools:
Scissors
Flush Cutters Pliers

Step 1:

Cut a piece of packing tape and place it on your work surface. Place your Open Frame or Open Bezel onto the tape. Press down and rub your bezel back and forth on your work surface, burnishing the tape onto the backside of the bezel. Trim away any excess of the packing tape to avoid it from getting attached to anything while you are pouring or letting your piece cure.

Tip: Check to see that your packing tape is clear and there is no residue or mottling in the adhesive. If there is, it will show up in your finished resin piece when you remove the tape once the resin is cured. Try to use an area of the tape that does not have blotches or marks.

Step 2:

To create the open center, place another smaller Open Frame in the center of your large Open Frame. Use a pair of Flush Cutter Pliers to cut off the loop. Press the smaller sized Open Frame onto the packing tape.

Step 3:

Read the resin instructions for safety concerns regarding the Nunn Design Resin.
When I work with resin, I always:

Place a large plastic bag over my work surface and tape it down.
I make sure I have ventilation in my workroom.
I wear gloves.
I wear glasses (readers because I can’t see anymore. Plus it protects my eyes!).
I have a pile of wet wipes handy.
This is a great blog post that covers 20 Habits for Successfully Using Nunn Design 2-Part Epoxy Resin. Even if you are a seasoned resin mixer, this might be worth a read.
You can also watch this great video on How to Mix Nunn Design Resin

Step 4:

Place one cup (included in the Nunn Design Resin Kit) onto your table. For curing purposes, it is very important that the resin be an exact 1 to 1 ratio of Part A and Part B. I suggest getting your eyes level with the resin so you can see the lines on the measuring cup. Pour Part A of your resin kit up to the ½ fluid ounce mark on your measuring cup. Pour Part B of your resin kit into the same cup until it is filled to the 1 fluid ounce mark. It is important to pour Part A first and then Part B. It is some chemical thing about the part B being heavier or something.

Step 5:

Set your timer for 2 minutes. Using the stir stick from your kit (a popsicle stick or coffee stir stick will work great too), slowly and carefully stir your resin scraping the sides as you stir. Stir for a minimum of 2 minutes. If your resin is still cloudy continue to mix until clear. After mixing is complete and your resin is clear, scrape both sides of your stir stick on the edge of your resin filled cup. Set the mixture under a warm lamp for 5 minutes. I like the lamps with the adjustable arms that can get right down next to the resin. This aids the air bubbles in the resin to rise to the surface and pop.

Step 6:

After your resin has been under the lamp for 5 minutes, pour a small amount of the mixed resin into a measuring cup. Add in a toothpick tip of the Castin’ Craft Opaque Pigment Black to give the resin a color like Christee’s. If the resin isn’t as opaque as you would like, add in a wee bit more colorant. You can mix the full 1 fluid ounce of resin if you want, but I transfer the resin into smaller cups because it is easier to stir and less messy to move around when less full.
Tip: Be sure that the colorant does not equal more than 10% of your resin as having more than 10% could cause issues with curing!

Step 7:

I tend to work in small area (typically my kitchen table), so I like to work on a surface that projects can be easily moved around on and not disturbed. Place some business cards or some heavy card stock onto your work surface, making it easy to move the bezels without getting any resin on your fingers. Tip: If you have a lot of overflow of your resin, when you place it on the business card to dry, it may stick to the surface of the card. Place a small zip lock bag onto the business card or cover the business card with packing tape to prevent your pieces from getting stuck.

Step 8:

Slowly drizzle your mixed colorized resin into the channel of the two Open Frames until partially full, but not domed. Use a toothpick to agitate the resin and make sure there aren’t any air bubbles lurking below the surface. Once you are confident about the air bubbles, continue to pour your resin until the bezel is filled and highly domed.

Step 9:

If you have any resin where you don’t want it, use a wet-wipe to clean up the surface. Set aside to cure (up to 72 hours).

Step 10:

To finish your open bezel or frame, remove the packing tape from the backside once fully cured. If you have any excess residue from the packing tape on the backside, use the tape to remove it like you would when you are removing lint or animal fur from your clothes. Keep touching the packing tape onto the sticky surface until it is no longer sticky.

Step 11:

If you are making a pair of earrings, add on that ear wire and you are good for a night out!

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