I want to use resin to make a pendant?

Question

I have cut-out some paper in the shape of a necklace pendant (think one-dimensional locket) and need to know how to use resin to coat and seal it?

I bought some resin, but it appears I need a mold in order to create a shape? But I just want it to cover the paper shape I've cut out.

Any thoughts?? Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

There are two kinds of 2-part resin that are commonly used for making jewelry.  One is polyester resin (also called "casting resin") which is primarily used for casting into molds; the other is epoxy resin which is used primarily for coating objects.  

In fact casting resins don't work well for just coating because the surface of it which cures next to air can stay sticky and not have a totally smooth appearance (that's not true for epoxy resins though).

You can check out this page at my site for info on how to use both types of resin, as well as brand names for each, etc:

http://glassattic.com/polymer/other_mate...

(... click especially on the categories called COATING and also BRANDS...)

Note that for either resin you'll need to seal anything that's porous (like paper) before using it with a lot of resin or else the paper will end up translucent or spotty.  

One way to seal the paper would be with a thinned down permanent white glue (like Elmers Glue All) which you'd apply to both sides then dry, or you could use a bit of the epoxy resin itself after spraying a time or two with a clear acrylic sealer.

(Instead of using a 2-part resin, you could just coat a number of times with a regular acrylic sealer like a Gloss polyurethane --sold at hardware stores for sealing bare wood-- or with thinned permanent white glue, or other things.)

HTH,

Diane B.

Answer 2

you do need a mold, but go to the craft store and look at candy or soap molds that might be a good size and similar to the shape you want the pendant to be, i have always wanted to make something with resin but it has never worked so good luck!

Answer 3

Hi, I have used resin for quite a while to make jewelry pendants and other items, and I love playing with it. But for what you want to do, I would recommend using Modge Podge, which is a glue like substance that you can 'paint on' and will dry clear.  Good luck!