Using stickers for resin jewelry making is fun. There are so many types out there. So here are more of my resin adventures.  For this project I used a set of puffy butterfly stickers.  They were not made from paper so I didn't have to seal them.

What You Need :
  • 2 part epoxy resin *
  • stir stick 
  • small plastic cup (if you use weighing scales, then cheap plastic shot cups are all you need)
  • weighing scales (optional)
  • molds*
  • stickers (I used butterfly ones but you can use any kind you prefer)
  • glitter - I used Judikins Rox (these were fairly chunky bits) - gold and silver
  • 20-24 G wire (I used gold colored silver plated craft wire, courtesy of ParaWire)
  • pin or toothpick
  • black marker pen
  • 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper
  • drill and scrap block of wood (I used a spiral ratchet hand drill* - see this post)
*Purchased or courtesy of Little Windows. 


I prefer to weigh the resin. It's great not to have to squint at the faint marks on the plastic cups! The proportion of Little Windows resin is different than for other makes.  It's 2:1.  For example 10g of Part A and 5 g of Part B.  I generally work with 15 g total of mixed resin - that's enough to do not just this project but several others as well. So be prepared to have other projects ready to work on simultaneously.

I used the clear resin on other projects first. Then with the remainder, I added a small amount of gold and silver glitter and mixed it into the resin.

(I mentioned on Monday's post I had bubble trouble with my initial designs.  I have since tested out Fran of Little Window's tip - microwave the Part A portion for 5-7 seconds - really works!  Very few bubbles if you are working with a colder/older slightly more dense product)


I then poured the glitter and resin mix into the small cabochon mold. I filled it to about  half way. (I discovered later that less would have been better.)Then I covered the mold  up to prevent dust from settling and let the resin cure overnight. 


The next day, I added the stickers.  


I then added a fresh batch of clear resin right to the top.  Two stage resin making is great for getting that "floating" effect.  You can also try embedding more stickers with more than the 2 layers  if you wish.

I did have trouble with some of the stickers in that they did really float to almost the surface of the resin. So if I were to repeat this general technique, I would use  a 3 stage process. The second stage would be to add a little resin to really glue down the sticker.  Alternatively use a bit of Mod Podge sealer/glue. After drying, the third step would be to add the resin.


Use a sharp tool like pins or toothpick to pop any bubbles.  You could also try blowing across the resin with a straw. Or apply a little heat like placing the mold under table lamp.


Cover and let the second resin layer cure at least 24 hours.



Once cured, twist the mold a couple of times. Then tap out the pieces from the mold.


Then it is time to smooth the rim of the cabochons. I used to submerge the piece of wet/dry sandpaper in a square plastic container.  But I like Fran Valera (of Little Windows) method too. Just dribble in enough water on the sandpaper to rub the cabochons on. If you are doing several cabochons, the water needs to be changed. 



Then use a marker pen to locate where the holes will be.


I used a hand drill (a spiral ratchet drill) to make the holes. I prefer to take care with this step so I avoid electric drills.



I was hoping to use most of the cabochons for the 7 1/2 inch bracelet I was planning to make.

However, I used 20G wire for the wrapped loops and that spaced out the cabochons so I used only 5 in this first attempt. Try using finer wire like 24G to do the wrapped loops so the cabochons are linked closer together.


first attempt at wiring the resin pieces.
Check out this post for an alternative wire wrapping method which hinges the cabochons closer together.

Disclosure

Photography
I used natural light my iPhone 6S with the camera+ app and the Modahaus TS320 tabletop studio for final jewelry photos.  Tutorial photos were captured in my windowless basement studio equipped with LED lights.    Check out my How to Photograph Jewelry Webinar .

 Before You Go:
______________________________
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips