Jewelry Making

I want to start making resin jewelry, but I was wondering if I should use Polyester resin of Epoxy resin. Also, ANY other information I can get would be lovely, cause I’ve never done it before!

Thanks
Whether you’d want to use a polyester resin or an epoxy resin would mainly involve exactly how you want to use it.

In general, polyester resins are use in (deep) molds, then are removed after curing (though there is one new line of "tweaked" epoxy resin called Easy Cast that can be cast in deep molds too, though it will come out a bit soft and/or flexible if heated (even with body heat).

Epoxy resins are generally used for pouring into shallow "cells" (like pendant trays, cabachon settings, polymer clay frames, etc) where they are left in place, or they’re used to pour over freestanding flat surfaces (like bar tops, or smaller things).

Polyester resins are less "safe" to lungs, etc., than epoxy resins.
Epoxy resins come in two parts mixed one to one, and polyester resins come in two parts mixed a lot of one to a few drops of the other.
You’d want a craft type polyester resin if you went with polyester, not the lines that are usually used for fiberglass, etc.

There’s loads of info, lessons, etc, on both kinds of resin (as well as a few variations on those), and also info about mixing, applying, coloring, brands, etc., on this page at my site if you want to check it out:
http://glassattic.com/polymer/other_materials.htm
I’ve also written about resins before (here and elsewhere), so you might want to check out these too for summaries:

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=275238.msg3112408#msg3112408
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=293667.msg3341730#msg3341730
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=254029.msg3522191#msg3522191

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AqrgkeBSA9O5mPYmuEFkMbrsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20090718165216AAJahSb
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AvmUkcJwjNazA4cK2Xywf2Dsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20080411123337AAqv0lf

HTH,

Diane B.

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I recently started jewellery making and eventually I’d like to start making and designing with the above materials. Just wondering what else I’d need…clippers, jumprings etc.. Erm, also any tutorials you may find (please specify the page if on a forum). I tried DIYScene, Little Black Cherry, Googled continuously…

That’s a pretty wide range of things, and "polymer clay jewelry" would be a hugely wide field!

Here are some places to begin looking for info about those things though (mostly from my site, but there will also be links to other sites on those pages)… on each page, you’ll find tutorials, tips, links to examples, etc:

RESINS:
http://glassattic.com/polymer/other_materials.htm
BOTTLECAPS USING EPOXY RESIN:
…(same page as above, but click on the subcategory *In Permanent Cells* under the Epoxy category)

POLYMER CLAY JEWELRY (though the tutorials/tips/links to examples for the huge range of *patterns* and *effects* that can be created with polymer clay would dealt with on other pages of the site –see Table of Contents link in the "Source" below for a listing of all the pages):
http://glassattic.com/polymer/beads.htm
… http://glassattic.com/polymer/beads-holes.htm
http://glassattic.com/polymer/jewelry.htm
http://glassattic.com/polymer/pendants_cording.htm
http://glassattic.com/polymer/buttons.htm
http://glassattic.com/polymer/wire.htm

HTH,

Diane B.

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So so I’m curious about jewelry making, not beading, but actually making jewelry pieces. Like beads in resin and different things to make your own pieces.

I have no idea where to begin with this so any help would be appreicated?
How is this done?
IS it like baking?
Things I will need to do this???

Thanks so much to anyone who can help!!!
I would try but im not sure what its called. Molding jewelry? Resin jewelry???

Well, there are LOTS of ways to "make your own jewlery pieces."

Resin items would be one of the ways, but "beads" can be made from polymer clay, air-dry clays, metal, metal clays, wood, tumbled stones and semi-precious stones, ivory, rolled-up triangular cutouts from magazine pages, or just about *anything else you can imagine, make or find.*

Just re resin pieces, no, it’s not like baking. It does involve heat but the resin creates heat itself from the chemical reaction that takes place when the two parts are mixed together (which also makes the resin hard). This usually takes about 24 hrs.

You can find lots of info, lessons, and examples of using resin to make small items for jewelry (beads, whatever) on the first two-thirds of this page at my site, if you’re interested:
http://glassattic.com/polymer/other_materials.htm

Note that there are two main types of clear "craft" resins, and you’d be using them for different types of finished items (polyester resins, epoxy resins, and one "tweaked" epoxy called Easy Cast that’s kind of a hybrid but has some problems in some uses… also, 2-part epoxy *glues* can also be used for small items; Devcon’s 2-Ton one cures especially clear).

You can find summaries of some of that info in these responses I’ve written before too:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AqRoGzjtN95Is41Kmm_SHHfsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20091011042033AAytK0x
http://www.google.com/search?q=YahooAnswers+"Diane+B."+resin+epoxy+polyester

(One of those answers should also include a link to the very looong thread at the craftster.org forums where most of the resin discussions are:
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=10667.0 )

P.S. If you’re looking for beads you can make (in just about any way you can imagine) then BAKE, you’re probably thinking of using "polymer clay."
In that case, check out all the info, lessons, examples, etc. at the rest of my polymer clay "encyclopedia" site from the Table of Contents page:
http://glassattic.com/polymer/contents.htm
….scroll all the way down, then go to any of the pages you see using its name in the alphabetical navigation bar (perhaps beginning with the Beads or Jewelry or Pendants pages)

HTH,

Diane B.

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What are the rings that have no diamond etc so i can make epoxy resin jewelry called? also earings like that and necklaces with empty frames? need to look some up on ebay but dont know what they are really called?

They’re called different things depending on who’s doing the naming and exactly which shapes/etc they are, and whether they’re closed on the back side like I think you’re thinking of, which are actually "shallow cells".
Here are some of the name possibilities:
……bezels, pendant trays, cabachon settings, charm blanks, bead frames, photo "Italian charms"

Other things that can take the heat from curing resin and won’t be bothered by that plastic, would be metal bottle caps (quite popular these days) and some plastic bottle caps, or cells made from (hardened) polymer clay, etc., etc.

Epoxy resin can also be poured into cells with no backs, like this for example:
http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/nenam/epoxy.htm …scroll down to "Window of Opportunity" about halfway down that page for the lesson

Or they** can be poured into temporary shallow molds, or could also be created on a non-stick surface with temporary walls of paper, foils, metal, wood, various kinds of tape, etc.
**epoxy resins or the "tweaked" epoxy resin called Easy Cast, but epoxy resins shouldn’t be used in deep molds (polyester resin would be recommended instead)

There’s much more info about epoxy resins (including epoxy glues that also work) and how to use them (lessons, tips, troubleshooting, links to examples, etc) on this page of my site if you want to check it out:
http://glassattic.com/polymer/other_materials.htm …especially the category called *In Permanent Cells" (under Epoxy Resins > Casting).
(There’s also info on that page about *polyester* craft resins, which are not used for open cells like this but in removable molds.)

HTH,

Diane B.

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http://www.delphiglass.com/jewelry-supplies/jewelry-kits/resin-starter-kit.html
http://www.craftsetc.com/store/department.aspx?dep=50&cat=46&subcat=40&IsOnSale=0&IsFeatured=0&IsNew=0&perpage=all

ebay has some, too.

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I would like to start making pendants out of resin, but would like to know how to attach it to a bail without drilling a hole into the pendant, is there an easy way? not sure how to add it to the necklace, but if drilling is a must, is it a difficult process and what kind of drill would i use? thanks in advance

You don’t have to drill, although that’s usually the most secure way to fasten. You can buy bails that are designed to be glued on. The links are to examples from ‘Fire Mountain Gems’ (a great supply house), but Michael’s and other stores that sell craft and jewelry supplies likely have them, too.
http://www.firemountaingems.com/details.asp?PN=H202271FN
http://www.firemountaingems.com/details.asp?PN=H201754FX
Good luck!

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I’m going to start making my own jewelry to sell on Etsy and places like that, but I have no idea where to find ring and pendant blanks. I need to have them deep so I can put things in them, but I can’t seem to find them ANYWHERE for a reasonable price.

Please don’t say eBay or places like that, unless you can link me to a seller you’ve used in the past.

Thanks!
You might want to check out the "resins" page at my site:
http://glassattic.com/polymer/other_materials.htm
…click on the subcategory in list at top of page (about 2/3 of the way down) called IN PERMANENT CELLS to at least see some suppliers for "pendant trays," "cabachon settings," etc, etc.

My Jewelry page (under J in the alphabetical nav. bar) should also have links for regular online jewlery suppliers like Fire Mountain Gems, etc.

HTH,

Diane B.

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Just a minute ago i was mixing a batch of resin and all of a sudden, i start seeing smoke..the resin was like smoking and i went to go pour it and it was like hard-ish it wouldnt pour and it was really really hot, like burning to the touch i had to use an oven mit to pick it up, i didn’t know what to do with it so i put it in a paper bag and put it in the garbage outside, i hope it doesnt catch on fire or something, but why did it do that?

haha i thought it said raisin jewelry. i was like what the hell

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I’m about to start making personalized jewelry to sell to some friends and family and I need to know every little thing i will need during the process of making epoxy resin jewelry. Please don’t forget anything i’d hate to be half way through and realize i dont have everything i needed. Where is the best website to go to and cheapest to order epoxy supplies off of and it would be killer if they had a mail in catalog! so that i may order supplies from home.

Sorry, I make the pre-made bead jewelry. But try Michael’s and Hobby Lobby sites, they might have it.

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I need help with resin jewelry? (Im brand new to this)?
well im making a necklace and i want to put some pictures in it but the pictures are so tiny, that i cant really cut off the white area around it, so how do i make it transparent? also what kind of paper should I use for resin jewelry and does michaels have the materials i will need to make resin jewelry?

This is all that Micheal’s had to offer regarding resin jewelry. {I did find other places that will help you but you mentioned Micheal’s so that is the only thing I put one here. If you want the other sites email me and I can send them to you.}

We found 3 results for resin

Flower Pins & Scrunchies
Skill Level: Adult 2 (1 being easiest)
These pre-packaged little flowers make perfect pins, hair scrunchie embellishments or magnets. They’re already decorated with glitter and jewels and the coating makes the paper flower look like… More

Sassy Wood Bangle Bracelets
Skill Level: Adult 3 (1 being easiest)
Fashioned for any season, these one-of-a-kind wood bangle bracelets are decorated with your favorite scrapbook papers then protected with a glossy, durable finish. More

Toggle Charm Bracelet
Skill Level: Adult 3 (1 being easiest)
An abundance of wonderful toggle clasps are now available and make fantastic frames for one-of-a-kind charm bracelets. Many shapes are available to fill with colored resin, beads, scrapbook paper or… More

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