Read the step by step breakdown of How to Make Resin Jewelry without Molds. Take advantage of the pliability and versatility of epoxy resin to craft almost any kind of epoxy resin art jewelry. Make Resin Jewelry without Molds that stands out for epoxy resin displays, epoxy resin art sales, or even for your own fashion.
Although jewelry can be made of a vast variety of materials there are only a handful of materials that come close to comparing with the versatility and sleekness of epoxy resin.
Talking of versatility, you can use liquid epoxy resin to make resin jewelry with or even without molds.
You can actualize your dream and DIY jewelry craft imaginations using epoxy resin art since the pliability of epoxy resin allows you to achieve practically any form or shape; limitless resin art designs.
Besides, epoxy resin jewelry has the great advantage of curing both to an ultra-clear finish and in a combination with other decorative elements for example pebbles, glitters, and flowers.
Practically you can embed anything in the epoxy resin from a bolt to a piece of log.
NOTE: Epoxy Resins are indifferent from brand to brand and as such carry specific features such as self-leveling capabilities, curing time, working time, maximum pours, and even ease of use. It is paramount that you follow the instructions in the product description of your epoxy resin.
Generally, epoxy resins are harmless but it is beneficial to wear goggles, gloves, and work within a properly ventilated workshop. Also, not all epoxy resins are food safe, and as such you must work away from utensils or cooking and eating areas.
TIP: For ‘How to Make Resin Jewelry without Molds’ we recommend that you use deep pour casting resin for excellent epoxy resin art.
TOOLS TO MAKE RESIN JEWELRY WITHOUT MOLDS
1• Epoxy Resin (and hardener; depending on the nature of the epoxy resin package)
2• Decorations: Gems, glitters, pebbles, and many more depending on your epoxy resin art jewelry
3• Resin holder: Epoxy Resin Bezels, Small DIY wires, parts of unused or broken jewelry
4• Bezel Back | Bezel Tray: Transparent tape, or pendant tray
1•0 PREPARATION
1.1• EPOXY RESIN
Have a rough estimate of how much volume you will need for your epoxy resin jewelry project. This estimate helps you avoid wastage of resources.
NOTE: Mostly epoxy resin cannot be reused to produce desired results. Be careful with the measurements by using graduated containers (some of these accessories are included in some epoxy resin packages).
1.2• DECORATIONS
Organize all your decorative embellishments. If your decorations are too tiny they might fail to be recognized as vivid detail when the epoxy resin cures.
The most important thing here is to make sure all decorations, regardless of their size or shape, or material, fit perfectly within the area of the bezel without which your epoxy resin jewelry loses its aesthetic quality.
1.3• BEZELS
Owing to the hollowness of the bezels or even the parts of old jewelry mentioned earlier, we will need a surface to hold the epoxy resin from below.
Without this surface, then epoxy resin can just flow out away from our bezels making it impossible to complete our epoxy resin jewelry project.
There are two options. On the one hand, the bezel you are working with could have a tray upon which epoxy resin can set and cure.
On the other hand, a hollow bezel demands the use of a transparent tape which acts as a third face on where epoxy resin can sit, set, and cure.
NOTE: You have to completely seal either side of the bezel with the transparent tape carefully to prevent leakage. Leakages cause loss of decorations, shrunk epoxy resin surfaces, and the overall resin jewelry is not aesthetically pleasing.
2•0 MIXING EPOXY RESIN
Mix your epoxy resin with the corresponding hardener in the correct mix ratio.
Although some epoxy resins may have some specific procedures during preparations, the general drill is to pour the resin and hardener into a container and stir well.
Make this step the last one after preparing decorations and bezels to ensure the epoxy resin does not gel or begin to cure.
Blenders could be used for stirring and mixing but depending on the epoxy resin that you are using, you may produce numerous bubbles that ruin the aesthetics and craftsmanship of the epoxy resin jewelry.
An excellent thing to do is to use a wooden spatula which you can scrape the bottom of the mixing container to ensure even mixing.
In case you are intending to add a pigment or stain into the epoxy resin, you can do that while carefully consulting the product manual of both the epoxy resin and the pigment. Ensure compatibility before using pigments.
3.0 POURING EPOXY RESIN
Pour the epoxy resin from the container into the bezels from one side. By pouring from one side you are ensuring the epoxy resin spreads within the area of the bezel while displacing air. This way, you run a low risk of encountering bubbles that are displeasing.
Besides, be as close to the bezel when pouring the epoxy resin to prevent splashes and also to reduce the speed of pour which when fast could accelerate bubble formation.
You may eliminate bubbles using an epoxy resin with the anti-bubbling property. You can pass a blow torch or a heat gun over the surface of the epoxy resin pour to quickly remove bubbles.
Also, working in a relatively hotter environment above room temperature and placing your epoxy resin in a water bath before mixing and pouring are all DIY methods that epoxy resin artists use to remove bubbles in epoxy resin.
4.0 ADDING DECORATIONS
Depending on the complexity of your epoxy resin jewelry project, you might want to add decorative elements per layer.
Choose macro decorations that are dull in color to form your background and to be in the first layer. Other details that are bright in color and minute should appear in th consecur=tive layers as you blend your epoxy resin jewelry design.
Always make sure you are working fast since epoxy resin gels. If you have numerous pieces of jewelry to attend to, then it is wise of you to estimate the epoxy resin for a specific phase and mix and pour as you go.
5.0 SETTING EPOXY RESIN
After adding the decorations, it is time to patiently wait for the epoxy resin to cure. Check the manufacturer’s details on the curing time of the epoxy resin that you are using.
If possible do not move the resin jewelry pieces to cure in a different place. Moving could distort the positions of your embellishments resulting in a distorted design.
The area you place jewelry should be free from debris including debris and even wind. Debris such as dust could attach to the surface of the epoxy resin distorting the color of your epoxy resin jewelry surface.
The wind could distort the position of the embellishments.
If you are working outdoors and want to place your pieces in direct sunlight to cure, it is wise to use a UV resistant epoxy resin that greatly slows the process of yellowing over time and protects jewelry from fading and graying.
6.0 SANDING EPOXY RESIN
Epoxy Resin surfaces require sanding to make surfaces smoother and make desired shapes and forms.
Bubbles and holes are inevitable and can sometimes become a nuisance on epoxy resin surfaces that is why sanding or even painting is recommended to produce a fine piece of art.
7.0 ATTACHING YOUR EPOXY RESIN JEWELRY
You have made a stunning pendant. However, you need to find a matching piece onto which the bezel will hook.
Find jewelry color themes that contrast, or supplement your epoxy resin jewelry.
Also, make the epoxy resin piece that you have made stand out by blending it well with the colors, shapes, and sizes of the larger jewelry piece.
METHOD 2: REPLACE BEZELS WITH A SHARPIE PEN
Instead of using bezels to define the area onto which you are to pour your epoxy resin, you can use the marks of a pen.
Scribble the shape of the jewelry you want to achieve on the transparent tape. Use a sharp tip pen with or without ink just to get a boundary and clue of the region to pour epoxy resin.
Since with jewelry you are not working with big volumes of epoxy resin, you can use a spatula to spread the epoxy resin over the shape you have inscribed on the transparent tape.
On this layer, you can add embellishments on one layer or even as many layers as you want your deco to appear.
Cut out the inscribed shapes carefully to the individual jewelry pieces as many as they could be depending on the scale of your resin jewelry project.
Finally, it is recommended to pour a clear resin layer on top after decorating to increase the integrity of the bond of your deco.
Some of the pendants created using this method have the transparent tape remaining but you can remove it after the epoxy resin cures.
The big disadvantage with Method 2 is the lack of a metallic bezel that is a signature for the majority of pendants. However, it cannot be written off completely due to a significant minority of pedants that lack bezels.
Resin art designs are limitless. Do not feel afraid to experiment with anything on the bezels. Change the form, shape, and color of your bezels while looking for the best epoxy resin jewelry for your needs.
As long as you are sticking within the basic principles of design you will end up with great masterpieces that will wow you either as a beginner or pro.
Whichever method you use to make resin jewelry without molds, you will be keeping production costs significantly low. Continue reading below on the edge you will have over using molds to make resin jewelry.
Also, you are assured of the great durability of your epoxy resin jewelry since the pieces will stick together strongly preventing distortion or disintegration.
ADVANTAGES OF MAKING RESIN JEWELRY WITHOUT MOLDS
1• NO TREATMENT REQUIREMENT – It is not necessary to treat the resin holders (bezels etc).
However, it is compulsory to treat molds before pouring epoxy resin on them which adds an extra step in making resin jewelry.
2• EASY TO WORK – Enjoy the option to retain or eject the bezel or the resin holder you are using.
For molds, you have to find a way to eject the mold as you make your epoxy resin jewelry. For us here’ it’s a big task to carefully do it.
3• ACCESSIBLE RAW MATERIALS – Regardless of whether you have the bezels for your resin jewelry project, you can get great pieces from old jewelry.
Create any area and shape of resin jewelry with a rhinestone chain – feel limitless.
Some old jewelry parts come with a back which is instrumental in making the surface upon which epoxy resin with set and cure.
4• FAST – Due to the hollow structure of bezels, all you have to do is to pour the epoxy resin you have chosen for your epoxy resin jewelry project.
Afterward, patiently wait for it to set and cure then use it on a bangle or other piece.
5• RESIN JEWELRY FROM THE START – While working with bezels, you are actually crafting the resin jewelry itself. The resulting ‘pendant’ is ready for attachment.
On the other hand, molds can only give the chosen epoxy resin shape. You will have to add another step of modifying your cast to look like jewelry.
CONCLUSION
How to Make Resin Jewelry without Molds is an easy process even for beginners in epoxy resin art. The advantages of quick, convenient, and simple designs while using minimal resources make Resin Jewelry without molds an attractive and worthwhile jewelry project. As long as you stick within the fundamental principles of design you are assured of great and outstanding resin jewelry.
All the best Making Resin Jewelry without Molds!
