Introduction
Making dried flower resin jewelry is a fun and creative way to add a custom, personal touch to any piece of jewelry. With the right supplies, it’s possible to create beautiful pieces at home with minimal cost and hassle. There are several methods for drying flowers in order to incorporate them into DIY jewelry. Some popular techniques include using beeswax, glycerin and Borax laundry detergent.
Using Beeswax: Beeswax can be used as an adhesive and waterproof encasement for the flowers when making dried flower resin jewelry. First, cut lengths of wax paper about two times longer than the desired shape of your finished product. Place your freshly-picked blossoms onto the wax paper and stick down with a small dab of melted beeswax before lightly pressing down flat. Once cooled, cut out around the outline of any flower you will use and let them dry overnight or up to 24 hours until totally hard. When ready, attach drying flowers by glueing them onto metal backing pieces before layering with resin on top of that.
Using Glycerin: The primary benefit of using glycerin is that it penetrates deep into delicate layers of petals or leaves creating a long-lasting preservation effect since it won’t interact or damage natural components like many other chemicals do such as Borax laundry detergent does. To preserve with glycerin simply submerge in clear liquid for two weeks stirring it every few days then take out and let air-dry on absorbent material until completely dried out; its translucent coloring creates a great overall look once set within polymer clay bases too which further enhances optical appeal.
Using Borax Laundry Detergent: Borax has been proven effective in preserving various natural elements such as petals while both hydrating them as well as preventing discoloration after hardening due to exposure from air or light sources ” though this process usually takes up to one month compared with brighter alternations. To utilize borax begin by soaking all chosen florals in an oxygenated water mixture containing 1-2 teaspoons per liter alongside 3-5 tablespoons then let sit overnight before draining off solution after time elapsed period; hang dry afterwards if necessary until nearly fully dried out state before inserting within epoxy material castings – this allows desirable stain protection within otherwise vulnerable colored items like petals for example leaving no blemishes whatsoever upon completion!
Supplies
To make dried flower resin jewelry, there are several supplies you will need to have on hand. Firstly, make sure you have a variety of dried flowers of your choice. You’ll also need an epoxy or polyurethane resin that is suitable for making jewelry, along with resin molds and bezels (or settings) in which the jewelry pieces will be placed. Additionally, any decorations such as glitter, beads or other items for embellishment should be prepared prior to beginning this project. Make sure you have gloves, cups and stirring sticks for mixing the resin as well as some wax paper for standing the pieces on after they are poured into the mold or settings. Finally, if any clear finishing coat is desired to give your jewelry a shiny finish, you will also need either eye sealers or a UV hardening polish to complete your project. With all of these supplies on hand it’s time to get started creating beautiful dried flower resin jewelry!
Desired Outcome
When creating dried flower resin jewelry, the types of flowers and other materials you choose to work with can have a big impact on the finished piece. It is important to find flowers that have been preserved well so that the colors remain vibrant and true to life. Consider using roses, ferns, lavender, heather, chrysanthemums or any other type of flower that you think will look beautiful after being encased in resin. Additionally, consider adding additional decorative elements such as opal chips or gold foil flakes to give your design an even more eye-catching look. You may also want to experiment with different shapes for your jewelry, such as geometric or organic shapes which can be created by using several layers of flowers as well as plain circle molds or flat sheets of either metal or plastic. Finally, consider adding details like quartz crystals, beads, pearls and semi-precious stones for a truly decadent finish.
Preparing the Resin
Making your own dried flower resin jewelry is an exciting do-it-yourself project, and the results can be stunning. However, working with resin requires following careful mixing ratios to ensure that your jewelry will set properly.
Before beginning, make sure you have all the necessary materials for resin mixture preparation: a waterproof container for mixing, disposable gloves for protection, an accurate measuring device (such as an electronic scale), and appropriate safety gear including eye wear and a respirator. It is also recommended to work in a well ventilated room.
Once the safety precautious are taken care of, the next step will be to mix your components according to ratio instructions found on product labels or manuals. Most two part epoxy resins use a 1:1 mixture of resin and hardener components by weight or volume depending on type of product purchased.
When you are ready to mix, start by adding one component at a time: begin with the smaller portion if you measure by volume; use correct cylinder size provided by manufacturer. Thoroughly stir each component into its host before adding more until it is fully mixed in. After both portions are mixed together move quickly because quick curing time may not give enough time for proper stirring without sacrificing resin quality.. Finally, wait for some minutes before using so bubbles dissipate then proceed with pouring into prepared molds or using desired tools.
Assembly
Once you have the flowers you want to use for your jewelry, it’s time to start assembling them. Start by positioning the flower where you’d like it to be and securing it in place with a dab of clear-drying craft glue. If the petals are prone to moving around, use paperclips or even bobby pins to hold them down until the glue is set. To keep things neat, make sure that all eyesores are covered up once these items are secured (paperclips and bobby pins). Then leave it aside to dry completely before continuing with your resin work.
Pouring on the Resin
Making resin jewelry with dried flowers is a unique and fun craft activity that can be done even by beginners. However, one critical step in this project is pouring on the resin properly so that air pockets are avoided. Air pockets are when an area of empty space gets trapped inside of the jewelry design, leading to defects in the finished product. To prevent air pockets from occurring, there are a few tips you should keep in mind.
First of all, it is best to pour resin over each flower individually to ensure even coverage and avoid trapping any air bubbles underneath the petals or leaves of the flowers. Make sure to use a slow and steady stream of resin over each flower, using enough liquid to fill any gaps around them. Additionally, it is important to move quickly after pouring the resin so as not to create lumps or bumps that could contain bubbles. Before curing your jewelry piece, take a toothpick and lightly poke all around the design to prevent any air bubbles from getting trapped inside once it has hardened. Finally, make sure not to hold your torch too close while curing as this can cause distortions in the resin that can form into pockets once solidified. By following these steps carefully when pouring on your resin, you will be rewarded with flawless jewelry pieces full of beautiful dried flower designs.
Final Assembly
Trimming: Once your resin has been fully cured, it’s time to trim any excess material that may be visible around your dried flowers or petals. To do this, use careful, even strokes with a sharp pair of scissors until the edges of the jewelry look neat and smooth.
Filling Vacuums: Depending on how much space you left between your flowers and other components of the jewelry piece when casting them in resin (such as stones or coins), there may be small vacuums left after trimming. To make sure your jewelry still looks perfect, you can use a small brush and tiny amounts of resin to fill these vacuums. Simply dab a bit of uncured resin onto each vacuum until it is filled. Allow the resin to fully cure before continuing with final assembly steps.
Smoothing Out Surfaces & Finishing Steps: Next, take some sandpaper to lightly sand down any uneven surfaces. This will make sure all pieces are level with one another so they have a unified appearance when put together in the finished piece. Finally, you can use sealants such as varnish or gloss if desired for a polished finish that will protect the pieces from everyday wear and tear.
Curing
When it comes to making dried flower resin jewelry, the curing process is an extremely important factor. Depending on the type of resin used, different setting times may need to be considered and accounted for when making your jewelry. Generally speaking, epoxy resins take longer to cure than polyester and polyurethane resins. In addition to choosing the proper type of resin, other techniques should also be considered to ensure a successful result. De-airing before setting can help reduce air bubbles in the mix which can affect the finished product’s clarity and look. Vacuum presses also increase the strength of pieces. Additionally, applying an amplifying agent during mixing will force more light through the area giving off improved color and sheen. Finally, using dried flowers in molds with slightly curved edges will allow for easier removal after curing
Accessories
Once you’ve made your dried flower resin jewelry, there are a few things you can do to finish it off and display it. One of the most popular ways to show off your jewelery is by attaching findings or clasp to chains or strings and creating necklaces that can be worn. If you have silicone molds, you could also make rings, bracelets and earrings. You could also make keychains out of the larger jewelry pieces that have been molded from the resin.
Another way to show off your creations is by using some creative stationary or boxes! These can create a really cute packaging for your jewelry pieces as gifts or for yourself. You can line them with tissue paper, colored papers and paints, ribbons, or other decorations to give them an extra special touch. Display boxes are also perfect for presenting your items in shops if you plan on selling them. You might even be able to find some vintage frames which will turn your jewelry into art! Finally, magnets and hooks are great ways to hang up some of your smaller pieces at home.
Conclusion
With the right tools and steps, you have now learned how to make beautiful and unique dried flower resin jewelry! Once you have mastered the basics of working with resin, it’s time to let your creativity take over as you create unique pieces that showcase your individuality. Consider adding different colors of paint or glitter to your resin jewelry for an extra touch of flair and start customizing your own creations. When making anything involving jewelry, always remember safety first. Wear gloves at all times and ensure that dust or fumes do not get into your eyes or lungs when you are working on your project. Your friends will be charmed by your new handmade statement piece, enjoy creating it!
Welcome to my jewelry blog! My name is Sarah and I am the owner of this blog.
I love making jewelry and sharing my creations with others.
So whether you’re someone who loves wearing jewelry yourself or simply enjoys learning about it, be sure to check out my blog for insightful posts on everything related to this exciting topic!
