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Resin Charms

  • Writer: Tammy
    Tammy
  • 7 days ago
  • 4 min read

"Seeing the big trend of everything RESIN this days? Interested in dabbling in it and aren't sure where? You have come to the right place... This is the simplest way with very little materials needed to make some really cute resin gifts! Uniquely design and personalize each resin item to suit your gift or project needs."


Charms individually made in a resin mold. Created with mica powder, chunky glitter, metal charms and printed cut-outs on transparent sheets.
Charms individually made in a resin mold. Created with mica powder, chunky glitter, metal charms and printed cut-outs on transparent sheets.
 

Making your own resin charms is way more fun than buying them. I Promise!... You can personalize then a little or alot! Great when you are making a gift for a special friend. or that special someone.


All you need is UV resin, resin mica powder or pigment ink colors, and a few extra supplies. You can make this super simple resin project this weekend. Even if you’re a resin beginner.


The possibilities are endless!



Materials:


  • Silicone mold of your choice, start small with something like earrings and or pedants - use cast-in-place hole molds for easier charm making. These are the little nubs to create a pre cut hole in your charm for dangling so you don't have to drill. (That's another post for another day...)

  • Crystal clear premixed UV resin for jewelry making

  • Color mica powders and or pigments inks in assorted colors

  • Disposable paper cups

  • Toothpicks for mixing colors

  • Emory board or nail file, soft sandpaper will work too

  • Disposable gloves, safety first!

  • UV light, the ones like the nail salons use for shilac mani-pedi

  • Metal jump rings in 8mm to 12mm

  • Needle nose, and flat nose pliers



Instructions:


Step 1: 


Mixing and coloring your resin layer -

For a beginner using the UV resin is easiest in my opionion. You want to use the super clear hard UV Resin type in light colored (whitish frosted style) molds because it cures through and hard to the touch. 


💡 CWT tip:  It’s also pretty amazing at releasing bubbles, meaning your jewelry won’t look like something that you would see in a champagne glass.


Put on your gloves. Using a disposable cup; measure and pour in a 1/2 ounce of resin.


Split the resin between several cups and mix in your favorite your desired amount of mica powder or pigment coloring using a toothpick. Mix together until clear and streak-free. You can always mix more resin than the amount above if you’re making a lot of these. Remember: Always start small, you can always add more rather than waste. Things are to expensive to waste nowadays!


💡 CWT tip:  When adding your powder or pigment coloring, start by adding a pinch, mix and check your color. Add a tiny bit at a time until you reach the color you desire. Remember you can always add more, you can't take it out of what you have mixed. This is the time you get to play with your artsy side.


Step 2:


Setting and pouring your molds -

Slowly pour your resin starting the center of the mold shape and letting it run to the edges of the mold. You can also use the toothpick to spread around the resin to get into any small areas where it may need help.


Completely fill the mold cavities with resin to the top edge of the mold. It's thick so it will old shape of the mold and won't spill out all over the place. Place your mold under the UV light for 90 second intervals. Once it completes the first set, I tend to run it again just for extra curing. Then flip the mold and run it for 90 seconds more to cure the underside completely. I say this, because sometimes it doesn't penetrate throuht the thickness of the resin and the mold. This is and extra step but it's worth it. Allow it to sit for a few seconds to harden fully. It may become slightly warm under the UV light, but not hot where you are not able to handle it.


Step 3:


De-molding and slightly sanding-

Once your resin is cured, demold the charms by twisting the mold (like an ice cube tray) to help wean out the charm; grabbing the edge. Sand off any rough edges as necessary with sandpaper or a nail file. You don’t want a sharp edge to poke you or snag a nice cashmere sweater. (and if it does poke you, it’s usually just a flesh wound 😉... Only you can prevent forest fires! - Smokey the Bear... Ok... Okay; I really showed my age with that one!)


💡 CWT tip: Be gentle when moving the molds. You don’t want to move the resin or end up on an uneven surface.


Step 4:


Making the molded resin peices into charms-

Now that you had molded and made your personal charm, it's time to add jump rings, to make them ready to hand from your chain of choice. You can add them to a short chain to make a purse charm or swag charm, earring wires, a necklace, my Charmies, charm bracelet, zipper pulls, keychains and more!


Take a jump ring using the needle nose in one hand and the flat nose pliars in the other. Twisting in opposite directions at the cut slit end, slight open the ring enough to slide the charm onto the ring. Twist back in the opposite directions to close securely, lining both ends up to meet each other. Twist the jumpr ring around so the slit slide into the whole of the charm hiding the slice. And there you have it... a personalized charm that you made!


Want to make a Charmies for your purse or to hang in your car? Follow this tutorial after making all your resin charms!


💡CWT tip: Use molds with cast-in-place holes, you don’t need to drill after de-molding. This... is another post for another day. Make it easier on yourself if you are a beginner at this. If not... take a walk on the wild side and get out those electric work tools! Or psst... have the hubs help ya! 😉 he's always good to look at and watch work... Ok ok.. enough of that... back to resin molds.. de-molding... oh making c-h-a-r-m-s!



Want to share your project creation from this tutorial?

Visit the CWT Community forum on Reddit, or reach out to me via the chat below.


 


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