Anyone worked with resin??

[silverjewellerygirl]

Sorry if this is in the wrong place... I was hoping to pick some brains here! 

I have a design in my head for a series of bangles, of different sizes. But I want them to light up! So I'm in the process of researching suitable LED lights to fit into some resin, which I think might work, and then to fit the resin bangle into a copper frame. Does any of that make sense?! 

I've never worked with resin before. Is pouring resin into a silicon mould, the only way of working with it? I'm assuming it's liquid and then sets hard, and so at best I might be able to cut and shape it afterwards, without needing to have a set of bangle shaped moulds in different sizes?! 

Early stages of research at the moment! 

Thank you!!! 
Sami

[DawninCal]

Hi Sami,

I work with resin quite a bit, although I have not attempted a bangle. Your idea sounds like a fun, whimsical project - I love the idea of lights inside a bangle!

Resin generally comes in two parts that are mixed together in a 50/50 ratio. It starts out as a liquid and after mixing there is about a 25 minute window before it starts to thicken and become difficult to work with. It takes 24 hours to cure although I usually give it 48 hours just to be safe. It solidifies within eight hours, but will not have hardened in that time frame. Whatever you do, do not stick your finger in it to see if it's hardened. It will not be and you will leave a nice fingerprint behind! Don't ask me how I know this.

Fortunately, most resin is self healing and a lot of flaws (like unintentional fingerprints) will smooth out on their own.

Resin is quite brittle once it's hardened; very similar to glass and it can chip if dropped on a hard surface like tile or cement. While it can be sanded and holes can be drilled in it, I think trying to cut and shape it would be quite frustrating. If I were going to do what you are proposing, I would get a set of silicone bangle molds to use. I would then half fill the mold and let it set up for 24 hours. At that point, you could add your lights and whatever other embellishments you want to use and then pour the second half. Once fully hardened you could then remove the bangle from the mold.

Resin does tend to form small bubbles, although there are ways to minimize bubbles. The larger the piece, the more likely bubbles are to form especially around your lights and embellishments. They can be popped by using a toothpick or needles or being subject to heat such as a lighter being waved over the surface. But, no matter how careful you are, you will most likely end up with a few bubbles. People who work with resin just accept that bubbles are part of the process.

When you are ready to pour your resin, work in a well ventilated room. Be mindful of dust and fuzz that might be floating around as you don't want that to end up in your resin when you pour. It can be quite sticky so take care not to get it on yourself or clothing. I always set whatever I'm working on on a sheet of wax paper because resin will not stick to that. I have also found that alcohol based wipes do a great job of removing resin from fingers and surfaces as long as the resin is still in liquid/tacky form.

Good luck and feel free to post any additional questions you might have!



Dawn

[caeterle]

I have only worked with resin once or actually twice, but the first time I got a faulty can (the resin was like a weird blob instead of liquid. The time after that I quickly found that it's not a medium for me, so I'm useless on this matter.

I can't wait to see what you'll be coming up with, though!

[silverjewellerygirl]

Thanks, Dawn & Cat!

Resin sounds like what I'm after. I might have to do a couple of practice runs, and will definitely have a look for some silicon bangle moulds. I hadn't realised the resin would be brittle after setting. For some reason, I thought it would be rubbery. Whoops!

So another project to chalk up to my short list!

Thanks, again!