makingjewellery.com 23
TIPS & TECHNIQUES
I
n this technique Linzi takes a look at a
new brand resin, TotalCast used to create
moulded and coloured resin shapes for
components to make earrings, charms or
pendants and castings. Once mixed, you
can use oil paint, mica powders or specialist
pigment drops to add colour or sparkle to
the resin. Use ready-made bought moulds or
make your own using silicone moulding putty.
TotalCast gives great clarity in its results and
is suitable for casting, coating or setting. Linzi
used the twinpack one-use sachets, which save
on measuring and make 200g in total, which
is enough to make many pendants or small
items. Make sure you have all your projects
ready to pour resin onto beforehand, as once
it is mixed you have around 40 minutes before
it begins to cure.
as the dust is very fi ne. If the resin has spilled
over, you can snip away the excess with wire
cutters or sharp scissors. Rinse with water to
remove any dust.
- This pendant is moulded from a belt buckle
and so is in two sections. Mix 2-part crystal
clear jewellery glue and glue the sections into
place. Clamp or use reverse tweezers to hold
if necessary while it dries. At this point glue
bails on too. - With a metal highlighter pen, carefully draw
onto the raised parts of the design; you could
also use acrylic paint, gilder’s paste or ink to do
this. If using water-based paint to highlight,
seal with acrylic sealer once fi nished. - To make coloured moulded shapes to use
for components such as pendants or earrings,
add mica powder to mixed resin and stir very
thoroughly until combined completely. Pour
the resin carefully into the mould, again
making sure it can be left in situ to dry. Cover
and leave for 24 hours. - Once totally cured, remove the shapes from
the mould by pressing fi rmly from the reverse
until the shapes pop out.
PHOTOGRAPHS: LAUREL GUILFOYLE, LINZI ALFORD-BUCKMASTER
HOW TO MAKE
- Mix the resin. It is usually a 1:1 ratio, but do
check the instructions, depending on the brand
you use. If using the one-use pack, remove the
clip from the centre of the pack and then swoosh
both parts of the resin from side to side using
your fi ngers to ensure it is mixed completely
within the bag, including from the bag corners.
After mixing for approx. 3 minutes, the resin
is ready to use. Snip a corner from the bag and
decant into pouring cups for accuracy and ease
of use. Now add the colour. Here I have used
small dab of black oil paint. Do not add too
much paint as it can impair the resin curing. - Mix the colour thoroughly into the resin
using a wooden stirrer stick, until it is opaque.
If you want a marbled-eff ect fi nish, then do not
mix as completely, just stir it in. - Place the mould on a non-stick mat and place
it somewhere to cure, where it can remain
undisturbed. Carefully fi ll the mould with
resin. Add gradually, dripping the resin slowly
from a stirrer stick until it becomes nearly full
this avoids over-spills. Cover the fi lled mould
with an upturned bowl or similar to avoid dust
settling. Keep children and pets away and allow
to dry for 24 hours. - Use a metal fi le and then emery board or nail
block to remove any rough edges. Wear a mask
1 2 3
4 5 6
MATERIALS & TOOLS
● 200g TotalCast resin
● Moth brass stamping
● Oil paint
● Mica powder (Starbright Green/ Blue)
● 2-part crystal clear jewellery glue
● Rotary tool for drilling holes
● Reverse tweezers or clamp
● Emery board, nail block
● Metal fi les
● Glue-on bails
● Mould tray
● Non-stick mat
● Sharp scissors
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MJ96_P22-25_Resin Florals SHSF.indd 23 23/06/2016 10:56