Making Jewellery - August 2016

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.

5. 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.


6. 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.


7. 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.


8. 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

1. 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.


2. 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.


3. 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.


4. 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

W

MJ96_P22-25_Resin Florals SHSF.indd 23 23/06/2016 10:56