How to Make the Easiest Resin Charm With Sprinkles
This post is sponsored by ETI but the ideas and opinions are my own. I always had a belief that resin would be really hard to work with and I would fail. I am happy as can be to report that I was totally wrong. Working with the EasyCast Resin from ETI is super easy and tons of fun. The best part is the big reveal when the resin cures and gets taken out of the mold. I am super excited to share this project with you and hope you decide to try it too. Let’s make the easiest resin charm!
Materials and Supplies Need to Make the Easiest Resin Jewelry Charm
- ETI EasyCast
- Silicone Mold
- Polymer Clay Sprinkles
- Jewelry Bail
- E-6000 Adhesive
- Mixing Cup and Tools from ETI
Directions to Make a Resin Charm With Sprinkles
The steps to this craft are very simple. This is a fun craft to do with older kids or teenagers so would be perfect for Cadette level Girl Scouts and up.
Step One
Start by carefully measuring and mixing the epoxy resin according to the instructions on the box. THIS IS SO IMPORTANT. The ratio has to be exactly 1:1. This is the easiest resin charm to make but FOLLOWING the directions is cricital.
You have to pay attention to your project carefully! When your first mix the two parts together, you should see they look cloudy or wavy. This is normal. You should notice, however, that the more you mix, the closer the mixture gets to a clear liquid.
Step Two
Next, gently (and slowly) pour the resin into the molds. If there are any bubbles on the surface on the resin, you can use a lighter to carefully heat the surface to burst the bubbles. This is actually extremely satisfying.
Step Three
Carefully place the polymer clay sprinkles in the resin. They will eventually sink so be prepared for that. After a few hours when it starts to thicken, you can add a few more to get them to layer.
Step Four
Let it cure for at least 24 hours. Gently remove it from the mold and admire the amazingness. Then decide what you are going to make with your easiest resin charm. I had so many ideas for this part.
To make a charm that can be added to a piece of jewelry, use E-6000 adhesive to attach a bail to the back of the charm. The bail can be simple or ornate. This completely is determined by your personal taste. I prefer simple. Let it dry completely before going any further.
Step Five
Add your charm to make it something fancy and fun. I added mine to a scrappy fabric keyring and I LOVE IT! Like, I mean I really love it. I actually made two and sent one with a book to the stranger I got in this month’s book exchange. She’s going to be so surprised.
Resin Keychains, Jewelry or Charms?
Is it a keychain, a pair of earrings or is it simply a charm? Well, that is totally up to you! It can be attached to anything really.
I call these cuties resin charms, but really they can be used for many different purposes. You can put them on a chain to make a necklace, attach to a keychain, make a pair of earrings or just keep them in your pocket as a lucky charm.
Epoxy Resin
It is relatively easy to buy epoxy resin and hardener (they normally come together in a kit), however, it can be pretty expensive at the crafts stores (and is rarely on sale). I use Easy Cast from ETI! Easy Cast is a two component, low odor, solvent free, clear casting epoxy. It’s ideal for casting small decorative items such as kitchen and bathroom knobs. Color EasyCast with Castin’Craft opaque pigments for solid colors, transparent dyes for that colored glass look or granite powders for the look of stone.
Silicone Molds
To make this gift shaped resin charm, use a silicone mold. This particular mold was from Christmas and I got it on sale at the craft store. There are tons of awesome silicone molds on Etsy! Now that I am obsessed with resin crafts, I ordered several really fun ones and MORE polymer clay sprinkles too.
For the best charm, you want to choose a mold that is shiny on the inside. That way your charm will be shiny when you remove it from the mold. However, if the only molds you can find are matte finished on the inside, that is okay. Once the resin is set, you can add a think coat of Glossy Mod Podge to get the shine.
Tips For Working With Epoxy Resin When Making Charms
I think it is wise to share a few tip that will help you when you are making your resin charms!
- MOST IMPORTANT!!!! Make sure you measure the resin and hardener carefully. It must be exactly 1:1 ratio.
- Mix the two parts together completely. Take your time and mix for at least 7-10 minutes. If they are not completely mixed, then your resin mixture will not set properly and will stay sticky!
- When mixing, make sure you do it slowly so that you don’t get too much air into the mixture. You want to keep the bubbles to a minimum.
- After you pour the resin into the molds, if you have any little bubbles on the surface of your resin, you can use a lighter to gently pop the bubbles. A match works too but be super careful that it doesn’t fall in the resin!
- Do not use paper stickers or paper scraps in the resin! Use plastic or metal ones instead.
- LETTERS and WORDS! – If you are using letter beads, be sure to spell any words backward, as they will be views from the other side on the finished piece.
- GLITTER TIPS! – Fine glitter will sink down to the bottom of the mold. If you want to add a backing of fine glitter then you will want to wait a few hours for the resin to set, before sprinkling it on the surface.
MORE RESIN CRAFT IDEAS for BEGINNERS
If you want to make a charm for a holiday, Lindsay over at Artsy Fartsy Mama has a great one for Valentine’s Day. Check it out.
Beth used the same mold as Lindsay and made this darling resin Valentine clip.
A few months ago I tried Fast Cast for the first time and shared all about it! It is also super easy and a lot of fun. The biggest difference is that it cures FAST and turns white. Check it out in the post that shows how to make adorable gingerbread clips.
Be sure to save this post and pin it so you can quickly get back to all of the fun details and directions for making charms.
XO,
Laura
What a sweet project, I tried working with resin once and do plan to try it again sometime.