Instructions
STEP BY STEP RESIN CABOCHONS
You make your own resin cabochon, buy a glass one from your bead store, or a resin
cabochon from the artist.
To make your own:
Cut shreds of dichroic papers – you will need about 7. Crumple the patterned dichroic paper and then cut out a 30 mm circle. Set aside.
In a medicine cup, add part 1 of your resin. Measure carefully. Use about about 5 ml.
Add 5 ml part 2 of your resin. Mix thoroughly for 2 minutes. Now leave the resin sit undisturbed for 5 minutes. Use a timer for this step.
Pour your mold 1/3 full of resin. Add your dichroic shreds and push down into the resin
with your popsicle stick.
Now, put the crumpled 30 mm circle on top. Push down with your stick so the resin covers
it. Cover the mold with something like a box lid so dust can not drop on the resin. Leave
undisturbed for 2 days.
The directions say ‘12 hours’, but I have found the black layer we are going to add can mix
with the first layer of the resin, making a mess.
Use a fresh mixing cup and 5 ml of each part of resin as above. This time you will add 4
drops of black colorant. Again, mix for 2 minutes and then sit for 5 minutes. Now pour
mold 2/3 full. Cover and set for 12 hours.
You may level out the cabochon by pouring another layer of resin or unmold your cabochon
and carefully trim your the edge with a knife.
STEP BY STEP NECKLACE
Copy the heart pattern on to card stock and cut out with scissors. Trace around the heart
pattern on to your copper sheet with a sharp marker. Coat your saw blade with beeswax.
Saw out the heart shape and the lines which will form prongs which will hold your cabochon.
Bend the prongs forward with your beading pliers. Now file all the sharp edges so they are
rounded as well as the edges of the heart. This will prevent your pendant from catching
on clothing.
Now torch your pendant to add color to your metal. Do this by holding the pendant in your
beading pliers and torching the edges. You only have to kiss your metal with the torch as
too much will turn your metal an ugly black color.
Use your marker to force the top lip forward to the front to make a bail. Glue the front of
the bail e-6000 glue, a toothpick is handy for this. Let the glue dry.
46| April-May | RitzyToo! | RitzyToo.com