Here is a guest post from Resin Obsession! They have all the materials you need for your resin projects. The links throughout the tutorial are not affilate links, and I have not been paid to share this project with you.
We’ve all seen Pandora beads. Trendy and stylish, these unique
beads can be customized on bracelets or necklaces for endless
combinations. They are beautiful and fun to collect. But did you know
you can create your own? There’s something very satisfying about
creating your own beautiful jewelry, and even more so when you get
compliments on it! Here, we will give you all the details you need to
know about making your own Pandora-style beads with resin. This
project is also appropriate for beginners. New to making beads? Head
over to our
tutorials
to learn more about how to make your own beads and other must-knows
for beginners!
Tools you will need for this project:
Mixing cups
Rubber gloves
Stirring sticks or toothpicks
Bead mold
Clear resin epoxy and hardener
Dye, glitter, or metallic powder
Bead grommets
The majority of these supplies can be purchased online from arts and
crafts suppliers and retailers or found at your local craft store.
Let’s get
started!
Prepare Your Work Station
First, lay down some wax paper or plastic that will protect your work
surface and allow for easy cleanup should a spill occur. The last
thing you need is to be cleaning up a catastrophic resin spill on
your dining room table!
Gather all of your supplies and place along the edges of your table
within reach for easy access. Rubber gloves are important for
protecting your hands from resin. You may also prefer to have a
trashcan within close range for disposal when finished.
Mix the Resin
A
superclear resin kit is an excellent choice for making
beads. Though curing times vary amongst kits, most kits take 8 hours
to cure though you can always wait the full 24 hours in non-peak
curing conditions. When choosing a crystal clear resin, you may also
decide to add
colorants
for a little extra color and flair!
You will need to measure and mix your hardener with your resin
according to the kit directions. Be sure to scrape the sides of your
cup as you are mixing, and carefully mix the two parts together to
avoid bubbles.
Once you have finished mixing, pour the resin into the mold, and set
aside, allowing the resin sit.
Making the Resin Beads
Depending on the type of resin you have mixed, there are several
different ways you can go about achieving
the desired color and shape of your Pandora-style
beads:
Clear Resin: Simply pour the clear resin into your bead mold.
It can help to use a toothpick to guide the resin into the mold.
Fill the mold completely for the best results.
Color with Neon Pigment: Bright neon beads are great for kids
who love the brilliant effect of neon colors (or for those of us
that are kids at heart!) Mix your neon pigment into the resin until
it is well combined. Pour into the mold, following the same
instructions outlined above in the “Clear Resin” section.
Metallic Powder: Mix your metallic powder into the resin and
pour into the mold, following the same instructions outlined above
in the “Clear Resin” section.
Chunky Glitter: Make your resin sparkle by mixing in glitter!
In this method, mix your glitter into the resin, making sure the
flecks are thoroughly mixed and suspended before pouring into the
mold as outlined above.
Color with Transparent Pigment: Semi-transparent beads allow
some light to pass through and look great when outside. Mix in the
pigment and pour into the mold as outlined above.
Colored Alcohol Inks: In this method, first pour the clear
resin into the mold as outlined above. Then add one or more alcohol inks in layers or spots to
achieve your desired effect.
Resin Bead Tips
Once you’ve poured your resin into the mold, don’t forget to top
it off completely! You can do this by placing your toothpick into the
mold and dripping the resin mixture down the side of the toothpick.
Once filled completely, just sit back, and let the beads cure. Once
cured, gently twist and pull the beads free from the mold.
If you end up with leftover resin, DO NOT dispose of it down your
sinks or drains. The easiest option is to let it fully harden, and
then dispose of it in the trash.
Attach Grommets
Once your beads have fully hardened and have been removed from the
molds, you may notice that you have a little bit of a mess and
overpoured on some beads. This can easily be corrected by sanding the
beads down with fine-grit sandpaper and a little water.
Once you have reached your desired smoothness, use a strong, clear
adhesive to attach your chosen grommets to both sides of the beads.
Try your best to use the right amount of adhesive so that is doesn’t
overflow onto the bead surface. But don’t worry if this happens. A
small amount of sanding with fine-grit sandpaper can help diminish
the appearance of excess glue.
Get Creative
Once dried, you can use your Pandora-style beads to make bracelets,
earrings, or wear as a pendant on a necklace. The combination
possibilities are endless! You can even make beads that glow in the
dark for the next nighttime party you attend! Add metal flakes of
mock gold, silver, copper, and bronze for shine. Dry brightly colored
flower petals and incorporate them into your beads for a colorful
springtime look!
Pandora-style beads make great gifts for any occasion, and making
your own beads is a great project for beginners, so get your buddies
involved and make it a fun group project!
