SuzeBlogz

Aaaah, Resin

res·in

ˈrezən/

noun

 a sticky flammable organic substance, insoluble in water, exuded by some trees and other plants (notably fir and pine). 

 

verb

 rub or treat with resin."resined canvas"

 

and..it is..

 

something I just love filling my bezels with

 

My favorite being ICE RESIN which does require a day or two, left alone, to fully harden, but then, when it does, is crystal clear and  jewelers grade.

 

Yesterday we talked about Apoxie Clay, a 2 part system.

Well, ICE RESIN works in pretty much the same way. You need equal parts of "A" & "B" mixed together to create the liquid that you spoon in or pour into your bezel.

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You can purchase it in a plunger style (you depress both plungers at the same time to get equal amounts) which is great for anyone who is a tad nervous about getting it right ! And, one complete plunger makes a full ounce, enough to fill about 10 bezels.

or you can buy it in a larger size

but really,  you shouldn't be nervous or afraid to try it...you really can't make a mistake.

 

You stir the 2 parts together for 2 full minutes to integrate them

then, let it sit in the plastic cup for another 3-5 minutes so most of the air bubbles dispurse.

 

Then it's ready

 

 

There are collage images to be found everywhere.

I LOVE THEM ALL !!!

I wouldn't want any of the wonderful suppliers out there to think I'm ungrateful!

 

I just happen to like the ones from PIDDIX for my resin projects because they do NOT need to be pre-treated. The paper is non absorbant when bought in their prepackaged packs.

 

If you prefer to use images that you've downloaded or have in your stash you will want to pre-treat them by brushing on some resin (front and back) to make the paper non-absorbant.

Once it's dry you can pour over it.

 

and...you can also add all kinds of inclusions!

 

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The resin is also self doming. 

 

 

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and one of my absolute favorite pieces (which I kept for moi!) is the one below that I made in a class with the adorable Ken Oliver from Spellbinders !

 

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Resin can be mixed with colorants...such as glitters, pigments & dyes (Alumilite makes some interesting ones) & Rangers Perfect Pearls. I would just avoid anything water based.

 

I did try something a little different...

I brushed color OVER the cured resin using Vintaj Patinas...I love the effect!

 

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Now...I know most of you know me through my development of UTEE and The Melting Pot and have used Clear UTEE as a resin over images and in bezels.

I LOVE UTEE...absolutely, that was my baby.....but it's important to note with regard to professional level jewelry making:

 

UTEE is not a permanent jewelers grade resin. It can and will yellow over time and it can chip and crack. It also needs heat above 300 degrees F to melt, swell and fuse.

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One is a permanent cold resin process and one is a non permanent hot resin process.

 

They are very different type of resins.

 

enjoy them both.

 

 

So You Have a Bezel

I just adore bezels.

 

bez·el

 

ˈbezəl/

noun

 1. a grooved ring holding the glass or plastic cover of a watch face or other instrument in position.

2. the rim which encompasses and fastens a jewel

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I like to fill them with professional jewelers grade Ice Resin, or even other resins, the ones that set within 5-10 minutes. I like those too. Just depends on what I'm making.

 

Lately, though, I'm totally enjoying my other favorite

APOXIE CLAY

 

 

different companies call the 2 part system by their own names, one brand you may have seen is Crystal Clay, which comes in colors.

Another is made by AVES and can be bought in large bulk quantity. 

The premise:

Take equal parts of the "A" and "B" clay and mix them together, super thoroughly, until they become a solid color.

you don't want to see streaking of any kind.

then press it into your bezel

if you'd like you can press a rubber stamp (no ink nedeed) into the clay to form a texture, OR, press an embellishment into the clay and it will harden into the clay permanently in a few hours.

you can also press ANYTHING with a texture into the clay..a stencil, some screening, or, in this case, a plastic thingie The Lenster found floating around his garage.

This bezel is from NUNN Design. I also love their bezels !!

you can dust the surface of the clay with Perfect Pearls or any mica powder to change it. It will stick. If you want to be double sure, just spritz with water to set.

add some rhinestones with your Crystal Katana, a jump ring, and you have the beginnings of a beautiful piece of jewelry

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I designed several pieces using the bezels from Ice Resin (Susan Lenart Kazmer)..another of my very favorite companies

Below uses a combination of Apoxie Clay on one side and Ice Resin with inclusions on the other.

The face was made using paper clay and sealed with Ice Resin brushed over the surface.

The moon face below was made by pouring Ice Resin into a silicone rubber mold then dusting the surface with Perfect Pearls and Rub n Buff.

You can see where I've stamped into the clay, then pressed the moon face in.

Incidentally...I used Vintaj Patina (Moss mixed with Onyx) for the deep green color on the embellishment hanging from the bezel.

 

 

Right now, I'm hangin' on to these delicious samples !!!

Not selling them!!

In fact if you'll be at CHA they might just be hanging in the ICE RESIN  booth on display...come by booth #652 and see !!

 

In with the New..

and there you have it.....

Bye bye 2013....the year I turned SEVENTY !!!!!

and Helllloooooo

Helllloooooo..... party with friends of 40 years

Helllloooo..... good food

Hellllooo..... pigging out !

Helllloooo...... to our friend Frans' Birthday

and, watching the ball come down in Times Square and the crazy crowds on TV

and on to the grab bag exchange where everyone laughed A LOT

and I made a lovely necklace and bracelet as the item to "exchange" and all the girls kept stealing it from one another... It really was so funny.

First Gail picked it....

Then Pam (in black) stole it on her turn....

 

then Bernice got it on her turn...

and so it went all night

By 2:30 AM we were laughed out...nitey nite...

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New Years Day

Daughter Jen took part in a Polar Bear dip in the freezing cold Atlantic....crazy girl...

and then we met her back at her girlfriend Cali's farmhouse, built in the 1800's

and refurbished inside in a wonderful way

 

LOTS of family antiques

 

and the idea of using lots of original flooring to make new ceilings & fixtures

 

and outside of the house was cool as well...

mega amounts of people came in and out all day bearing food...

and the house was just brimming with kids of all ages. Totally wonderful!

Not to mention assorted animals ON and OFF the premesis

Meet Pinkerton

and the kids loving the hot tub

The remarkable thing about FaceBook....Jen and her friend, Cali, hadn't seen each other in about 30 years and FB brought them back together...can you imagine ! They used to be in gymnastics together (Jen L) (Cali R) in the gym pix..

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EVENING....more friends...more food

So, in other words...I am in OVERLOAD !!!

 Sleeeeeeeep

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 BUT FIRST !!!!!!

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