Creating a beautiful piece of resin jewelry takes a bit of practice – and patience! Having the right tools is the first step. This list of resin jewelry-making must-haves will give you an idea of what you will need whether you’re using UV Resin or Epoxy Resin for your project.
These are things I use every time no matter what type of resin jewelry I’m making. This list has developed over time and materials have changed as I’ve found what works and what doesn’t. Experiment with different things and find what works for you.
#1. RESIN
The first thing you’ll need is resin. Depending on the type of jewelry, you will most likely work with either UV resin or epoxy resin. There are pros and cons to each, but it ultimately depends on what type of jewelry you want to make
UV RESIN
UV resin can be a great choice if you are using an open jewelry bezel or mold that works with UV resin. The best thing about UV resin is that it cures much faster than epoxy resin. While epoxy resin typically takes at least a full day to fully cure, UV Resin can be ready in 3-4 minutes under a UV light.
When I first started making resin jewelry, I picked up this UV resin at Hobby Lobby. It’s honestly not that bad of a resin and a great choice for beginners on a budget. I now use Limino UV resin for all my UV resin jewelry. I’ve been using it for months and have zero complaints!
EPOXY RESIN
Epoxy resin is much more versatile than UV Resin. For any project where UV resin is used, you can replace it with epoxy resin- for the most part. It isn’t the ideal choice if you’re working with open bezels or have multiple small layers. In those cases, UV resin will be much easier to work with as the curing time is much shorter and it doesn’t require two parts to be mixed. If you have anything that requires doming, epoxy resin is the one want. It also cures harder than UV resin, making it a better choice for any pendant you want to be of higher quality or last longer.
Some of my favorite epoxy resins include Art Resin and Dr. Crafty. I’ve found both of these resins to be easy to work with and great for doming in bezel cups or making pendants with a mold.
#2. Jewelry Findings and/or Bezels
This one can lead you down a deep, dark hole if you’re not careful. I can easily spend hours researching jewelry supplies searching for exactly what I want. One reason I think it takes me so long is that it can be hard to find quality jewelry supplies for a decent price.
Amazon is just okay for things like stainless steel or plated jewelry, but not the best if you’re looking for higher quality. You also will typically get a huge number of items when ordering from Amazon. If you’re looking to buy only a few findings/pieces, Etsy is the way to go. I have found most shops I’ve ordered from on Etsy are great quality at a decent price, and I like that there’s more info on who I’m buying from.
One other site I want to mention is Fire Mountain Gems. I have ordered from them a couple of times and they seem to be a tad bit more expensive than other places, but I’ve been happy with everything I’ve bought from them.
#3. Fillers
Fillers include anything you’re adding to your resin, such as dried flowers, glitter, sprinkles, metal leaf, sand, paint, ink, etc.
My two favorite things to add to resin are dried flowers and metal leaf. I guess favorite might not be the right word. They are the two things I have the most experience with. I grow and dry many of my flowers, but will occasionally buy dried flowers from other shops.
Etsy is the way to go if you’re looking for specific types of dried flowers for jewelry. Although Amazon can be great for buying assortments of dried flowers, I have been ] happy with many of the flowers I’ve bought off Etsy. Keep in mind, they are more expensive off Etsy and you usually only get a handful of flowers in a package depending on who you buy from.
#4. Silicon Mixing Stick
I started out using single-use items like wooden stir sticks and quickly found that the amount of waste added up FAST when working with these. I also read somewhere that wood can increase the amount of bubbles in your resin since it is an organic material. Occasionally, I use wooden sticks, but much prefer silicon stirrers since I find they create fewer bubbles in my resin and are easy to clean and reusable. I purchased this 8-piece set of stir sticks from Fire Mountain Gems when ordering jewelry and I love the fine tip since it makes it easy to move around small flowers in resin.
It’s also worth mentioning that with a larger project that requires multiple layers, it might be more difficult to use silicon stir sticks, but I have found the cleanup to be super easy when making resin jewelry. The amount of resin you use is so small that it takes 30 seconds to clean the resin off the mixing stick once dried. Just take some tape and press it to the dried resin and it will come right off.
#5. Lighter
Any gas lighter will do. I use a lighter instead of a butane torch for jewelry since jewelry is so small it requires a small flame. You don’t want to burn the flowers in your resin or melt your work surface which will happen when using a torch with a small pendant. When you’re ready to cure your resin in your pendant, simply place the flame of your lighter directly over the resin and it will eliminate bubbles on the surface.
#6. Safety Supplies
Technically this one includes two items, and I cannot stress how important having the right personal protective equipment (PPE) is! Every time you work with resin, whether it’s pouring, sanding, or curing, you want to wear nitrile gloves and a respirator mask. When choosing your mask, make sure it has an N95 rating or better. This is the mask I used when I first started and when I upgrade to a full-face mask, I am looking at getting one from Parcil Safety.
#7. Protection For Your Surface
My choice: a silicon mat. I started out using a shower curtain to protect my work surface, which works fine. For smaller projects like jewelry it is easier to use a small silicon mat you can move around your workstation. I snagged two of these silicon mats for free with a deal from Michael’s. They are TINY but are super easy to clean and roll up for easy storage.
Some Additional Items You May Need:
- UV Lamp or Handheld UV Light – if using UV resin
- UV Resin Tape – if using UV resin and open bezels
- Mixing Cups – for epoxy resin
- Silicon Molds – if using UV resin make sure your mold is meant to be used with UV resin
- Sealant – some dried flowers and other fillers may need to be sealed before being cured in resin
- Safety Goggles – eye protection is needed if you need to sand your resin or work with silica sand
- Jewelry Pliers – snipe nose pliers will work, but you only need them if you’re going to opening and closing jump rings for your jewelry
Conclusion
My 7 must-have tools for making resin jewelry are: resin, jewelry findings/bezels, fillers (such as dried flowers), silicon mixing sticks, a lighter, safety supplies (gloves & respirator), and protection for your surface.
It took almost a year for me to figure out what things are most important for me to create resin jewelry that turns out beautiful every time. I’m sure it may change as I continue learning! Whether you are looking to create one botanical necklace for a friend or want to start a new hobby in resin jewelry making, do some research but don’t be afraid to get started. I hope this list gives you a good start or builds on a foundation you’ve created in your resin jewelry-making journey!
