Wood/resin Pendant

Intro: Wood/resin Pendant

A few month ago I bought some ice resin to repair a locket. I brought this locket to the jeweller for repair because the loop was almost broken. When I picked it up there was some damage: it wouldn't lock properly anymore and when I put pictures in it the pictures got damaged. So I bought resin to protect the photo's. It worked well and it was fun to work with resin. My new project was born: making a pendant with resin.

I wanted to make a pendent with an open bezel but there was just one problem: I didn't had any bezels. Also, where I live buying one in a shop is not an option. The only possibility is to order on the internet and wait for at least two weeks till it arrives, patience is what it costs to get things on the island. I'm far to impatience for that, when I want to make something I want to make it almost right away and certainly not wait for weeks. While reorganizing the shed I was thinking what to do and how to make it, when I saw a big bag with wood leftovers from the shutters and I knew what to do: why not make an open bezel from wood?

STEP 1: Tools and Things

What you need to make a bezel/ pendant from wood and resin? Keep in mind if you do not have everything there is almost something else you can use. For example, I used a fretsaw but the blades were very old and after one bezel there were no more blades left. I wanted to make two pendants, so the second bezel I made with a chisel, cut the wood in half, hollowed it out and glued together. That is why one of the bezels is in a clamp.

Fretsaw
Fretsaw blades
Hand drill
Wood
Sandpaper 60, 100, 180 and 400
Alcohol for cleaning
Dremel
Drill bits 1/32
Resin, I used ice resin
Syringe to mix the resin exactly
Small plastic cup for resin
Something to stir with
Wax paper
Round nose pliers
Head pins
Jump rings
Fold over cord ends for leather
Suède leather cord
Round clasps
Paper towel for cleaning tools with alcohol
Lint free cloth, I used a old piece of silk for cleaning the bezel/pendant after sanding
Safety glasses, when working use safety equipment!
Mask
Things to put in the resin. I used shells, coral, sand and sea glass all found on the beach.

STEP 2: Cutting and Sanding the Wood

I used pine, cut offs from the new shutters, because it already had the right wide. The best way to saw with a fretsaw is using a cutting board to stabilize your work. I couldn't find mine so I saw without it, the bezel will become a bit wobbly and you have to sand a bit more but it is doable. First draw your bezel on the wood, then drill a hole in it. I used a hand drill just because it is easy if you had to make one hole. Pull the fretsaw blade trough the hole and tension the fretsaw blade into the fretsaw. If the tension is to low it is hard to saw and if the tension is to high your blade will break easily. You have to play a bit with the tension to find out which works the best for you. Turning your work instead of the saw is the easiest way to saw. When finished, sand your work till it is smooth. I used sanding paper 60, 100, 180 and 400.

STEP 3: Making the Hole for the Headpin

After sanding, I made a hole on top for the head pin. With the dremel and a 1/32' drill bit I made a tiny hole, in which the head pin fits perfectly well, and made a loop in de head pin with the round nose pliers.

STEP 4: The First Layer of Resin

When making the pendant, I decided that I wanted the shells, sea glass, sand en coral in the middle of the resin so I made a first layer. I used ice resin, which is developed for jewelry and very easy to use and comes with almost no bad smells. Ice resin is a resin you use 1:1, always check what you resin rate is for not all resins are 1:1. Make sure you mix the same amount, otherwise your resin will stay sticky. I find it very helpful to use a syringe for using a syringe allows you to make very small batches without the risk of a mixing error. If you have a mixing error and your work stays sticky don't panic! Rubbing Alcohol 70% will solve the problem. Rubbing alcohol dissolve the sticky ice resin and you can start over again. If you get the resin on your hands or skin you can clean with baby wipes. I put the bezels on wax paper (you can also use a garbage bag) and poor in the resin to 1/3 of the bezel. Ice resin has a drying time of 8 till 12 hours but I let it dry overnight.

STEP 5: Making the Composition and Second Filling

When the first layer is dry it is funtime, time to fill the bezel with what you like. I choose shells, coral, sand and seaglass, with the beach almost at our house it is obvious to use that. If using sand, first mix it with some resin otherwise you get very tiny air bubbles. I learn it the hard way. If you look at the bezels very well you will see them. After I made the composition, I first filled the shells with a tiny drop of resin to prevent from floating and than poored in a second layer. Again I let it dry overnight, you now have a rough pendant.

STEP 6: Removing the Excess Resin, Sanding and Last Layer

When dry I took the pendants of the wax paper and started sanding to remove the excess resin and sand it until the pendants were smooth. For sanding I use sandpaper 180 grit and 400 grit. After sanding I wiped of the pendants with a silk cloth. The best feature of ice resin is that it is self healing. You can sand and after a new layer it is shining if you had never sand. The resin has also a good surface tension so it is easy to form domes. After the sanding I brought on one last layer. First I did the front and sides, the next day I did the back and again let it dry overnight.

STEP 7: Finishing Touch

Now the pendants are finished, just put a chain or leather lace on it so you can wear the pendant. I choose a suede leather lace and put a clasp on it but you can use what ever you like. I hope you will like working with resin as much as I do. I'm already thinking about a new resin project: coloring resin and driftwood, for resin and wood is a perfect marriage.

Comments

[rbeforee]

Beautiful design. I’m excited to try this. I build miniature furniture so I’m sure I have plenty of wood to choose from. One addition to your excellent ible: if you put your bezel on packing tape (sticky side toward the pendant) you might not have to sand as much on the back. Maybe. When doming both sides you might not have to sand at all if your tape is smooth and sticks well. Plasticine clay is another excellent tool for plugging up any holes when casting resin. Plasticine is just a smooth clay that never dries out. It is really handy for holding small parts, though obviously not as tight as a clamp. Make sure the clay is sulfur-free. Sulfur will prevent the resin from hardening.

[jmdushi]

Thank you for your kind comment Using plasticine is a very good tip and I will certainly try it. Will you use plasticine when you make it? Please let me know how it works.

[Groot AKA creator of the destructed]

OK so this was amazing with one prob......I can't find this resin!!!! Help ya all. Any substitute??

[rbeforee]

I would be confident using any resin that says something to indicate it is crystal or glass clear.

[nspirov]

Art Resin www.artresin.com is available everywhere (online) and it does have the needed viscosity for doming. It also has better UV resistance (means longer life of your jewelry without yellowing). I think it is less expensive, too.
@jmdushi, thanks for the great instructable.

[jmdushi]

I'm glad you like my instructable and thank you for the information. As soon as I'm off island I will see if it it possible to buy it in a small amount (so I can take it home in my bag) to try. Ordering online is not a problem, but because it's hazardous good you have to pay a lot on airfreight. That's the reason I do no switch easily because if it doesn't work the way I expect I will waste a lot of money even if the resin itself is less expensive.

[jmdushi]

Sorry I don't know any resin with the same characteristics. This was just my second work with resin. You can order online but if you don't live in the USA you do not only have to pay for the normal shipment fee but also a hazardous good fee and than it can become a bit pricey. You can send iceresin an email and ask for there resellers maybe they can help you.

[Taufiqkp]

What is the use of wearing wood resin pendant locket.

[jmdushi]

I’m not sure if I understand your question well ( English is not my native language) do you mean how to keep it nice? To keep it nice just clean it with a soft cloth after wearing and handle with care.

[Penolopy Bulnick]

Those came out great :)

[jmdushi]

Thank you! You make me remember that I’ve to start making things and instructables again after a very busy year in which we had two hurricanes and a removal.

[sarawelder]

I can imagine many interesting variations on this. A keychain fob with hardware might make a nice "man" gift

[jmdushi]

thank you for your tip. I hadn't think about a "man" gift. Great idea!

[bearjade]

Awesome. I have a bunch wooden pieces that size and they would work out great with my wildflowers. Great idea thanks..

[jmdushi]

wildflowers will be great too! I love to see a picture of it when it's finished.

[ThummarwitshW]

Very creative

[jmdushi]

Thank you

[firestarclan]

I'm definetly voting this!

[firestarclan]

oops, I spelled that wrong #typo

[jmdushi]

Thank you very much for your vote, I appreciate it.