Jewelry Making

DIY Jewelry, Beads And Patterns

A Rainbow of Resin Bugs

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I thought I’d share what I created this week for a wholesale order. Its a rainbow of cast resin bugs-over 60 in total. I love all the different colors that came out, like a flying rainbow!  They will become pins this weekend than fly off to a store in the UK.Â

I make about 99% of the molds I use in my on jewelry making out of original sculptures or vintage pieces, that way 20 other people won’t be making the same thing.  I only use commercial molds for basic shapes like squares and rectangles.

I use a silicone to create my molds. If you are interested in making some yourself you can find other  types of moldmaking supplies available at  most craft stores. One that readily comes to mind is by Sculpey called Super Elasticlay MoldMaker.Â

I’d love to see what you created this week. Post a link to your flickr or picturetrail and share your handiwork!

For complete instructions on casting with resin read these Basic resin casting techniques

Here are our favorite supplies for using resin when casting,  Casting Resin
Disposable Mixing cups , Silicone resin molds, Items for Embedding

Comments

  1. Wow, these little bugs are pretty cool. Before you make the molds on these types of pieces, how do you produce a master model? I’ve created similar works of are and RTV molds work pretty well for reproduction.

Have you read?

Book Review Wednesday: Bead Jewelry Making For Beginners

There is something very satisfying about bead jewelry making. It is one of those crafts that feels easy to start, but still gives you that lovely “I actually made this” moment when you finish a bracelet, necklace, or pair of earrings.

This week’s Book Review Wednesday pick is Bead Jewelry Making for Beginners, and unlike the trinket dish book where I was torn between our polymer clay and jewelry sections, this one sits very neatly here on Jewelry Making. Beads, findings, clasps, wire, earrings — no category confusion this time.

This looks like a useful beginner-friendly book for anyone wanting to move beyond simply stringing beads and start understanding how handmade jewelry actually comes together. Things like choosing beads, adding clasps, using findings properly, and making pieces that sit nicely are the little details that can make a beginner project feel much more polished.

I always think bead jewelry is a lovely craft for quick handmade gifts too. A simple bracelet, pair of earrings, or beaded necklace can be made fairly quickly, and it is easy to personalise with favourite colours, birthstones, charms, or leftover beads from the stash. And yes, if you have ever tipped a packet of seed beads across the table, you already know this craft comes with its own tiny chaos.

This book would suit new jewelry makers, teens, handmade gift makers, or anyone who has a bead stash tucked away and wants a little guidance getting started. Pair it with a basic set of jewelry pliers, beading wire or stretch cord, clasps, jump rings, and a bead mat, and you are ready to go.

My Shellie-style take? Bead Jewelry Making for Beginners looks like a practical, approachable starting point for anyone wanting to learn simple beaded jewelry techniques without feeling overwhelmed.