I have a new necklace design idea to share with you today!
It begins with this dollar store feather butterfly. I found it earlier in the week and was so surprised it was a dollar. The feathers even have some additional hand painted decoration. I do like feathers but they are very fragile. I wanted to wear the butterfly as a necklace and coating it with resin will make it a sturdy pendant.
I mixed up a small batch of Envirotex Lite. As always, it is a 1 to 1 ratio and the instructions are in the box.
Then I used a brush to coat both sides of the butterfly. This is messy work so I wore gloves. You need to make sure both sides are evenly coated. Keep in mind that whatever brush you use will need to be thrown away afterward. You can't wash resin out of the brush.
Then you need to move the butterfly to a clean spot on your non stick work surface when you are sure it will not drip extra resin. This was my second move. I came to look at it after 15 minutes and realized that resin had pooled near the butterfly body. This would have cured hard and clear but it would have been difficult to sand away. Then I left the butterfly undisturbed for 48 hours.
I left the excess dripped resin right on the work surface. In 12 hours this will just peel completely away.
The butterfly dried beautifully! You can still see the fragile feathers and now the painted wings look even better under the glaze. I really like this finished necklace! It looks even better on a white t-shirt!
What do you use for your non-stick surface? I've been using waxed paper, but it's not ideal.
ReplyDeleteI use non stick craft sheets from Ranger.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.rangerink.com/products/prod_inkssentials_craftsheet.htm
This is just gorgeous Carmi. You have wonderful ideas for using resin. I love this one.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. Pam B
I love your necklace, it turned out so so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the quick reply... I'll have to check into getting one of those.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea and beautiful necklace! I really love your new blog, Carmi! (By the way, I use parchment paper for my non-stick surface; you can get it at the grocery store or Michaels - in the baking supplies department.)
ReplyDeleteWow, I'm learning so much here! I just discovered you and know nothing about resin...what an eye opener, thank you!
ReplyDeleteSusie
TheAntiquePalette.etsy.com
wow this one is perfectly stunning!
ReplyDeletejean
This is beautiful! Just wondering if they might have smaller butterflies that could be hung on a small chandelier to make earrings? I'm new at jewelry making and I've only done earrings so far. I love seeing everyone's ideas. You are all fantastic artists! Connie
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing - I use Envirotex Lite for all our decoupage projects - but this is so imaginative!
ReplyDeletewhat do you use on the back of the butterfly to protect it? lovely idea and project!
ReplyDeleteI paint on a glaze coat of resin as well!
DeleteJust found this blog. I'm in love. Been wondering if I could use resin as a glaze and you have shown me the answer! Thank you ♡
ReplyDelete