Epoxy resin bangles Part 2

I had to write this article in 2 parts because I had some problems getting all the pictures where I wanted them. I forgot to mention that this bangle has lots of 'glow in the dark' pigments mixed with the colours!

Here are some pictures of the finished product:

Epoxy resin bangles

11/08/18 part 1

I have a whole stack of epoxy resin bangles which I am now in the process of finishing off. I don't like the shiny type of resin bangle - they look too much like plastic (which they obviously are). I prefer them filed, sanded and polished with bees wax to a high shine.

They feel completely different - they feel nice when you touch them, don't stick to you when it's hot. They feel more like, I don't know, it's difficult to explain, I suppose more like wax polished wood.

And they don't look like plastic, they look more like these hand made soaps you see, the ones that smell beautiful of all sorts of fruits.

Anyway, I prefer them that way but obviously it is a lot more work that just putting the resin the the mould, with or without dried flowers, dies or whatever, take them out when they're ready, sand them a bit when necessary and spray them with a resin spray.

These bangles take time, lots of time.

I take them out of the mould and starts grinding the top to get this level. Resin shrinks when it cures so there is always a bit of a channel on the top that you have to get rid of by grinding, filing and sanding. After this I sand the rest of the bangle, inside and outside. There may be some small blemishes to get rid off too. Because of the dust this sanding creates, you have to keep washing the bangle.

Does not look too bad..

but I found some tiny air bubbles on the surface which
were filling up with resin dust

So I had to file them away and sand this area afterwards again.
This may happen a few more times and every time you have to file
and sand them away!

When there is nothing more to find that should not be there
I put bees wax on the surface and polish it.

One part waxed, the other part still to be done!

First finished resin items

All these pieces have genuine fresh water pearls inside the resin. Because of the clear resin, the pearls seem to be floating!

My first batch of resin castings

it is true - it is a messy business. I was dripping resin all over the place so it was good that I was warned beforehand and had everything nicely covered.

And here are the first results:

The pendants on the top are not bad. However, the two at the bottom are useless. But I have learned something from this - don't put any glitter in to start with. Also with my next batch I will give myself more time to put anything into the resin. First a layer of resin - wait an hour or so and then put the objects in. I found out that there is no rush! 

The pearl looks good as does the glass paint that I dribbled in. Also the silver paper with gold on the other side looks quite good. 

I still have one problem - the back has not completely dried but as it is lower than the outside , I will still have to put a layer of resin on it and that may solve the problem!

I am quite thrilled with the whole process.