Dichroic glass is so cool. There’s something about seeing a sea of colors depending on the light. If you’re not a glass crafter (me neither), here’s how you can make dichroic glass lookalike pendants with epoxy resin.
Step 1: Create the art
Use a photo editor to turn clip art into black-and-white images. Then, print the images onto clear transparency sheets.
💡 Pro tip: If you don’t have a printer that can do this, you can take your papers to a copy store for transparency printing. Use a color printer to print the original black and white paper copy. You will get a richer black color that will copy darker onto the transparency.
Step 2: Cut the transparency
Trim the transparency to fit into your jewelry blanks.
💡 Pro tip: A one-inch round hole punch perfectly matches up with the 1 inch round silver bezels shown here.
Step 3: Clip iridescent papers
Next, cut a square of iridescent paper. You can get this paper from craft stores, or sometimes you can find it in the gift wrap section of a big box store. Smoosh it between your fingers to give it a crinkled appearance. This will help it reflect more light and give it the dichroic glass look.
Step 4: Fit the papers to the jewelry blank
Trim the iridescent papers as necessary to match the size of the pendant. Then, place them in the bezel to ensure they fit well. You want to do this before you mix your epoxy resin because you don’t want to waste time while the resin is mixed and curing.
Step 5: Add resin to the pendant
Place a few drops of mixed Resin Obsession crystal doming resin in the bottom of the pendant tray. You only need enough to cover the bottom. Then, use a toothpick or stir stick to push the resin around the bottom of the pendant. You don’t need much resin here because you want to leave room to dome more resin for a second layer.
⭐️ BONUS: If you’ve never mixed resin before, here’s help: how to mix resin and hardener in five easy steps.
Step 6: Add the papers
Place the iridescent papers on the resin in the pendant. You’ll probably need two to three pieces to completely cover the pendant back. Dot in more resin to act as glue as necessary.
Step 7: Add the transparency cover
Here’s where the dichroic glass lookalike pendants come to life. Dip your transparency into the mixed resin, then place it over the papers in the bezel cup. Tap the transparency into place.
Once your transparency is set where you want it, drop a bit more resin on top to create a resin dome. Then, cover and allow to cure for 24 hours.
Step 8: Hang the pendants
Hang your new pendant on a colorful cord and wear it with style!
Ready to try making resin jewelry but hesitant to get started?
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Unpublished Blog Posts of Resin Obsession, LLC © 2023 Resin Obsession, LLC
I love how you used the printed transparencies to make a bit of a window, these are gorgeous! Great idea!!!
Ooohhhh! I can hardly wait to try this one! What a nifty idea and I love the transparency with the crinkled fancy shiny stuff. Must go try it NOW! Thanks, Katherine.
Stunning!!!
Love this! Where can I find the clip art u used?
I don’t remember exactly, but I’m reasonably sure it was from a free clip art site.
I finally found some dichroic paper that is already cut in small pieces. I bought some wrapping paper that was only a buck made of the same stuff. I’m going to try these tonight if time permits. You did a wonderful job with yours and explained it well. Thanks. I was wondering if I could use the Resin you sell for casting. You answered that. I really am looking forward to trying this. I will post pics and hopefully they will look good and set up and harden. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Yours turned out great. I’m planning on making some tonight. I finally found the dichroic paper and some that was already shredded up. I am also happy to know I can use it in the castings with your resin for casting. I will post pics. Keeping my fingers crossed that these harden and look half as good as yours.
I finally got to try this. Not too sure if it will set up and harden. I have a couple in silver bezels and four in the silicone molds I got from Resin Obsession. The cabason molds with four in them. It is harder than it looks. Only time will tell if these harden and are usable. I’m learning so much from your great tutorials. I will post pics either way they turn out.
Can’t wait to see how they turn out for you!
I’m thinking about starting resin! But I don’t know what to get and we’re to start! Resin, glue, tools, hints, tutorials? Any advice, comments, warnings?
Hi Cynthia, you can buy the resin supplies you need to get started in our store here: https://shop.resinobsession.com/collections. Since it sounds like you are new to resin, you might be interested in our books to help you get started. You can buy them here: https://shop.resinobsession.com/collections/books
You can also use “fake snow” or
holographic Christmas tinsel that you can buy around the holidays for the same appearance. This past year I waited till Xmas decor for marked down to 90% off and bought a ton. I’ll be crafting forever with these (less than $1) buys.