[Kate Holgate]

I am an absolute newbie at resin – as in, I asked for a resin kit for Christmas; I got it but haven’t done anything with it yet. So please be gentle 😉

My brother died this past summer and we’re going up to Virginia this spring to clear out his house. At his property is a weeping cherry tree that he planted in memory of our late mother. I want to take leaves from the tree and, using resin, preserve them. This will be my only chance as we have sold his property and won’t be back. I was thinking about getting a bracelet mold since the leaves are long and slender. And/or coating them and then framing them (I suspect even coated they would be too fragile to make something like earrings, right?).

I love what I see people doing with resin but it’s foreign to me as I have been working in metal, ceramic and wood. But I see resin as my chance to preserve a little bit of my brother and my mother.

I’d be so grateful for any suggestions.

[Katherine Swift]

Hi Kate,

I’m very sorry for the loss of your brother. I understand your concern about wanting to make sure you get this right.

Let me start by saying we have a bunch of beginner articles on our blog: https://www.resinobsession.com/tag/beginner
I would also recommend a copy of my book: https://shop.resinobsession.com/collections/books/products/resin-jewelry-making

As for you specific project, you will need to dry the leaves before you use them in resin. I don’t have any specific experience with weeping cherry leaves, but we have articles on our blog about drying flowers/leaves and using them in resin: https://www.resinobsession.com/tag/drying-flowers When you get your leaves, you should know right away how to want to dry them. Once they are dry (1 to 2 weeks) you can keep them indefinitely for your project assuming you properly store them. Obviously I would suggest getting as many leaves, etc. as possible.

Once the leaves are dry, you will need to spray them before adding them to resin. This is the sealer I like to use: https://shop.resinobsession.com/collections/tools-and-supplies/products/castin-craft-gloss-resin-sealer-spray From there, I think they would make a beautiful addition to any jewelry. You could try coating them. It may take several coats of resin to make them sturdy.

Good luck!

[Kate Holgate]

Katherine, thanks for your kind words and for this information! Especially the part about drying the leaves first! I very much appreciate the links!

My nephew is a professor at Santa Fe – sure wish you had a store in Gainesville! Or maybe it’s better for me that you don’t (better for my budget at least!).

Kate

Again, many thanks!

[CHYRA]

Hi Kate,

Sorry to hear about your loss. I would love to see how it comes out. That sounds like a fantastic project to get started.

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