Epoxy resin beginner: everything you need to know to make jewelry

Epoxy resin appeals to both DIY beginners and experienced creators alike. Why? Because it lets you make a wide variety of jewelry: transparent pendants, colorful pieces, marbled effects, inclusions… but those first pours can be intimidating. Proportions, air bubbles, curing times, finishing touches: it’s easy to feel like there are “too many rules.”

Here’s a recap of the basics you need to know to get started with epoxy resin.

Epoxy Resin: What You Need to Know Before You Start

Epoxy resin is a two-part system (resin + hardener) that cures after mixing. Success depends mainly on four factors:

• The correct ratio (according to the manufacturer’s instructions): some resins are measured by weight, others by volume. Don’t “guess”—follow the instructions for the specific resin you’re using.
• Thorough mixing: insufficient mixing results in areas that remain sticky or soft. Mix methodically, scraping the edges and bottom of the container.
• A stable environment: temperature, dust, humidity, and vibrations all affect the result (bubbles, surface finish, curing).
• A project suited to your skill level: Start with simple shapes and reasonable thicknesses before moving on to large pieces, complex inclusions, or multi-layer effects.

To understand when to choose epoxy resin or UV resin, read our dedicated article!

Basic Supplies for Getting Started with Epoxy Resin

To get started with creating epoxy resin jewelry, here’s what you’ll need:

• Epoxy resin + hardener (suitable for jewelry making)
• Precision scale (if measuring by weight) or graduated cups (if measuring by volume)
• Mixing cups + spatulas (or sticks)
• Silicone molds (start with simple shapes)
• Nitrile gloves, work surface protection, paper towels
• Isopropyl alcohol and/or adhesive tape to minimize dust and lint (depending on workshop practices)

To choose the right molds (shape, depth, flexibility), please refer to our technical data sheet.

Safety and Best Workshop Practices

Even when working with a small pendant, epoxy must be handled with care:

• Ventilation: Work in a well-ventilated area.
• Protection: gloves (and ideally safety goggles to protect against splashes).
• Skin/surface: Avoid direct contact; protect your work surface.
• Dust: Cover your pieces while the resin is curing (with a box, a dome, or an upside-down container) to prevent dust from sticking.

A Simple Method for Successfully Creating Your First Resin Pieces

Step 1: Prepare the mold and work area
Clean the mold if necessary, and place it flat on a surface. Prepare everything before mixing: once the resin is mixed, you have limited working time.

Step 2: Measure precisely
Follow the ratio specified by the manufacturer (by weight or volume). “Approximate” measurements are the number one cause of pieces that remain sticky.

Step 3: Mix Thoroughly
Mix slowly but thoroughly, scraping the sides and bottom. The goal is a homogeneous mixture without incorporating too much air.

Step 4: Let it rest (useful tip)
Depending on the resin and your technique, a short rest period can help some air bubbles rise to the surface before pouring.

Step 5: Pour while monitoring for bubbles
Pour gently into the mold. For air bubbles: it’s better to prevent them (slow mixing, gentle pouring) than to “overcorrect.”

Step 6: Protect while curing
Cover to keep dust out. Avoid moving the mold.

Step 7: Demolding and finishing
Remove from the mold once the piece is fully cured (according to the specified time).

For a smooth finish, you can then sand your pieces.

Coloring, inclusions, etc.: Customizing Resin Pieces

Once your first “transparent” pieces come out clean, you can gradually enhance them:

• Add color: pigments, inks, glitter… (compatibility varies by product).
• Experiment with inclusions: glitter, shards, microbeads, decorative elements.
• Encasing dried flowers in resin (a bit more technical).

Pro tip: Change only one parameter at a time (new color OR new inclusion OR new shape). This is the easiest way to figure out what affected the result.