A little while back I posted about receiving my UV resin and ultraviolet lamp to try out. I finally got around to testing it.
I had to install the bulb into the lamp but fortunately it was easy because the whole top comes off. The lamp didn't look all that sturdy online but I was pleasantly surprised to find it has some weight to it. The open area is mirrored, I imagine to bounce the light around.
The resin is called Gel du Soleil. It's not cheap but it sounded so convenient. The packaging said 15 minutes under the lamp to set up. They recommend multiple thin layers I purchased the smallest bottle available just in case I didn't like it.
I chose a oval silver plated pendant and some chiyogami paper for my test. I cut the paper to size and did a couple of coats of Mod Podge to seal the dyes in the paper. It took longer to dry then normal because we were having lots of rain when I decided to try this out. Once the paper was dry I glued it in to the bottom of the pendant and allowed that to dry, it took about an hour in the damp air.
This pendant is fairly deep so I followed the directions and planned several layers. One of the things that attracted me to this resin is the fact that there is no mixing. All you have to do is drip it into the pendant.
I had watched several videos and one recommended waiting 15 minutes to allow any bubbles to come to the surface. After the 15 minutes I used a bbq lighter very lightly. Just hovered quickly over the surface of the resin to cause any air bubbles to burst. (I don't recommend this, you can also use a heat gun) If you use a heat gun be careful not to blow the resin out of the bezel.
Once the 15 minutes were up I put the pendant into the lamp and turned it on. I then walked away so I wouldn't be tempted to touch. I am really impatient. After time was up I took it out and sure enough, I had dry but warm resin. Wow, 15 minutes instead of days. I love that.
I did two more shallow fills, I didn't want to mess up. This resin is so easy to work with. I will note that it does have more odor then some craft resin but not a smelly as the industrial resins. It wasn't bad enough to be a bother but I did open a window. I think ventilation is always good to practice.
I decided to add a Sworovski crystal element charm in the last layer of resin. It looks like it is floating.
These last two photos are the completed resin. I am really happy with the way it turned out. I will be keeping this resin on hand as much as possible. I can still see where the two part resins would be good for some things but for now this is my favorite.
I would love to hear what everyone else is using.
I had to install the bulb into the lamp but fortunately it was easy because the whole top comes off. The lamp didn't look all that sturdy online but I was pleasantly surprised to find it has some weight to it. The open area is mirrored, I imagine to bounce the light around.
The resin is called Gel du Soleil. It's not cheap but it sounded so convenient. The packaging said 15 minutes under the lamp to set up. They recommend multiple thin layers I purchased the smallest bottle available just in case I didn't like it.
 |
| Lamp and resin |
I chose a oval silver plated pendant and some chiyogami paper for my test. I cut the paper to size and did a couple of coats of Mod Podge to seal the dyes in the paper. It took longer to dry then normal because we were having lots of rain when I decided to try this out. Once the paper was dry I glued it in to the bottom of the pendant and allowed that to dry, it took about an hour in the damp air.
This pendant is fairly deep so I followed the directions and planned several layers. One of the things that attracted me to this resin is the fact that there is no mixing. All you have to do is drip it into the pendant.
I had watched several videos and one recommended waiting 15 minutes to allow any bubbles to come to the surface. After the 15 minutes I used a bbq lighter very lightly. Just hovered quickly over the surface of the resin to cause any air bubbles to burst. (I don't recommend this, you can also use a heat gun) If you use a heat gun be careful not to blow the resin out of the bezel.
 |
| filled bezel on toothpicks to keep it level |
Once the 15 minutes were up I put the pendant into the lamp and turned it on. I then walked away so I wouldn't be tempted to touch. I am really impatient. After time was up I took it out and sure enough, I had dry but warm resin. Wow, 15 minutes instead of days. I love that.
I did two more shallow fills, I didn't want to mess up. This resin is so easy to work with. I will note that it does have more odor then some craft resin but not a smelly as the industrial resins. It wasn't bad enough to be a bother but I did open a window. I think ventilation is always good to practice.
I decided to add a Sworovski crystal element charm in the last layer of resin. It looks like it is floating.
These last two photos are the completed resin. I am really happy with the way it turned out. I will be keeping this resin on hand as much as possible. I can still see where the two part resins would be good for some things but for now this is my favorite.
I would love to hear what everyone else is using.
