The no-solder bezel-making workshop in the Rings & Things showroom a few days ago was a huge success. Thanks to our customers who joined in the experiments down in the lab!
This “Pink Portal” necklace used technique #3 below…
Customers were excited to learn how to create custom resin ‘bezels’.
Here’s a really quick overview of how to make a bezel with no solder needed. (Get full details in our new, free sheet: “Techniques for Creating No-Solder Bezels/Frames“.) There are 3 basic approaches:
#1: Copper Restrip Pendant
• Design the base shape. Cut it from 24-gauge sheet metal. Shape, texture and antique it. Punch holes for hanging, riveting, or attaching charms.
• Shape copper restrip and antique it. Superglue the restrip shape together, and pinch with an alligator clip to hold. Superglue the restrip into place on the metal base – note, this supergluing is only to hold the shape in place while the resin is poured and cures. The cured resin itself will hold the bezel and the backing together long term. Copper restrip is available from stained-glass suppliers. Updated Fall 2018 – Rings & Things carries Copper and Brass Bezel Wire, which work perfectly for these pendants.
#2: Wire Open-Frame Pendant
• Bend 16-gauge or 14-gauge wire into desired shape. Bind ends with smaller wire if needed, or close together and ‘seal’ with rubber cement.
• You can include a swirl or other design element with wire inside the open frame shape.
• Texture as desired. Lightly flatten. Fill (and surround) with rubber cement to prevent leakage.
#3: Copper Tubing Open-Frame Pendant
• Cut tubing to the desired length. Smooth any rough edges. Punch a hole for hanging.
• Flatten or create a rivet head on one end of the wire. Insert into the bezel, pull through and wire wrap.
• Antique if desired. Seal the hole around the wire, and outside of entire piece, with rubber cement.
“Pink Mariposa” uses technique #1 above
Again, see the technique sheet for detailed instructions and suggested tools & supplies!
The possibilities are endless for ’embeddables’ to encase in resin. Dried flower petals, and herbs and fine glitter are always popular!
Don’t miss the fun: more classes and free jewelry-making workshops are coming throughout the summer, in the Rings & Things showroom!
Have you gotten into resin bezel jewelry yet–or have questions about it? Leave a comment below!
4 Comments
I have been using resin in bottle caps and in polymer clay projects. I love the rubber cement solution for leaks- how easy is that! My question is about superglue. Is Superglue long lasting on metal to metal connections? Can I use it to glue bails to my bottle caps in jewelry that will be well worn?
I’ve used E6000 on metal to metal connections with no problem but superglue not so.
I’d say use a jeweler’s cement or epoxy. Superglue isn’t long-lasting on metal/metal connections. It does better when it has a surface to cling to and metal is too flat/even.
try E-6000. I’ve had no problems using it on metal. You can buy it almost anywhere – any section of any craft shop. You can get a huge tube of it for $4.