Still At It - Resin and Bezel Trays

I can only do so many at a time with all the steps involved and limited space on the tray I have to use to set these up on.

It's a definite and works quite well, sealing with Mod Podge first.  Two coats on the front and two coats on the back allowing drying time between coats.

After waiting at least 24 hours following the last layer of Mod Podge, I pour the resin over the front.  If I plan to place in a bezel tray, I do not flip and repeat on the back.  Not all will go into trays and with those, I will flip and repeat the resin pour and then while set but still pliable, I will drill a hole for a jump ring to be placed.

Resin pour, covering with dust cover, and allowing to set for twelve hours.

Top left - those I have sealed and still need resin.  Top right are still those I need to seal before doing anything else.  Top middle are those with resin I will probably flip and cover in resin for jump rings later.  Far left and far right of the key chains are my test pieces sealed using Matte Fixable Spray (which I will not use again due to how it darkens or changes the color of each piece) or one I didn't seal at all.  Key chains are being used as interchangeable frames for mini art.  For now I am not setting the miniatures permanently in each tray allowing me to change out other miniatures from time to time.

Method of Displaying.

Photo Key Chain Using Resin

Now this was more or less a success!  The trays can be added to key chains or other type hooks as zipper pulls or charms.

This is using one of the test pieces where I sealed the inkjet print with mod podge and then poured resin over it to create a nice dome.  For now it's just sitting in the tray as I await glue to arrive to put it in permanently.

Because I wasn't sure if I'd place glass over it in the bezel or add a resin dome, I had rounded the corners of the print.  Next time I will probably not round the corners unless I definitely plan to add the glass over the print.

I really like this resin that I purchased from little-windows.com.  It levels beautifully and crystal clear and smooth.  I was fortunate with the domed pieces as none had any bubbles to worry about popping or removing as it set (I must have done something right...lol).  Biggest plus............no odor.

Trial and Error with Resin - #2

This miniature inkjet print was "glued" to a piece of glass using resin as my "glue".

My initial plan was to add this to a bezel tray that the glass came with but decided instead to add a self-adhesive magnet (sheet) to the back.

As seen in the photo, there are gray spots either from bubbles I didn't catch or due to the fact I didn't seal the print first.  I won't know the answer to that until I repeat with a sealed print.  I think I already know the answer but need to verify that to be sure by trying again.

Results and what I think I should do with the next attempt:

Trial and Error with Resin

Another idea I'm working on is printing off tiny charm or jewelry size prints of my illustrations.  Mostly in bezel trays and some without.  I've never worked with resin so this is a work in progress with trial and error.

First try is printing off on Epson Ultra Premium Presentation paper miniature paintings about the size 1" x 1 3/8'  using my Christmas gift from hubby - Epson XP 15000 photo printer.  That's taking some playing as well as I learn what it can do on various papers.  The prints came out beautifully.

Next is using different methods of sealing the prints so that the resin doesn't cause the ink to bleed (to include a test seeing what happens if not sealed).

Two prints I chose to seal with Blair's Matte Fixable spray that I use all the time spraying graphite drawings and watercolor paintings on Aquaboard.  It has always worked great so I thought it would be perfect to seal the inkjet prints.  I notice they are taking on a darker tone.

Three prints I chose to brush on Mod Podge Gloss-Lustre-Lustre with the red label with two coats.  As hard as I tried to get a nice even coating, you could see slight brush streaks even after dry.

The resin I am using is from Little-Windows.com.  I purchased their starter kit to see if it would be something to continue with or go a different route.  Too soon to decide at this point but may be more involved than I care to deal with.

After mixing and pouring the resin over each, it didn't take long to start seeing the effects.

First Time Results:

I will not be using the Blair Fixable Spray as it darkens the paper turning it a buff color.

Those with the Mod Podge remained white and clear.  The brush streaks don't appear to be as noticeable but I'll have a better idea late tonight or tomorrow when I can examine it closely and under good lighting.

And forget skipping the step of sealing the inkjet prints.  The resin caused the ink to bleed giving the piece a pink tone and washed out image.

Mod Podge definitely wins this round.  I want to try Sakura 3D Clear Lacquer once it gets here :-)

Once the 12 hour waiting time is up, I want to repeat the resin on the back of the top three I'm using as experiments and then test out drilling holes at the top for jump rings.   The other three I will probably place in bezel trays I have to make keychains