Embed Lace And Charms In Resin To Create Helen Cant’s Glamorous French-style Jewellery

What you need...

• BEADS Pearls, cream, Swarovski: 3mm x 12; 8mm x 8; 10mm x 6, Flowers, polymer clay, white x 6, Charms, brass: Eiffel tower x 2, Paris x 3
  
  FINDINGS Chain, curb, gold: 2mm x 3mm links x 26cm; 4mm x 6mm links x 46cm, Extender chain x 1, Charm bracelet blank, gold, with toggle clasp, Ribbon, organza, black and white polka dot, 15mm wide x 55cm, Lace, black, at least 6cm wide, Head pins, Eye pins, Top pins, Aanraku bail, large, Jump rings: 5mm; 8mm, Clasps, lobster, Ring blank, 7mm, flat pad, Earwires, fish hook,
  
  TOOLS Resin, polyester, water clear casting, Casting moulds, various, Polyester pigments: white; black, Drill, hobby with 1.2mm and 1.6mm bits, Cutters, wire, Pliers: round-nosed; flat-nosed, Tape measure, Pins, Tracing paper, Wet and dry paper, 600 grade, Car lacquer, can, Glue, epoxy resin, Cocktail and lolly sticks, Disposable cups, Nail varnish, clear, Heat gun (optional)
  

instructions

1. Charm Necklace - 1. Trace around a medium shallow heart mould, adding 2mm all the way around. Pin to a section of lace and cut around. Repeat twice with a round cabochon mould, adding 3mm all the way around.
   
   2. Pour prepared resin to half fill the moulds. Remove air bubbles and dip the lace into spare resin then position into the moulds as before. Leave to set for at least six hours then pour white resin to fill the moulds. Leave to fully cure for 24 hours. Prepare another 20ml of resin to form the first layers of the cabochons containing charms in the set. Pour into two small heartshaped moulds, filling to a third.
   
   3. Dip two Paris charms into the spare resin to help to reduce the number of air bubbles. Gently place the charms face down into the white heart moulds, ensuring they are covered by the resin. Carefully lift the moulds and look underneath to observe if any air bubbles have formed. If so use a cocktail stick to turn the charms over and pop them before repositioning. Leave to set for at least six hours.
   
   4. Prepare 15ml of resin, which will form the second layers of the Paris heart charms in the set. Dip a cocktail stick into white pigment covering 1cm and stir thoroughly into the resin. Pour to fill the moulds then leave to fully cure for 24 hours. Ease the pieces from the moulds then sand the backs as before.
   
   5. Lay the pieces on a flat surface to determine the desired composition. Using a 1.2mm drill, make two holes into each piece. Where possible, try and drill into the white layers of the pieces rather than the clear front layers as this will prevent the hole from being visible. Mix a small amount of epoxy resin glue and apply a little to a top pin before pushing into a hole. Repeat, inserting top pins into all the holes. Leave until fully set.
   
   6. Thread a 3mm pearl onto an eye pin, followed by a white flower bead and another 3mm pearl, form a loop then repeat once more. Thread two pearls onto two eye pins, form loops, then use 5mm jump rings to link the resin cabochons, pearls and flower beads together. Cut two 13cm lengths of curb chain with 2mm x 3mm links and attach to either side. Add jump rings, an extender chain and clasp to the ends of the necklace.