Photo packages, moldable resins come together in wearable art

by Kathy Cano Murillo - Sept. 17, 2005 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic

A couple of weeks ago I attended Art Unraveled, a national conference that specialized in altered arts. Despite the intriguing workshops, the one thing everyone was giddy about was the Shopping Extravaganza. It's there that I discovered ArtChix Studio. This online company specializes in a variety of vintage images that are presented set in collage sheets, rubber stamps and transparencies. I picked up a sheet of black-and-white pictures titled "Flirt" that has assorted pictures of models from decades ago. Instead of using them in a paper project, I liked them so much I wanted to wear them. So I went with casting the pictures in resin, and I used molds to form the pendants. To buy the images, visit www.artchixstudio.com. The casting resin is called EasyCast and is sold at Hobby Bench stores or at www .creative-wholesale.com.

Supplies:

Assorted images printed on high-gloss photo paper
EasyCast (8-ounce kit)
EasyCast knob molds
1 bottle of EasyCast black coloring
1 bottle of EasyCast mold release
Mixing cups
Bamboo skewers or Popsicle sticks
Wax paper
Paper mask
Scissors
Sandpaper
Straw
Drill
Chain necklace or cording
Jump ring

Directions: Line your work surface with wax paper. Spray the molds with mold release and let dry. Cut your pictures to fit the molds and set aside. For the resin, measure 1 ounce from each bottle and mix exactly according to package directions using a stick to stir. Pour a thin layer of the mixture in the molds. Blow through the straw on the liquid to remove any gas bubbles. Let set for 15 minutes, then lay your pictures face down in the molds. Carefully lift the molds so you can see the pictures and, if there are bubbles, wiggle the picture with your finger to move the bubbles away. Let everything set overnight until the resin is firm. Mix a new batch of resin and add two drops of black coloring and stir. Pour mixture into the molds over the first layer. Blow through the straw to remove any bubbles. Let set for another 8-10 hours until firm. To remove from the molds, use your fingernail to carefully press the edge of the mold away from the resin until you hear a snap and see a small pocket of air between the two surfaces. Do that on all four sides and then twist the mold until the resin piece pops out. Once removed, flip the pieces over and sand the rough edges. Drill a hole at the top, attach the jump ring and thread the chain or cording through and close.

Variations: Drill a hole at the bottom and add beads or a charm. Instead of a necklace, you can make key chains, charms or rings. Or you can actually use the molds for what they were intended: knobs, handles and drawer pulls. For more embellishments, add glitter or other objects in the first layer. Add multiple layers by repeating the process and mixing more colors.

Labels: collage/paper, jewelry, wearable art