One of the most exciting aspects of my #100DaysNoTV project is the opportunity to spend time with a friend, indulging for a short while in their passion. On Day 18, I spent a morning with Tali – of the brilliantly named Tallulah does the Hula – making resin pendants.
The last time I made jewellery with Tali was in 2011 when were both seven months pregnant! With tummies up to the craft table (too much info?), we made beaded necklaces and earrings. Since then, Tali has gone on to create beautiful pieces with polymer clay beads before turning her attention to resin.
Chunky resin bangles set with real pressed flower petals are now Tali’s trademark style, and so it was something I was keen to try. It turns out these are labour-intensive little beauties, taking several days, so we needed to think of something else we could make.
Tali suggested we set a single petal in a pendant. Apart from the time for the resin to set (generally overnight), a little bit of polishing and attaching the pendant bail, it could be done in a few hours.
I turned up expecting this to be all that we’d do. But, Tali had a surprise! She’d just acquired a box of Ordnance Survey maps from the 1960s; we could make a pendant featuring a special place in the UK. Being a map geek, this made me very happy! Such a cool idea and there was a place that instantly came to mind.
For our first wedding anniversary, Rob and I spent an awesome week in the Peak District, and a highlight was climbing Kinder Scout. It’s the highest peak in the Peak District and is at the southernmost point of the Pennine Way. We had a picnic at the top and a pint in The Old Nag’s Head in Edale at the end of our walk. Awesome memories!! 🙂
Using the Peak District OS map (from 1963), Tali carefully cut a square around Kinder Scout and we started the process by securing it in the square-shaped pendant mount.
After you’ve mixed the two parts of the resin it doesn’t last that long, so it all needed to be used in one sitting. We made enough for my Kinder Scout pendant and two flower pendants: one was a periwinkle, and the other . . . well, we’re not sure! Perhaps you can help identify it?
It’s a slow process and not simply a case of pouring resin into your pendant mount or mould; if the item you’re setting is light, like our petals, you have to be mindful of it floating to the surface, and there are often tiny air bubbles that need eliminating.
The three pendants were left overnight to completely set, and Tali added some finishing touches for me. And, here they all are. What do you think?
I purposefully haven’t given away too many trade secrets; this was never meant to be a tutorial, as you definitely need to know what you’re doing! 😉 Tali took a resin jewellery course and I’d say that’s a sensible way to start.
I had quite a bit of fun with jewellery styling once I’d got the pendants home. Tali gave me some tips and I used Pinterest and Etsy for ideas. I took so many photos; below are a few which I think came out the best. Do you have a favourite style?
It’s a time-consuming pursuit, and my hat goes off to Tali. Our children are the same age: two and four. Working as a freelance artist and a parent is no mean feat.
Her passion shines through and it’s clear she adores what she does. I hadn’t realised that Tali is one of the few UK makers of resin jewellery, and as such she’s in demand for testing and reviewing new products. You can read her news on her Facebook page. Oh, and if you’re quick she’s running a competition once she reaches 500 followers. 😉
I had such a fun time finding out about the resin process, and I now have three unique pieces to wear. I love them all.
It would wonderful to hear from other jewellery designers and makers: tell us about your style, the joys and pitfalls of your craft and do share your links!
Bye for now!
#100DaysNoTV 