Evening in Paris

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

Helen Cant, MJ Designer

Cut lace can create fluff which, if accidentally transferred to other cavities of the mould can spoil the appearance of the white pieces, so it’s best to work on those separately.

Lace embedded in resin creates a pretty, feminine look. Combined with Parisian-themed charms set in striking black and white, these elegant pieces are right on trend. Finished with pearls and ribbon they add a quirky touch to a daytime look, and dress up an evening outfit.

Heart Pendant

1. Trace around a large heart mould, adding approximately 3mm to the dimensions all the way around. Cut the template out, pin to the desired section of a piece of lace and cut around. Make several cuts 3mm deep around the edge, which will allow you to position the lace up the edges of the mould to give a neater finish.
2. Wearing a face mask, mix 30ml of resin following the manufacturer’s instructions. This will be enough to form the first layer of all the lace pieces in the set. Carefully pour the resin, filling the mould to a third. Leave to stand for a minute to allow air bubbles to disperse. If any large bubbles remain, pop with a cocktail stick or gently warm with a heat gun for a few seconds.
3. Pour a little spare resin into a cup and dip the lace to coat it. Gently place into the mould, using a lolly stick to push the lace down into the resin and ensure it is neatly adhered to the edges. Leave to set for at least six hours.
4. Prepare another 35ml of resin, which will be enough to form the second layer of all the lace pieces in the set. Dip a cocktail stick into white pigment, covering around 2cm then mix thoroughly into the resin. Pour over the first layer to fill the mould. Pop any air bubbles and leave to fully cure for 24 hours.
5. Ease the piece from the mould, then sand the back with wet and dry paper using plenty of water. For a glossy finish, spray with car lacquer. Prepare a small amount of epoxy glue according to the manufacturer’s instructions and apply a bail to the back. Once fully set, cut a 30cm length of ribbon and tie onto the bail in a bow. Trim the ends and coat with clear nail varnish to prevent fraying.
6. Cut a 46cm length of curb chain with 4mm x 6mm links and thread through the bail. Attach two 8mm and two 10mm pearls either side using head pins. To finish, attach a lobster clasp and 5mm jump ring to the ends.

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.

Earrings

1. Pour resin to half fill two teardrop moulds. Dip two Eiffel tower charms into spare resin and position into the moulds, leaving to set for at least six hours. Prepare 10ml of resin, dip a cocktail stick into black pigment covering 1cm and stir thoroughly. Pour to fill the moulds, then leave to fully cure for 24 hours.
2. Ease the pieces from the mould and sand the backs. Thread two 3mm pearls and a white flower bead onto two eye pins as for the charm necklace. Use a 1.6mm drill to make holes through the resin pieces. Open two 8mm jump rings and thread through the holes, attach the beaded eye pins, then secure to earwires.

Bracelet

1. Trace around a small heart-shaped mould, adding 3mm all the way around. Pin to black lace and cut around. Pour resin, half filling the mould and add the lace. Leave to set for at least six hours.
2. Pour white resin to fill the mould and leave to fully set for 24 hours. Also create a small white heartshaped cabochon containing a Paris charm, in the same way as the charm necklace.
3. Remove the pieces from the moulds and sand the backs as before. Using a 1.2mm drill, make a hole into the top of each piece. Prepare a small amount of epoxy resin glue and attach top pins. Once the glue is fully set, use 5mm jump rings to attach the hearts to a charm bracelet.
4. Thread a 3mm pearl onto a head pin, followed by a flower bead and another 3mm pearl, then form a loop. Repeat once more, then attach to the bracelet with 5mm jump rings. Thread two 8mm and two 10mm pearls onto individual head pins and attach using jump rings. Cut a 25cm length of ribbon and tie in a bow to one end of the bracelet, trimming the ends and coating with clear nail varnish.

Ring

1. Create a small heartshaped cabochon containing lace in the same way as for the bracelet. Mix a small amount of epoxy resin glue and attach a ring blank to the finished heart.