How to make resin beads?

 I know that there are resins or apoxys that can be mixed or used to make your own beads. I have never done this but have thought about it so that I can make my own bigger focal beads. I can usually find smaller beads I like but the craft stores near me are very limited on their selection of the bigger focal beads. I am one of those that I have to see the bead in person so shopping on line for me is very difficult. ( Something I am trying to work on ).

Any advice or simple solutions for someone new to this part of beading? I tried polymer clay but can't seem to get that to turn out the way I want.

I was hoping that I could get a kit of some sort to start with. The only crafting store near me is a Hobby Lobby so I can check there for recommended supplies. If you have specific recommendations, I don't mind buying this type of thing of the internet.

Thanks!

Resin and epoxy have to be poured into a mold.  You can buy a small amount (8 oz) of Easy Cast two-part casting epoxy at Michael's art & craft store.  I recommend the Easy Cast brand because it's a simple one-to-one ratio and there's very little smell.  The molds are also pretty inexpensive; you can get a multi-mold for around $8.

I do have one book that describes how to actually roll beads by pouring the mixed resin onto wax paper, letting it set for around 4 hrs or so until it's tacky, and then rolling the resin into a ball to let it cure the rest of the way.  If you have the piercing rods and drying rack for the clay you should be able to use this for the resin.

I have become interested in working with resin as well.  Are there websites where I could order resin and molds?

Are there kits for beginners?

I just bought some epoxy to play with as well, and it occured to me that I didn't know how to make a hole in the bead!  If you don't have the rods for clay, could you use something like wood or metal skewers, and how do you keep them from sticking?  Could you coat them with wax or something first?  Also, would epoxy ruin a piece of fabric if I wanted to embed it?

 Hello!

I am a complete newbie to the forum, and was just surfing about having a look around.

I don't know if you have seen it, and there's too much info to summarise here, but I think that all of your resin questions are answered in Sherri Haab's book The Art of Resin Jewellery (there are even some beads, and directions for embedding fabric) - it's a fantastic book, and you can either order it, or email Sherri herself through her website www.sherrihaab.com

I guess I should say that I have no interest in her business or connection to her, I just mention it because I thought it was a great book!

I hope that's helpful!

Charli

Jsmaz:

If you don't have the rods for clay, could you use something like wood or metal skewers, and how do you keep them from sticking?  Could you coat them with wax or something first? 

 I would think that metal ka-bob skewers coated with Pam or some other cooking spray would work just fine. There is also a moold release formula sold at craft shops, but it is basically the same thing and Pam is cheaper.

Jsmaz:

Also, would epoxy ruin a piece of fabric if I wanted to embed it?

  Well, you are sealing in it the resin, so yeah, that would pretty much be the end of it in fabric form. *laughz* Just kidding, I know what you mean.

 You have to watch out too, because some man-made nylons and polyesters will be literally "eaten" by the resin. The chemicals in the resin hardner react sometimes. So it would be best to put a drop of the resin and the hardner(not mixed) on a swatch of the material to see if there is a reaction before trying it.

 Billy ;o)

 Charli, it's fine, these forums are for the users to help each other. If telling someone about a book and where to find it helps, then please do so. It's okay, I promise.

 Billy ;o)