How to Add Colorized Resin to Nunn Design Flat Tags Tutorial + Video

I love this look. It is simple and elegant, yet you can mix so many colors to create a look unique to your brand of jewelry.

Supplies:
Nunn Design Flat Tags
Nunn Design 2-Part Resin Kit
Castin’ Crafts Opaque Pigments-White

Other Supplies:
Wet-wipes
Toothpicks
Stir Sticks
Mixing Cups
Business Cards or glossy card stock
Rubbing Alcohol
Plastic Bags
Q-Tips

Learn How:

Step 1:
The Nunn Design Flat Tags are oxidized to provide the antique look to the precious metal plating. The oxidization, when it comes into contact with the resin, could change the color of the resin. To avoid this, clean the flat tags thoroughly prior to application of the resin. Dip the tip of a Q-Tip into rubbing alcohol and clean away any of the blackened oxidization from the tags surface.

Step 2:
I tend to work in a small area (typically my kitchen table), so I like to work on a surface that projects can be easily moved around and not disturbed. Place some business cards or some heavy card stock onto your work surface, making it easy to move the pendants without getting any resin on your fingers.

Step 3:
Read the resin instructions for safety concerns regarding the Nunn Design Resin.

When I work with resin, I always:

Place a large plastic bag over my work surface and tape it down.
I make sure I have ventilation in my workroom.
I wear gloves.
I wear glasses (readers because I can’t see anymore. Plus it protects my eyes!).
I have a pile of wet wipes handy.
This is a great blog post that covers 20 Habits for Successfully Using Nunn Design 2-Part Epoxy Resin. Even if you are a seasoned resin mixer, this might be worth a read.

Step 4:
Place one cup (included in the Nunn Design Resin Kit) onto your table.

For curing purposes, it is very important that the resin be an exact 1 to 1 ratio of Part A and Part B. I suggest getting your eyes level with the resin so you can see the lines on the measuring cup.

Pour Part A of your resin kit up to the ½ fluid ounce mark on your measuring cup.

Pour Part B of your resin kit into the same cup until it is filled to the 1 fluid ounce mark. It is important to pour Part A first and then Part B. It is some chemical thing about the part A being heavier or something.

Step 5:

Set your timer for 2 minutes. Using the stir stick from your kit (a popsicle stick or coffee stir stick will work great too), slowly and carefully stir your resin scraping the sides as you stir. Stir for a minimum of 2 minutes. If your resin is still cloudy continue to mix until clear.

After mixing is complete and your resin is clear, scrape both sides of your stir stick on the edge of your resin filled cup.

Step 6:
For this tutorial, I’m adding Castin’ Crafts Opaque Colorant White to the resin. You can mix the full 1 fluid ounce measuring cup of resin if you want, but I transfer the mixed resin into smaller cups because it is easier to stir and less messy to move around when less full. Transfer the resin to a smaller cup and squeeze a couple of drops of the white colorant into the resin. If the resin isn’t as opaque as you would like, add more of the white colorant to the resin and continue to mix thoroughly.

Tip: Be sure that the colorant does not equal more than 10% of your resin as having more than 10% could cause issues with curing.

Here is a link to our Pantone Color Resin Formulas Cheatsheet PDF. We add new colors every year!

Step 7:
Use a toothpick or stir stick to drizzle a small amount of colorized resin onto your flat tag. It is always easiest to add just a wee bit and add more, versus pouring on too much and having to clean up the overflow. With a toothpick, pull the colorized resin to the edges of the tags. Nunn Design’s 2-Part Resin is a doming resin. The resin will get to the edges and stop, but will overflow if you have applied too much to the tag’s surface area.

Step 8:
Use your toothpick to drag resin up and around the hole of the flat tag. If the hole becomes filled with resin, use two toothpicks to move the flat tag slightly. This will break the seal in the hole and the resin will drain out.

TIP: If you have resin that fills the hole, here are two solutions to address this:
Move the flat tag onto another area of the card. This will break the tension of the resin in the hole and the resin will drain.
If you can’t get the resin to drain from the hole, let the resin cure and then drill a hole. I wouldn’t recommend using a hole-punch, I have damaged the resin around the hole many of times.

Step 9:
You will want to ‘babysit’ your resin for the next 1 – 2 hours. If you see bubbles rising to the surface, using your hot breath, breathe on them. It isn’t a “blow” sort of breath – more of a “huff” sort of a breath. The hot air will make the bubbles expand, rise to the surface and pop. As the resin starts to set-up and become thicker, it will be more difficult for the air to rise to the surface. Make sure to check in on the curing resin and double check for air bubbles. If you do have some bubbles, use a toothpick to gentle drag them over to the sides. This agitation process will help them to pop. When the resin is thick and taffy like in texture it is time to let it be. If you attempt to pop bubbles at this time, you may end up with a gooey mess.

Step 10:
Let the resin cure. It will start to be hard to the touch as early as 12 hours, but the resin will continue to cure up to 72 hours.

Watch Video!

Here is a tutorial video I shot where I walk through the steps shared in this technique.

And here is a video I did with Beadaholique, sharing this same technique!

Here are some additional Trouble Shooting Tips!

TIP: If you have resin that has over poured and flowed off the tags and onto the card, let it go. Wait about 6 hours until the resin is at its “soft cure” phase. It will be easy for you to trim away the overspill by cutting it with scissors or flush cutters, or to peel it off the sides.

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