22 Things to Create with Gel du Soleil Resin - Part 1

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22 Things to Create with Gel du Soleil Resin – Part 1

Recently I spent a week exploring the possibilities of Gel du Soleil, a resin that cures in 20 minutes when exposed to ultraviolet light. I was curious if the jewelry making mediums that I teach with, such as gilding flakes, mica powders, molds, organics, texture and resin colorants, could be incorporated into this quick curing resin! In this “Mucking About with Becky” series of 22 Things to Create with Gel du Soleil Resin, I hope you will be curious and inspired to create!

Let’s start with an overview of the differences between Nunn Design 2-Part Resin and Gel du Soleil. These two resins both have their pros and cons and it isn’t an either/or choice when I’m designing. I often use both resins, depending on the technique.

ND Resin Vs Gel Du Soleil Let's Get Started! Shop Supplies

Nunn Design 2-Part Resin vs Gel du Soleil UV Resin

Nunn Design 2-Part Resin

Nunn Design 2-Part Resin, requires that you mix the resin (part a) and the catalyst (part b) fully in order for the resin to cure. Both parts have to be exactly measured, with a minimum mixing quantity for each batch of resin being worked with. The resin must be mixed and blended fully until clear. It can be a bit scary and intimating for the beginner, but once you push through the fear, working with this medium can become automatic, like driving a car.

To learn more about working with Nunn Design 2-Part Resin, you can access many tutorials on our “How-To” section of our website.

Pros to Nunn Design 2-Part Resin:
Pro: Costs slightly less.
Pro: Creates a high dome.
Pro: Is good for producing high volume production.
Pro: Can be colorized with opaque pigments.

Cons to Nunn Design 2-Part Resin:
Con: You need to purchase mixing cups and stir sticks.
Con: The resin can potentially be mixed incorrectly, causing the resin to not cure properly.
Con: The resin and working environment must be around 70 degrees.
Con: You must mix 1 fluid ounce (30 ml) each time.
Con: Mixed resin sets up quickly, requiring you to work quickly.
Con: Resin takes 24 hours to cure.
Con: Resin can release bubbles and needs to be “observed” during curing.

Gel du Soleil

Gel du Soleil is the brand of ultraviolet resin produced by our friends Judi and Rob at Judikins. We have been a distributor of their products for close to twenty years.

There is no mixing of this resin because the catalyst is ultraviolet light. When the Gel du Soleil is exposed, with an ultra violet lamp or natural sunlight, the resin will cure and be hard to the touch within 20 minutes. Can you all say “SWEET!”

Pros to Gel du Soleil
Pro: It is available in two sizes, allowing you to test it!
Pro: The ultraviolet lamp is very inexpensive and has replacement bulbs you can purchase.
Pro: No mixing.
Pro: No waste.
Pro: You have as much time as you need as long as you keep the resin out of ultraviolet light.
Pro: It can be colorized with translucent dyes.
Pro: It is easy to create intricate pieces that have multiple layers.
Pro: Cures in 20 minutes.

Cons to Gel du Soleil
Con: Costs slightly more.
Con: All aspects of the Gel du Soleil has to be exposed to ultraviolet light or the resin will not cure. This includes dark opaque pigments used for colorizing.
Con: It is challenging to create a high smooth domed surface.
Con: You need to have an ultraviolet lamp or natural sunlight (that is a challenge for those of us who live in the Pacific Northwest!).
Con: You have to transfer the Gel du Soleil filled bezels into the ultraviolet light tray. This can be nerve racking to the beginner because the resin can spill.
Con: If you are doing a large production of jewelry pieces, you will need multiple ultraviolet lamps. The curing area for the lamps we offer can get pretty crowded.

Let’s Get Started!

Here is the first part, of this multiple part series, covering the 22 Things to Create with Gel du Soleil Resin. In Part 1 we will cover 1-6 things to create with Gel Du Soleil.

You can access the other posts in this series on our website.

1. Gel du Soleil to Glue Crystals

I don’t know about you, but I really struggle with applying glue into the Nunn Design Tiny Bezels. With Gel du Soleil, you can pour a small amount of resin into a mixing cup, dip a toothpick into the resin and then apply a small drop of Gel du Soleil into the bezel.

Watch the video to see more!

2. Gel du Soleil with Embedded Crystals

Who doesn’t like some bling! Mix different sizes, shapes and colors of crystals to create unique pieces.

Watch the video to see more!

3. Gel du Soleil and Gilding Flakes

In these examples, I took into consideration that all of the Gel du Soleil resin had to be exposed to ultraviolet light. There are ways to work around this!

Watch the video to see more!

4. Gel du Soleil with Glitter Roxs

Glitter Roxs are tiny shards of colorized glass that are translucent enough for the ultraviolet light to pass through. Super fast, easy and fun!

Watch the video to see more!

5. Using Gel du Soleil for Color Blocking

Color blocking is super fun, but not if your colors seep into each other. Apply a bit of Gel du Soleil to the base of a Nunn Design Bezel, insert and position your inside bezel, then place the bezel to cure for 30 seconds! Boom! No slipping, sliding or seepage!

Watch the video to see more!