Resin Handles: Batch 2

The last batch of resin handles was a disappointment- after lots of testing, my tortoise skills weren't improving. The missing link? Transparent brown pigment. It was hard to locate, but finally found at the stupendous site Resin Obsession (also the source for glow in the dark pigment). They had two options available: transparent brown and native american. This round was native american all the way

It was difficult to measure the native american pigment due to the lack of a squeeze lid like the other pigments. A hole poked into the top film didn't help much with controlling the amount.

Set Up:

• Silicone mold
• Resin supplies
• Pigments: amber, native american, and opaque black
• Original handles

Technique:

• Mixed 1 1/2oz resin. Added 4 drops amber pigment to 1/2oz clear resin. Added 6 drops amber and 1 drop native american pigment to 1oz clear resin.
• Poured very slight amount of amber resin into mold cavities.
• Poured the brown resin into the center of each cavity, pushing the amber resin to each end. Each cavity was filled just below capacity.

• Mixed 1-2 drops black pigment into the left over amber pigment cup.
• With a T pin, black resin was swirled into the cavities. once again, It was very difficult to see how much and where the black swirls were. Even with a strong light, it was practically blind swirling.
• Once the black was swirled, the cavities were topped of with brown resin to capacity and left to cure for 3 days.

Results:

• Not too shabby! Closest trial yet.
• Tips are still too light. In future trial, add the tiniest amount of brown pigment to 1/2oz of amber resin.
• Central color is slightly too light, add more native american pigment.
• Attempt to create more vertical swirls. Swirl the entire piece, including at each end.