How to make keychains from epoxy resin

Keychains made from resin will delight not only yourself but also your loved ones. Such keychain decorations for keys, bags, and backpacks cannot be found anywhere else. You can truly let your creativity shine with keychains. There is no set way they should look, so feel free to use dried flowers, shells, stones, and a whole palette of colors to create as many unique keychains as you can.

What you will need for making

Silicone mold for keychains
Resin
Color or metallic powder for resin
Decorative material
Consumables
Scale

Production process

  1. Prepare the mold on a flat, covered surface and use adhesive tape to remove any dust and dirt. Level the surface ideally with the help of a spirit level. If the surface is not perfectly flat, the resin will run to one side.

  2. Mix the required amount of resin and hardener according to the size of the mold. For keychains, we most often use resin Fluid, Start, or resin iCrystal.

  3. Always mix the resin according to the mixing ratio indicated on the packaging, and weigh both components on a digital scale with gram precision. Don’t forget to protect your skin, eyes, and respiratory system from contact with the resin or its fumes during the process. Thoroughly mix both components from the bottom and scrape them from the sides of the cup (about 3-4 minutes), then pour the mixed resin into a new cup and repeat the mixing. This will help eliminate poorly mixed spots that might not cure properly.

  4. Divide the resin into several cups according to your needs and color it or add glitter. Don’t delay processing - resin in the cup is higher than the recommended maximum pouring height, so it works faster and could cure quickly in the cup.

    Use only a few drops of color, and for powder colors, about the amount of two pea-sized balls. Add and mix colors gradually until you achieve the desired shade.

    A large amount of color could negatively affect the properties of the resin; the maximum recommended amount of color in mixed resin is about 2%.

  5. Pour the mixed and colored resin into the mold and decorate with decorations or dried flowers.

  6. After pouring into the mold, remove surface bubbles using a lighter. Never hold the flame over the resin too long; just move it over the bubbles. If you hold the flame too long on the surface of the mold, the resin might bake onto the mold, damaging both the mold and the product.

    Remove bubbles from the bottom of the mold, for example, using a toothpick. Also, pay attention to the corners of the molds, where bubbles may gather.

  7. Cover the product to prevent dust from falling onto it and let it cure. You can cover the mold with a plastic box, or place cups around the mold and put cardboard on top of them.

  8. Finish the keychains with a hand drill and rings with chains

VIDEO: Guide to resin keychains

 

Need help or want to learn more about working with resin?

Visit our Tips and tricks section, where you’ll find everything you need to know about working with resin!

Vytvořil Shoptet | Design Shoptetak.cz.