If you’re into the Y2K fashion trends popping up on social media, you might already own a butterfly hair clip or some colored sunglasses. But if you’re looking for funky jewelry accessories, chunky and colorful is the rage. Check out one artist behind the trend and even learn to make it yourself.
Resin rings are trending this summer. It all started in December 2020, when New York designer Sandy Liang launched her first jewelry collection. Her pieces resembled iconic 1990s and early 2000s staples like drop earrings, chunking rings and cuff bracelets. Since then, celebrities, and stylists have been seen everywhere wearing rings made from resin, lucite plastic or clay.
“I found some cute Instagram businesses that were making them over quarantine and I knew I had to style them,” said Lindsay Jayne, a junior creative advertising major. She said she is a fan of the brands Cher Moi and Bon Bon Whims. “I usually just wear the chunky jewelry together rather than mixing it with other metals,” said Jayne. The pieces are perfect on their own she said.
You can find already made chunky jewelery on Amazon, or support independent designers on Etsy, Depop and Instagram. But if you’re up for the project, it’s actually relatively easy to make them yourself.
Claudia Melton is a 23-year-old animator and illustrator and the founder of her jewelry business, Chunkyresin. “I never had any intention of starting a jewelry label. It was more or less started by accident,” said Melton. She was first introduced to resin in a puppet making workshop at Cambridge School of Art. She began making resin accessories on her own and sold them on Depop, a clothing and accessory resale app. “I like to be creative and adventurous with my style,” Melton said. “I started making earrings that would match my clothes in designs that I’d wanted but never seen before.”
When Melton’s business grew big enough, she transformed her Instagram into a platform to sell and promote her products. Today, her jewelry can be found all over the world.
Melton’s advice to beginners who are first experimenting with resin is to wear gloves and buy an organic vapor mask. As for her own process, Claudia said she starts by writing out the pieces she needs to cast, separating them into different colors. From there, she uses heat to remove bubbles and makes sure to let her pieces dry in a well-ventilated room for at least 24 hours before they are ready to be touched up.
Here’s A Guide To Making Your Own
What you’ll need:
- Casting epoxy resin
- Resin ring mold
- Resin colors and pigments
- Fillers (like glitter or dried flowers)
- Wax paper or mat
- Latex gloves
- Blow dryer
- Measuring cups
- Toothpicks
- Popsicle Sticks
- An empty box or container
- Quick drying adhesive
Step 1: Gather materials
Lay down your wax paper and set out all of your materials. Ensure that you work on a level surface.
Step 2: Prep mix
Mix equal parts resin and hardener with hot water. Be sure to use the instructions on the label. Next, add the color of your choice and sparkles to the mixture. You can use a popsicle stick to stir this up.
Step 3: Pour mixture in mold
Before you pour the mixture into your mold, spray it with a non-stick release spray to ensure the rings form properly and do not stick. Once that’s done, pour the mixture into the mold. Grab a toothpick to make sure you get all of the bubbles out.
Step 4: Let dry
Allow 24 to 48 hours for your mixture to harden and cure completely. Take an empty box and cover your molds so no dust or particles get inside.
Step 5: De-molding
Slowly remove the rings from the molds. They are ready to be worn!
words_ isabel tragos. photo_keagan larkins.
This article was published in Distraction’s summer 2021 print issue.