Alcohol Inks and Photo Silhouettes in Resin
SCROLL DOWN FOR DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES
PART 1: CASTING LARGE SHAPES
Here's the first in a series of quick tutorials showing different effects you can create when layering alcohol inks behind photo silhouettes.
For these projects you'll need:
Alcohol Inks - any colors + white CLICK HERE for recommendations
Sharp scissors
Clear Packing Tape (optional)
Whatever ribbon, chains, or other findings you want to finish your projects.
This shows the fronts and backs of these pretty ornaments:
. 
Another example with another cheeky photo!
PART 2: CASTING Special Effects for JEWELRY MAKING
For these projects you'll need:
Alcohol Inks - any colors + white CLICK HERE for recommendations
Sharp scissors, straight pin and/or toothpick
Paper towels
Clear Packing Tape (optional)
Whatever pins, jumprings, keychains, chains, or other findings you want to finish your projects.
PART 3: DRAMATIC EFFECTS in Cabochon Castings
Same supplies as above, used in different ways to create amazing and dramatic color effects in resin. Try with our without photos for unique, dimensional resin castings!
Same materials as above :)
More videos to come!
ALCOHOL INK DRIP TECHNIQUE
There's lots of fun to be had by incorporating alcohol inks into Brilliant Resin, here are a few techniques you can try, CLICK HERE for alcohol ink recommendations:
Simple colors
You can add color between layers of resin for beautiful organic looks, or to add dimension. Inks can be painted on, or dripped and blotted.
STICKER RESIST TECHNIQUE
Step 1 - Cast clear layer of Brilliant Resin in any mold and allow to set up.
Step 2 - Place a monogram sticker on the resin, rub it down well, then drip, daub, or paint inks over it. Allow to dry, then remove the sticker.
Step 3 - Add a layer of clear Brilliant Resin to seal it in.
Here's one on a white cast resin piece, outlined in silver ink:
DRIPPING INKS ON CLEAR PHOTO FILM
This is a fun way to create gorgeous glass-like looks. In the image above I dripped inks on a sheet of Clear Photo Film, which holds the inks very well, and then blew through a straw to splat them out.
Here's what you'll need...
Use the guide that comes with these molds to size your strips.
For these bangles and sun catchers, attach a sheet of Clear Photo Film to a stiff board (cardboard, a clipboard, or other white surface), prop it up at an angle and squeeze your inks at the top of the sheet, allowing them to run down. For distinct colors let each one dry before adding the next color. You can tip the sheet different ways to get all kinds of rivulet patterns, and try dripping pure alcohol in spots to create more intricate looks. CLICK HERE for alcohol ink recommendations. Have fun experimenting!
PETRI TECHNIQUES
As anyone who has tried this technique knows, it's trial and error until you figure out how to get the look you want. Our friend Myriam of Myriam's Nature has tons of well done video tutorials that can save you time and money, and give you great new ideas.
Here are some resin eyes I made using our Silicone Cabochons Mold, Brilliant Resin, White Resin Colorant, alcohol inks, and a black nail polish pen:
This is done in a similar way to the glitter eyes in this how-to video.
COLOR PHOTOS WITH ALCOHOL INK
You can also paint or blot alcohol inks onto our Special Photo Papers for selective color or design. While the inks stay put nicely even with layering resin, some colors of alcohol inks shift in resin, and some fade faster than others.
Ways to COLOR RESIN
There are many ways to add color to Brilliant Resin, they each have pros and cons. Here are the ones I love best, WITH HOW-TO VIDEOS:
Resin Color Film
This is the cleanest and easiest way if you're going for transparent color. Just cut to fit the shape of your mold or resin piece.
WATCH THIS HOW-TO VIDEO:
Here are some examples of how you can layer Resin Color Film:
Dichro-ISH Films
Used with or without a black resin backing, these films add beautiful color and dimension. Add a sheet, bits and pieces, or a cut-out shape.
WATCH THIS HOW-TO VIDEO:
Liquid/Gel Resin Colorant
Great options for opaque color, these blend easily without adding many bubbles. The black pieces below were made with our Dichro-ISH Black Colorant, the white stripes were made with our opaque White Resin Colorant.
Layers with colorant and glitter mixed in. Shallow cast in 2" cavities.
You can have fun mixing colors too, either letting one set up a bit before adding another, or blending them together to create unique designs.
I made the projects below using a bit of leftover black and white colored resin. I had some in my mixing cup from another project. It was nice and thick as it had been sitting for about 1/2 hour, so I used it to make spots in the bottom of my Medium Rectangle Mold. I let those spots harden, then poured resin with our White Colorant mixed in over it. For the one with the white spots and black background I reversed the application.
This is a super-easy project, but the key is to let the color you'll use for the spots get nice and thick so it stays where you put it in your mold.
WATCH THIS HOW-TO VIDEO:
Layering paint, nail polish, glitter, or photos:
WATCH THIS HOW-TO VIDEO:
Glitter
From fine cut to big and chunky, WE LOVE GLITTER! You can mix any color in with your resin batch. CLICK "Resin Glitter Fun" to the right for more info and a how-to video
FOR MORE INFO WATCH THIS HOW-TO VIDEO:
Combine Resin Color Film and Glitter!
Acrylic Paint
Between layers of set resin, not mixed in as that can affect cure time and final results.
This piece was incorporated into a cabochons necklace.
These are acrylic paint skins, punched into heart shapes and domed with Brilliant Resin. They're lightweight and each one is unique so they make great jewelry.
Nail Polish
As with acrylics, paint between or over layers of set resin, don't mix it in as that can affect cure time and final results.
You can also combine acrylic paint and nail polish
FOR MORE INFO WATCH THIS HOW-TO VIDEO:
Alcohol Inks
Such fun! From petri projects to painting on photos to splatter patterns, alcohol inks are so much fun to use in Brilliant Resin! Here are some projects from our Double-Sided Molds tutorial:
You can see the petri bangle technique in detail in this tutorial from Myriam's Nature
This can be hit-or-miss as some ink colors react with the resin in weird ways. Here are some experiments we've done by applying inks to a photo, and between layers of resin:
For this test I spashed alcohol inks onto our Clear Photo Film, then punched out some circles and domed them with Brilliant Resin.
Then I figured out how to create these tie-dye type looks:
Here's a hit from our friend Chrissy Lampitt, she added inks to the tile, then stamped, then sealed it all with resin:
You can mix a little alcohol ink into your resin for transparent color, but results vary, and if you add too much it will affect resin set-up.
In the Petri Technique you drip white and colored alcohol inks into resin, here are some examples of how this can look in cast eyes:
This technique is random, some are amazing others are duds. Here are some of my favorites:
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON COLORANTS:
In this how-to video, you can fast-forward to 5:30 and 10:00 to focus on colorants: