Resin Belt Buckles! (Includes a tutorial, updated Feb/09 with new photos)

I made this belt buckle by first modifying one of the logos by boyfriend uses for his band (with permission of course). I then printed it on photo paper, cut it apart and set it in resin, and put resin tinted with yellow pigment in the background.

http://www.theridetheory.com
http://myspace.com/theridetheory

Here's another buckle I just completed for a local musician. It's just a simple white square set in clear resin with resin tinted with blue pigment in the background. Both buckles have a stainless steel belt buckle finding on the back.

http://myspace.com/gregjason

EDIT (Feb 11/09): Here's some nicer, more current photos!

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TUTORIAL

**This Tutorial was written for 2 part epoxy, but any resin can be used... just follow the instructions on the bottle.**

Materials (in no particular order)

East Cast Clear Casting Epoxy
photo paper (ink jet printer)
resin pigment (I used Castin' Craft opaque pigments)
belt buckle finding
5 minute two part epoxy (from the hardware store, I use a brand called Perma Poxy)
small disposable plastic cups for mixing
wooden stir sticks
scrap or newspaper to cover your work area
level table or work bench
measuring spoons
paint thinner (for clean up)
rectangular mold (I used Castin' Craft's MC-2 mold)
exato knife
self-healing mat (optional)

**Make sure you work in a well-ventilated area for this project. It's also a good idea to use a respirator and latex or silicone gloves.**

I'll make this tutorial for the bird buckles...

1. First draw a picture and scan it on to your computer. You can then tweak it and colour it in if you like. Then print it out on on photo paper to fit the buckle.

2. Cut out the image using an exacto knife and one of those self-healing mats (if you have one).

3. Prepare your work area and the first layer of your resin. (Once again, I use 2 part epoxy resin but most people seem to use the kind that requires a few drops of catalyst. Please follow the directions on the bottle!) I find that 1 teaspoon of each part is a good amount for each layer... which will be the clear layer. Mix the two parts together in your plastic cup for 2 minutes. Then transfer the mixture to another plastic cup and mix for an additional 2 minutes. (I find that the second cup is not always necessary although I would recommend it for the first layer.)

To avoid bubbles, make sure your resin is not too cold (this was only a problem for me in the winter and early spring.) To warm it up put the bottles in some warm water for a couple of minutes or use a blow dryer to burst them with the hot hair once you've poured the resin in the mold. Always be sure to mix very slowly.

4. Wait a few hours until the first layer is a jelly-like consistency. The exact amount of time isn't important. It just helps to wait until it thickens up a little. Then add your image. There will be bubbles underneath. Press it gently into the resin to help the air escape. At this point I use a stir stick to make sure the surface is pressed down flat.

5. Wait a few more hours to add your second layer. Over night is fine too with this particular resin. Mix your second layer. Adding pigment or other objects if you like.

6. Wait about 24 hours and remove the hardened resin from the mold. I hit it with a mallet to release it.

7. Squeeze out a tiny amount of 5-minute epoxy and mix it together (I use a toothpick for this) and apply it to your belt buckle finding and stick the buckle to the resin. Make sure that it doesn't move around while it sets. And that's it!