Thursday, March 4

You asked for it!

Resin bobble tutorial
This is for Melissa, Sheri, Erica, Jody, Rose, Suzanne & the rest of you who wanted to know how
Gather your supplies:
Envir-Tex Lite 2 part resin -I get mine at Ace Hardware.
Plastic artist paint wells -I get mine at Michaels, they aren't too stiff. You need to be able to bend them & pop out the charms.
Photo copies - The paint wells I use are 1" round, so copy picutre's accordingly.
Plastic cups for mixing & measuring - I use children's dose cups for measuring.
Make a template by tracing around the well, then cut out your pictures.
Follow the directions on the Envir-Tex package to the letter! I learned the hard way that in order for the resin to harden properly you must be precise. I use the medicine cup to measure, if you fill it almost to the top, approx. 3 teaspoons it will fill 6 paint wells perfectly.
Don't stir the resin, fold it gently to avoid bubbles.  One trick is to breath on the tray a couple of times after filling it with your resin. Believe it or not it pops the little bubbles!
Now comes the really hard part.....waiting. They take at least 24 hours to dry, don't cheat or you'll get this result.
A gummi charm, not a good thing.
Now pop 'em out & voila!
It may take a couple of tries to get it right, but it's sooo worth it. I've also made them with thread & seeds to use in altered pieces. 

Here's a little charm I made with one.
And a tag.  Or if you don't have time to make them, you can get them in my etsy shop.
I hope you enjoy making these bobbles as much as I do.
*********************
Some of you have asked how & where I learned to do this fun stuff. I LOVE to learn new techniques & I'm always looking for classes; online, DVD or live.
 I learned the resin bobble trick from a Ruth Rae DVD, she blows my mind.  Of course Dawn's Lesson's From the Nest are beautiful, just like her. There is so much amazing stuff going on in art now, I think blogs have opened so many doors to amazing artists we might never have known. 

61 comments:

Annesphamily said...

Awesome! I love this vintage little charms!They are so precious.

Pat @ My Tattered Elegance said...

Your tutorial is great!! And the little bobbles are soooooooooo sweet. Wish you could have been with us today. Maybe one day I can do us a lunch. And we can all talk about what Charlene learned this week. She will be home Sat. Can't wait to find out what she did.
Have a great day tomorrow, as warm as it is we might have some garage sales.
Hugs, Pat

Cheryl ~ ZanyMayd said...

Thank You So Much for Sharing.... They are So Sweet ~
cheryl

Queenie's Vintage Finds said...

That's such a neat tutorial...what a great way to preserve the old photos and make a sweet little keepsake.
I'm so glad I found your blog...it's beautiful. It's so nice to meet you. I will be looking forward to visiting with you again soon...
Big Hugs,
Queenie

Mimi Sue said...

Thank you for the tutorial. As soon as I'm finished painting the basement (and a few other projects) I'll try them out. Mimi

Donatella said...

That is wounderful! thank you! will maby try that too{:

Robin Thomas said...

Gosh, thank you so much. Now for time to try them....

Anonymous said...

These are SO cool!

Betsy

Hearts Turned said...

This is fabulous!!! I will be making many of these--thanks so much for such a clear and understandable tutorial--you're so generous to share this!

Love your beautiful tags, too--what a talented woman you are!

I agree with you about blogland...so many amazingly talented and generous women who search for knowledge, then graciously share what they learn--like yourself!

Hope you have a wonderful evening!

Rustique Gal said...

Lisa, thanks so much for the tutorial. It looks so sweet, and for not much money and not much work. I so wish I could retire now and play! I have 5 more years! Well, for now I'll fill my head with these great projects and do what I can. Sherry

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

Oh how fabulous! Lisa, thank you so much for sharing this technique!! I am going to have to give this a whirl! You are the very best!

xo
becky

Danielle said...

I really want to try this! Thank you for sharing the technique. I can think of a few projects.....Hmmm the wheels are turning....

The Feathered Nest said...

Omygoodness Lisa!!! I have this stuff!!!! I bought it awhile back and can't even remember why...but now I just HAVE to make some of these! Thanks so much for the link to my blog girl, you are too sweet!!!! hugs and love.....Dawn

The Vintage Vagablonde said...

Thank you so much...you are always so generous with sharing. I appreciate that sooo much.

I know it is hard to give~away secrets of the trade....especially when you sell them too.

looking at all the hard work....etc, I most likely will buy them straight from you. I love the one that you made into a pendant with the pearl.

Off to check your shop and see if you listed that one :)

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Hi Lisa- these are adorable! Do you put the photos in the tray face down? Thanks!

Tami said...

Thank-you so for the tutorial, very sweet of you. I've been wanting to ask....they are adorable!

Mona @ la la by mona said...

Most awesome! I want to know how you found out that breathing on them would help pop the bubbles! Were you just sitting there willing them to dry and harden? Too funny!

Thanks for sharing girlie!

Anne Lorys said...

Pretty nifty!
Did you see the post I did about you today? :-)

XO,
Anne

Unknown said...

Lisa, your tags are so cute. Love the bobbles and your tutorial is perfect. Thanks for sharing it. Now I have 1 more project that I'm dying to do.

Hugs and have a fun weekend...Tracy :)

Beth Leintz said...

You sure make it look easy- and they are just awesome- love how you added one to a tag.

melissadc76 said...

Awww, you are so sweet and GENEROUS to provide us with this tutorial! I've used that resin stuff before, I helped my son with his Pinewood Derby car for scouts and he had the shiniest car out there.

I can't wait to try this!
<3 Melissa

peggy gatto said...

Thank you is not enough!!! You are so generous to post this tutorial!!!!

Dawnll said...

These are fab thanks so much for sharing.

Sherry Goodloe said...

Ok, I've had a box of this stuff for almost a year now. Your tutorial and your samples have inspired me to final USE it! These are soooo vintagey (is that a word???) - I just love them.

Should the photos be laser printed versus ink jet printed?

Marja Rijnsburger said...

Thanks for this great tutorial.
Have a nice weekend.

Patricia said...

Love the Tutorial! Theae tiny bubbles are gorgeous!
Thanks for sharing! And thanks for your sweet comment on my blog...

Love Patricia

BellaRosa said...

Oh My Stars!!! I am sooo loving this!!! Grazie...Thank you ! Merci! Gracias, Danka...did I leave anything out??? sooo where do we get the bebe pictures??? lol actually Dawn has such an amazing amount of beautiful images that she not only shares with us but lovingly encourages us to use them :) You guys are amazin :) Besos to you sweet friend and fyi...I did not..I repeat...did not have dried drool on my face that day lol I do however admit to the lines severly pressed into my face from my pillow and blankie...can you believe 3 hrs. later they were still there :) Besos, Rose

ps...I think I do raggamuffin rather well..thank you very much :)

Diane said...

Lisa, thank you so much for this--I love when other artists share their talent, and thank you for the other links. I'm going to check out the Ruth Rae one.

Peridots Garden Blog said...

Wow!

Thank you so much for posting this great tutorial!

I've been tempted to try resin but I am always fearful of wasting my money...as mine might be well for lack of a better word...CRUMMY!

Now, with your words of encouragement and this tutorial...I'm going to take the plunge!

Thank you,


Sandy

Lululiz said...

They are the prettiest little things to use on tags, yours look fabulous.
I'll have to try and find out what the equivalent resin stuff is here in the UK. I would love to give your excellent tutorial a try.

Suzann said...

This is one of my absolute favorite items and your tutorial is perfect!

Thanks for sharing. I really want to give this a try.

Lori @ Katies Rose Cottage Designs said...

Lisa ~
I am soooo excited to do some little bubbles ~ they are darling ~ just darling !
We missed you today !
xoxo
Lori

Brynwood Needleworks said...

So, I just have one little question...perhaps obvious to most...The resin goes in first and then the little round photo goes on last? Is this right. Looking at your photos I'm not quite sure. Sorry... sometimes it just takes me a little longer.
Thanks for the tutorial! I have some of this resin, but I've never used it.
I'm now inspired to try!
xoxo
Donna

Lafe's Hidden Treasures said...

What a great technique. I am getting ready to try one my Mom has always used from homemade stuff. If I works I will share it with you. These are amazing.

FILIGREE MOON said...

Oh, how very kind to share this tutorial. Perhaps I will try a little bubbly soon. :} You've done a marvelous job with your tuturial. And the charms are amazing!!! ~ Angela

Dorthe said...

Lisa dearest,

your bobbles, are just the cutest things, and the tag you made with one of them, so very beautifull , you are such a wonderfull artist ,Lisa.
Thanks so much for your turorial, --This is one more thing, taht I don`t know if is possibly to buy here, I will investigate that.

Have a lovely week-end dear-
hugs, Dorthe

Miss Gracie's House said...

Oh, goody! More things to try! Thanks for being so generous to share with us1
Rene'

luverlie said...

Lisa,
You are so sweet to answer any e-mails in a very timely manner. I never went to Michaels to get the paint trays, but have that planned for tomorrow. I begged for and got Ruth's first two dvd's for xmas 2008. Knew I was moving and put them in a safe place. They are still not unpacked, so I must find them before I'm tempted to buy her most recent dvd. Just want to say thanks and to tell you again that I LUV your blog.
luverlie@gmail.com

Pat Winter Gatherings said...

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you , I love these!!!!
Hugs and big smiles,
Pat

Rosemary said...

Hi there,
Just came over from Anne's blog.
This is a fun idea. I haven't tried this yet.
Come visit my blog sometime,
Rosemary

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

Thank you so much for that wonderful tutorial, Lisa! The bobbles are so cute!
Have a great weekend!
Hugs,
Julia

Anonymous said...

Lisa! Thank you for this fabulous tutorial - these are beautiful!!!
Hugs,
Zuzu

Tarnished Rose said...

Thank yoy, thank you, thank you for posting the instructions. I thought had just about figured out how to do this and I was right. YIPPE for once I had it figured correctly. But still thanks as these are actual instructions.

Smiles~
Marilyn

Thespa McLaughlin said...

I also wondered how you did that, but didn't think to ask. Thanks so much for posting this. What a neat technique!

Nancy said...

Lisa, thank you for the tutorial. I just love the bobbles you made, and the lovely tags. Thanks again

GwendolynKay said...

Wow! that is so cool. great tutorial.. one could do so many things with those.
Blessings!
Gwen

Sweet Magnolias Farm said...

Oh I am so excited ..thanks for sharing ..I watched how to do this on a t.v. show last year and couldn't remember ..I can't wait to make some ..I'm doin a show on the 19th ..and I will be adding these to some of my offerings ...Thank You !!!!

Blesssings ...Sara

Mimi Sue said...

Thanks for the house love. We built our house in 2008 and have the plans. Let me know if you want a copy of them. I know all the things I'd like to change! It's always so hard to tell what it will really be like on paper. Mimi

Mammabellarte Rita Reade said...

Thank you Lisa, a couple of years ago I purchased a resin that turned white and used my mamma small molds for marmalade with beautiful designs and drilled a hole for a chain. I also stained them just to give the old look and sanded the sharp edges. If I can find the product I will let you know. They are easy and cool projects. Have a great weekend Ciao Rita mammabellarte

House and Garden Boutique said...

Thank you for the tutorial.......very helpful and interesting to learn how they are made.

Lori said...

thanks for sharing your technique...these are gorgeous...and the possibilities are endless!!!

Charlene said...

Lisa, we did so much stuff with resin at ADORN ME this week. It is indeed a blast to work with. I met Ruth Rae. Bless her heart she was so sick with a bad cold. She is an amazing artist. Thanks for sharing your technique. It is awesome! HUGS! Charlene

Rochelle said...

Hi Lisa

Thank you so much for the tutorial on these adorable bobbles! They are so cute! Just a quick question - do you put any type of sealer on the photo or photo paper of the image before you put it into the resin?? I've used resin before and some papers the pattern disappears when resin is added. Just wondering....
Cheers
Rochelle

the old white house said...

Thank you for the wonderful tutorial! I am going to have to try this... Theresa

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for sharing how to make these wonderful embellishments for tags and cards, or whatever we would like to use them for. I made some yesterday, and this morning popped them out of the paint trays, and they came out looking like yours, which makes me very, very happy.
Now if I could just find out where to buy a half dozen of eggs for the carton, so that I could try making a beautiful egg basket like yours.

Thank you again,
shirley

Cami @ Creating Myself said...

How in the heck did I miss this tut???? Thank you Lisa...I was just coming by to look at your egg carton again before I copy it ;o) & found this wonderful tut. Too cool!

Kristina Oppegard said...

SO excited to try this! Thank you!

Vintage Style Downunder said...

Hi Lisa...these charms are gorgeous...I don't know if you can get that stuff here in NZ but i'm going to google it right now!!Would love to have a go at making these...can see them now as a fabric flower centre..hehe..thanks for sharing your amazing gifts here! :)And yes you are right...i am a kiwi...glad to be your kiwi friend...the first? an honour! ;) blessu!!..jessie x

bigeyedchick said...

These look like a lot of fun! I just have one question...at what point to you add the picture?
Thanks!
Laurel in MN

Ella said...

Thank you Lisa! These are amazing~
I love how charming they are ;D
Thanks again!

Unknown said...

Thank you Lisa so much! These are so cute can't wait to try it. I was wondering when do you insert the picture? These would be so awesome for my memory tree. 💕