Our most recent Challenge featured all that magic that is ICE Resin® and the limitless possibilities to be explored in pairing the medium with RELICS & ARTIFACTS®. The entries we received were all beautiful, thought provoking, and simply inspiring. However, these cameos created by Linda Carter just enamored us from the moment we laid our eyes on them. We were so struck by their simple yet elegant beauty, we asked Linda to share how she created these pieces of wearable art. She graciously accepted our request and constructed a tutorial so that you, too, can create pieces that will surely become treasured family heirlooms.

Steps:
Mix 1 part each of Parts A and B of Ice Resin® in mixing cup. Stir with stir stick. For this project, I used half a teaspoon. Add several drops of Ice Resin® tint according to the directions. Let the resin rest for 15 minutes or so to slightly thicken it. It is usable for approximately 45 minutes, but I like it to get a little thicker so it does not just run off the piece being there is no lip on the edge to retain the resin.

Using the white lids from the Ice Resin® bottles and a piece of rolled painter’s tape connect the relic to the lid to raise it off the surface of your work table.

With a disposable paintbrush, paint the edges of the Relic. One coat is more than sufficient. Place the propped Relic on a business card so you can turn the piece to work on it without touching it.

Gently pour out a small amount of the tinted resin on the surface of the relic and with your brush, spread over the entire surface of the relic a thin coat. I allow it to set for about ten minutes and then pour more in small amounts allowing it to pool in the indented areas. Be careful not to pour too much at a time or it will just roll off the sides.

I like to work on several pieces at a time because there is always leftover resin. The process of moving the resin around can take about twenty minutes to get the exact effect you want, so be patient. It is worth the patience to achieve that final cameo finish. Allow it to set and cure over night.

Tips and tricks:
*For the look of a set cameo I glue Dresden trim around the edge of the Relic with E6000 adhesive.

Then simply glue the trimmed Relic onto a brass stamping and glue pearls around the edge.

*An easy way to get the pearls lined up uniform and have no holes showing is to use pre-strung pearls. Allow the glue to cure and harden for 24 hours. Lastly, I attached a bail to the stamping and voila! You have created a lovely cameo.

*You can mix your tints to achieve the color you desire. I mixed yellow and red tints with a touch (a tiny dot on the end of a toothpick) of white acrylic paint to achieve a coral color as you see in natural cameos carved from shell.

Thank you again, Linda, for sharing this beautiful tutorial with us. Be sure to leave her some love and why not give her technique a try and share your results with us in our Relics & Artifacts® Tribe?

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® “Intaglios”
Relics & Artifacts® Dresden trim “Gold Tiny Triangles”
Ice Resin®
Ice Resin® Tint “Lolite”
Ice Resin® Tint “Yarrow”
Ice Resin® Tint “Raw Ruby”
E6000 adhesive
Brass stamping
String of tiny pearls
Bail