500g UV Resin Kit - Crystal Clear Hard Fast Curing Epoxy Resin for Jewelry Making, DIY Crafts, Nail Art - Includes Work Mat - Perfect for Jewelry Repair, Pendant Casting & 3D Art Projects

I make small batches of one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces and accessories. This resin is perfect for that. It cures very well under UV light.This is a great resin for beginners! Very easy to use, it is very clear, and has very little air bubbles.Here are some tips and tricks for those of you just getting started with UV resin and to make sure you get the best results:Make sure you are using a transparent mold and cure from both sides. I do not recommend using any opaque molds. (Opaque molds are typically the pink or blue ones you see at here on Amazon, but they can come in other colors too.) There are a ton of transparent molds here on Amazon, just search for “UV Resin Mold” specifically. A majority of the molds I use have come from here. They will be clear to milky white, but clear enough for light to go through one side to the other. If you don’t use transparent molds, you will not be able to cure from both sides, and will have issues with your pieces fully curing.I also spray my molds with 91% rubbing alcohol, which helps to cut down on micro bubbles significantly. I also lightly mist 91% rubbing alcohol over the top once I have cast my molds to further rid my casts of any additional micro-bubbles, and then use a heat gun over the top for any stubborn bubbles, if there are any. (Note: Do not use a lighter over the top for bubbles if you spray them with alcohol!) Also, make sure you don’t spray too much alcohol, or it may take longer to cure under the UV light.My thickest pieces are typically less than a quarter inch thick, so curing time can vary from 2 to 5 minutes, depending on the density of mix-ins along with the thickness of the mold, and how many times I cure both front & back. Once I de-mold my pieces, I cure them on both sides under the UV light one more time to make sure they have cured all the way through.Speaking of mix-ins, make sure you are not using opaque dyes, mica powders, or too much opaque glitter. If light can’t get through the piece, it will not cure. I typically use transparent dyes along with glitter that is transparent polyester (no metal). It’s OK to throw a few little pieces that are not transparent into the mix, the key is making sure the mix isn’t entirely made up of opaque items or opaque dyes, otherwise, your items will not cure in the middle and turn out soft or “bendy”.I prefer UV resin over traditional resin, because I have such a small work area, and work with small items and small batches. UV resin makes it a lot easier for me to get through everything in one shot, rather than having to find a place for everything to sit while I wait 24 to 48 hours for everything to cure before I can de-mold. (Instant gratification!!)No resin is ever fume free, but the fumes from this resin is very light compared to others I have used. It smells very similar to a nail salon that does gel nails & acrylics. I highly recommend using in a well-ventilated area, using a respirator, and wearing gloves. Due to some of my pieces being extra small and needing precision, admittedly, I sometimes go without gloves, but I work right next to a sink and I am constantly washing my hands as soon as anything gets on them.I would not recommend UV resin for doing thicker pieces such as pyramids or larger clear orbs, pieces such as trays or boxes, or items with deeper molds. 2-part resin would work best for these. (And would be more cost-effective.)For jewelry pieces, key rings, hair clips, and other small items in smaller quantities, it is an excellent resin! I have tried many other resin brands, and this resin gets top marks for curing, clarity, and price!I hope this review helps some you just getting started with UV resin. Happy creating!