How to Create Jaw-Dropping Wood and Resin Art Jewelry

If you’ve ever seen those stunning resin and wood jewelry pieces and thought, I wish I could make that, you absolutely can. Wood and resin art is easier than it looks, and after reading this blog, you’ll be creating your own unique jewelry in no time.

Why Do People Choose Wood and Resin Art Jewelry?

Wood and resin art jewelry is taking over the fashion scene, and for good reason: it’s stylish, lightweight, eco-friendly, and perfect for everyday wear.

And let’s be real: in a world drowning in mass-produced accessories with cookie-cutter designs, these jewelry feel like little works of art, where no two pieces are ever the same, and that’s something even high-end brands like Tiffany & Co. or Cartier can't promise, despite their high price tags.

But it’s not just that. There’s something deeply unique about these pieces.

It’s about wearing something that feels like you—something real, something special, and something that connects you to nature and creativity in a way no ordinary accessory can.

Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Your Epoxy Resin and Wood Art Jewelry

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

To create epoxy resin and wood art jewelry, you’ll need:

• Small pieces of wood (hardwoods like walnut, maple, burl, or oak work best for epoxy wood art projects like your jewelry)

• Epoxy resin and hardener

• Resin colorants, pigments,, mica powders, or other decorative elements (optional)

• Silicone mold or a DIY mold made from tape and wood

• Sandpaper (various grits from 120 to 2000+)

• A rotary tool and fine saw

• Polishing compound

• PPE (gloves, mask, and safety glasses) (if you don’t want resin on your hands or in your lungs)

• Mixing cups & stirring sticks

• Drill & jewelry findings (for pendants, earrings, etc.)

Pro Tip: The best resin and wood projects start with high-quality materials. Brands like ArtResin and Ecopoxy are known for their crystal-clear, non-toxic resin. And, if sustainability is your priority (like it is for me), choose reclaimed, driftwood, or sustainably sourced wood for your epoxy wood art jewelry.

Step 2. Plan Your Design

Before working with any gathered materials, I plan my jewelry design by sketching my ideas on paper. In this step, you can also decide if you need to carve the wood first and then fill it with resin or cast the resin and wood together and carve it afterward. This planning stage guarantees a smooth creative process, and trust me, over 75% of my resin and wood projects that begin with a solid plan turn out better.

Step 3: Prepare Your Wood

Select a small piece of wood and cut it to the desired shape. Then, sand the edges and surface to remove (smooth out) rough spots. After this, you can clean the wood with a dry cloth.

Step 4: Prepare Your Mold

Now, it's time to get your mold ready. You have two options for this:

1. You can either buy and use a pre-made silicone mold that fits your needs, or

2. If you prefer to create your DIY mold, you can use a piece of wood and some tape to create a custom mold that suits your project. Place the wood piece inside the mold where you want it to sit in the final design.

Pro Tip: If using a DIY mold, seal all seams to prevent leaks.

Step 5: Mix & Color the Resin

Next, measure and mix the resin and hardener in a mixing cup according to the instructions. You can find these instructions on the resin bottle/packaging or in the instruction manual (if you received one). Stir slowly for 3-5 minutes. In this step, I usually add color (mica powder) or glow-in-the-dark powder to give my wood and resin art jewelry that extra flair.

Step 6: Pour the Resin

Then, slowly pour the resin into your mold and cover the wood, but leave some space at the top of the mold. Make sure the resin flows around the wood to form a pillar/slab and let it settle. Wait for a few minutes and see if any air bubbles rise to the surface. If they do, you can use a heat gun or torch to pop them.

Step 7: Cure the Resin

Once you pour the resin into the mold, let the resin cure for 24-72 hours. Sometimes, the resin can take days to set completely. Once fully cured (hardened), carefully remove the rough resin and wood pillar from the mold.

Step 8: Shaping, Sanding & Polishing

Then, cut and carve the pillar using a rotary grinder and a fine saw to shape your jewelry. After this, refine the piece with sandpaper from coarse to ultra-fine grits (I use a series of grits from 200 to 2000) for a smooth finish. Finally, apply a polishing compound and buff with a soft cloth or Dremel to your resin and wood art jewelry for a glossy shine.

Pro Tip: Hand-sanding takes longer, but it gives you the best control. You can also use a belt sander to speed things up.

Step 9: Add the Finishing Touches

Finally, drill a hole to attach a metal eyelet to your finished resin and wood art piece. You can also use jump rings or earring hooks for your jewelry chain or cord.

Time to Create Your Epoxy Wood Art Jewelry

Making wood and resin art jewelry is a fun and rewarding craft. Now that you know the process, it’s time to experiment. So, grab your supplies and start creating. And remember, don’t stress about perfection or mistakes; they’re just part of the creative journey.

And, if you don’t have the time or resources to make your own, you can always support and shop from independent creators or sustainable fashion brands like Keelakai, who are known for their beautifully handcrafted resin-wood jewelry. 😉