2. Cottagecore Pressed Floral Resin Ovals
Capturing the fleeting beauty of spring is a core theme of the cottagecore aesthetic. This project involves embedding real, dried botanicals—such as tiny Queen Anne’s lace, forget-me-nots, or viola petals—into crystal-clear UV resin inside a delicate open-backed bezel.
Materials Needed:
- Open-backed oval jewelry bezels (antique bronze or matte gold)
- UV resin and a UV curing lamp
- Dried, pressed micro-flowers and tiny leaves
- Silicone mat and jewelry-grade packing tape
- Tweezers and a toothpick
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Seal the Base: Press your open-backed bezel firmly onto the sticky side of jewelry packing tape. Place this setup onto your silicone mat to prevent leaks.
- The Base Layer: Pour a very thin, level layer of UV resin into the bottom of the bezel. Use a toothpick to pop any microscopic air bubbles. Cure under the UV lamp for 60 seconds.
- Arrange the Florals: Using tweezers, delicately arrange your dried flowers onto the cured base layer. Keep in mind that the “bottom” of the bezel on the tape will actually be the front of your necklace.
- The Top Dome: Slowly pour another layer of UV resin over the flowers until it forms a slight, beautifully rounded dome at the top of the bezel edge. Cure for another 2–3 minutes until completely hard.
- Final Clean: Peel the tape off the back. If the back feels slightly tacky, flip it over and cure that side under the lamp for another minute. Attach to a vintage-style brass chain.