DIY Fall Earrings: Resin & Dried Flower Jewelry Making Tutorial

Updated at: 26/03/2025

Autumn's vibrant hues and crisp air inspire a sense of cozy creativity, and what better way to embrace the season than by crafting your own unique jewelry? This DIY project guides you through the enchanting process of making stunning fall-themed earrings using resin and dried flowers. Imagine adorning your ears with miniature masterpieces, each reflecting the beauty of nature's autumnal palette – think warm oranges, deep reds, and delicate browns preserved in shimmering resin. These earrings are perfect for adding a touch of handcrafted elegance to your fall wardrobe, or for gifting to friends and family. They're surprisingly easy to make, even for beginners!

This tutorial offers a detailed, step-by-step guide to creating these exquisite resin and dried flower earrings. From selecting your perfect blooms and preparing your workspace to mastering the resin pouring technique and adding those finishing touches, we'll cover everything you need to know. Let's dive in and begin crafting your beautiful, autumnal jewelry!

Preparation and Safety Guidelines

Tools Needed
  • Dried flowers (from Amazon)
  • Resin
  • Two identical molds
  • Orange glitter
  • Glitter flakes (yellow)
  • Earring hooks
  • Eye screws
  • Jump rings
  • Small resin drill
  • Jewelry pliers
  • UV resin
  • Flat back brad hooks
  • Toothpicks
  • UV light
  • Cardboard earring & necklace holders
  • Stapler
  • Clear rubber earring backs
Safety Guidelines
  • Always work in a well-ventilated area when using resin. Its fumes can be harmful.
  • Avoid skin contact with resin. Wear gloves throughout the entire process.
  • Use heat-resistant gloves and surfaces when curing resin with a UV lamp or in a heat source. Resin can get very hot.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prepare Dried Flowers

    • Crumble dried flowers. Tear petals off, discarding stems. Smaller and varied sizes add interest.
    Crumble dried flowers. Tear petals off, discarding stems. Smaller and varied sizes add interest.
    Prepare Dried Flowers

  2. Prepare Molds

    • Add orange glitter to molds. Don't overfill.
    Add orange glitter to molds. Don't overfill.
    Prepare Molds

  3. First Resin Layer

    • Pour a thin layer of resin into molds, mixing in the glitter.
    Pour a thin layer of resin into molds, mixing in the glitter.
    First Resin Layer

  4. Add Dried Flowers

    • Add the prepared dried flowers to the resin, filling most of the mold.
    • Add yellow glitter flakes on top of the orange glitter and resin layer. This adds shimmer.
    Add yellow glitter flakes on top of the orange glitter and resin layer. This adds shimmer.Add yellow glitter flakes on top of the orange glitter and resin layer. This adds shimmer.
    Add Dried Flowers

  5. Seal with Resin

    • Add more clear resin on top of the flowers, pushing them down to prevent sharp edges.
    Add more clear resin on top of the flowers, pushing them down to prevent sharp edges.
    Seal with Resin

  6. Set Resin

    • Let the resin set overnight.
    Let the resin set overnight.
    Set Resin

  7. Demold and Trim

    • De-mold the earrings. Trim any excess resin with scissors.
    De-mold the earrings. Trim any excess resin with scissors.
    Demold and Trim

  8. Attach Eye Screws (Larger Pieces)

    • Drill holes in the larger pieces for eye screws. Use a small resin drill and jewelry pliers to firmly attach the eye screws.
    • Attach jump rings and earring hooks to the eye screws using jewelry pliers.
    • Turn the earring hooks if needed for correct alignment.
    Turn the earring hooks if needed for correct alignment.Turn the earring hooks if needed for correct alignment.Turn the earring hooks if needed for correct alignment.
    Attach Eye Screws (Larger Pieces)

  9. Create Flat Back Earrings

    • For the smaller, flatter pieces, apply UV resin to the back and attach flat back brad hooks. Cure with UV light for 30 seconds.
    For the smaller, flatter pieces, apply UV resin to the back and attach flat back brad hooks. Cure with UV light for 30 seconds.
    Create Flat Back Earrings

  10. Create Stud Earrings

    • For the stud earrings, apply UV resin to the earring backs, attach to the pieces, and cure with UV light for 30 seconds to a minute. Add more resin to secure the back. Cure for 4-5 minutes.
    For the stud earrings, apply UV resin to the earring backs, attach to the pieces, and cure with UV light for 30 seconds to a minute. Add more resin to secure the back. Cure for 4-5 minutes.
    Create Stud Earrings

  11. Attach Findings to Studs

    • Attach jump rings to the studs and then add earring hooks. Cure with UV light for 4-5 minutes.
    Attach jump rings to the studs and then add earring hooks. Cure with UV light for 4-5 minutes.
    Attach Findings to Studs

  12. Package Earrings and Necklaces

    • Package the earrings and necklaces using cardboard holders.
    Package the earrings and necklaces using cardboard holders.Package the earrings and necklaces using cardboard holders.
    Package Earrings and Necklaces

Read more: Twisted Wire Spiral Earrings: A Step-by-Step Guide

Tips

  • Avoid using flowers with fuzzy seeds to prevent cleanup issues.
  • Don't put too much glitter, let the flowers be the main focus.
  • Attach eye screws the day after demolding when the resin is still slightly soft to prevent breakage.
  • Use a dropper to control resin application and prevent spills.
  • When attaching eye screws, twist the earring piece, not the pliers, for easier handling.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Air Bubbles in Resin

Reason: Improper mixing or pouring techniques can trap air bubbles, creating an unprofessional look.
Solution: Gently heat the resin mixture and/or use a toothpick to carefully pop any visible bubbles before curing.

2. Uneven Resin Pour

Reason: Inconsistent pouring leads to uneven thickness and potentially lopsided earrings.
Solution: Pour the resin slowly and steadily in a continuous motion, ensuring even distribution within the mold.

3. Dried Flowers Not Properly Sealed

Reason: Improperly sealed flowers can shift, fade, or become discolored over time.
Solution: Ensure the flowers are completely covered in resin and use a high-quality sealant to prevent moisture damage.

FAQs

What kind of resin should I use for these earrings?
For jewelry making, use a high-quality, UV-resistant resin designed specifically for casting. Epoxy resin is a popular and reliable choice. Ensure it's suitable for jewelry and adheres well to the molds.
How do I prevent air bubbles from getting into my resin?
Gently stir your resin mixture to combine the two parts thoroughly. Avoid vigorous stirring that introduces air. After pouring, you can use a heat gun (on a low setting) or leave it in a pressure pot to help eliminate any trapped bubbles.
How long do I need to wait for the resin to cure completely before I can wear the earrings?
Curing times vary depending on the resin type and environmental factors (temperature and humidity). Always refer to your resin's specific instructions. Generally, it takes 24-72 hours for a full cure, but it's best to wait at least 24 hours before handling or wearing.