Cast faux amber, jade and rose quartz gems using EasyCast.

What is EasyCast?

EasyCast is a reactive clear casting epoxy. It's solvent free and low odor. It can easily be colored, tinted or combined with fillers to create faux granite or metallic castings. These characteristics make it ideal for casting and embedding up to 6 ounces (maximum) per pour. Due to heat build up and discoloration, do not attempt to cast more than 6 ounces at one time. For larger casts, use TAP Clear-Lite Casting Resin.

Tools Neeed:

1. Plastic measure/mixing cups (do not use wax coated cups as the wax may break off and contaminate your mix).
2. Wood stir sticks
3. Disposable craft brushes
4. Wax paper or plastic sheet to protect work surface.

Molds:
Polypropylene or polyethylene resin molds are designed for use with Clear Casting Epoxy due to their self releasing characteristics. Rubber molds made from latex, urethane or silicone can also be used. Mold release is recommended. Always test first. WARNING: Due to the strong bonding properties of EasyCast, only use plastic molds designed for resin casting. Other molds such as candy, soap or candle molds are generally not useable even with a good mold release. If you're not sure, test a spot on the mold, such as the back side.

			Ceate jewelry pieces using EasyCast Clear Casting Epoxy.

Mold Preparation:

1. Determining mold capacity: Occasionally plastic molds state the size of the mold cavity. However rubber (latex, urethane and silicone) molds generally do not. To determine the amount of material required, fill mold first with water, then carefully pour this water into a measuring cup. CAUTION: Some rubber molds may absorb water. This water can cause a cloudy or milky appearance in your finished piece. Make sure your molds are thoroughly dry before using.
2. Prepare plastic molds with Casting Craft Mold Release/Conditioner per package instructions.

Work Area and Surface:

1. For best results, your work area and surface should be between 70° F / 21° C and 85° F / 29° C.
2. Work surface should be dry, level and free of dirt or dust.
3. Protect work area with a plastic drop sheet, wax or newspaper.

			This pendant was created using EasyCast Casting Epoxy.

Instructions:
EasyCast was designed for a maximum single cast of 6 ounces or less. Due to heat build up and discoloration, do not attempt to cast more than 6 ounces at one time. For larger casts, use TAP Clear-Lite Casting Resin.

1. IMPORTANT: EasyCast performs best at 75° F / 24° C. EasyCast bottles should feel slightly warm to the touch, if they feel cool, they must be warmed by placing them in warm tap water (not hot) for 5 to 10 minutes prior to using. If bottles become overheated, allow them to cool before using. Never mix hot resin and hardener together! Mixing EasyCast when cold will result in cloudy casts with microscopic bubbles.
2. MEASURE: Carefully measure equal amounts of resin and hardener into a straight sided, flat bottom, wax free measuring container. WARNING: Do not vary the 1 to 1 ratio for any reason! Failure to measure equal amounts of resin and hardener will result in soft or sticky castings. Do not simply pour the contents of both bottles and expect to get properly measured amounts, always measure.
3. DOUBLE MIXING (REQUIRED): For EasyCast to chemically blend, it must be mixed together in two stages. With the resin and hardener measured, use a stir stick and mix together for two full minutes. During mixing, use the stir stick to scrape the sides and bottom of your mixing container. Occasionally scrape the mixture from your stir stick back into the solution. After two full minutes of mixing, pour the contents from the first container into a second container. Using a new stir stick, mix the contents of this second container another minute, again scraping sides of container and stir stick. Pour immediately from this second container.
4. BUBBLES: EasyCast has been formulated to self degas within a few minutes of pouring under most casting conditions. However adding fillers such as granite or metallic powders can result in a cloudy, bubble filled mixture. These bubbles will slowly rise to the surface of your cast. If needed use a hair dryer and pass heated air quickly over the EasyCast surface to remove bubbles. Be careful, excess heat can melt or warp plastic molds.
5. CURE: For best results, cast pieces should cure at temperatures between 70° F / 21° C and 85° F / 29° C. Curing time will vary depending on room temperature and thickness of cast. Thin castings will take longer than thick castings. Normal cure for castings 1⁄2" thick is 24 hours for soft cure, 72 hours for hard cure.
6. DE-MOLDING: Rigid type plastic molds can usually be twisted slightly to break the cast pieces free. Pushing in from the back side of the mold will also help. Note: Do not attempt to de-mold pieces that have not cured for a minimum of 24 hours. You may damage your casting by doing so.
7. TRIM & SAND EDGES: Edges can be trimmed with a knife or sanded if needed. Use 150 grit or finer sandpaper to remove excess material. A file, sander or Dremel tool can be used for shaping and carving completely cured castings.
8. CLEAN UP: While liquid, the material can be cleaned from tools with alcohol or solvent. Use warm water and liquid soap to clean from skin. NEVER USE SOLVENTS OR ALCOHOL TO CLEAN EASYCAST FROM YOUR SKIN.

Techniques:
FAUX MARBLE: Faux marble is easily created with the addition of 3 or more contrasting colors of Castin'Craft Opaque Pigments. Experimenting with the following process will enable you to perfect color combinations and marbling techniques. Some color combinations to consider are:

• Green Marble, use green, white & touch of black.
• White Marble, use white with a touch of black.
• Brown Marble, use brown, white and a touch of black.
• Pink Marble, use pink (red blended with white), white and a touch of gray (white blended with black).

			Add transparent dyes to create unique, one-of-a-kind jewelry.

1. Mix EasyCast per package instructions.
2. Divide mixed EasyCast into three containers.
3. Add a single color to each container and blend. NOTE: Add just enough pigment to color mix and no more!
4. Pour all three colored mixes into one container. Stir lightly once or twice to swirl colors together, then immediately pour into mold. TIP: Avoid over mixing which can muddy colors.

Transluscent Glass Effect: Use Castin' Craft Transparent Dyes.

1. Mix EasyCast per package instructions.
2. Add transparent dye to mixed EasyCast, approximately one drop of dye per ounce of EasyCast. Less or more can be used for varying shades. Dye colors can be blended to create additional colors.
3. Blend, then immediately pour into mold.