How to Make Resin Jewelry Using Reptile Shed

I was recently inspired by Krista, a fellow friend from the Chinese water dragons community on social media to make jewelry out of Babadook’s shed after he gifted me a few pieces of perfectly in-tact pieces. She is a jewelry designer based in New York and makes her own jewelry as well! You should definitely check her out 😉

Resin jewelry isn’t uncommon — in fact, many people do it (especially jewelry makers), but I recently noticed it has been hard to come across reptile jewelry, or even a lizard pendant that sort of looks like Babadook. I gave up on that idea and decided, “why not make something that truly represents my son?” That’s when Krista suggested I make resin jewelry out of Babadook’s shed!

To my surprise, it was super simple, and even more fun and satisfying to make! I shared my creations on Babadook’s social media channels and got so many private messages asking me how I made them. So, to answer all your questions… I decided to put together a step-by-step tutorial post here 🙂 Let’s get started!


For this DIY project, you’ll need:

  • Clear EasyCast Crafting Epoxy
  • EasyCast Resin Jewelry Mold
  • Wax paper
  • Small container you don’t mind using strictly for arts & crafts after this
  • Measuring cup or spoon you don’t mind using strictly for arts & crafts after this
  • Scissors
  • Big bowl
  • Sandwich bag
  • Shoebox top
  • Hair dryer
  • Resin fillers (in my case, I used Babadook’s shed), but you can also use other things that you love like flower petals, glitter, feathers, etc. Get creative!
  • Jewelry items (rings pads, clasps, chain, crafting charms, jump rings, etc.)
  • E-6000 glue

Once you’ve gathered all your materials, it’s time to get started!

STEP 1: Clear off a generous portion of a table, and line it with wax paper. Resin will not wash off once dried, so it’s better to be safe than sorry!

STEP 2: Place the resin and hardener bottles in a big bowl of hot water. The warmth will help the two mix nicely, helping you to avoid air bubbles when you make the jewelry molds.

STEP 3: Gather the shed pieces (or whatever filler you’ve chosen to use) and organize them in the jewelry mold as desired.

STEP 4: Mix the resin together in a small container. I used 1 part hardener and 1 part resin (4 tablespoons each) to fill 7 pieces. Before pouring, mix consistently for around 2 minutes.

STEP 5: Pour the mixed resin into your sandwich bag, and gather in one corner.

STEP 6: Cut a tiny hole at the end of the corner to let the resin ooze out, and squeeze carefully into each mold. Be careful not to overfill, or the end result will be a bit sloppy.

TIP: I didn’t know any better my first time, and didn’t realize that the shed would rise and essentially float to the top of the mold once filled. My intention was to have the shed right in the middle, but that didn’t happen (still turned out well, but not what I had expected). To avoid this, it may help to fill only half of the mold, then place your fillers, let dry, and then top it off with another layer of resin. This process will take two days instead of one, but I think the result may be better. I’ll have to give it a shot the next time Babadook gives me fresh shed!

STEP 7: Use a hair dryer on low setting and blow the molds from a distance (not too close, as this will blow the resin out of shape). This will help to remove/reduce air bubbles in the final product.

STEP 8: Allow the resin to sit overnight, covered with a shoebox to keep dust out.

STEP 9: Once solid, pop out the resin molds. If they aren’t coming out easily, feel free to place your tray in the freezer for approximately 10 minutes. This should make them pop right out!

STEP 10: It’s time to make the jewelry! YAY!

Photos by David Potter

If you want to make bracelets and necklaces, you’ll need jump rings, chains, and either crafting charms to glue the piece onto, or a metal loop that will be punctured into the resin mold. Though I originally was going to use the metal loop option, I opted for crafting charms because they are much easier, and I didn’t want the metal loop to somehow mess up the shed inside the mold. If you opt for the metal loop option, you’ll have to heat the metal over a gas stove or candle for 5 seconds, and poke into the resin. Honestly, I tried this and my resin seemed to be already too hard to puncture… so I highly recommend the charm option. Plus, I found cute little heart charms at my local bead store that make the back of my necklaces super cute!

Photos by David Potter

For rings and pins, you’ll just need to glue the resin piece with the E-6000 adhesive, and viola — you’re done!

STEP 11: Before wearing the jewelry, I recommend waiting at least a few hours just to let the glue dry. To make sure the ring pad doesn’t shift, I like to place it upside down to dry.

STEP 12: Spice up your #OOTD with your new resin jewelry! I made the necklaces in different lengths, so that I could layer them.


EXCITING NEWS! Babadook & I have decided to give away 1 lucky winner from Facebook, and another from Instagram one of these creations (at our discretion). All you have to do is:

  • Follow us both on Instagram (@stylelullaby and @babadookpotter) if you’re entering on Instagram, and like both of our Facebook pages (Style Lullaby & Babadook Potter) if you’re entering on Facebook. Entering on both will give you two entries.
  • Like today’s jewelry photo.
  • Tag a friend in a comment who would be interested in resin jewelry x reptile shed!

USA entries only. You have a week to enter, and the winner(s) will be chosen at random & announced on April 1, 2016 to ring in the new month! 😉

Any reptile parents itching to give resin jewelry a try? If so, be sure to take pictures of your end result(s) and tag me @stylelullaby and Babadook @babadookpotter on Instagram to show us your creations! If you have any questions, feel free to drop a comment below.

Featured Image by David Potter

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11 Responses

    1. Aww that’s amazing dear! I’m glad that I was able to inspire you to try this project. It’s quite fun and nice to wear something with your reptile in it 🙂 xx

  1. Thank you for this. My water dragon passed away this week and all I have is some small sheds. I was not sure if the resin would damage the skin.

    1. Oh no Shayla! I am truly devastated to hear that. Sending you lots of love and light. Your water dragon is in a better place now and I’m sure he lived a very good life. I think creating a necklace or ring would be a great idea to preserve his shed and you can wear it everyday and be reminded of him <3 Condolences xx

  2. Awesome! I’m going to do with with Squirt’s, my turtle, shedded scutes. I’ve been holding on to them just because they were too pretty to throw away.

  3. Does it have to be a fresh like soft shed? My baby ball python just shed for the first time and I’d like to make a necklaces from the shed, but it will be dry by the time I’m able to get the supplies for the necklace…

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