Small Gold Resin & Mallee Burl Pendant – just under 1.5″ diameter
These wood/burl hybrid pendants are the result of a multi-step process that begins with creating a blank in a cubical silicone mold. I cut a piece of mallee (eucalyptus) burl and secure it to the bottom of the mold with a little hot glue, then I mix a batch of epoxy resin and tint it with mica powder. The mold is then put in a pressure pot to remove any bubbles in the resin and once the cube is cured, I cut it into slices about 0.5-0.75″ thick. Using a circle drafting template I lay out the location for the pendant and cut off the corners on the bandsaw. Then I mount the slice to a wood mandrel I made for my 4-jaw chuck on my lathe. Using mostly negative rake scrapers I turn the slice into the final shape of the pendant. Then I sand the pendant through 600 grit, smooth it even further with abrasive sanding paste, and seal the burl portion with shellac. The pendant is finished with a 3-part buffing system which includes 2 more abrasive grits and is topped off with a coat of carnuba wax. This attention to detail results in a piece that is looks and feels amazing.
I use surgical grade stainless steel findings and chain for my pendants and I make them myself, shooting for a necklace around 18″ in length.
