Process

No matter the craft, all One Day Made offerings go through a number of stages to ensure care and quality. From the design phase to final production, we put our heart and soul into each piece every step of the way. We continue to rework and refine our craft, meticulously inspecting pieces for any defects or opportunities to improve. One Day Made prides itself on creating art imbued with love that equally satisfies our devotion to excellence.

Pieces often start as clay models

When designing our pieces, a number of different techniques are utilized to create a variety of prototypes we then build off of and refine until they meet our vision. Oftentimes, polymer clay is used to form the initial models that will eventually become replicable resin pieces. Other times, premade molds act as a base and are altered to suit our needs. Although time-consuming, clay modeling gives us

complete control over our designs, and keeps in line with our commitment to making unique,

handmade pieces.

After these first models are made, they undergo additional changes

Manager, Midnight, oversees

clay progress

and tests before they can be finalized. These changes can range from adding extra details, to smoothing out bumps or scratches, to near total overhaul depending on the piece.

An early cross concept using clay

A rhinestone concept

Our crosses went through many iterations until landing on our current design. The main shape was resized several times to achieve the right

weight and feel, and to look proportionate to the Rosary beads they would adorn. Additionally, the inner cross changed over time. Initially, we intended to alter the base by removing the inset design entirely, allowing for more resin detailing. This idea was quickly scrapped, and different methods were explored

to fill the space in a way that emphasized the section, rather than hide it. Some attempts included using clay, rhinestones, pearls, and even seed beads, before finally settling on the small gems seen on our current pieces.

Some of the final molds created for our Rosary crosses

Surface imperfections on some original prototype crosses

Once we decided on the final version, silicone molds are developed to speed up the replication process when making new pieces. Throughout the design phase, clay models and a collection of

different objects are used for curing numerous molds. These are used in everything from testing new ideas, to making filler decorations, to offering product variation. They also help us to work out kinks more quickly by allowing us to cure multiple models at once. All of our resin pieces are made with these handcrafted silicone molds.

The development process isn't always smooth. Early on, most of our pieces came out with marks, holes, and cat fur dotting every surface. These mistakes were typically so bad that they couldn't simply be covered

Preparation for early

Rosary pendants

up or re-cured, leading to a lot of what often felt like waisted resin. It took a lot of trial and error, and many, many failures before we managed to find a system that worked for us and our specific needs. Despite the frustration, each attempt taught us something new and helped get us to where we are now.

The first version of our

Rosary beads

With the resin issues solved, we could focus on putting together our complete designs. Our Rosary beads went through three separate iterations before finalizing our current pieces. Initially, a hole was drilled horizontally

through the top for a chain to pass through, which would be used to connect the cross to the Rosary strand. While we enjoyed this look, it left a very clear mark that didn't work with a lot of colors, leading to the switch to a small hook at the top. The Marian pendant also changed a few times to better suit the crosses aesthetically and functionally for prayer. Perhaps the biggest change is one that seems small on the

The second version of our

Rosary beads

Plans for Rosary color palettes

Drawings of Rosary color palettes

surface, but makes a massive impact: the switch from acrylic to powder dyes. This opened the door to a much greater range of shades, giving us the ability to create all the unique color palettes available in our shop.

We are constantly planning, working, and improving our craft to provide the best pieces

possible. No matter how many tries it may take, we're committed to always bringing new and unique designs to our shop.

Molds prepped for resin pouring

Resin pouring for a cross variation

All of our resin pieces start with a clear coating to help reduce bubbles and other imperfections. The resin for this layer and subsequent layers are run through a vacuum chamber before pouring to further

reduce the likelihood of bubbles eroding the final piece. This first layer is left to cure for several hours. Once stiff, the next layer is mixed, vacuumed, and poured on top. This layer typically makes up the main, colored bulk of the piece, though some may include several additional layers depending on the desired look. In some cases, another thin pour of resin may top off the mold to insulate any inclusions or as a different colored backing. The complete pour is left to cure on a leveling table overnight and not removed from the mold until finished hardening.

Removing bubbles from resin

When pieces are first removed, they appear dull, jagged, and lacking any real detail. The refining process begins by inspecting for any mistakes or issues that may need remedied. Small nicks are filled and smoothed out where possible and any excess resin is removed from the surface. If it meets our quality

standards, we can then start adding all the special details. For our crosses, several layers of acrylic paint are added to the raised sections, being careful to obscure any brush lines for a smooth finish. From there, small

A raw cross awaiting trimming, painting, and final shine

gems are individually fitted into each divot that forms the inner cross. Marian pendants are also cured and painted in line with the associated cross.

Adding gems to a cross

Cross and pendant finished stylization before top coat

A cross undergoing a

resin top coat

After all details are added, pieces are returned to the leveling table to be given a top coat of resin. Clear resin is layered on top and around all exposed sides of the piece. Not only does this seal paint, gems, and other decorations permanently, it also removes the

initial cloudiness, allowing the resin and color to shine. Like before, the resin is left to cure overnight and not handled until completely hardened.

Resin pieces commonly demold with lips and ridges as a result of messy pouring, overpouring, or layering. To remedy this, we sand down and remove these imperfections immediately following top coat curing. This is the only part of our process that involves power tools. Everything else, even adding hardware after sanding, is done entirely by hand. Once sanded, hardware is installed if necessary, and the piece is washed to remove any debris. Typically, pieces are given one last brush of resin on any sanded areas to return their shine.

Stringing beads with silk cord and metal chains

Chaining stones together

for jewelry

Rosary beads are strung together with silk cord

Painted beads separated using

pill containers

Resin pieces are sanded down to remove lips and imperfections

Our Rosary beads and most jewelry are

strung together using silk cord and a long sewing needle. Oftentimes, types of metal chain work is included as hardware or decoration. Each piece is strung upwards of four times to strengthen the cord and prevent against breakage. Beads are curated, counted, and strung by hand, undergoing numerous checks and rechecks to ensure no mistakes are left unresolved. We regularly experiment with new beads, pendants, and stones to keep our store fresh. In some cases, we even paint our own beads to achieve unique looks and create designs you can't get anywhere else. While most pieces are finished with jump rings and clamps, some are additionally dotted with UV resin for extra security.

In the case of our Rosary beads, we include mini booklets to provide a guide to their spiritual use and practice. As with all our offerings, these are made by hand, from design to binding. Each page is printed on cardstock and cut into the appropriate size. Early versions were combined by serrating the edges and gluing the pages together.

However, this was updated to threaded binding to prevent pages from coming loose and separating from the booklet. After all pages are bound, we make the front and back covers using cardstock and decorative paper. Finally, the pages are attached to the covers and topped off with a drawn title.

Completed booklets with clamps to keep them flat

While waiting to be shipped out, the booklets are stored with clamps so they settle in a flat position.

Every piece we make involves a long and arduous process. Whether it's a large resin figurine or a tiny complementary guidebook, we work hard to make sure each individual part is something we can be proud of.

Cutting individual pages for Rosary booklets

Nothing leaves our hands if we're not completely satisfied with it, and we'll redo and rework pieces until it meets our standards.

The very first ODM concept

Even in its short lifespan, One Day Made has already undergone several changes and iterations before reaching a point we're proud of. At its original inception, ODM was focused primarily on photography due to its relevance to our goal of capturing life's fleeting moments. It was only after an emergency hospitalization and surgery that founder, Alex Aiden, made the decision to expand ODM's scope to include spiritual items and other physical mementos.

Early ODM logo designs often centered around the moon

From there, ODM entered a period of reinvention. While our mission and motto have always remained the same, our logos, products, and presentation were reformed to better align with what we stand for. Over the course of two years, everything was revamped and serious strides were made toward bringing the dream

of One Day Made to life. Though a lot has changed, much of our early concepts were woven into different aspects of ODM. Circular themes were incorporated into logos, wax seal ideas were added to packaging, and photography became central to our site's design. Every part of

A number of possible designs for the ODM logo, packaging, and products

ODM is meticulously thought through and carefully crafted much like the pieces in and out of our shop. Although many of

the small details will go unnoticed by many, we put our whole heart into everything we do.

As part of our commitment to making unique, handcrafted pieces, we make all of our product packaging by hand as well. The backing used for our Rosary beads and jewelry are made using

The first prototype of the backing for use with Rosary beads

A variation of the Rosary backing with the addition of a wax seal

thick, decorative paper we cut to size as needed. Pieces are held in place with thin wires we pin to both sides to keep everything secure during travel. The ODM logo, links, and social media icons are hand-drawn on the opposite side of each individual backing. Several methods have been used to streamline this process, including printing and creating stamps, but drawing has remained the best option for our specific needs. For the wax seals we include, we formed our own custom stamp using polymer clay.

Additionally, the bags our pieces come in are also made in house. Using translucent cellophane, we cut large strips and heat wrap them to create customized slips to keep the pieces clean and safe. This allows us to size the bags according to our needs instead

Our initial logo

Our current logo

Using a light pad to add branding to Rosary backings

of relying on what may be available commercially, while simultaneously adding a one-of-a-kind spin to otherwise boring packaging. No matter how small the detail may seem, we make the effort to design

Stamp used for creating wax seals

The lightbox setup for taking product photos

everything with love while keeping our motto at the forefront.

Last, but certainly not least, we take, edit, and finalize our own product photos. Just as One Day Made started with photography, we make it a priority to take clear, accurate pictures that properly highlight the pieces we offer. Using a small light box, ring light, and a few decorations, we ensure our pieces are properly lit and in-focus so you can feel confident in what you're getting when ordering from us.

Testing Rosary bags for proper sizing

Manager, Midnight, performs quality checks on product bags

With all that, we hope this peak behind the curtain has given some insight into our history, process, and all the

hard work, love, and dedication that goes into every aspect of One Day Made.

Process

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