Phoebe
Named for Saturn's ice moon
Thanks to my sculptor daughter, I have recently been introduced to a new silicone product made specifically for the entertainment and advertising industries, which simulates the look of jagged broken glass. If fractured enough, it can also be made to look like ice crystals. The best part is that it is moldable and soft enough to be completely safe. And you can even sew through it if you're careful and so inclined!
Here are three pieces that I've made, exploring the different possibilities of this marvelous new stuff. It's called Rubber Glass, and the only place that I'm aware it is available is through Smooth-On.com, who has some local distributors throughout the country. I know there is a lot more left to be done with it!
Detail of Phoebe
Brass wire molded into slab of "glass" - tutorial link above
Jagged Glass pendant
A lovely cabochon of "broken glass" with no sharp edges
I will be writing up each of these projects right away. The large necklace at the top has been submitted to a journal, so it may be awhile before instructions are available for it. The other two are coming shortly! [Note - tutorial for Trapped is now available, 05/13/10]
All images copyright 2010 Cyndi Lavin. Not to be reprinted, resold, or redistributed for profit. May be printed out for personal use or distributed electronically provided that entire file, including this notice, remains intact.
Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading
23 fabulous opinions:
Cyndi, This is the coolest looking stuff! Rubber Glass... brilliant concept. Question... does it dry out? It reminds me of that stuff they use in the bottoms of vases to retain water and keep flowers fresh.
Secondly dear, your e-book is starting out wonderfully. Your photos and instructions are very clear and including your gallery is a wonderful touch!
Looking forward to more great inspiration from you! :) Have a terrific day!
Dawn
Thanks so much for your endorsement, Dawn!
Re rubber glass...it should not dry out or change colors. It's silicone, not resin, and the "shelf life" of silicone is pretty impressive. All the specs can be found on the Smooth On website.
Yet another cool thing you have introduced me to, thank you very much.
I truly wish you were my neighbor...I brew Hazel Nut coffee, I would make scones, Chicken Salad for lunch.....
Is the crumbling controllable? I assume that if you made jewelry from a large rubber glass piece, there's a good chance of breaking since that's what this stuff is supposed to do.
Shoot, Carol...I'll be right over! :-)
Paul, you have to be gentle with it, but it doesn't crumble uncontrollably. You have to give it a good bend before it fractures. The big necklace? The pieces are *sewn* on! No crumbling.
Very interesting!
I like what you have made with this material!
This stuff is crazy cool Cyndi! You have got this brain spinning with ideas for combining it with polymer clay. Thank your daughter for sharing this cool stuff with us. Your projects are just gorgeous and I look forward to seeing how they are done!
What a great product & their website if filled with all kinds of interesting things. I definitely need to look it over more as I can see somethings there that Chris & I can use in our doll making. And there are products there than can help him refurbish antique radios. Thanks so much
dot
Oh My God...I want some, yesterday! My imagination is going wild. Thank you..I will get on this right away!
Sandi
Holey Moley! Another great material fill of wonderful ideas!
Cyndi, I just love your e-book. I'm so looking forward to the next one. Your photos are clear and easy to understand and the text is too.
Off to the rubber glass site to fill my little mind with more ideas...
Hugs,
Cyndi, this is amazing. Your white necklace is spectacular. I think this would be easier than using resin. I will check it out. Thanks!
Wow! Put together some cool new material and a creative talent like yours, and look what results!
I am absolutely certain, your piece will be selected fot publication.
Please let us know the details when you can. How could they decline something so beautiful,unique and new?
Cyndi, thanks for your book! I can't wait to sit down and read it. :) And that crystal stuff looks so cool! Can you use it with polymer clay, do you know?
Thanks guys! Moe, I experimented with polymer clay last night, and I couldn't get the pieces of rubber glass to embed well. So far, no luck, but I'm going to keep playing with it.
"You heard it here first folks."
Cyndi, this stuff is crazy cool..
Maybe if you use liquid polymer clay you could get the PC to embed.
LOL!! Great minds, and all of that stuff :-) Cindy Lietz suggested exactly the same thing...to try the liquid. That's on the list for tomorrow. I'll let you all know how it turns out.
Well for goodness sake! I'm sending this link to my sister immediately. Your work is jaw-dropping!
Your work is really amazing, Cyndi. I've seen this stuff used for gaming materials, but never on a necklace. What a great idea!
Thank you both :-) Cherie, I think it would also be quite a find for model railroad folks!
Beautiful work! Thank you for sharing your new find... so many ideas are popping up now!!
So cool! Soon there will be solid water! I mean, that doesn't melt.
Love the Trapped piece! The beading around the glass piece is such a contrast.
This is totally amazing, I am so excited to see something so cool! I really have at least a dozen ideas to use this stuff!
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