Addicted to vaseline

[GreenOasis]

"Last year I collected some bugs who kindly volunteered to die on my porch when their time was up and set them in resin."

LOL...I've been thinking of doing the same thing with my expired mantids that have been steadily collecting in the freezer! Maybe I should just send 'em to you! (Okay, I might want one or two "pieces" back, but you can use the rest!)

 

[patrickfraser]

I didn't know this was going to turn into a discussion of the pros and cons of lubricants. :lol:

@ GreenOasis..What were you doing with lube in your mouth that you couldn't get used to the taste? :huh: :lol:

@ Chivalry...I thought the title would make people look. :devil: I've done the crackled marble thing, but have never really worked with wire, because I'm too cheap to buy it. I have all kinds of it now...for free! I won't have to kick myself for wrecking it and can try out new ideas. I'll just save the bad wire to sell. Win Win. The chainmaille is really cool. I bet that takes some time and a lot of practice and patience. But the finished product is awesome. vaseline glass contains uranium, it is radioactive, and it will register on a geiger counter. It is in such minute quantities and has been "depleted", so it is not dangerous. At least I hope not. :huh:

 

[Chivalry]

I didn't know this was going to turn into a discussion of the pros and cons of lubricants. :lol:

@ GreenOasis..What were you doing with lube in your mouth that you couldn't get used to the taste? :huh: :lol:

@ Chivalry...I thought the title would make people look. :devil: I've done the crackled marble thing, but have never really worked with wire, because I'm too cheap to buy it. I have all kinds of it now...for free! I won't have to kick myself for wrecking it and can try out new ideas. I'll just save the bad wire to sell. Win Win. The chainmaille is really cool. I bet that takes some time and a lot of practice and patience. But the finished product is awesome. vaseline glass contains uranium, it is radioactive, and it will register on a geiger counter. It is in such minute quantities and has been "depleted", so it is not dangerous. At least I hope not. :huh:

Whoa. Now that is a seriously cool selling point at those steampunk conventions I sell at! LOL

(Thanks!)

 

[patrickfraser]

Here is the worm/caterpillar I made the other day. Somehow a Creobroter thought it was his steed and wanted to go for a ride.

This is what I made so far in regular light and black light. I got home from work with a fresh load of wire and tried a couple of "God's eyes". They aren't the most perfect, but it is just a first try. I remembered making these in Sunday school with sticks we collected and yarn and thought why not wire and throw in some beads.

 

[patrickfraser]

My newest "designer" creation. I made it yesterday and I think it turned out pretty nice. It is all made by hand(well, tools too). I just used beads I had and worked the wire.

 

[agent A]

i think the creo is a she lol

 

[patrickfraser]

Well, I watched a video on how to twist wire for a more decorative look. This is the first attempt at a bracelet that I made for my friend Abigail. It is pretty "rough", but no sharp edges. I kinda thing it's nice that it gets "worn in" over time. I think she'll like it. There is a whole new realm of possibilities. The large links are 2 different twists. It isn't too noticeable, but just another "fine" detail to get noticed once it's being admired. I also just purchased a ring mandrel for ringmaking (waiting for delivery). I think the twisted wire will make for interesting and beautiful ring designs.

 

[sinensispsyched]

You know, at some point in his life, Charlie Sheen had probably said the same thing as the title of this thread!

 

[patrickfraser]

I just learned how to make tree of life pendants. My first 2 I created yesterday. They are really pretty.

 

[dlemmings]

nice stuff...I heard of vaseline glass but did not know it glows in blacklight

 

[PhilinYuma]

As long as the copper wire was obtained legally, it's cool B)

In an interesting thread, this has to be the most interesting comment of all, Y.A.. :cowboy: Actually, though, although many craft stores still employ special guard dogs in their copper wire isles, the big thing now is the illegal acquisition of mercury wire Just turn your head, and it's gone in a flash!

 

[patrickfraser]

Just made a couple new things to list on ebay. I think the necklace is enough to even make Ariel jealous at the undersea ball. :lol: I have started to do make twisted wire for wire wrapping. It adds a whole new dimension and looks like ropes. Very nice. Lets see if anybody bites.

 

[Paradoxica]

Very nice work. I know it would definitely be upping the complexity but how about a beaded wire Mantis?

 

[sueb4653]

Very nice work. I know it would definitely be upping the complexity but how about a beaded wire Mantis?

oh that would be cool

 

[patrickfraser]

I learned a new wrap today, herringbone. This is my first piece I threw together for practice. It has 2 sides and will roll when worn, exposing both front ant back sides however the necklace falls. The round beads are antique, probably czech made vaseline glass with beautiful opalescence and the smaller beads are more modern, but vaseline glass as well.

Front

Back

and my favorite feature...Glowing under black light

 

[sueb4653]

oh that is really nice I like alot

 

[patrickfraser]

Thanks. This is my "artistic" interpretation of a rosary. I'm not catholic, but I know it's supposed to have a crucifix and a medallion of some sort, but I just made a cross and a connector piece with copper wire. It is very long and if I wear it, I have to double it or the cross just dangles in a very precarious area. :lol:

 

[kotomi]

Whoa, crazy thread! lol ... and the name definitely caught my attention.

I wire-wrap stuff and make chainmaille jewelry for part of my living, and Scott, the butterflies are super cool! I may have to look for Vaseline glass, I had not heard of it before. How is it not radioactive?

One of the things that's really fun to do is take glass marbles and cook them in the oven at 350 for about 15 minutes, then drop them in ice water. You get some really neat crackled effects and then you can wrap those in wire and wear as a necklace.

Last year I collected some bugs who kindly volunteered to die on my porch when their time was up and set them in resin, then wire wrapped the "stones." I need to do take 2 on this idea since it needs some tweaking. I was thinking about putting shed exuviae in a similar resin stone (could even tint amber...). It'd definitely be a conversation piece. What do you think?

Here's a gallery of some of my jewelry and other art in case anyone's interested: http://youvegotmaille.deviantart.com/

I've thought about using resin to preserve expired mantises and other insects. I make resin jewelry, so it wouldn't be a stretch to try. Chivalry, you have some beautiful jewelry on your deviant art page. I used to travel around and work different Renaissance fairs, it was the most interesting job I've ever had...

 

[patrickfraser]

Some new things I just finished. 2 necklaces and 3 bracelets. Only one bracelet has vaseline glass beads and the other 2 are handmade links using the same pattern, just in different sizes.

 

[selkielass]

It is radioactive. I've seen pieces sot off geiger counters.

Cool stuff but some collectors I've talked to keep their collections in display cases in semi secluded spots in their houses. (If radiation exposure drops extremely rapidly w a little distance.)

Many minerals are radioactive and have been used for decorative and 'theraputic'and effect. If you run across a large earthenware jar stenciled with a logo touting 'uranium water' you've probably found a piece w radioactive glaze.

Be careful about wearing those beads- I have heard of pepper getting mild rashes and burns from constant contact. A friend of mine had a pocket piece that he didn't realize was radioactive until it fogged up a roll of film he carried in the same pocket.