See how it's made
How can sunshine melt glass? Take a look at this giant magnifying glass!
Here I am, demonstrating how a Sundrop is made. I use a 31"x41" fresnel lens, which is made of 1/8" thick plastic with grooves in concentric rings, to focus sunlight. Fresnel lenses were originally designed for lighthouses, to disperse light. By flipping the lens over, it concentrates light instead. On a clear day like in the video, the focal point can reach 3000°F.
Mothership Hackermoms Profiles: Interview with Tawny of Sundrop Jewelry by Heather Reilly.
A couple videographer friends from Mothership HackerMoms did a video interview with me about Sundrop Jewelry, motherhood, and running a business with kids... Watch below, or on Vimeo.Melting glass droplets - close up view
Here's a close up view of red glass melting in the 3000°F focal point of the giant magnifying glass.
Melting two-tone glass - two colors at once
Wondering how I make drops with two separate colors? Here's the answer! I hold two colors of glass together with rubber bands and melt them side-by-side. High tech, I know.
Shaun making a Sundrop - silent movie
Shaun demonstrates how to make a single color Sundrop. He places a strip of purple stained glass in the focal point, melts a blob of glass on the end, and allows gravity to pull the molten glass into a perfect Sundrop shape.
When the glass gets too hot...
And here's what happens when I let the glass get too hot - dripping to the ground instead of cooling in the air.
Take a look at the Sundrop Jewelry YouTube channel for a few additional videos on what can be done with a giant magnifying glass! Wood will easily burn, and a penny will melt, flaring as the zinc inside catches fire.