This is a very topical subject at the minute and at a time where more and more of my clients are opting for glass I thought we might discuss it ….
Over the last year I have formed a deep and lasting love for glass… the whole process, not to mention the final outcome, is completely mesmerising and has become meditational for me as an artist. Melting hot glass, letting gravity take control, while infusing ashes in glass or the alchemical magic of infusing breastmilk in glass… I am transfixed. Having such precious and irreplaceable symbols of a journey, whether memories of a life lost or life giving maternal energy, the depth and magnification is amazing!
The most obvious difference between GLASS INFUSION and RESIN INFUSION is the visual appearance. With glass you get a mystical swirly effect and with resin you would normally achieve a solid mixed colour.
Glass encasing is everlasting, there will never be any discolouration and the process of kiln annealing produces a durable glass piece which would need a hammer and force to smash….
You can infuse breastmilk, loved ones ashes, placenta or umbilical cord in glass creating the most beautiful effect. This can be further enhanced by adding a solid glass or speckled glass background. I have been working lately with adding opalescent flashes and flecks of gold and silver leaf… This is a creative process and I’m always open to new ideas and suggestions as well as entertaining specific requests. I totally get how important it is to have this work completely perfect.
Hair lock cannot be added to glass, unfortunately, as it burns off and in the same way, placenta and umbilical cord can burn leaving a white trace, with some speckles of black….. But these can be used to good effect as long as you are happy with the result.
Resin infusing is also a very effective, long lasting way of encapsulating breastmilk, placenta, umbilical cord and ashes, but unlike glass, we can also use, hair locks, fabric and flower petals beautifully. The big issue with resin is that it is essentially a plastic, which is like a swear word. I think it is safe to say that it is not single use and will be treasured for many years to come. The process of creating solid resin from liquid can indeed be harmful and we take every safety precaution in the production. Once hardened the resin is odourless and completely safe. As with any plastic, it can be effected by the elements, most greatly by UV light. I had the misfortune to fall foul of a bad batch of resin last year which caused premature yellowing to my work. This led me to completely replace my whole system, after rigorous market research. The system I use now is top of the range and has undergone manufacturers constant UV testing for over 3 years now with NO sign of yellowing. This is a super system and I have total confidence in it. It produces, hard wearing, solid settings, however the surface will dull if in contact with abrasive cleaners and can scratch easier than glass.
Resin has the added benefit of being versatile. As I mentioned earlier there are more compatible components. You would probably be shocked to hear of some things that I’ve cast in resin over the years. I’ve used resin all through my career on and off, and through my Degree and my Masters. I do love its multi facetted uses, although I do have to say that I am infatuated with glass and now more than 70% of my clients are opting for glass for their own particular reasons.
Resin can have pearlescent shimmery colour added, which can be mixed from my colours to make any colour you wish. Also the iridescent mermaid flakes give an other worldliness to the finish. We can also add raw gem birthstone pieces which give an added personalisation to your piece, so there are a multitude of options for little extras to enhance a resin setting.
Hopefully this will give you a greater insight into the available options for your settings, but rest assured I’m never far away if you have any questions…. Xx