#nebula

I think of it more as a planet of graves.

just–space:

NGC 6357: Cathedral to Massive Stars : How massive can a normal star be? Estimates made from distance, brightness and standard solar models had given one star in the open cluster Pismis 24 over 200 times the mass of our Sun, making it one of the most massive stars known. This star is the brightest object located just above the gas front in the featured image. Close inspection of images taken with the Hubble Space Telescope, however, have shown that Pismis 24-1 derives its brilliant luminosity not from a single star but from three at least. Component stars would still remain near 100 solar masses, making them among the more massive stars currently on record. Toward the bottom of the image, stars are still forming in the associated emission nebula NGC 6357. Appearing perhaps like a Gothic cathedral, energetic stars near the center appear to be breaking out and illuminating a spectacular cocoon. via NASA

just–space:

Hubble Sees a Star Called HBC 672 and the Bat Shadow : A young star’s unseen, planet-forming disk casts a huge shadow across a more distant cloud in a star-forming region. (via NASA)

Here with my tissues, but I’m so not ready for this movie. #avengersendgame #marvel #mcu #movies #captainamerica #captainmarvel #ironman #blackwidow #hulk #thor #warmachine #nebula #rocketraccoon #hawkeye #ronin (at Amc Regency 24 - the Imax Experience)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwsaxuqANg5/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=pybci8nhp6w7

So I’ve been seduced by resin and watching far too many space videos and Hubble images of nebula.  I already love using light in my work so I wanted to produce something that looked like a cloud of gas creating new stars within.  A star nursery.  It’s taken me months of trial and error.

At first glance it may seem like I’ve just dumped a ton of glitter and pigment powder into resin and given it a stir.  I wish it was that easy.  These have to be made in layers but hard level lines look artificial.  So I swish and swirl the resin around until it cures chaotically adding tiny amounts of powder and glitter teasing out tendrils of colour and flashes of iridescence.  I use a flattened toothpicks for the job. 

The next step was creating the look of stars forming within the cloud.  Enter fibre optics.  I cut and bundle the strands sealing them together with resin.  I then bend them out into all directions.  Finally I cut them down to fit into the mold. At some point I insert them into the resin being careful to set the main bunch into the central point of the mold. In some designs the threads are obvious - in others I’ve hidden the bunch using dark pigments.

At this point I have a sphere of resin with a fiber optic “stalk” sticking out.  I paint the last layer black and wait for it to dry.  I then cut down the stalk and drill it down flush to the resin.  The light is produced by a tiny LED widget.  Some pieces have static white light that I’ve dyed.  In others I’ve used a rotating RGB colour LEDs.  I seal the end and set it in another layer of resin.  Fortunately they have a handy ring that also makes it easy to turn on and off with a simple twist.  It takes three LR621 batteries equivalent to 364, AG1, SR621SW.  

I’ve had trouble uploading the videos so I’ll re-shoot tonight for an acceptable file size and format for Tumblr.  Unfortunately trying to photograph these spheres is very difficult.  They are glass and very shiny. You can’t see the depth and complexity in a photo.  Maybe I need a new camera with a good macro setting.  

It’s terrifying releasing a new product so different from my normal work.  Are these steampunk?  Not really but I hope my work transcends a genre.  I want to take light from tacky novelty jewellery into an art product for adults to wear that will amaze and wonder.  That is my goal with these.  I’ve made several of them so they will dominate my feed in the next weeks.  I hope you don’t get sick of seeing them.  It’s fantastic using colour again but it’s been a serious financial investment in resin, pigments, equipment, exotic glitters/sequins/foils, molds and LED lights.  Some I had to buy in serious bulk.  It’s impossible to calculate the hours I’ve spent creating and perfecting these.

I’ve used three different width sizes: 20mm (0.86in), 25mm (1in) and 30mm (1.2in).  I haven’t put a chain on some of them.  I will give options in type of chain or cord and drop length to buyers. Some may prefer no chain.  I’m also thinking about creating a stand turning it into a unique ornament when not being worn.  I’m also hoping, as my technique improves, to replicate specific nebula like the famous “Pillars of Creation” image captured by Hubble.  

Some may not see any “space” reference.  Friends have called certain pieces “an ice cave”, “underwater scene” and “storm clouds with lightening”.  

They will be available soon in my Etsy shop.  Depending on the covid situation I’m hoping the big music festivals in spring and summer will be happening.  It would be the perfect accessory for those day/night events.

$25.00 per pair
$10.00 shipping cost

Nebula Steel Guppies

IC 2944, Running Chicken Nebula

Comet SWAN

N44, Dusty Clouds

Sh2-101, Tulip Nebula

Fairy of the Eagle Nebula

M96, Dusty Galaxy Waves

Dusty Galaxy Center Of The Milky Way

Jupiter and Io

N11, Star Clouds of the LMC

NGC 2336, Cosmic Eye

Rings of Saturn