Crystallization Experiments 2: Reading Glass Curtain

Crystallized reading glasses

Kitchen curtain featuring crystallized reading glasses

The second in a series of crystallization experiments. For the formula on a dead-easy way to make crystals using 20 Mule Team Borax see Crystallization Experiment 1. Once you realize crystals can grow on objects, you start scavenging around your studio for interesting stuff to plop into the supersaturated crystal solution. This time around: reading glasses.

I know I'm not the only person who has the stem break off their reading glasses. In the past I've created another version of reading glass curtains by gluing old photo negatives over the lenses (see Eyeglass Curtains). They look fabulous but it turns out the negatives fade over time in the sun.

Reading glasses in Borax solution (note highly technical manipulation with chopstick)

After about 24 hours in a super saturated Borax solution I achieved the following results.

Crystal encrusted glasses

Close-up

Crystal-encrusted glasses

Attached to curtain with small wire at nose bridge

Close-up

And yes, this was an add-on to these curtains, which had already been embellished with pockets containing seaglass and shards of plastic ginger ale bottles (see Seaglass + Recycled Bottles = Plastic Fantastic Curtains).