Artist Tawny Reynolds has designed a collection of popular handmade jewelry and uses a fascinating technique. Learn more by visiting her website.
“Bering Sea Waterfall Necklace” sun-melted stained glass and recycled Skyy Vodka and Bombay Sapphire Gin bottles with recycled sterling silver, 0.5″-1″ teardrops hanging from a 20″ chain with 2.5″ extender
Although I have been artistic from a young age, I had my sights set on a career in science. But science and art are not mutually exclusive. In pursuit of my dream I also learned scientific illustration, sculpting, and to design engaging displays. And sometimes dreams change…
“Bering Sea Collina Earrings” sun-melted stained glass and recycled Bombay Sapphire Gin bottles with recycled sterling silver, 2.75″ x 0.4″ x 0.4″
Today I am a glass jewelry artist. I use sunshine to melt old bottles and stained glass into elegant teardrops. These flowing teardrops form the base of every piece I design. I’m often inspired by nature, from a tiny drop of water hanging by off the end of a blade of grass or the spiraling tendril of a vine, to a dangling cluster of wisteria blossoms.
Left to right: “Sunlight Cassiopeia Necklace” 18″ necklace with 3″ x 3.5″ centerpiece, “Candlelight Concerto Necklace” 0.6″-1″ teardrops hanging from a 16.5″ chain, and “Sunlight Cascade Necklace” 1.6″ pendant on 18″ chain, sun-melted antique plate and stained glass with recycled sterling silver
Over the years I have progressed from simple, single-drop pieces to more extravagant jewelry designs. I create limited edition glass colors with swirls and stripes, and handmade silver findings.
“Triple Tendrils Earrings” sun-melted Bombay Sapphire Gin and Skyy Vodka bottles with recycled sterling silver 3.4″ x 0.7″ x 0.7″
I love playing with colors. I can never resist trying a new colored bottle or scrap of stained glass. The way the light shines through the glass, the gradation of color from the thin neck to the thicker bulb of each droplet, the color variation that emerges from differential heating of some types of glass. That’s what inspires me.
“Candlelight Serpens Choker Necklace” sun-melted stained glass with recycled sterling silver 16.5″ chain and necklace of nine teardrops
The first question everyone has about Sundrop Jewelry is, “Wait, how can the sun melt glass?” I’m so glad you asked. I use a giant magnifying glass (technically a fresnel lens) to focus sunlight into a tiny, one centimeter wide hot spot.
“Water Double Ribbon Asymmetric Necklace” sun-melted Bombay Sapphire Gin bottles with recycled sterling silver 18″ necklace with 2.8″ x 2.8″ centerpiece
That spot can reach temperatures up to 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit on a good clear day! As long as the sky is clear, most colors of glass will start to melt almost immediately. It heats until the glass slowly drips, then cools in the air. A dainty droplet is formed by sunlight and gravity.
“Water Lanata Earrings” 4.4″ x 0.5″ x 0.5″ and “Water Solandra Y-Necklace” 1″ pendant on 18″ chain. Sun-melted Bombay Sapphire Gin bottles with recycled sterling silver
The second question people ask is always, “How did you come up with this idea?” I have to be honest, I didn’t invent it. My friend got his hands on a giant magnifying glass as a teenager. And what does a teenage boy do with a giant magnifying glass? Burn things! From melting lines in the beach sand he progressed to tiny glass teardrops… but what to do with them??
Artist Tawny Reynolds with her magnifying glass
While my friend moved on to other things long ago, I just celebrated Sundrop Jewelry’s 20th anniversary. I still love it!
Tawny Reynolds invites you to follow on Facebook, Instagram and BlueSky
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