Mutant Crystals arrived in the mail today from Shapeways!
I drew these mutant crystals in Rhino recently… In addition to exploring more "perfect" and refined geometric shapes like my diamonds, I'm interested in "imperfect" ones like these. They have a more hand-drawn sensibility (even though they were entirely designed in CAD).
I printed out one version comprised of just the structural lines. My friend Michael was just commenting that it looks like some kind of secret military spacecraft, and that he'd like a tchotchke for his desk shaped like it. Maybe I'll make one!
And I printed out a version with some of the facets "shaded" with lines. I made sure the lines were kind of irregular, like someone was drawing them by hand. I love the idea of something "handdrawn" coming out of the 3d printer. My friend Andrew thinks they'd make good Christmas ornaments too. I agree.
One of the "shaded" ones has a loop at the top, so I can try it out as a pendant. The other doesn't; I wanted to see if maybe the chain would look better going through the structure.
I could also see making a necklace out of multiples of these irregular shapes (designing additional ones) and having them joined end to end.
These models are made of shapes that are 1mm thick — they're pretty thin and delicate, for this scale of a model. They flex and bend a some as you hold them. Though the "shading" makes them a bit stronger. I don't know whether I should make them thicker for use as a necklace or not. Guess I'll find out
how delicate they are by wearing them.
These are gorgeous, Summer. Love them!
Thanks Alysha, would love to see you sometime!
It’s great to hear from you and see what you’ve been up to. In your blog I feel your enthusiasm for life. thank you.
Thanks for your comment!