Glass is melted in the intense heat at the focal point of the giant lens. Gravity and surface tension pull the glass into a lobe that cools as it falls and stretches into the Sundrop shape.
Multicolor drops are created by a more complex process. Scrap art glass is melted together in a kiln to form a striped strip of glass. This strip is then twisted to form a long spiral. Finally this twist is melted under the lens. To make multicolor drops with a "feather" pattern, the spiral is melted on the side so it curls into a ball with radiating stripes. This ball of molten glass is then dripped to form a Sundrop.
Once the drop is separated from the glass rod the drop is held upside-down using tongs. The broken tip is melted until it forms a small ball, finishing the Sundrop.
Finally, the Sundrops are wrapped with sterling silver wire and incorporated into unique Sundrop jewelry.
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