What else could float inside a lava lamp?

[Fletch]

I'm an artist attempting to make a sculpture out of a lava lamp by inserting small sculpted or painted objects inside. I'm hoping someone might know before I take it apart if it's possible to insert small porcelain objects, pieces of acetate, or any other material inside the lamp that might float without just sinking to the bottom, floating to the top, or melting? Thanks for your response.

[Doug Millhoff]

I've been toying with the idea of alava lamp with 1" plastic (rubber, silicon?) babies bobbing around inside, since the 90's.

This sounds like it's along the same lines.

The objects would have to be able to handle the 140+° of the lamp without damage from heat or the (oils?) inside, and would need to have the same density / buoyancy as the wax globs to keep it from floating to top or sinking to bottom.

[Dave]

well try it and show us some pics of the results!

[Ford Prefect - NPNG]

i cant possibly imagine what material could give you what you want as far as floating goes.
either it would float at the very top, or sink. dont think anything would move around like arne says

[Fletch]

Yes. And if it matters, the wax is WHITE and the liquid is BLUE. The small objects should be able to pass thru the wax and occasionally back into the liquid, OR, bounce off the moving wax bubbles, so long as you can see them, or parts of them, from time to time. It's OK if the objects get coated as long as they re-emerge here and there. In fact, that would be ideal. I'm hoping to find a MATERIAL to make Monopoly size gamepieces; little bicycles, people, etc., that would topple up and down inside the moving liquid and wax when heated. The idea will work as long as they don't get permanently coated with wax and can float in the liquid without sinking or getting stuck on the top. This may dictate the material, size, and weight...or may be impossible? Thanks.