Local friends rocking the slime
‘Slime Gurlz’ take YouTube by storm with their multi-coloured gloopy creations
Poke it, pinch it, stretch it, squeeze it.
A three-ingredient craft is taking the Internet by storm: slime.
The gooey substance is made with glue, water and an activator ingredient, such as shaving cream, soap or Borax.
The craft has become widespread on social media platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest, and has even cleared out Elmer’s glue from shelves in Kansas.
Fortunately for Calgary’s Slime Gurlz, there’s no shortage of glue supplying the city’s craft stores.
The Slime Gurlz, co-founded by Ashley Pridham and Alice Lam, are sliding into the slime market, already amassing a following of 11,000 on Instagram.
They are debuting their creations Monday evening at the Art Commons Tactile Intrigue event, where attendees will be able to play with a variety of slimes and mix their own glitters in the flexible mass.
“It’s oddly satisfying, relaxing and stimulating,” Pridham said of playing with the stretchy matter.
Many users are intrigued by the sounds made by touching slime, not to mention its diverse look, texture and size.
The pair started their slimemaking venture a few months ago, not expecting to become viral sensations.
Nevertheless, one of the Slime Gurlz videos, in which they inject different coloured dyes into a clear slime, has been viewed more than 2.5 million times.
“I would equate it to people popping bubble wrap. It’s this whole ASMR trend of just watching people do things and getting the same satisfaction even when you aren’t doing it yourself,” said Lam.
ASMR means autonomous sensory meridian response, described as a tingling or static-like sensation on the skin.
“The look, the sound, it’s just satisfying to watch,” said Pridham.
Although the duo began creating slime as a hobby, it is quickly growing into a business.
They’ve received requests from places in Asia, Europe and South America, but want to focus locally.
“It’s really important for us to work with artists and entrepreneurs local to Calgary because we really want to build on the community presence,” said Lam.
The team sells mostly by word of mouth or through their Instagram account. Due to the customizability of slime, they are able to fill custom orders for specific colours or textures.
“Right now, we’re still trying to figure out our retail strategy,” said Lam.
“We’ve had lots of local businesses approach us saying, ‘hey, we saw your slime, we’d love to carry it when you’re ready,’ so that’s what we are working toward.”
Slime Gurlz sells a four-ounce container of basic slime, about the size of a tennis ball, for $5. Bigger, more complex slimes cost more.
“As long as it’s fun, engaging and not a job, I think we’ll continue,” said Lam. “We’re just doing what we love.”