zero
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2009
Posts: 10
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Post by zero on Oct 25, 2009 16:39:58 GMT -5
As I mentioned in my previous thread, I'm new to this hobby. My wife got me a rock tumbler as a gift a few months ago. I'm starting to wrap up my second batch of rocks (magnesite). When I started this, I was more focused on the process itself. However, as time goes on, I'm sure I'll start getting a nice collection of polished rocks. This might be a stupid question, but what do you guys do with the rocks when you are done?
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Post by Bikerrandy on Oct 25, 2009 17:03:17 GMT -5
I've got a pile of them on the floor. lol ........ Some people fill candy dishes with them.
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geodes4u
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2009
Posts: 144 
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Post by geodes4u on Oct 25, 2009 17:51:43 GMT -5
Hey zero:
I buy various glasses and vases and fill them up. Place fake flowers in them, and you have a great table centerpiece or conversation starter at work. It's fun to make key chains too. Swap meets are a good place to sell baggies full of polished rocks or sell them individually. Kids can't resist them at 25 cents each. It adds up quickly.
Rock On !
Timothy
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geodes4u
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2009
Posts: 144
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Post by geodes4u on Oct 25, 2009 17:56:29 GMT -5
Oh, yeah . . . .
Glue eyes on them. People will still buy pet rocks. Had a table full for sale. A teacher came by and bought them all to give as motivators for her students.
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Post by Toad on Oct 25, 2009 18:28:40 GMT -5
Like geodes4u said, glass vases.
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carloscinco
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,639
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Post by carloscinco on Oct 25, 2009 19:17:10 GMT -5
You're pretty quick. It took me about 4 months before I woke up in a cold sweat with "Now what?" spinning in my head. Let me know what you come up with.
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MikeS
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2009
Posts: 1,081
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Post by MikeS on Oct 25, 2009 22:13:38 GMT -5
I display my better ones in glass containers, the ones that candles come in work nicely.
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Post by roswelljero on Oct 25, 2009 22:30:17 GMT -5
LOL, I was gonna ask the same question! Over the years I've made keychains, tie-tacs, etc... Glued them on lots of things... Given away tons... Tried to wire wrap some, but they're almost too slippery!... Thinking about trying to make some sort of Christmas ornament...
Later,
jeri
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scottyh
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2007
Posts: 181
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Post by scottyh on Oct 26, 2009 2:01:00 GMT -5
Hi Zero...
I have been tumbling for a few years now and I just give most of my tumbles away. I tend to find that only about 1 in every 3-500 stones are are a real keeper..... (I guess I am fussy). I Tend to keep a drum of rough going and only take out the flawless perfect ones to send to the next stage. As a result I rund a 100 pound rough drum all the time where as I only run the 15 pound 220 upwards drums 2 maybe 3 time a year
So in short the answer is give them away to friends family and vistors
Cheers Scott
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Post by deb193redux on Oct 26, 2009 5:38:30 GMT -5
Thats pretty much the range of it, except maybe going beyond eyes to make rock critters. You either continue as is or move on. Some folks start doing single type stone batches, and take pleasure in doing each new different kind of stone. SOme people start to trim and preshape with a saw or other tools and then tumble small slabetts or preforms that will more easily wrap or be able to make jewelry - most rounded stones will not. Some folks do make table tops or lampshades cast in resin, but this is kind of rare.
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Post by Toad on Oct 26, 2009 8:33:13 GMT -5
There was a thread not too long ago where someone made bugs with rocks. I think they were using cabs - but the same could be done with tumbled rocks. Plus it would be an introduction to wire wrapping.
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pebblepup
has rocks in the head
Succor Creek Thunder Egg
Member since July 2008
Posts: 515
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Post by pebblepup on Oct 26, 2009 10:11:12 GMT -5
I split my batches into two piles. The first pile are the pieces that turned out good that I want to keep. I put them into bowls, plates, glasses, vases and display them around the house. The second pile is the boring and chipped rocks. I put them in a bucket in the garage and let the neighborhood kids take rocks from it. The kids love it.
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carloscinco
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,639
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Post by carloscinco on Oct 26, 2009 20:00:05 GMT -5
I give most away to grandkids, friends and relatives. It feels good when other folks express an appreciation for stuff you've put time and thought into.
You could glue them on a birdbath. Hmm, I might just try that.
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Post by Fidalgo Island Rock hound on Oct 26, 2009 20:09:58 GMT -5
I'm looking into wholesale glass bottles and jars to buy to put my rocks into.. to display, to sell? I just need to get a new motor for my tumbler.
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Post by rocklicker on Oct 27, 2009 2:10:41 GMT -5
Giving them away to kids is a great thing to do, floaty candles with rocks in the botton of your dish, refrigerator magnets, etc., Otherwise, bowls and glass containers are great for showing off rocks. Recently I started putting them in quart sized mason jars. If you line them up they look real nice, like you are some mad rock scientist. I am going to look for the half gallon mason jars pretty soon too.
Steve
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reelman
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 114
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Post by reelman on Oct 28, 2009 22:10:33 GMT -5
The old glass diary 1/2 pint cream jars make nice rock containers in the house. My wife is a teacher and the students love getting to choose a polished rock off the desk.
I keep the ones I like and donate some to our rock club show to give to kids.
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