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Post by helens on Aug 6, 2012 23:43:15 GMT -5
A few weeks ago, I got a pm from susand24224, who wanted a neat glass gift for her artist friend. She was looking for a glass flower pendant, and her friend grew iris's, could I make an iris? (Susan doesn't post much, I always remember her as the winner of the World Tumbling Competition:P). We ended up doing a 'my keepers for your keepers' trade, and I left it open to her what she would send. So I'm expecting a few exceptional and beautiful slabs. Beautiful is an understatement! I got 2 boxes from her today, a MFRB and a SFRB! Thought you might get a kick out of seeing a 'keeper' trade. What both our idea of keepers look like. This is what I sent her (for her friend): This is the sculptured iris bead pendant, which I had already wired to wear: So this is what I got... wow. Thought you guys might enjoy the show too, it's over the top!!! My favorite, and I've never seen one this perfect... dry specimen of lace agate: Other side (it's a wedge, and every side is incredible): Banded Onyx? Blue Lace (those are not fractures, they're water droplets... this was already polished) Ocean Jasper or Guadalupe Jasper?? Petrified coral with RED in it: Huge rectangular hunk of Navajo Splash: Huger hunk of banded calcite (doesn't look like calcite tho...): This slab is remarkable... the black lines are patterns, not fractures, with vivid blues and oranges and reds. I don't know what it is but it's crazy looking: Jasperlite in Quartzite: Kona Dolomite: Leopardskin: Owyhee: Polish Flint: Moss - look at this pattern! Wonderstone - odd colors, but so beautiful!! Polkadot Agate - beautiful scene! A cab sized slab of mookaite...IT"S A DODO BIRD!!!! (see yellow eye??) A purple something solid... no idea what it is but the color vibrates (NOT obsidian, it's an agate) Big tumbled agatized Pet Wood: HUGE hunk of 1/2 a tree stump opalized pet wood (almost size of a brick): Even HUGER hunk of opalized pet wood (I think it weighs more than 5 lbs): small cabbed sized coprolite? Gorgeous colors/pattern: And a BIG assortment of preforms!!! ALL flawless 2 completed beautiful cabs - opal and mookaite, plus a piece of abalone or moonstone (not sure... it's chantoyant), a bag of rare turquoise, another small bag of LAKERS! There were a few more slabs where the photos came out fuzzy, so not included here... bigger mookaite, and 4 other superb thick slabbettes of crazy beautiful stones! What a rock day!!! This was incredible!!! Thank you Susan!!! WAAAOOOWWW How's that for rock candy:)?
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Post by tntmom on Aug 7, 2012 0:41:40 GMT -5
WOW Helen!!!! You deserved every bit of that AMAZING BOX for your exceptional artwork!!!!
Susan's great! I LOVE her IMMENSLEY!!! If I had to pick an RTH'er that means the most to me..... yeah.... it would be Susan.
You're right... she doesn't post much but she's one of the few people I've met in my life that I trust completely!!! She's offered me priceless advice and whether I've followed it or not, I know that that she will always be there for me. She is the REAL thing!!!!
I'm soooo happy for you Helen!
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rockingthenorth
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2012
Posts: 1,637
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Post by rockingthenorth on Aug 7, 2012 1:25:57 GMT -5
Awesome helen great trade
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deedolce
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2006
Posts: 1,828
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Post by deedolce on Aug 7, 2012 1:46:21 GMT -5
Wow, you both got fabulous things!! Yes, that's Ocean Jasper. and the calcite looks like picture jasper. Thanks for the photo candy!
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Post by 3rdrockfromthefun on Aug 7, 2012 3:36:47 GMT -5
I have never met Susan but I am so in love with her I want to marry her right now! WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The purple rock says right on it what it is helen - iforgotite Calcite is bizarre - I bought some large hunks of it last year that were the most insane colors and, because of the specific impurities I guess, the crystals (huuuuge crystals) have a candy-like shine to them. Some are copper colored, some are deep blood red - just nuts. I'm also wondering if that onyx you have is calcite - I have a couple hunks of calcite that are similar (it'd be really soft if it is in case you're not familiar - I'm betting you are though). And I was already at 'Holy Crap!' when I saw the glass you made - holly hell in glass of liquid nitrogen that is soooo cool it's hot! Thanks for the show - that was just plain righteous! Suuuuusan... I have a ring for you
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2012 7:20:32 GMT -5
I have one of Helen's pieces and I have to tell you that you ain't seen nothin till you have held one of her pieces in your hand so in person that iris has to be way better than the photos. And the photos look awesome. thirdrock You just want to marry Susan for her rocks. I want to marry her for heart and generosity. What an awesome X ten trade. I should live so long. Jim
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Post by Roller on Aug 7, 2012 7:40:30 GMT -5
so much potential there !!!
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Post by helens on Aug 7, 2012 11:51:44 GMT -5
I agree! Susan is amazing!!! I formed up the small preforms this morning, perfect pieces, no cracks, no flaws! Just wonderful!!!
You guys are going to make her blush:)! That's a good thing:)!!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2012 12:27:07 GMT -5
Say Helen, ya got anything that you might want to trade there keepers for keepers? I can see some real keepers amongst those slabs. lmao Jim
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Post by helens on Aug 7, 2012 12:38:25 GMT -5
I just realized you were kidding:P.
They are all keepers! I have never seen several of them before in person and have wanted them for a while (like the polish flint, the Kona, and the leopardskin especially), and of the ones I already have, these specimens are way better for pattern or color. I LOVE these slabs!!!
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Aug 7, 2012 13:24:15 GMT -5
Helen your art absolutely beautiful. I don't know who got the better deal!
Chuck
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robsrockshop
has rocks in the head
Member since August 2012
Posts: 715
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Post by robsrockshop on Aug 7, 2012 14:15:00 GMT -5
Nice, I like it all lol.
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Post by helens on Aug 7, 2012 15:04:58 GMT -5
Thanks guys!! Susan said she didn't mind if I post pix, so hope she sees the pix too (and isn't sorry she sent me all these awsome rocks!!) .
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cabjunky
has rocks in the head
Regency Rose Plume
Member since November 2008
Posts: 683
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Post by cabjunky on Aug 7, 2012 15:09:17 GMT -5
There are some really nice slabs that you got in trade. You'll have fun cabbing all of that material.
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grayfingers
Cave Dweller
Member since November 2007
Posts: 4,575
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Post by grayfingers on Aug 7, 2012 17:00:19 GMT -5
Helen, your glass pieces are very beautiful! That iris had to be quite a challenge, and the first one looks like a diving scene on a coral reef. The slabs and rough you received in trade are beautiful as well, lots of variety which keeps it more fun.
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Post by helens on Aug 7, 2012 17:55:59 GMT -5
Don, you can just go to my website at: www.azenglass.com . Unless you want to see specific things not on my website. I do admit being terribly lazy about updating it.
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Post by susand24224 on Aug 7, 2012 18:20:36 GMT -5
Wow, you are right, Helen, the comments are making me blush. 3drock, did you know that I also cook and do windows? And I have more rocks--and Krystee, you are such a sweetheart. I should say that Krystee has sent me some of my most interesting items.
What is most true is that Helen and I both got great trades--we both got to give away something special to someone who really appreciates it--does it get any better than that? I am so very happy with our trade, plus, if I miss my rocks, I can just visit them online as Helen is a superb photographer.
Now some serious stuff. The Arizona Onyx is, indeed, banded calcite. I love the stuff, although one must be careful when cutting it. It was sold to me as "AZ Onyx" so I kept that name.
The mini-mountain is "I'm not sure." The closest I could come in identifying it is banded calcite. It comes in several colors--pale green, orangy and browns and tans. Probably a few more that I haven't found yet. It is very fragile, probably about a Mohs 3.5-4, and breaks easily in shelves. The closest thing I could find was banded calcite, but there are probably many possibilities I didn't think of. Oh, yes! Some of it is slightly shiny, most is matte, and there is no translucence. All comments invited!
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Post by frane on Aug 7, 2012 18:53:20 GMT -5
Wow! you have some beautiful work and some beautiful material there! Fran
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Post by helens on Aug 7, 2012 19:48:08 GMT -5
Thanks Susan!! I totally feel that way about your rocks too, I LOVE THEM, and hope I captured them accurately with the camera:)!!!
Here, I'll show you something that no one outside of Facebook has seen DLC... something no other glassmaker has been doing (the way I do it, not the concept obviously), that I worked on as an entry for a future competition ... I didn't get many completed before the rock obsession hit me. I can finish them whenever, no hurry:).
Molecules... that is, the chemical structure. Here is 1/2 of my sculpture 'Adrenaline', which is C9 H13 N O3
What you see below is the 1/2 without the 6 carbon hex group with double bonds (each of those has an OH group attached to the carbons). These are challenging because of the heat control required to span such a long skinny piece with such small glass bonds in awkward places. I'll get around to doing more with them when I feel motivated:)
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Post by 3rdrockfromthefun on Aug 8, 2012 12:29:31 GMT -5
Wow, you are right, Helen, the comments are making me blush. 3drock, did you know that I also cook and do windows? And I have more rocks--and Krystee, you are such a sweetheart. I should say that Krystee has sent me some of my most interesting items. What is most true is that Helen and I both got great trades--we both got to give away something special to someone who really appreciates it--does it get any better than that? I am so very happy with our trade, plus, if I miss my rocks, I can just visit them online as Helen is a superb photographer. Now some serious stuff. The Arizona Onyx is, indeed, banded calcite. I love the stuff, although one must be careful when cutting it. It was sold to me as "AZ Onyx" so I kept that name. The mini-mountain is "I'm not sure." The closest I could come in identifying it is banded calcite. It comes in several colors--pale green, orangy and browns and tans. Probably a few more that I haven't found yet. It is very fragile, probably about a Mohs 3.5-4, and breaks easily in shelves. The closest thing I could find was banded calcite, but there are probably many possibilities I didn't think of. Oh, yes! Some of it is slightly shiny, most is matte, and there is no translucence. All comments invited! You forgot to mention you're beautiful - that was such nice rock you traded for that awesome glasswork by helen. For rock like that I'll cook for you and do the windows I should mention it's not just the rock, but the selections - that says a lot about a person when you can tell they put time in to pick the best of the already awesome - you obviously really love and care about your lapidary/tumbling work. You get a blue ribbon from me! Where should to make our vows? Baker mine? Stone canyon? Anywhere's fine with me! Bruneau river?
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