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Post by Bob on Jan 20, 2021 15:22:39 GMT -5
One of my clients (now deceased) was a well-known wildlife photographer that had cover photos on Natl Geog, Smithsonian, etc. He told me once the world is over-saturated with "pretty coffee table" books. They cost a ton to make, because of the quality paper and imagery, and so they are also not cheap, but he said even with that it's almost impossible to even make a profit. So I'm not too hopeful on that idea.
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chandler
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2020
Posts: 105
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Post by chandler on Jan 20, 2021 15:50:38 GMT -5
One of my clients (now deceased) was a well-known wildlife photographer that had cover photos on Natl Geog, Smithsonian, etc. He told me once the world is over-saturated with "pretty coffee table" books. They cost a ton to make, because of the quality paper and imagery, and so they are also not cheap, but he said even with that it's almost impossible to even make a profit. So I'm not too hopeful on that idea. That's a shame. I would have bought one! |
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lordsorril
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since April 2020
Posts: 936
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Post by lordsorril on Jan 20, 2021 18:31:50 GMT -5
They have been in the living room for 30+ years. Before she arrived from China, she begged me to put them in the bedroom, the least likely room for any visitor to see. After 2-3 weeks of her waking up in the middle of the night to a slithering sound now and then, and her having nightmares about them getting out and into the bed, she got me to put them back in the living room. Now she's working toward the garage. As we say around here "No way Jose." How many snakes do you have now Bob? My gf only has one rule regarding pet restrictions: NO CENTIPEDES. Scorpions-fine. Camel spiders-fine. Cow-killer wasps-fine. No centipedes allowed though... |
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lordsorril
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since April 2020
Posts: 936
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Post by lordsorril on Jan 20, 2021 19:42:35 GMT -5
Photo #100  Firework obsidian from The Rock Shed. Definitely recommend a vibe tumbler to work on this material.  I separated the darker patterned material from the lighter...darker material pictured here. |
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Jan 20, 2021 20:51:37 GMT -5
Thanks for letting me know that it is possible. You bet! Yeah, I didn't want to smash it. I might still cut off some pieces to round it out if it tumbles weird on the edges/sides. It is a nice piece, but, the real question is what do I do with the big one (24lbs.) I have of this stuff? I don't want to smash this one either...  I was thinking about sending it to Bob and having him tumble it for a few years and then return it to me.  LOL!  That might not be such a bad idea to send it to Bob, actually. But ones that big are yard gems to me! I like the big ones just like that around trees. I got em all over the place. Only not as big or as nice as this one. Good luck on however you decide to ultimately go with the 25 lb'er!
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Jan 20, 2021 20:57:18 GMT -5
One of my clients (now deceased) was a well-known wildlife photographer that had cover photos on Natl Geog, Smithsonian, etc. He told me once the world is over-saturated with "pretty coffee table" books. They cost a ton to make, because of the quality paper and imagery, and so they are also not cheap, but he said even with that it's almost impossible to even make a profit. So I'm not too hopeful on that idea. It is quite accidental that I read your post here, Bob. But timely and interesting none the less.
I happen to like those books which you see in large 11x17 (or greater) format, which are vivid colorful pictures. I Always have.
My wife and I talked about it only a couple weeks ago; this idea of putting together some collection of photos which could perhaps be published.
I just wasn't aware that it wasn't profitable.
Thanks for sharing this.
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Post by Bob on Jan 20, 2021 23:50:37 GMT -5
They have been in the living room for 30+ years. Before she arrived from China, she begged me to put them in the bedroom, the least likely room for any visitor to see. After 2-3 weeks of her waking up in the middle of the night to a slithering sound now and then, and her having nightmares about them getting out and into the bed, she got me to put them back in the living room. Now she's working toward the garage. As we say around here "No way Jose." How many snakes do you have now Bob? My gf only has one rule regarding pet restrictions: NO CENTIPEDES. Scorpions-fine. Camel spiders-fine. Cow-killer wasps-fine. No centipedes allowed though... Cow-killer wasps? I kept a Scolopendra giant centipede for 6 years. If I told what it was like, and what it ate, and how it ate, I would be kicked off this forum and anyone reading it would not walk in bare feet at night for a long time. I still now decades later on ocassion have nightmares about it myself. |
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lordsorril
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since April 2020
Posts: 936
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Post by lordsorril on Jan 22, 2021 6:12:12 GMT -5
Photo #101  These were a handful of broken quartz geode pieces I tumbled. I thought it was neat that I ended up with a flat quartz edge on the larger piece at the top of the photo where I ground away the geode rind. The snake is a Super Pastel/Lesser/Het VPI Axanthic--@2 years old he is a small guy (picture was taken 1 year ago, and he is about the same size today). I'm not even going to consider breeding him until he gets bigger... |
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Post by jasoninsd on Jan 22, 2021 8:38:09 GMT -5
Photo #101 These were a handful of broken quartz geode pieces I tumbled. I thought it was neat that I ended up with a flat quartz edge on the larger piece at the top of the photo where I ground away the geode rind. The snake is a Super Pastel/Lesser/Het VPI Axanthic--@2 years old he is a small guy (picture was taken 1 year ago, and he is about the same size today). I'm not even going to consider breeding him until he gets bigger... Contrary to what my wife says, I think all the snakes look great...but this guy is probably one of my favorites of the ones you've posted.  |
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NRG
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,688
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Post by NRG on Jan 22, 2021 22:24:13 GMT -5
and anyone reading it would not walk in bare feet at night for a long time. I still now decades later on ocassion have nightmares about it myself. That's because you never met me! I'm on my second name but have been here for a decade. Scolependra heros is my fave centipede. But they are so uncommon anywhere I've seen them, bare feet no biggie! Plus my rattlesnake situational awareness allows comfort under these settings. The fact they have specific habitats protects most members! 😎👍 Anyways for those who care, these centipedes eat anything that moves under its own power. Insects, mice, birds...... and so on. Good to meet you. Let me know if you want any Centuroides vittatus as I have plenty on my colorado house to go around. |
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Post by Bob on Jan 22, 2021 23:09:16 GMT -5
OMG. I used to be one of Chevron's main Centruroides and Latrodectus suppliers for pesticide takedown timing requalifications. My house at times was practically a living crawling thing. The people who connect here...
Actually I grew to admire very much Scolopendra's abilities including the stunning parental care. The day I finally manned up to picking up a large, mad one bare-handed is a day I will never forget. Came very close to not quite being able to do it.
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lordsorril
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since April 2020
Posts: 936
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Post by lordsorril on Jan 24, 2021 7:25:32 GMT -5
Photo #102  Here is another piece from the SouthWest USA. It is about 4" long. |
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Post by Bob on Jan 24, 2021 11:09:20 GMT -5
No matter how gorgeous the snakes, you have an incredible rock collection!
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lordsorril
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since April 2020
Posts: 936
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Post by lordsorril on Jan 24, 2021 20:02:03 GMT -5
No matter how gorgeous the snakes, you have an incredible rock collection! Thanks! I have tumbled less than 1% of it. I haven't had time to look in the boxes of stuff I have purchased in the last few years...for all I know they could be full of bricks...  |
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Post by stephan on Jan 25, 2021 0:26:27 GMT -5
Photo #101 These were a handful of broken quartz geode pieces I tumbled. I thought it was neat that I ended up with a flat quartz edge on the larger piece at the top of the photo where I ground away the geode rind. The snake is a Super Pastel/Lesser/Het VPI Axanthic--@2 years old he is a small guy (picture was taken 1 year ago, and he is about the same size today). I'm not even going to consider breeding him until he gets bigger... Love the markings on this one. A few of them remind me of the critter featured on Butthole Surfers “Independent Worm Saloon” cover. |
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Post by stephan on Jan 25, 2021 0:30:59 GMT -5
Photo #100 Firework obsidian from The Rock Shed. Definitely recommend a vibe tumbler to work on this material. I separated the darker patterned material from the lighter...darker material pictured here. Great! Another stone to add to the must-have list. Nice snake, too, of course. |
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lordsorril
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since April 2020
Posts: 936
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Post by lordsorril on Jan 25, 2021 6:55:29 GMT -5
You mean that yellow sock puppet thing-with the eyes? Hmmm...hahaha...if you say so! The firework obsidian has an odd texture to it: it is gritty with little beads of solid obsidian embedded in it making it almost like a multi-mohs material. I rough shaped in a 3lb. rotary with 46 SiC (and cushioning), then vibed in 220 AOx for as long as it took to smooth it out, pre/post polish-->worked great...a few of the pieces I received (not shown) have a porous rough matrix attached--higher hardness---taking a lot longer to smooth out. There were a few oddball stones (one pictured below) in the firework obsidian as well-kinda neat stuff (not done polishing yet).  |
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Post by Bob on Jan 25, 2021 10:34:52 GMT -5
"Great! Another stone to add to the must-have list. Nice snake, too, of course."
Read my mind!
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lordsorril
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since April 2020
Posts: 936
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Post by lordsorril on Jan 26, 2021 18:49:49 GMT -5
"Great! Another stone to add to the must-have list. Nice snake, too, of course." |
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lordsorril
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since April 2020
Posts: 936
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Post by lordsorril on Jan 26, 2021 18:52:52 GMT -5
As I mentioned previously: I do not recommend pure rotary tumbling for this material.
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