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Post by liveoak on Aug 17, 2022 8:50:38 GMT -5
So I generally make presents for my family & friends every year & we've done a large assortment of items.
This year I'd like to use rocks, and am looking for ideas to broaden my thoughts.
Something other than the obvious jewelry.
Thanks,
Patty
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Post by Rockoonz on Aug 17, 2022 10:10:34 GMT -5
Belt buckles are a popular item with my Brother in Law, he's developing a collection.
Guitar picks for the musically minded.
Bookends for that book worm with less organized shelves.
Sometimes a plain old polished specimen (paperweight?)
Small tumble stone zipper pulls are popular with the grandchildren.
Agate slab sun catchers hung on suction cups to make the kitchen window more fun.
Those thin slabs can also become night lights.
We have sold all of those at Christmas Bazaars, usually a lot more than jewelry.
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Post by liveoak on Aug 17, 2022 10:37:17 GMT -5
Excellent ideas Lee, Rockoonz , Thank you. I was fixating on the night light idea,
but we made ones with wood & large shells a couple of years back and don't like to repeat ideas.
The belt buckle is one I've overlooked, I like it & the guitar pick is so obvious I'm embarrassed I didn't think of it.
The zipper pulls is cute & one I've never seen.
Thank you for getting my thought process going.
Patty
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Post by Peruano on Aug 17, 2022 13:27:56 GMT -5
Thin agate slabs can double as Christmas ornaments which easily get transferred to windows as sun catchers for the other 11 months. When I have a suitable cobble with surface texture, I cut a flat bottom and a shallow vertical slot in the top as a holder for business cards on the desk or recipe cards on the counter while cooking.
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rockbrain
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2022
Posts: 3,167
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Post by rockbrain on Aug 17, 2022 13:41:19 GMT -5
Thanks for bringing this up now. It's a great time to get started. We've recently done home roasted coffee beans, BBQ rub and sauce and smoked flavored almonds. We haven't done anything with rocks for Christmas so we have a blank slate.
I'm looking to do something like knife scales. Maybe handles on a letter opener. Someone posted a golfers divot tool here a while back with stones for a handle. That was cool.
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Post by liveoak on Aug 17, 2022 14:03:12 GMT -5
Knives for my family would work- since they live 1000 + miles away  I bet you could buy pre-made knives & add a handle - hmm, that an interesting idea.
We've done an assortment over the years,
Last year we did lathe turned wooden pens, the year before custom etched clear coffee mugs, wood & large shell night lights,
sewn items ( hats, bags, bathrobes, aprons, nomex potholders etc), and some food items.
I really should have made a list
I do know though, that I never made a belt buckle, a guitar pick or a knife handle, or a sun catcher at that rate.
Thanks Peruano I like the recipe card holder- that's a good one. Thanks to you both for adding to the thought process-
I hate waiting until the last minute
Patty
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Post by rockjunquie on Aug 17, 2022 17:14:58 GMT -5
I made some "desk ornaments", for lack of a better term, last year as gifts. You get to use a cabochon and the recipient can enjoy it without wearing it. Here's a quick picture I took of a simple one. I believe it is 18g but it could be 16g- probably not though. When the legs are hammered they are perfectly adequate.
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Post by liveoak on Aug 17, 2022 18:17:04 GMT -5
I’d probably send everyone a piece of coprolite, then nobody could complain that they didn’t get crap for Christmas lol! Perfect !
You must have met my brother . 
Thanks for the chuckle & the great idea.
Patty
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Post by liveoak on Aug 17, 2022 18:19:15 GMT -5
I made some "desk ornaments", for lack of a better term, last year as gifts. You get to use a cabochon and the recipient can enjoy it without wearing it. Here's a quick picture I took of a simple one. I believe it is 18g but it could be 16g- probably not though. When the legs are hammered they are perfectly adequate.
I like it Tela, it's a unique great idea-
one to consider.
Patty
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Post by fernwood on Aug 18, 2022 2:39:19 GMT -5
Posted this here before. I had it custome made. The wording is etched into the tree. The hole was for a photo to be added.  I have made wine glass/bottle charms from tumbled rocks in th past. |
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Post by vegasjames on Aug 18, 2022 3:07:14 GMT -5
Give them a raw rock and some wire. A DIY jewelry making kit.  |
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Post by fernwood on Aug 18, 2022 4:03:13 GMT -5
Give them a raw rock and some wire. A DIY jewelry making kit.  Good one. I have sold pendant kits in the past. Usually they contain some stringing material, a large eye needed, filler beads, a focal bead/pendant and jewelry findings. I include step by step directions with photos. The beads are mostly rocks, but have included some wood/shell ones. Some purchased them for presents. |
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Post by liveoak on Aug 18, 2022 5:48:31 GMT -5
Give them a raw rock and some wire. A DIY jewelry making kit. Sweet - guess the rock should be coprolite 
Patty
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Post by liveoak on Aug 18, 2022 5:51:20 GMT -5
The tree ornament / photo holder is nice Beth, fernwood. Good for a new baby, couple, etc. Patty |
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jimaz
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2018
Posts: 475 
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Post by jimaz on Aug 18, 2022 9:31:28 GMT -5
Glue together several stones to make rock animals.
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Post by liveoak on Aug 18, 2022 9:42:37 GMT -5
That's a cute one jimaz. Might be a good one for the kids. Thanks, Patty |
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Post by mohs on Aug 18, 2022 9:52:43 GMT -5
Give them a raw rock and some wire. A DIY jewelry making kit. Sweet - guess the rock should be coprolite Patty
I like this idea  |
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Post by liveoak on Aug 18, 2022 12:24:48 GMT -5
Simple is good mohs , we do tend to get carried away with our complex ideas.
Patty
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brybry
Cave Dweller
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Member since October 2021
Posts: 1,221
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Post by brybry on Aug 18, 2022 17:25:52 GMT -5
Knives for my family would work- since they live 1000 + miles away I bet you could buy pre-made knives & add a handle - hmm, that an interesting idea.
We've done an assortment over the years,
Last year we did lathe turned wooden pens, the year before custom etched clear coffee mugs, wood & large shell night lights,
sewn items ( hats, bags, bathrobes, aprons, nomex potholders etc), and some food items.
I really should have made a list
I do know though, that I never made a belt buckle, a guitar pick or a knife handle, or a sun catcher at that rate.
Thanks Peruano I like the recipe card holder- that's a good one. Thanks to you both for adding to the thought process-
I hate waiting until the last minute
Patty
I've seen the knife blanks on Amazon |
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Post by liveoak on Aug 18, 2022 17:48:34 GMT -5
Yeah, I like the knife idea ALOT brybry , but my limited research makes me think it's more work then my relatives deserve  .
With the rivets and needing to grind them off, I'd be afraid to damage my cabbing wheels.
I think knife makers use belt grinders for that kind of work & we have one to be honest, but I don't think it's worth it.
It was fun to think on for a little while & maybe someday I'll make one for myself.
We're still stewing on ideas
Patty
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