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Post by 'Guest' on Sept 14, 2004 17:42:42 GMT -5
In what ways can the rock tumbling hobby be used for profit. I have always been interested since I was a child and saw a rock-tumbling toy. Now I am going to purchase tumbling equipment since I am aware that it exists in forms other than the toy. I know the rocks can be used for decorative purposes, but I'd just like to get some ideas how other people are using this hobby for things other than decorating. Thanks in advance for your feedback.
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Post by Cher on Sept 14, 2004 18:01:04 GMT -5
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Post by cookie3rocks on Sept 14, 2004 18:07:32 GMT -5
Well, it wasn't for profit, but I just let 2 kids dig through a bowl of polished rocks I have and pick 2 each. You would have thought it was Halloween candy! Made me happy to make them happy.
cookie
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Post by docone31 on Sept 14, 2004 19:05:15 GMT -5
I am a fortunate one. One day I just did it. I started wrapping wires around stones, sitting on a blanket, making a few bucks. Some people bought some because I made them, some people showed me better ways to wrap. And it just grew. I was really bad in the beginnning and it was the '80's and yuppies bought everything in sight. I did real well, I fell flat on my face, I did better, I got married, meet woman become homeless, I just never quit. Today, my wife and I, She was a throwaway from corporate america also, run a thriving jewelery business. We work in silver, gold, we wire wrap, she restores pearl necklaces, I facet and do stone work. Today, everybody and their brother has batches of tumbled stones from overseas. At 10$ for 30lbs, if I sell them for .50 cents apeace I can make a killing. I do not do that however. I tumble to give away to the kids, or I tumble to see what the stone looks before I decide whether to cab it or facet. I then do a custom setting for it. In the introduction section there are pictures of the ring I made for the movie, Pirates of the Carribean. Captain Jack Sparrow wears it on his index finger, and we still e-mail each other. I started real small and just kept it up. The laughter still rings in my ears. I just believed in it and kept doing it. If it didn't work, I looked at it and redid it. If it stands out in my mind, sooner or later someone will like it also. Never compromise quality, never cut a corner, never give less than is recquired. Always price so you can keep making more. Do not let anyone tell you it is not special. Plenty of others will appreciate what you do. A child tumbles on his diapers I heard 300 times before he takes his first steps. I do not know if that is true but it illustrates my point. If the kid quit after a few stumbles he would never walk. Keep trying.
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JKowalski33
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 451
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Post by JKowalski33 on Sept 14, 2004 19:21:02 GMT -5
Good advice doc, you are so wise.... I'm just a youngin' to most you all
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Post by Cher on Sept 14, 2004 19:46:24 GMT -5
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Post by docone31 on Sept 14, 2004 19:55:51 GMT -5
It is in Members Pics., way back around page one, two, or three. Somewhere in there under docone31's pics. I have done a few Hollywood people. Gloria Estefan, Madonna, Annie Lennox, David Gilmore for his wife, Paul Smith of the Bewitched series, and Dukes of Hazzard. I forget the rest. I remember the jewelery. Iwas just there and they showed up. On the picture of Captain Jack Sparrow, the photo is small. If you can right click and blow it up, you might be able to pick up detail.
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Post by Cher on Sept 14, 2004 20:11:02 GMT -5
Dang I hate when that happens. ;D Thanks Doc but I guess it got bounce into cyber space or something. Either that or I'm totally blind. I went all the way back thru page 12 and couldn't find it. [glow=red,2,300] ~ Cher ~[/glow] pages.prodigy.net/bestsmileys1/signs/RockOn.gif [/img]
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Post by docone31 on Sept 14, 2004 20:13:09 GMT -5
I just went to members pics., and looked for it. Andy has been cleaning house and since it was a little off topic for the forum it is gone. When we get our house set up and I can get my other 'puter back on line I will send an attachment. This is a tumbling forum, and although we talk on almost everything, the quality of the forum comes from sticking to tumbling. Give me a couple of months to get squared away and I will send an attachment.
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Post by Cher on Sept 14, 2004 20:24:34 GMT -5
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RiverOtter
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2004
Posts: 339
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Post by RiverOtter on Sept 15, 2004 0:32:23 GMT -5
Ya know Doc you really should post pics of some of your other work. I know I for one would love to see some of your creations.
Otter
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Post by BIRDSEED on Sept 15, 2004 4:07:14 GMT -5
YOU GO-COOKIE!!!HURRAY!!!!!
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