RWA3006
Cave Dweller
Member since March 2009
Posts: 4,237
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Post by RWA3006 on Oct 22, 2017 18:30:04 GMT -5
What are you doing with all those beautiful tumbled stones? As I admire the photos of tumbled stones in these threads I have to wonder what is becoming of all these awesome stones being produced by the folks on this forum?
My experience and skill in rock tumbling is nothing compared to many folks here and I appreciate them sharing photos and expertise in the hobby. The tumbled stones I have usually end up being given away but I manage to hoard a few for myself.
So tell me, what do you like to do with the stones you tumble? Thanks.
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Post by gmitch067 on Oct 22, 2017 19:06:54 GMT -5
My Daughter gets first choice (she fixes me dindin a lot so I must keep her happy)
I get second choice(s) and save about 50% of each load to split between my Sons and Grand Kids (and a few for me to enjoy and have more fun with)
My Daughter gets third choice to reserve stones for the her work buddies
The rest go to the bottomless round fish bowl and are distributed to the neighbor kids
Anything left is fair game as filler for new loads (some of which went from ugly to down right gorgeous!)
Glenn
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timm
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2017
Posts: 5
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Post by timm on Oct 22, 2017 19:24:04 GMT -5
We are half way thru our first batch of rocks being tumbled, so we have no idea what we will do with them when we get done. We just put two more batches into tumblers this past week, so 3 loads are going
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Luminin
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 400
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Post by Luminin on Oct 22, 2017 21:12:57 GMT -5
I bought everything needed to make necklaces, keychains and I guess bracelets out of my favorites. Truth be told, I have yet to finish even my first batch.
This is a good question, one that I've been struggling to answer when family asks.
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Wooferhound
Cave Dweller
Lortone QT66 and 3A
Member since December 2016
Posts: 1,424
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Post by Wooferhound on Oct 22, 2017 23:49:18 GMT -5
I have been struggling with this problem myself. Been tumbling since December and can do 15 pounds at a time. I have about 25 or more pounds of polished rocks. Starting to be much more selective about the rocks that go into the tumbler. I give a LOT away but still have too many stones. Starting to keep the Very Best rocks. Joined the local rock club and want to learn Wire Wrapping.
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Post by MrMike on Oct 23, 2017 6:09:01 GMT -5
I’ve been tumbling for about a year RWA3006 and have yet to come up with a “cool” answer to this question. Keep a bowl on my desk at work & give most of them away. The wife sold some at a yard sale for 25 cents a piece a few months ago. I have yet to see any $$ from that sale.....
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Post by fantastic5 on Oct 23, 2017 8:20:55 GMT -5
The majority of mine go to my DH elementary school. He bribes kids to behave with shiny rocks. Works great.
Then friends and family get some. I keep some to decorate the soil on top of potted plants.
And if I ever get enough I want to make a disappearing water fountain. The kind where the water 'disappears' into pretty rocks, then gets recirculated back up to whatever the focal point will end up being. I have an old antique iron hand water pump stashed away for just that purpose. Thought if I could fish the waterline up through the pump, it could spill the water to my polished rocks.
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Win
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2017
Posts: 336
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Post by Win on Oct 23, 2017 8:28:21 GMT -5
I just finished my second batch but I'm only using a 3 lb barrel, for now. I think some will go to customers kids, some will go to family and some I'm just keepin'. I'd love to build up large a quantity so we could attempt an art project or use to decorate. I do have a new Lot O that's waiting to go, that'll speed up the process.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,687
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Post by Fossilman on Oct 23, 2017 16:44:34 GMT -5
My wife gets first pick with my tumbles,than I have a store,that buys all my tumbled rock....
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Post by MsAli on Oct 23, 2017 16:56:48 GMT -5
I am just tumbling my first batch and am going to learn how to wire wrap and make pieces for myself, daughter and friends. I have no problem just putting them in with my succulents and cacti either.
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Post by fernwood on Oct 23, 2017 20:29:03 GMT -5
When I had a working tumbler, most were used for jewelry. I drilled holes for stung necklaces/bracelets/earrings, wrapped some and used the cage type stone holders for cool necklaces, earrings and bracelets. Also made pendant with the looped "tops" on the tumbled stones. Everything was well received for sale or gifts. Also donated some to local charities for fundraising.
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RWA3006
Cave Dweller
Member since March 2009
Posts: 4,237
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Post by RWA3006 on Oct 23, 2017 23:08:02 GMT -5
And if I ever get enough I want to make a disappearing water fountain. The kind where the water 'disappears' into pretty rocks, then gets recirculated back up to whatever the focal point will end up being. I have an old antique iron hand water pump stashed away for just that purpose. Thought if I could fish the waterline up through the pump, it could spill the water to my polished rocks. Hey, what a great idea! These type of fountains are gaining in popularity around here because not only are they novel, they also reduce liability by not having an exposed pool that little kids can drown in. I can already visualize water splashing on glistening polished stones. Thanks for your input!
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on Oct 26, 2017 14:33:17 GMT -5
Some go to jewelry but I also like to make mosaic objects. Table tops, birdbaths, boxes etc. Most photos were lost in the photobucket disaster but I'll try to repost an example. pbs.twimg.com/media/DGj5gttV0AAKboL.jpg
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
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Post by Sabre52 on Oct 26, 2017 15:10:51 GMT -5
When I take ranch kids out on nature walks, I always bring a bin of tumbles and let them each pick out a bag of them.....Mel
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,175
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Post by jamesp on Oct 26, 2017 15:40:48 GMT -5
I gift them to friends/acquaintances, especially those with kids. Great icebreakers.
But they have paid big dividends trading them to land owners that grant permission to collect their property. Land owners are often interested in the rocks you find on their land in the polished form. Plus they understand your motive as a hobby interest to collect on their property.
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doublet83
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2016
Posts: 118
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Post by doublet83 on Oct 26, 2017 16:20:30 GMT -5
I hoard them like Golem from Lord of the Rings.
Sometimes I also fondle them while muttering, "myy preeecciouusss."
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Oct 27, 2017 17:04:22 GMT -5
You pile them in a box somewhere and eventually decide to take up faceting instead. Or something very specific like that.
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zekester55
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2017
Posts: 111
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Post by zekester55 on Oct 28, 2017 6:47:35 GMT -5
I've been accumulating them. We sort through each batch and decide on what we want to keep, and separate them out. Currently they are in bowls and glass vases leftover from floral arrangements around the house. The ones we are willing to part with, I sell to a local jeweler who keeps a box of them in his store to hand out to kids. Money for more grit....
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Post by Pat on Oct 28, 2017 8:25:54 GMT -5
When I was working, I gave them out along with gold stars : ), to adult advanced English learners --- mostly engineers. They were delighted --- wore the stars on their badges, and took rocks home or displayed on their desks. I'm not a tumbler.
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RWA3006
Cave Dweller
Member since March 2009
Posts: 4,237
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Post by RWA3006 on Oct 28, 2017 12:49:56 GMT -5
Thank you everybody for your responses.
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