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Post by chris1956 on Apr 4, 2024 17:59:16 GMT -5
I figured it was time for some levity. The levity comes at the end of this. Firstly, I have been working on Christmas ornaments early since I have a long list of relatives/friends who want them and my sister-in-law wants to do a few craft shows this year. Here are pics of some and closeups of a few that have just gone through the vibratory tumbler. I have to get the small bits for the snowmen and epoxy them together. I used a milky quartz on these snowmen but will probably make some more of the crystal quartz ones later. I think I am going to do magnets for all these as most people I ask seem to like the magnet idea better than the tree ornament idea.   Closeups. I threw in the guitar pick for fun. The blue ones are the "blue quartz". Lots of little white spots like it might be quartzite. I am thinking I can get rid of those by baking in mineral oil. Let me know if you think I should leave as is or bake in mineral oil.       Ok, now for the levity. All this ornament stuff reminded me of an old Christmas song. I put the two accompanying pics at the beginning so the lyrics won't get broken up by them. Ok, everyone sing along.   Christmas is coming and granny is looking sad Please do put a pendent around the old gal's neck If you don’t have a pendant, a Christmas ornament will do If you don’t have a Christmas ornament, God bless you Plesae tell me that I am not the only one who remembers this song (or at least another version of it). Growing up and singing this in school, I always thought it must be some old English song. Turns out it was written by an American and first recored by Bing Crosby in 1958, not long after I was born. Hope you enjoyed, Chris |
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 4, 2024 18:09:55 GMT -5
Very nice! Good for you for getting a jump on it.
Never heard that song before. I would leave the blue quartz as is and that green tree is super cool with the garland. 
eta I meant dark green tree.
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rockbrain
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2022
Posts: 3,167
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Post by rockbrain on Apr 4, 2024 18:26:46 GMT -5
I guess I could work on the ones I started last year!
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Post by HankRocks on Apr 4, 2024 18:38:10 GMT -5
Magnets area good idea. The only thing I do is make sure I use darker material so that the magnet is not visible through the rock. That's a personal choice for me. I also use the gel variety super glue so that it stays in a nice drop until I place the magnet on the it. Also have a plastic tweezer to hold magnet while placing it.
Henry
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Post by jasoninsd on Apr 4, 2024 22:24:17 GMT -5
Chris - I had never heard that Christmas song before! I had to look it up as you said Bing sang it...and he's my favorite vocalist of all time! I loved that song! The ornaments are once again looking spectacular! I agree with leaving the Blue Quartz/Quartzite as is. I think the light colored "specks" look like glitter to me...which just screams X-mas! |
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titaniumkid
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2023
Posts: 499
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Post by titaniumkid on Apr 4, 2024 22:35:05 GMT -5
The snowflakes are icy! They look great.
And the glittery blue quartz is nice as is.
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iamchris
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2023
Posts: 722
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Post by iamchris on Apr 5, 2024 0:16:59 GMT -5
In the name of experimentation, I vote that you bake one just to see what will happen. But then again I don't have to do any work or clean up.
Nice stash, thanks for sharing! And reminding me that I have to make a ramp for my trim saw...
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Post by liveoak on Apr 5, 2024 6:13:24 GMT -5
Sorry to rain on the parade, but it's too stinkin' early, to think about Christmas presents !
The ornaments are nice & you'll have the last laugh when I'm panicking in Nov.
but it's too early for me !
Patty
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Post by chris1956 on Apr 5, 2024 8:10:40 GMT -5
Very nice! Good for you for getting a jump on it.
Never heard that song before. I would leave the blue quartz as is and that green tree is super cool with the garland.
eta I meant dark green tree.
Thanks. The song is "Christmas is Coming" written by Frank Luther. Seems like everyone is thinking leave as is which is what my wife keeps saying. The dark green tree material turned out way better than I thought it would. Always nice when there is a surprise. I guess I could work on the ones I started last year! Yes, you better get started. Magnets area good idea. The only thing I do is make sure I use darker material so that the magnet is not visible through the rock. That's a personal choice for me. I also use the gel variety super glue so that it stays in a nice drop until I place the magnet on the it. Also have a plastic tweezer to hold magnet while placing it. Henry I will probably try rare earth magnets on the snowflakes as they are kind of a silverish color. Was looking at it the other day and it wasn't very noticable as it would be with a darker regular magnet. The small crystal quartz cross will probably stay as is for a carry in your pocket cross. Chris - I had never heard that Christmas song before! I had to look it up as you said Bing sang it...and he's my favorite vocalist of all time! I loved that song! The ornaments are once again looking spectacular! I agree with leaving the Blue Quartz/Quartzite as is. I think the light colored "specks" look like glitter to me...which just screams X-mas! Thanks. I can't believe you hadn't heard of it. The snowflakes are icy! They look great. And the glittery blue quartz is nice as is. Thanks. I am seeing a pattern here about leaving the blue quartz alone. In the name of experimentation, I vote that you bake one just to see what will happen. But then again I don't have to do any work or clean up. Nice stash, thanks for sharing! And reminding me that I have to make a ramp for my trim saw... Thanks. I have some little scraps of the blue quartz from cutting the ornaments so I will probably try on a few of those and see how they turn out. Sorry to rain on the parade, but it's too stickin' early, to think about Christmas presents ! The ornaments are nice & you'll have the last laugh when I'm panicking in Nov. but it's too early for me ! Patty Yea, it is a little early but I didn't want to get in a pinch and be pushing my joints to get them done at the last minute. Besides, I thought everyone could use cheering up yesterday. |
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wargrafix
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2023
Posts: 1,085
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Post by wargrafix on Apr 5, 2024 9:18:20 GMT -5
Can we all agree that rock Christmas ornaments are a million times better than the stuff they sell normally?
These don't just become heirlooms but true legacy pieces
Beautiful work!
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Post by jasoninsd on Apr 5, 2024 21:14:54 GMT -5
Can we all agree that rock Christmas ornaments are a million times better than the stuff they sell normally? These don't just become heirlooms but true legacy pieces Beautiful work! They'll undoubtedly last longer than the plastic Snoopy ornaments I remember having growing up in the 70s! LOL  |
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wargrafix
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2023
Posts: 1,085
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Post by wargrafix on Apr 5, 2024 22:09:09 GMT -5
Can we all agree that rock Christmas ornaments are a million times better than the stuff they sell normally? These don't just become heirlooms but true legacy pieces Beautiful work! They'll undoubtedly last longer than the plastic Snoopy ornaments I remember having growing up in the 70s! LOL *cheers in corner* Snoopy rock ornament challenge!!!!!!!!! Do it! Do it! Do it! |
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Post by chris1956 on Jun 26, 2024 19:51:37 GMT -5
Here is the latest batch of ornaments/magnets out of the Lot-O, plus a few turtle bodies and guitar picks (magnets etc. not added yet).  The following closeups are made from rocks collected with Rob Jugglerguy of Michigan Rocks in April. Hopefully this is a link to my original thread on the video and rocks that I brought home if you care to look for these two. forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/post/1318432    I also had a chance to complet five snowman magnets. They are currently residing on our frig. Most of the eyes are tiny ameythyst and the noses are tiny garnets (both of which I purchased). Scarfs are unakite (from Michigan), blue quartz, and sodalite. Hats are blue quartz and sodalite. Buttons are whatever I could find. Bodies are quartz I found here on our property in Missouri.  My wife thinks snowmen should have legs so they can move around so she added Christmas stockings to one.  Thanks for taking a look, Chris |
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Post by liveoak on Jun 26, 2024 20:00:57 GMT -5
Love the new turtles
Patty
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Post by chris1956 on Jun 26, 2024 20:10:48 GMT -5
Love the new turtles
Patty
Thanks. They usually get shells but I may leave a few as is. They can get pretty hefty with the shells. |
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Post by liveoak on Jun 26, 2024 20:18:48 GMT -5
Now, you must show a picture with the shells, thank you Patty
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jun 26, 2024 20:35:42 GMT -5
The ornaments look great, Chris! I have to make a snowman this year. That's still my favorite.
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Post by chris1956 on Jun 26, 2024 20:37:29 GMT -5
liveoak, this picture is a little dark but will give you an idea of what they look like with the shell. I stole this idea and most of the ornaments from Rob Jugglerguy. But the snowman is my creation. 
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Post by chris1956 on Jun 26, 2024 20:39:35 GMT -5
The ornaments look great, Chris! I have to make a snowman this year. That's still my favorite. Thanks. And thanks for the ideas. I tell you, everyone loves getting them. |
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Post by liveoak on Jun 26, 2024 21:05:46 GMT -5
OMG Chris, I LOVE the turtle  Well, I'm officially stealing the idea from you !
Thanks,
Patty
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