Post by onewomanarmy on Dec 12, 2007 12:07:51 GMT -5
A while back I posted on the Wanted board for some slabs - I wanted to try to make some crosses for my parents for Christmas. I was completely overwhelmed (in that really good way!) by the response I got - Catmandewe sent a box full of slabs (with a couple as big as my head!), Stoner put together some slabs along with one of his beautiful cabs, and Stonesthatrock sent me not one but TWO boxes stuffed full of slabs. Not to mention RedwoodRocks contribution and the box I bought from MichaelJohn for such a great deal! Needless to say - I was in heaven! I am still sorting through what I want to do with each of the slabs - some I've been too scared to cut into because they are just so stunning I don't want to ruin them!!
Anyway, I am working on my project now and wanted to share a few pics with all those who have been so generous! I also wouldn't mind a few IDs if possible - I've decided to try to make my mom and dad each a rosary (I think this is a Catholic thing - not sure many other religions use them - it's basically a circle of beads (about 60ish) that are broken into decades with a cross coming off the bottom en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosary). I'm not sure what some of these rocks are and I'd like to find some beads that are at least similar. If anyone can help me figure out what these are or has any ideas on beads that would look similar I'd love to hear them!!
I apologize for the horrible photo taking - I've not gotten myself set up yet to have a good place/lighting to photograph - also having a few quirky camera/card problems. Part of the problem is the lighting, part of the problem is the camera user. The macro setting works better with improvement in both areas.
Ok - here are a few after cutting - these are better than the first few I did because I switched the original WF blade to a Hotdog blade - cuts much nicer! The top left is pet wood I believe and the top right is Burro Creek (from Catmandewe). I'm not sure about the bottom two. I've lost track of what came from where too.
These are some that are a little further along. I've been using my Ameritool grinder on these because I'm afraid tumbling them will alter the shape too much - some seem more fragile and soft than others.
The one on the right is Chrysocolla stuff from MichaelJohn and the red one is Brecciated Jasper from Redwood Rocks. I don't know what the one on the left is but would like to. I believe it came from Stonesthatrock:
Here's the one on the left backlit (as best I could ) I'd really like to know what this one is but am cautious that I'll be able to use it - there seems to be a slight fracture appearing on one of the arms.
This is another one I'd like to use - if anyone can tell me what it is I'd appreciate it. To me, in my limited knowledge, I think this is pretty soft - but I've not tested it's hardness. Beside it is the original slab it came off of if that helps any. I wondered about it being onyx - I've never actually worked with or seen onyx before so I'm not sure. This is from Stonesthatrock and is really a cool piece:
and these two are a couple I had put in the tumbler - I believe at 600 grit - the Burro Creek started undercutting some and the other dendritic one was cut with the old blade - so it just started out rough looking. After seeing the undercutting of the Burro Creek and realizing some of the ones I like best are a little soft - I decided to try to finish my Christmas presents without tumbling.
Thanks for looking and thanks for any ID/bead help anyone can give! This is certainly a learning process for me!
Also - thanks SO much to everyone who contributed to my slab choices! There's no way I could have even begun to do this without you guys and I am very grateful to have been a part of your generosity. I have other crosses in the process but my camera card isn't cooperating very well lately. I will continue to take pictures of the progress (as I can!) if anyone is interested in seeing more.
Anyway, I am working on my project now and wanted to share a few pics with all those who have been so generous! I also wouldn't mind a few IDs if possible - I've decided to try to make my mom and dad each a rosary (I think this is a Catholic thing - not sure many other religions use them - it's basically a circle of beads (about 60ish) that are broken into decades with a cross coming off the bottom en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosary). I'm not sure what some of these rocks are and I'd like to find some beads that are at least similar. If anyone can help me figure out what these are or has any ideas on beads that would look similar I'd love to hear them!!
I apologize for the horrible photo taking - I've not gotten myself set up yet to have a good place/lighting to photograph - also having a few quirky camera/card problems. Part of the problem is the lighting, part of the problem is the camera user. The macro setting works better with improvement in both areas.
Ok - here are a few after cutting - these are better than the first few I did because I switched the original WF blade to a Hotdog blade - cuts much nicer! The top left is pet wood I believe and the top right is Burro Creek (from Catmandewe). I'm not sure about the bottom two. I've lost track of what came from where too.
These are some that are a little further along. I've been using my Ameritool grinder on these because I'm afraid tumbling them will alter the shape too much - some seem more fragile and soft than others.
The one on the right is Chrysocolla stuff from MichaelJohn and the red one is Brecciated Jasper from Redwood Rocks. I don't know what the one on the left is but would like to. I believe it came from Stonesthatrock:
Here's the one on the left backlit (as best I could ) I'd really like to know what this one is but am cautious that I'll be able to use it - there seems to be a slight fracture appearing on one of the arms.
This is another one I'd like to use - if anyone can tell me what it is I'd appreciate it. To me, in my limited knowledge, I think this is pretty soft - but I've not tested it's hardness. Beside it is the original slab it came off of if that helps any. I wondered about it being onyx - I've never actually worked with or seen onyx before so I'm not sure. This is from Stonesthatrock and is really a cool piece:
and these two are a couple I had put in the tumbler - I believe at 600 grit - the Burro Creek started undercutting some and the other dendritic one was cut with the old blade - so it just started out rough looking. After seeing the undercutting of the Burro Creek and realizing some of the ones I like best are a little soft - I decided to try to finish my Christmas presents without tumbling.
Thanks for looking and thanks for any ID/bead help anyone can give! This is certainly a learning process for me!
Also - thanks SO much to everyone who contributed to my slab choices! There's no way I could have even begun to do this without you guys and I am very grateful to have been a part of your generosity. I have other crosses in the process but my camera card isn't cooperating very well lately. I will continue to take pictures of the progress (as I can!) if anyone is interested in seeing more.