Crinoid Queen Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 Feeling like my skills are being lost because of this horrid drought, I was snooping around my weathering piles hoping that something would pop out. It was then I stumbled across a rather large piece with two specimens that the rock would not give up the previous summer. I figured what was there to lose. Took my trustee hammer and chisel and sure enough,nice and clean, they cam out. Since the face of the crinoids were damaged, I knew right away I would again have to attempt to make fake matrix and flip the crinoids over. As many of you guys saw my last attempt was far from beautiful lol. The first monumental task is to start grinding the rock. Last time I tried just hitting it with a hammer and it just did not turn out fine enough so this time I did it a little different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crinoid Queen Posted August 18, 2011 Author Share Posted August 18, 2011 (edited) I ground and ground then, was like how do I get it up. Then I was like oh ya duhh! Into a biopsy jar I got from my dads doctor gave me. Then I set out to work on the Glue I wanted to use. Although Elmers worked well for others, my previous experiences showed me it would not be my choice. Among other problems it reconstituted with reintroduction to water, a vital part of my preparation. Then a recent home repair got me to thinking. A few of our tiles fell off and my land lord left his grout here. I thought hummm like stone and water proof.... why not give it a try. So I mixed up a few testers using different ratios using some scrap stems and wow was I shocked at how well it worked!!! The only problem was it was too light. Posted for some help got charcole as an idea used some and still did not get the right pigment. Then thought ahh hah!! I have a ton of old blush in a make up kit that I do not use! I think my recipie is a success what do you all think? Cyathocrinites iowensis Edited August 18, 2011 by Crinoid Queen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drhemlock Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 well this is my second attempt to respond as when i used spell check it erased my whole reply so here goes. i am new to fossil prep work and learning my way around thanks to this forum i am ahead in the odds. i am using old style phonograph needles attached to a series of pin vises going from fine to large. one thing i have noticed is i am using hand and arm muscles that i never knew i had and well the soreness is worth it. i love your "Blush" work ...pun intended. also have you noticed that doing this type of fun is like finding unexpected treasures also. doc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullsnake Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 Hi CQ, I think there are pigments that masons use in mortar. I would think it would work in grout too, and may be cheaper than using make-up. I, of course, haven't had the need to compare make-up prices though.LOL BTW, love your posts! Nice fossils. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xonenine Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 great job CQ!! "Your serpent of Egypt is bred now of your mud by the operation of your sun; so is your crocodile." Lepidus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 CQ, Great results! I think you did a great job there. You might check into the colorings for grout, it may be less expensive in the long run. However - I do like the result you posted here. Regards, Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeloiVarden Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 One word... Wow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crinoid Queen Posted August 20, 2011 Author Share Posted August 20, 2011 Thanx every one for the nice complements!! I am so glad it turned out nice and it eye appeasing to more than just me lol. Didn't know there was different colors of tile grout thanks for the suggestion fossildude19. I will have to visit the local hardware store and check that out -CQ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 Let's start calling your handiwork "engineered matrix". "Fake" sounds like it is intended to deceive. "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley >Paleontology is an evolving science. >May your wonders never cease! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crinoid Queen Posted August 21, 2011 Author Share Posted August 21, 2011 Let's start calling your handiwork "engineered matrix". "Fake" sounds like it is intended to deceive. haha nice one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghost1066 Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 I ground and ground then, was like how do I get it up. Then I was like oh ya duhh! Into a biopsy jar I got from my dads doctor gave me. Then I set out to work on the Glue I wanted to use. Although Elmers worked well for others, my previous experiences showed me it would not be my choice. Among other problems it reconstituted with reintroduction to water, a vital part of my preparation. Then a recent home repair got me to thinking. A few of our tiles fell off and my land lord left his grout here. I thought hummm like stone and water proof.... why not give it a try. So I mixed up a few testers using different ratios using some scrap stems and wow was I shocked at how well it worked!!! The only problem was it was too light. Posted for some help got charcole as an idea used some and still did not get the right pigment. Then thought ahh hah!! I have a ton of old blush in a make up kit that I do not use! I think my recipie is a success what do you all think? Cyathocrinites iowensis Most grout can be tinted with inexpensive acrylic craft paints. Test some small amounts but it almost never has an adverse reaction. Another nice thing is when the paint dries it adds a plastic to the matrix. I get mine at craft stores on the mark down rack for .25-.50 for a 2 oz bottle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crinoid Queen Posted September 10, 2011 Author Share Posted September 10, 2011 Completed the sec one in the before picture a few days ago and I could not believe the results!!! Defiantly some eye candy for ya Auspex! When I started prepping it I thought it was a fairly rare Decadocrinus tumidulus but as I was able to reveal to arms I got to see that they branched in a very unique and odd way that is only found in one extremely rare crinoid! YAYAY Here is a new jewel for my collection, an Abrotocrinus coreyi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpc Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 Hi CQ- Haven't seen you here for a while. Good to have you back. Oh, and very nice work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 Giving these problem-preppers a new bed to rest in makes for a nice presentation. Good work! "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley >Paleontology is an evolving science. >May your wonders never cease! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crinoid Queen Posted September 10, 2011 Author Share Posted September 10, 2011 Hi CQ- Haven't seen you here for a while. Good to have you back. Oh, and very nice work. Ya I have been busy working like a dog. How have all of you been hopefully very well Auspex it never would have happened if I had not had figured out the secret ingredient in the matrix old ugly blush(makeup) from a huge kit some relative got me for xmass like 4 years ago HA HA! When I run out will have to find a cheaper alternative but for now works great Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimB88 Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 (edited) Very nice presentation! I should send you mine so you can prep it for me! Edited September 10, 2011 by JimB88 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Pristis Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 Ya I have been busy working like a dog. How have all of you been hopefully very well Auspex it never would have happened if I had not had figured out the secret ingredient in the matrix old ugly blush(makeup) from a huge kit some relative got me for xmass like 4 years ago HA HA! When I run out will have to find a cheaper alternative but for now works great Nice work on this crinoid! Has anyone mentioned to you dry tempera pigment? It comes in basic colors, but you can mix 'em. The pigments dissolve readily in water (water-based compounds) and may dissolve in other fluids. These pigments are very effective in 5-minute epoxy, though all translucence is lost. Buy the tempera pigment by the pound at your local craft store or perhaps on-line. http://pristis.wix.com/the-demijohn-page What seest thou else In the dark backward and abysm of time? ---Shakespeare, The Tempest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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