My latest arts and crafts project

Cleaned up three small empty ab shells that I found in a tidepool by Timber Cove. They turned out pretty nice and look pretty cool in Valentina's bathroom!!
 
Sincerely,

Jim

Also saved three empty urchin shells after getting the uni out.

I put them in the muriatic acid mix at first, but it didn't work so well, so I left them to soak in a bucket of bleach over night and all the spines just melted off and left the pretty delicate shell underneath!!

Gave one to Ana's little cousin Titi and kept two for Valentina.

Got some little LED lights and they look really pretty as nightlights in her bedroom and she loves them!!
 
Sincerely,

Jim

Also cleaned up the three abs I popped at Timber Cove...the 8.5 is OK, the 8.75 is pretty nice, and I really like the 9...it has a deep, dark red, cool features inside and out and is just all around cool!
 

I used Shellac as a varnish after cleaning them with a wire brush, a quick dip in 50/50 muriatic acid/water and then rubbing baby oil into them.

 
Sincerely,

Jim

Very sweet work there Jim. My little girl is 22 in a month. I miss doing little things like that for her. Keep up the good work!
 Randall

dude, love those uni!

Thanks Randall!!

The inside of the 9 inch ab is super cool and she loves it...this picture doesn't do it justice...it has a cool little black blister pearl and beautiful colors and swirls...we have literally already spent hours playing with it together!!

 

Yeah Brent the urchins are super pretty...well worth the effort to clean up!!
 
Sincerely,

Jim

Jim, I saw those ab and urchin shells decorated everywhere when I was at your house for the poker event. I was admiring the abs on the bathroom wall while taking a leak from drinking too much beer lol. I was actually wondering how you were able to clean/shine those ab shells.

And the urchin shell? Simply amazing as well!! I didn't realize that you had lights inside to illuminate the shell. Looks so cool!!

Thank you for sharing your post Jim Can't wait to catch my own with you my brother!!

Btw, my dive suit is already on its way!!!

Nice Idea with the nite light Jim!! 

nice jim!

Thanks Daniel!

Here is a post from my first time trying to clean up ab shells after getting info from BlackAb:

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,24497.0.html

I am still learning as I go, but really enjoy spending time working on the shells and trying to make them look as beautiful to others as they look to me...

Figure if I am gonna bring these home I should treat them with respect and try and make the most out of each one...

The urchins are a first for me...I was hoping to find some smaller, colored lights at home depot but no joy...will keep my eyes open and see what I can get for the next ones I bring home.

This is the link that inspired me to give the urchins a try:

http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/urchin

Dude...let me know when you are ready to go try that new wetsuit out!!
 
Sincerely,

Jim

Jim, thanks for the link. I'm in awe!!

As for the dive, I'll be calling you soon to show me the ropes!! I still need to get the remaining necessary equipment (fins, snorkel, weights, etc) before I go ahead with the new underwater adventure!!

Thanks again for everything Jim!!

Coolest Arts&Crafts Nitelite ever! Carrie wants 1 too!

The urchin lights are something I have never sen before. Really cool Jim 

Great job Jim !!! the 3 ab shells remind me of the story of goldilocks and the three abs. The uni lights are spectacular.

The urchin lights are pretty bad ass...