Aha!!! I want, I NEED those q-tips!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Fiber optics, huh? Anybody here know anyone currently in the business? Come on Mauibuck, you know everyone!!!
Well, that sounds really perfect though, because the main problem that I have with the tapered felt bullets is that they are too large, and they are too rounded, and they break so easily with any pressure. The regular q-tips is a wonderful idea, thanks! But if I can get the specialty ones that sounds like one step even better. That is fabulous! Thank you both, I have a couple I'm playing with right now that need that smaller point. Actually, most of what I have worked with would have worked better if I had used something smaller like a q-tip.
I am really having fun with these irregular opals. Sometimes that opal just won't cut into a cabochon, but it's such a shame to cut off so much beautiful material to make it fit into a mold like a cabochon cut. I have quite a few pieces that the sand or inclusions is extensive and there really is no way to handle that and cut for a more traditional look. I am still experimenting with the best shapes and tools to use to get into all of the grooves and tunnels, but I am narrowing down what will work for me in a reasonable amount of time. The best single piece of advice I have found so far came from Mike4bears on using the tumbling to get a preliminary look to the stones, and what grits to use to accomplish this without losing too much of the opal to course tumbling. Otherwise it is impossible to see what areas of the opals still need extensive work. The initial tumble polish allows me to know where I need to work longer by hand.
I really appreciate any and all advice, and please keep adding on more advice! I would still also love thoughts on pricing, if anyone has any. I have sold one piece, the one with the most complete tunneling system. I don't think I got even near what it's value should be, but it's so hard to tell! The carved pieces I have followed pricing on were so outlandishly much more than I could ever get in my market area in Virginia!! And most pieces that I have seen carved are huge and justifiably worth a fortune. Anyway, thanks, and I'll show you more as I get them done.
Now, everytime I see that grey stone I'm gonna see an alien head!!!!!!!!! And I HAD thought it looked like a big wing for a butterfly!!!!!! 
Well, I think I will just have to ignore the alien visions... But the cat now, that is a vast improvement!! All I could see was a pelvis...........................................
As a matter of fact, if you have something you would like hand tooled, just let me know. Much, much appreciation.
