Ok, I skimmed a few threads before we started this project, but I didn't go into a lot of heavy detail as I am viewing this as experimental and using this as my lab notebook. :-)
My 9 yo daughter received a rock tumbler for Christmas and we did a batch of rocks that we bought from a lapidary supply from a wheelbarrow they said was bulk for tumbling. I personally think we could have pre-polished (did 3 days) and polished (about 5 or 6 days) longer but oh, it was painful for my daughter to wait as long as she did.
Next project in line- beach glass. I went to a local stained glass supply house and bought stained glass "scraps"- 10 lbs for $15, IIRC. Then, I decided I would rather do mosaics with the stained glass. :-)
went to the local Salvation Army- after trying various other thrift stores and coming out emptyhanded- at least wrt colored glass :-)- and bought:
light amber ashtray- 4" across dark amber coffee cup- made in France "duralex" brand dark blue heavy candle holder- 8" high light blue votive smelly red Avon candleholder- 8" high cheap opaque white vase
what we learned: thick glass is really hard to shatter. the french Duralex coffee cup shattered instantly into teeny tiny pieces that were all stuck together- I guess it was tempered. We ran out of room in our tumbler with the above mentioned stuff- didnt' get to use the white vase or the clean clear rum bottle. oh, we have
===== Kate,