izak_ Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 (edited) Hi guys Sorry if this is not being posted in an inappropriate... location? We (my dad and I) have been wanting to make a fossil display for ages! Most of our fossils are either sitting on the floor of the house... everywhere. Or in storage. We decided to ask you fellow members about any tips/tricks to display our finds! Here is a label prototype, I guess you would call it Enjoy! Any tips of how to make it better is appreciated. Made on a Mac OS X application called 'Pages'. A bit like 'Word'. Thanks for any help! Izak Edited February 14, 2015 by izak_ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paleoworld-101 Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 I find that glass cabinets with good lighting are the most aesthetic way of displaying fossils. That would be something you'd most likely need to buy, though i get the impression your looking to go down the DIY route? Otherwise you can get fairly cheap glass cabinets from IKEA such as the Detolf cabinet which is only about $100. Though i wouldn't recommend that for large, heavy rock specimens as the glass shelves are probably not strong enough for that so it depends on the kind of stuff you are wanting to display. For big heavy rocks with fossils on them wooden shelving might be better. Your card is nice and simple and i like the added reconstruction of how the plant would have appeared in life. One thing i would add though is the geological formation. "In Africa, one can't help becoming caught up in the spine-chilling excitement of the hunt. Perhaps, it has something to do with a memory of a time gone by, when we were the prey, and our nights were filled with darkness..." -Eternal Enemies: Lions And Hyenas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
izak_ Posted February 14, 2015 Author Share Posted February 14, 2015 Oh, yeah. thanks Nathan. Of course, the formation We already have our own DIY wooden cabinets ready to go, just the labelling and how to display them. Thanks for your help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paleoworld-101 Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Ah i see! You could organize them any way you want i guess- by location, time period, type of organism. Maybe if you've got lots of specimens from one locality print off some info about the site, it's paleoenvironment, fauna/flora, evolutionary context or whatever else is interesting about it and it's fossils to go with the display. I blue tack sheets like this on the back wall of some of my cabinets, above the specimens it relates to so you can read and see the fossils at the same time like a museum display sort of thing. As for the labels, there was a thread not too long ago about writing specimen/catalogue numbers or other info on the specimens vs using small paper cards like what you've written up in your original post that might be worth a read. I use small cards like what you've done but many others don't and choose to write on the fossil itself as it is a better way of assuring the supporting info stays with the specimen. There are pros and cons to each method though. In the end it is just personal preference. Where will this display be by the way? In your room? Anyway, just my two cents. I'm sure others will chime in with some nice suggestions. "In Africa, one can't help becoming caught up in the spine-chilling excitement of the hunt. Perhaps, it has something to do with a memory of a time gone by, when we were the prey, and our nights were filled with darkness..." -Eternal Enemies: Lions And Hyenas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrangellian Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 It is a good idea to include not necessarily the full info directly on the specimen but a simple catalogue number written on it in archival ink in an unobtrusive spot, and the same number on your corresponding card or notebook or wherever you want to keep that info. The idea is to prevent mixups during moves etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cluros Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 A friend of mine takes photos of all of his fossils and uses a simple app to add all of the label info on the photos. He keeps these on his computer and in a photo album. I myself keep all of my labels and records in my Google drive. Then I can access it anywhere and share it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tooth_claw Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 I would consider arranging your fossils by locality as it will tell more of a story when you show them off. Fossils you have collected front and centre, ones that you have bought off to the sides- be proud of your personal experiences! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aplomado Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 Old geology/natural history books are good as parts of a display: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aplomado Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 There are a lot of nice antique natural history diagrams that can be printed and framed as backdrops to your collection:http://www.thefossilforum.com/index.php?/topic/52316-looking-for-antique-fossil-prehistoric-animal-diagram-images/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
izak_ Posted February 16, 2015 Author Share Posted February 16, 2015 Thanks for all of your help guys! I will be sure to keep your ideas in mind! Thanks! Izak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bev Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 I'm in the Ordovician which means the fossils I find are sea creatures. I rather like old aquariums for displays with a sea creature background. I've tried to find creatures that were similar to the fossils I'm displaying to give an idea of what the fossils would have looked like as living creatures. Also, if you have fossils that fluoresce under black light you can add an inexpensive black light that you can turn on at will to offer a whole different dimension to the display. I HATE dusting, so a display that is closed works for me! Good luck on your display and please post a picture on this thread when you have it done. :-D The more I learn, I realize the less I know. BluffCountryFossils.NET Fossil Adventure Blog Go to my Gallery for images of Fossil Jewelry, Sculpture & Crafts Pinned Posts: Beginner's Guide to Fossil Hunting * Geologic Formation Maps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts