Re: OT - Jungle Trees

johncrim@voicenet.com wrote:
> 
> > In a message dated 11/1/01 11:56:10 AM Central Standard Time,
> > johncrim@voicenet.com writes:
> >
> >
> > > I'm still looking for some appropraite aquarium plants to chop up,
though!
> > >
> > >
> >
> > If you are in the U.S. check out the Wal-Mart super store nearest
you - lots
> > of artificial aquarium plants - also go to a craft supply place that
sells
> > plastic and silk flowers and greenery - there is a wealth of stuff
there. I
> > am think of taking a bunch of various size drink parasols and
turning them
> > into wierd trees, but I have not gotten around to it yet. You can do
some
> > nice things with stretch toilet paper on a frame work and coating it
with
> > liquid latex too. Makes nifty dragon wings, if you wish to take the
time. . .
> > translucent and everything.
> 
> Most of the places that I've been don't have a great selection --
largely, they have these
> things that look like long strands of kelp or something.  Chopped up
they wouldn't look
> any good, and as-is they're just too big.  I'll have to check out
Wal-Mart, though.

I've found some very useful stuff which is sold as 'Grass Mat' in the
aquarium section of a chain of pet shops. Not quite sure why it's called
that because it looks nothing like grass (unless it's some kind of
seagrass - not being a marine biologist I have no idea). Anyway, what
you get for the grand sum of £4.99 (c.US$7.50) is 25 plants, around 4"
high, arranged on a plastic grid roughly 6"x6". The plastic is very soft
so the grid can easily be cut up to separate the plants. I glue each one
onto a 2p coin (c.1" diameter - cheaper than an equivalent size washer
!), texture the base and voila ! - instant jungle trees. I use them for
15mm, however they'd make perfectly respectable 25mm foliage as well.
The plastic used is sometimes a rather virulent colour, but the long
thin stems flex so easily and don't look like they'll take a coat of
paint very well.

I can't remember the manufacturer, but I know they're Chinese in origin
so presumably they'll be available outside the UK. If I get a chance
over the weekend I'll have a look at the packaging to identify them, and
(possibly) takes some pictures.

Tony

-----------------------------
Tony Francis
Senior Software Engineer
Kuju Entertainment