I wanted to let everyone know about a project that has been in the works privately for some time now. I developed with Bryan Swoboda of Blue Cap Productions the idea for a special film series on thumbnail collectors, their collecting philosophies and acquisition stories and, of course, their top pieces. As a passionate t/n collector, I've always wanted a DVD or similar resource like this. Since it doesn't seem to exist to the best of our knowledge, I decided to help create it!

We just finished filming my gem crystal collection as a practice exercise and to explore the creative options as the project advances. Please let me know if you would like to possibly participate in the series. The idea is to document collections and to understand the stories and driving motivations and criteria that underlie the collections. I want to cover gem crystals, associations, pseudomorphs, rarities and "black uglies" as well as classics.

Thumbnail specimens offer so many advantages to collectors, and this series is meant to entertain and inform both established and upcoming collectors alike. Plus, this format can take viewers literally "inside" the perky box to see specimens up and close and personal in a new and exciting way.

Please contact me via a private message with your contact info and a brief description of your t/n collecting focus, if applicable.

Thanks in advance!

Jim Houran
Mineralogical Association of Dallas (MAD)