The Spinner

    Occasionally a rock will appear that seems perfectly round. The thing about these flat, smooth and round rocks is that they almost look like they were fashioned from some machine, rather than having been tumbled in the surf. You almost develop an eye for these rocks, and they will appear on the beach when you least expect it.

      Sometimes, it can be said that if you are meant to have a rock, it will choose you. Like other natural forms, they've been around a long time.You may be able to find them in river beds, but it is not as likely.There are many types of rocks to choose. Basalt absorbs acrylic paint very nicely.

     After bringing one home, find a glass bobble ( like the glass beads they fill vases with in garden supply shops ) and glue it to the middle of the rock in order to evenly locate it's center of gravity. The purpose of this is to make a spinner rock. Incidentally, after the industrial strength glue dries, you are stuck with how the rock will perform. Spinning it from the top takes a little practice, but it can go for a long time if you have the bobble centered.

     Much like a dreidel except there are no Hebrew symbols or sides to this spinning top. Then, after testing it out on a hard, flat surface (a plate is good because it usually won't spin off the edge ) it's time to decorate it.

    Using fluorescent colors, place dots around the outside perimeter of the circle and work your way into the center of the rock, using different colors. A UV light will bring these colors to life.

    Some UV flash lights have a strobe feature which makes viewing the spinning rock quite hypnotic.Watch the short video below and you will see how mesmerizing it can be.