I know that the title is a little misleading, but please bear with me. This past Saturday I took a bunch of folks to Franklin NC to visit the Scottish Tartans Museum. Most had not been there before and we had a very nice day to do it.

One of the things that I do when I take trips like this is keep an eye out for items that might work as a kilt pin. Now I know that the museum gift shop has plenty of kilt pins and some of the time I actually purchase them, however today was not one of those days. (although I did score a can of haggis, some Irn Bru, a couple of pair of Lewis hose for those with larger calves and a very nice Sgian Dubh). But this is not part of my story....

Next door to the museum is a small gem shop that also houses a small gem museum. While touring the shop I came across a small display case stuffed back in the corner that housed some oval shaped items that were called "fiber optics". These are man-made gems that produce a cat's eye effect when the light hits them. Expecting them to be expensive I asked the clerk with some trepidation how much they cost. I was amazed at the fact that they were $5 each. Needless to say, a couple of them came home with me to be turned into kilt pins.



I am rather pleased with them and they will adorn my Isle of Skye and my Lamont Weathered....

Moral of the story is keep a look out for unusual items that can be used for different purposes... I won't begin to tell you of the trip to the stained glass supply store or what I have for my NEXT idea...