Aquarium Additions- basic introduction

I’ve seen a pirate-loving gamer blog about how useful aquarium decorations can be, but there are far more applications than that if you visit your pet store.

I look at the aquarium decorations whenever I head to Petco for our two Beagle-mixes.  Here are shots of some purchases that can be used with little or no alteration if you need terrain fast; the single pillar is less than two dollars, and the tank is actually to Imperial Army scale!

 It's entirely possible that you'll find some terrain that you can use quickly without it being used as intended; the destroyed and decaying tank pictured above is being used as a decayed and rotting tank-

But, for example, suppose you are a Fantasy gamer and you need an exotic forest- this can also work for alien jungle.   (I think of Games Workshop Lizardmen and Tyranids.  There are some awesome photos that you can use for inspiration at gosfordhobbies.com.au, battlereporter.blogspot.com, and, of course www.games-workshop.com.)

You may want to run a Google Image Search with keywords like "Warhammer Lizard Men" to find additional resources.

There are real and artificial sections of driftwood available that can represent twisted trunks and fallen, rotting trees. By adding some moss, it was easy to create this scene with my husband's Tyranids:

 The plastic aquarium plants may look artificial, but when you are working with an alien landscape, this may be just what you’re looking for.  Also, you can always add some paint to modify the color scheme to better match your needs (something I'll do in the next article.)

Perhaps you need some scary ruins or caverns?

I found this on Amazon.com, search: "fish tank decor"

 

 It's called "Exotic Environments Skull Mountain Aquarium Ornament," and for under $16, it's a cheaper alternative to many game-company made pieces. (It comes in multiple sizes, so you can fit a Goblin Shaman through a Minotaur in Warhammer Fantasy.)

Some of the gaming armies have themes related to parts of earth.

Lizardmen and Central America, Tomb Kings and Egypt, Ogres and Asia… these are all themes that can be found as decorative pieces for an aquarium- the trick is selecting the correct scale.  I’ve actually brought a figure with me to the pet store.

"Exotic Environments," the company that created the skull cave above, has a huge selection.

Here are some other photos that I found on Amazon with size descriptions that seem to fit tabletop gaming:

These images are the property of the company and are used for the purpose of advertisement.  Since I am endorsing their product and stating the source, I am using these images, but I do not have the right to allow others to use these images or alter them.
 

temple ruin for any era

temple ruin for any era

more creepy skulls

more creepy skulls

good finds for an alien jungle

good finds for an alien jungle

good finds for an alien jungle

an Asian-style bridge

for a medieval setting

for a medieval setting

for a medieval setting- models can stand on the bridge, but balancing is an issue

for a medieval setting

for a medieval setting

for a medieval setting

Other companies that offer interesting "as-is" terrain are OSI Marine Lab (lots of rock and tree formations) and RockGarden... I've found the carved formations found at Petco to be quite nice, but also on the expensive and heavy side since we're talking about real rock- and sometimes lava.  If you can handle the weight wherever you store your terrain and want to put in the investment, seriously consider it.  (We'll talk about using various foams instead in a later chapter.)
Here are some examples from RockGarden found on Amazon-
again, these images are the property of the company and are used for the purpose of advertisement.  Since I am endorsing their product and stating the source, I am using these images, but I do not have the right to allow others to use these images or alter them.

Lava Rock

Larger sized "wonderstone"

Smaller sized "wonderstone"

Tufa

In the next installation for the letter "A," we'll have "Aquarium Additions- Personalizing Your Pet-Store Purchases.

Introduction & Welcome

Who is the “Crafty Gamer” writing this? I am the wife of a Mini-Wargamer, which has made me one too. Mind you, it wasn’t a very hard sell- there were models to paint, terrain to build, and time spent with my then boyfriend. The fact that we both enjoy fantasy and that I am a huge sci-fi fan made me feel invested in the “fluff” of my armies, another factor that encouraged me to develop scenery/terrain that matched the “home” army on our gaming table. I’ve always been a crafter, making gifts as a child and selling goods at craft fairs when I was in high school. I went to college for math and interior design, then graduate school for teaching. After spending time tutoring and teaching high school, I’ve started my own LLC, and am selling goods on Etsy and at various local shows. (www.JoOfAlltrades.etsy.com). My biggest passion is weaving, though I take pleasure from other crafts (origami, soap making, candle pouring…) and from most fiber arts (crochet, knitting, needlepoint…). Projects posted here usually end up in our Warhammer fantasy and 40k games, but we play D&D, Warmachine, and Pirates here too, so we’ve tried everything out and know that it works!

Tips and Tricks for Crafty Gamers-

  When I first started thinking about this blog, I considered using this phrase as the blog title- but I didn't think that it was as potentially catchy as an old username.

This is a blog designed to provide you with an assortment of non-tactical articles, focusing on craft projects that can enhance your gaming experience.  There will also be reviews of various options available for you outside of the gaming companies themselves- for example, army carrying case versus tackle box or scrapbooking bag.

Just for some extra fun, I'm going to try and write an article for every letter of the alphabet- as I start, I have more than 26 ideas, so the trick will be making a title appropriate for each letter. :)

Some things just don't fit that well, so there will be more than one entry for some letters.

Please feel free to ask whenever you find anything unclear, and also to make suggestions for problems to solve and projects to develop!