The closing days of 2024

I’ve finally got some downtime to bring you another blog post! I’m writing this entry from the terminal of the London (Ontario) airport on my phone so forgive any lack of real dimensionality. 2024 was incredibly challenging with the constant travel, mountains of prep-work and more digging than I’ve done in years. A postal strike at the end of the year effectively ground business to a halt on the sales end of things. Despite the challenges it was probably the best year since Stormbed’s founding in 2018 and certainly the most rewarding since I took full ownership of the company.

This year I also invested in some sorely needed upgrades to my lab including replacing my 90’s Kreativ blaster with a modern swamblaster unit. A few new scribes were added along with expanding my resources for restoration work (including a dedicated restoration station complete with scope and lighting).

If you’re reading this, chances are that you’re somewhat familiar with Stormbed and what I do so I won’t pad this out too much. What I really wanted to make this blog about? A photo drop of my favourite finds and preps in 2024. Before we get to the pictures, I want to thank you guys. To everyone who’s ever bought a fossil from me, booked my prep work, had a kind word, followed my adventures or slung a hammer with me in the field, thank you. I deeply appreciate your support and I could not have made it without you. The fossil business can be toxic, rife with jealousy and occasionally unpleasant. It makes me very happy to know that pieces that I have collected and prepared are in public and private collections all over the world. They were a joy to find/prepare and to pass that enjoyment on to someone else is a big part of why I love and appreciate fossils. I hope 2025 is even bigger and better. I can’t wait for this snow to melt and get back out in the field. All the best, keep the hammers swinging!

Mike Meacher - Stormbed Paleontological

December 23rd, 2024