Absolutely agree that ideas true worth comes from the execution, not from the idea itself. Many ideas are great on paper, or in your own head, and some are even great in reality, but you'll never know if you don't at least try to execute it. It's easy to talk and fantasize.
And I never would have expected anyone to casually reference Mold and Lovestruck Spider, very few people care or even know about them! :D Now I kinda want to do what you suggested and put references to my past work, even if only a handful of people will recognize them. It'd be kind of an inner circle thing.
These thoughts were fascinating to read, thank you for sharing them!