True Tales: Wild and Crazy Custom Jobs

Published

11 years ago

February 17, 2014

True Tales: Wild and Crazy Custom Jobs

Published in the March 2014 issue

BEAR IT

A couple came into the store that I worked at before I had my own business. Each had killed a bear and wanted a necklace made with the bear claws — turquoise and jet on a silver chain for her, and he wanted a manly looking choker. I guess they liked what I created for them, as they wore them to a hunters’ awards banquet the next year! — Pamela Hecht, Pamations, Calumet, MI

GIFT HORSE

I make elk tooth jewelry. The client usually supplies the tooth. One time an old cowboy came in and asked me if I could make a ring with a tooth from his favorite horse (recently deceased). I explained that horse teeth have enamel, similar to human teeth, not ivory like elk “whistler” teeth. To make a long story short, I made the ring. About a year later he brought it in and the tooth had shrunk and cracked (as I had warned him). I finally removed the horse tooth and rebuilt the back with epoxy and re-set the tooth. Nine years later, he still wears it and talks about that horse to this day. — Mark Thomas Ruby, SunSpirit Designs, Loveland, CO

TALKING TURKEY

We had a guy call and ask if we could make custom sterling silver earrings out of … wait for it … turkey toes! When my husband said, no, the customer said he understood. He didn’t know how we were going to get the toes off the turkey legs anyway! — Beth Cevasco, Scott’s Custom Jewelers, Fairlawn, OH

You Wouldn’t Cut Your Own Hair. Why Run Your Own Retirement Sale?

After being in business for over a quarter of a century, Wayne Reid, owner of Wayne Jewelers in Wayne, Pennsylvania, decided it was time for a little “me time.” He says, “I’ve reached a point in my life where it’s time to slow down, enjoy a lot of things outside of the jewelry industry. It just seemed to be the right time.” He chose Wilkerson to handle his retirement sale because of their reputation and results. With financial goals exceeded, Reid says he made the right choice selecting Wilkerson to handle the sale. “They made every effort to push our jewelry to the forefront of the showcases,” he says, lauding Wilkerson for their finesse and expertise. Would he recommend them to other jewelers who want to make room for new merchandise, expand their business or like him, decide to call it a day? Absolutely he says, equating trying to do this kind of sale with cutting your own hair. “The results are going to happen but not as well as if you have a professional like Wilkerson do the job for you.”