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