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— to feel that their products were up to their standards for selling. “It took us probably two years to actually get to where we felt like we could sell them because we had the process refined,” Kelli said. “Mostly it was the painting of the patches, so they wouldn’t show.” The patches are to cover areas that Russ has had to drill put in screws that secure the antlers together or where wiring is run into or through an antler. Through research and practice, Russ figured out which putty was the best to use, both in quality and workability, to shape patches that mimic the natural horn. “You just try to blend them as close as you can to what was there” before the hole was made, he said. “We try to keep ours hidden enough to where they really got to look for them.” “We figure we’re successful if they really got to ask us where it is,” Kelli said. Russ said he has to keep on hand a minimum inventory of about 30-40 elk horns and 200 deer horns to keep production going. The number of horns has to be so high because of the nature of the construction process, he said. When he makes chandeliers, for exam-
12 LIVING MAGAZINE January 2014
ple, he needs antlers that match in size, shape and deer species. Depending on the size of the light, that can require six to 12 compatible antlers. For a floor lamp, he needs at least one antler that is the right height and of a pleasing shape and color to work as the upright, or pole, and one or more that will create a sturdy, balanced base. Some items, like the multi-antler oil-candle holder, simply need antlers that will look good together and create a sturdy base with ornate tines. To put it all together, he said, he just digs through his inventory until he has the right antlers for the project. Most of the time, he finds inspiration for his next piece by looking through the antlers and putting them together in various configurations until he sees a finished product. Even if the seed of an idea came from some outside source, the fact that each antler is unique, and the way the individual antlers come together is different each time, makes each piece he produces a one-of-a-kind work of art. Once Russ worked through his original collection of antlers, he started purchasing
them from dealers because he couldn’t keep up with demand from what he found on his own, he said. Right now, he added, about 90 percent of his inventory is purchased by the pound from dealers. Though the antler price has doubled in the past few years because they are now popular as dog chews sold in pet stores, Russ said he’s still choosy about what he uses. “I’ve been getting rid of stuff that’s way too big, or if it’s not got enough color or it’s got broken points,” he said, adding that “you just waste so much time (trying to make them work in a project). I just take all that stuff and sell it to a horn buyer.” Almost everything can be used, though, when there is an inventory need. Antlers that have good color and quality, but aren’t suitable as to use as a whole, maybe because of a broken tip, can be parted out, so to speak, for his smaller pieces like the napkin rings, toothpick continued on page 13
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