Everything created is made with nature as best as possible! You will never find faux leather or fake bones here. My mission is to "create from the earth, to return back to dust", utilizing what our planet offers us.

Ethical practice is at the forefront of my mission, so I have always been transparent with where I source. The specimens come from natural death, often sourced from reputable breeders, park rangers, animal rehabbers, pets, zoos and are even roadkill/scavenged.  For antlers, deer shed them naturally, so they are simply gathered from the earth.

As a result, since the specimens I use live their fullest lives and die of natural causes, there can be "flaws" and "imperfections"...this is normal and often a sign of ethical sourcing versus "perfect" looking farmed sources.

In  cases such as leather, materials are recycled from industries that would otherwise waste the materials. 

I use biodegradable materials, from nature, to dissolve back into it; recyclable materials such as metal, are able to be reused almost indefinitely without degradation. Animals are never raised or harmed for the purpose of art, only natural death. I only work with people who support responsible preservation of wildlife, their habitats and the environment we share.

Using materials that our planet provides is part of the natural life cycle of things, and is SIGNIFIGANTLY less detrimental to the environment than synthetic products. Faux fur and plastics, not only take forever to break down, but introduce pollutants to the ecosystem, use more resources to create and negatively impact the natural workings of our planet. Human civilizations of past had learned to work with nature and use what it offered in an honorable and respectful way... I aim to return to our roots, not letting anything go to waste, while still respecting the natural order of life.

Some bugs are found, collected over the years from various places I have gone. If there is a story behind your particular bug, a card will come with information detailing where it was found! Otherwise, insects used come from the wonderful people over atThe Butterfly Company,a local Chicago group that practices ethics and sustainability in line with my own values. Occasionally, I will be gifted found critters as well (post death). All insects are spread in house by me.

Please contact BEFORE purchase to make arrangements.

Custom: YES! I do take on custom designs. Whether it`s a gift or for yourself, a special event, wedding, photoshoot or more, I would love to make your dreams a reality.

I have taken on jobs using materials such as people`s widsom teeth, children`s baby teeth, and more.

Contact me, providing details, color palette and whatever else.

Expect a response within 3-5 business days.

 

Pets: I have teamed up with The Insect Asylum of Chicago, and local taxidermists to offer processing of animal remains.

The turn-around time to process an animal will vary depending on what you desire, and rest-assured, we will process your loved pet in an honorable way.

Reach out and we`ll talk shop.

Current turn-around time for animal remains can be from 6 months- 1 year (dependent on services requested).

Freezer storage rental is currently available.

I offer piece rentals, customs and styling for various industries. Please fill out the form on the CONTACT page with any relevant information, the timeline and important details. For any publication using/including my work, please include proper credits.

Wether you have been to Oddities expos and conventions, or you`re completely new to this world, there are sadly sellers who source un-ethically.

If a seller carries bats, they are virtually never ethically sourced; either they are misinformed, or lying about how they attained these specimens. Bats are vital the the environment, acting as pollinators, pest control (mosquitoes, the bane of my existence) and studies of them have lead to human advancement in both the technology and health industries. We need them, and there are unfortunately poachers who steal them away to be sold to collectors. You will never find bats being sold or carried by me, ever.

Often times, you can also find cat skulls, baby ducks and "pre-articulated" lizards, snakes and frogs. They are mass culled, often improperly "cleaned" and lived in terrible conditions all for people to make a quick buck in the oddities industry. 

If every specimen is perfectly uniform, this can be an indicator.

Look for sellers who are transparent about their sourcing and practices, as "ethical" is a term that varies person to person. When collecting pieces, do research and ask questions-from experience, it`s not hard to pick out those who have something to hide.

Always do your own research.

• Resources:

CITES

https://www.fws.gov/law/convention-international-trade-endangered-flora-and-fauna

MBTA

https://www.fws.gov/law/migratory-bird-treaty-act-1918

ESA

https://www.fws.gov/law/endangered-species-act

Searchable US Database of Protected Species

https://edecs.fws.gov/pub/species.cfm

Bats

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320724003896

 

Visit your state's Fish and Wildlife website for more local rules.