Miles of Alaska
The basic concept is, I want you to be happy and will do what I can within reason to see that happens. At the same time I don't want to be a sucker or get scammed. I try to be an honest person and I'll assume you are the same. With that in mind... if you receive something from me and are not happy for any reason- I will refund your money no questions. I realize with one of a kind items it is hard to know what it is like till it is in your hands- so do not feel 'stuck' with anything. Even with shops who buy from me- if they have inventory at the end of the season that has not sold, I exchange it. I'm proud of my workmanship and have been in business over 30 years. I know what I am doing. If you don't want it, someone else will- not a problem. If something you get from me 'fails' in any way- get hold of me. I have no time limit. If you have an honest problem that shouldn't have happened I'll make it right. With regular customers I can trust-- it is common for me to simply send items- they look it over, buy what they want, and return the rest. This is how I prefer to do business- mostly a matter of knowing if I can trust you to do me right in return.
Following words on warranties and guarantee- needs a word beginning 'However!' . Keep in mind animal products are made by Nature- and Nature may or may not care about how it's material holds up as a necklace. Teeth enjoy cracking. It is what they like to do. Stopping them from cracking can be a challenge. Few animal materials wish to be subjected to water- fast drastic temperature humidity changes- and most susceptible will be ivory and teeth- maybe opals. If you take one of my necklaces and make a key fob out of it- please do not blame me if it gets scratched. If you buy raw ivory from me and try to cut it with a wet saw- I 'guarantee' it will crack. In otherworld you need to know at least a little about the material and if in doubt ask, or look over my advice and how to pages. . It is one reason I encourage an Email from a customer so I can get a feel for what you know- what you are getting into and kind of making sure this product is really what will be right for you even if you think so. I may decide no - it is not - and not sell it to you. Many situations need special attention. I have items illegal to sell I give away to the right people. Or items I can trade but not sell. Or I'll take a chance in the grey area if we sing from the same sheet of music. Items that may not get put in the invoice and I never heard of you if asked. I just want some things to be in good hands .I'm just now getting into and understanding offering a shopping cart. Try to be patient and understanding.
Ordering art from Miles Martin Nenana Alaska selling raw materials custom knives all hand crafted unique gifts
Miles at Miles of Alaska
box 363
Nenana Alaska
99760
1-907-832-5442 miles@milesofalska.net
I do not want money up front 'because' - Ok well maybe
I value my freedom and once I have your money you are my boss. The heck with that. If I have a problem with the order, or I suddenly freak out and need a break, or suddenly the fish are biting. I must be able to walk away. If I do not have your money so what? You are upset but no loss. If I have your money I get sued. Few customers understand the process of how their piece is made and the technical aspect. How much do they even want to know or how much should they know? Not much I do is like how anyone else does things anyhow. That is why my work is unique. But unique has a downside! About every single item I make is one of a kind and thus an experiment. Some experiments fail, or change as they develop. I need freedom to move the project in the direction it is happy with. I might mean well but the special stone I selected breaks, and I can't replace it, or I was sure I had it and seem to have misplaced it. If it's mine? I laugh "Oh well!" and substitute and who ever knows? Or cares? But if it's your project? I have to contact you discuss bla bla is the shit in the fan now? For sure it is going to cost me more to do it your way.
I want you to be happy with the work. I assume you will be fair to me and I will be fair to you. I assume you made a commitment and are serious and if I do a good job you will pay me and not yank my chain. You can assume I will do my best job and be fair with my prices. The proof of that is you see it before you pay. I consider that fair and a gentleman's agreement based on handshake, not a contract. More like we are friends who think alike with a connection of some kind. You get my work, you have a piece of my soul. I care where my soul goes. Sometimes reality sets in. Far to often I receive a go ahead on a special order and the customer blows me off with replies like "I decided I cant afford it, I need to pay my rent" After I carved their name in something. Or even - we define 'faqir' based on facts we have and maybe a customer simply doesw not undertstand washt they are asking for. "Oh can yoi remove the wolf asnd try a bgear instead' Might entail starting all over from scratch and 10 hours of work. (for example) It is also common for people to change their minds, say "I hope it's not a problem' after I put in many hours already. So yes sometimes I ask for a down payment, especially if the request is something I think would be hard to sell of you do not buy it. Likewise my freedom is not just an ego thing. I'm getting older, this 'sitting at the computer' life dealing with customers is killing me. I've gained weft have out of control blood pressure and for health reasons I 'must' not have stress and need to minimize the time I sit. Reserving the right to reject orders, and to accept special orders on my terms is part of my survival.
Use the site map to the left to find answers to your questions. It's worth reviewing 'because'. I am trying to offer items not commonly offered, in ways not normally done. In most cases if you are using the shopping cart you can skip all the rest, click and order. Except read the shop cart shipping
I have divided and subdivided and cross referenced to get you in the right section
Think of my web site like a physical store. Items in the shop cart are items on the shelf, priced, labeled and ready to sell.
Items not in the shop cart, with a picture but no price, are items under the shelf, or in the warehouse, or already sold. Also such pictures are like a resume of what I have done and can do. I might have one like it . See separate section for 'no price'
Ordering off the cart is how to get the best price, and see good pictures with descriptions. This is like shopping off the shelf in the store. If you contact me about an item in a picture not on the cart then I have to go look, take a picture for you, describe material just for you. The situation this creates 'depends'
Why pictures with no prices???
Several reason. It is like a portfolio or resume. Some reasons are 'personal' such as this is like fishing. The intention is not to catch every fish. 90% of my buienss comes from 5% of my customers. These customers expect to see 'stuff' lots of work I do - to know I can produce. Likewise 56 pages and 1,000 pictures gets #1 listing in search engines. 10 items for sale and that is all there is to see is not going to get anyone excited. I put it out there, and suddenly I'm the Man. Anotgher reason- this entie sitre was built with a $35 prograqm, an outdated computer and slwo speed dial up internet. It takes 24 hours to upload the entire site. How often can I add and remove items and keep it updated? Got high speed now - will try to do better. Even so I still spend up to 10 hours a day on the computr answering emails. It's wearing.
Do I have it?
I might have it but I might politely say it is not here. To show you the right thing I need information. If you are on that knife materials page I do not know that. If you ask “Need ivory what you got?” I am clueless if you are seeking a $1 shard for show and tell, a carver, a scrim man, or need a set of scales of my best blue, Fish and Game trying to bust me, someone seeking a finished art necklace, or a collector looking for a $15,000 mammoth tusk. I need a reference point. This is good reason to cut and paste a picture of what you see on my site that catches your eye. See cut and past instructions if you need to. (topic on the left index)
To inquire about an item with no shop cart icon
and you want a good price
Many customers are busy! They would appreciate it if I got everything out that I have that might possibly interest them. Maybe they are to busy to go through my web site and look more, or read how it works. . They want me to organize these items, weigh, describe, and price, so they have as many choices as possible. This in short is the same as putting items in the public shopping cart, only they want a personal made to order shopping cart, tailor made for their needs. Keep in mind that before they contacted me I was working in the shop, at shop time of $60 an hour. I stopped what I was doing to read their request, and now they are my boss. They have hired me to find things. No other business can get done while I serve this customer. I'm a one man business. The shop is closed, doors are locked. The customer has my full attention. The chart below is what is free, that has been calculated already into my prices, as 'average'
$10 sale equals 2 minutes
example one email one question no personal picture
#1 give me your name
I create files using a first name - so be sure at each contact to use the same first name. If a wife emails next time, or you use a nick name or initials I must spend time finding your file or may not be able to. If a pay pal payment arrives with another name then 'Raven' I may not know what you paid for.
#2 cut and paste a picture of what you are looking at -
Do not overload me with lots of pictures, lots of interests, on a first time contact. It could take me 20 minutes to deal with each item, and there is no obligation on your part to buy. I can only donate so much time without knowing if you are planning on paying for that time. I have a note under 'my time' to look at as an indicator of what is free
#3 Clue me in.
If you only write “Do you have this? How much? ” I'm most likely to reply 'no'. Because this indicates someone unwilling to give any time, but expects me to spend the time to go look. This is to me not a yes or no question.. I might have something very similar. I do not know what it is about this you like. The size, the cap, the color, the shape or?
Tell me what is relevant I need to know. It might make a difference if you are 10 years old or 90. It might matter that you are a woman or a man if it's art. Or if it is a gift. Or if you are an artist yourself. If you know this material well. Where you live. (legal and shipping issues even cultural issues). It might be good to say you want my best product or my best price. Are you in a hurry? Would you consider I make one for you? If you run a store or this is personal. I like my art and material to 'connect' to people, it's my heart and soul. Who are you? Only some of the above might be relevant, mostly what do you care about
.
In many cases this will end up being a special order, see below
, $100 equals 10 minutes,
example a personal description, a photo on file , 2-3 email exchanges
$1,000 equals an hour.
Example several personal pictures of item several descriptions several emails
$10,000 equals several hours.
Example lots of pictures lots of emails phone calls references personal shipping inquiry and or talking to others to find best deals
$100,000 Lets get together in person.
My place or yours? Mine? Bring your fishing pole.
So review the above and see where you fit in. More time then the above is $60 an hour shop time , or a dollar a minute. You have no obligation to buy or pay for my time, but when I review your request I'm asking myself how much time are we talking about, and what are the chances this will result in a sale. What indicators do I have that you understand the situation.
It might be good to review the above 'items without prices'; if in doubt. If you are sure you want a special order skip to next pargraph 'procedure'
In truth if you are not inquiring about something in the shopping cart you are engaged in a special order. There are various levels of special orders. If my expected time involved is within the parameters set up, it's 'free'. No extra charge. Keep in mind I may not be able to help you out. I am used to doing things my way how I want when I want and not good at following directions. Personally if aaaaaan artist whose work I like has 5 finished peices I'll choose one of them. I usually have 500 finished items on hand at any given time. Is my customer being hard to please and is this order going to be a problem? I also see my business as a sellers market, not a buyers market. I spent a lot of time in my life making sure of that. A special order is more a favor to you then it is to me. I usually do not make as much money on special orders. It takes 3 times as long but I do not get paid 3 times as much. I do however enjoy pleasing people, aqnds sometimes special orders are interesting.
Procedure.
You see something on my web site I have made already and cut and paste this to me in an email so we both know what you are looking at. If I do not have it I will email back and ask if I can find something close to it or if you want me to make something similar as a special order. I'll try to give a estimate, but may need to ask more questions. If you give me a go ahead I give a time frame and price and keep you posted as the project proceeds. I may require a down payment - read below. At least in theory this is all how it is supposed to work. 'However' Something else seems to happen. I can only guess why. I do notice not many web sites encourage personal contact. I usually have to hunt and at the bottom of a last page in fine print is a 'contact us' but first you have to go through the gauntlet of 'frequently asked questions'. Finally after "areyoiu sure you need to contact just?' there is that chance, and the reply is standard cut and paste usually. So- maybe buyers are all over me with questions and thrilled with the chance to actually contact a real person. In their enthusiasm maybe forget they are one in 30 people a day who ask for my personal attention on the net. Sometimes I feel like a guy in a scene in a movie I saw. He's in India and wants to help a poor child, so hands the child a penny. Just trying to be a nice guy. Children come out of the woodwork with hands out demanding pennies , by the dozens then the hundreds and he is swamped, his clothes are ripped off and he is left with nothing- totally drained. His friend tells him what a fool he is. Later he has a WC Fields outlook "Get away from me kid, ya bother me" I feel like this because? Well it is common for customer to reach my site, see a email box and see one item and call me on the phone, maybe 3am in the morning to ask me if I sell ivory. Well DAh! They spend 10 seconds and want in return I spend half an hour to look for something when they could go look on my web site. Then 99.9% of the time they want a discount on an order under $50. Obviously 'personal service' means different things to different people. Because of this I allow everyone in and it is up to each customer to establish where in line they will stand. Everybody has the equal opportunity to have 10 seconds of my time for free. Within the first 10 seconds I am making decisions. The front of the line, the back of the line. No, you don't get served in the order you arrived. I move in the direction of the good profits, or deals I understand, that are fun or easy, or deals where I am going to be appreciated, or deals where I can be of genuine meaningful service to someone. Scammers spammers those looking for something for nothing, the rude the discourteous move to the back of the line - possibly on hold forever. But also keep in mind I am just getting older, forgetful and I may have had good intentions and just forgot. I may need a reminder. I don't necessarily need special orders. It's more a favor to the customer then to me. In general I hope people find something I have they like. I have usually 500 finished items in stock at any given time. If a customer cant find something they like out of 500 pieces are they overly picky and going to be a problem? Hard to please? What then will satisfy them? Do they really like my work or do they want to be my boss? So considering all the various situations I deal with I have no real procedure to follow. I play it by ear. But for sure cut and paste me a picture. For sure look my web site over to verify I do not have what you want in site. Understand you cant contract me requesting help- personal service advice, and expect a discount! Expect to pay more then the customer who finds it in the shop cart and buys it and never contacts me. My attitude is, why should that customer be punished and pay and subsidize customers who occupy my time and cost me money? Let those who need help pay for it, doesn't that make sense?
Lots pictures! No shop cart! No understand! Want buy! Uhhuh. You are interested! If you understand skip down to 'procedure' to inquire
Why pictures with no prices???
Several reasons. These pictures are samples to cut and paste and say “I need this!” I can indeed make it happen. I am like Indiana Jones. I can get the holy Grail, for enough money. I have contacts all over the world, in high places, in low places. I do not do this for $100 orders however. Those not in the game can look and dream, and buy off the cart. Or inquire, I may have it, or something like it. Review my free time chart. My asking prices have these times calculated into the price. More them then this and I'm loosing money, so must charge for my time. It could take half an hour to find out if I have it or not.
$10 sale equals 2 minutes
example one email one question no personal picture
, $100 equals 10 minutes,
example a personal description, photo, 2-3 email exchanges
$1,000 equals an hour.
Example several pictures several descriptions several emails
$10,000 equals several hours.
Example lots of pictures lots of emails phone calls references personal shipping inquiry and or talking to others to find best deals
And yup, the shop cart is just the tip of the iceberg. I have probably got 1,000 times as much as in the cart. Oh yes many customers just need to see it all to make a choice! A private showing for shopping cart prices! Many do not care if I spend an hour or more showing them items for their $10 order. Or after spending an hour say “Thanks, just looking have a nice day” Thus the policy. Pay per view. Keep in mind I was working in the shop getting $60 an hour at the time I stopped to look for your item. I loose money helping you out without charging. Sorry! If you wonder why I do not just put it all in the shop cart.. I have 50 pounds of turquoise with cabs numbering in the hundreds. I just bought 80 pounds of local mammoth ivory and most customers want to buy it half a pound at a time. It takes 20 minutes per listing, times 160 pieces of ivory to list . Get your fingers out to count and see how many hours that is.Keep in mind my big business is my art work. Selling my personal stash of good stuff is not a priority. Your want is not my need. If it does not sell I am not between a rock and a hard place, I just use it myself. I just sit on it till a big buyer shows up at my house and drives off with a truckload. I do not make my money selling half pound of mammoth ivory or one tooth at a time. It helps you more them me. I do it, but it's at the bottom of the list of things to do today. No price because reason number 101.... this web site was built and maintained by me, with a $30 web program, slow speed dial up Internet and an 8 year outdated computer. It takes 24 hours to upload the entire site which is 56 pages, about 30 separate web sites linked together. Some pages I have not revisited in 5 years. How can I quote prices that can be 5 years outdated, or list anything in a cart and not remove it once it sells for 5 years? Reason 102.... all those pages all those pictures gets me high up in the search engines. I can decide hwo to deal with the customers I get once I get them. Sort them out at my leisure. Pick and choose - improve the quality of my life by having choices. Reason 2,000 I feel I have turned things around and made my business a sellers market rather then a buyers market. Consider that customers pick and choose where to shop. Maybe shop here may be there, ho hum, treat me nice and maybe it will be you I buy from. Uhhuh. Next! How about the seller picks and chooses who to sell to? What goes around comes around, what's good for the goose should work for the gander. I wait on customers I choose to wait on. I have good product at good prices. I'm not going to push it on anyone, argue about it, discuss it a lot. I'm not between a rock and a hard place. Thus I don't have to lie or harass anyone or be pushy or talk anyone into any deal. Almost the opposite. You have to really want what I have for me to sell it to you, and you might have to work at it to get it. Possibly I wont sell to you. It's not all for sale. Think of it as a museum and you get to look but can't touch. Just because someone has money, does that give them automatic rights to buy whatever they want? What about what I want? How can I run a business like that?! Watch, and behold. I am OZ. The great, the powerful. Do not pay attention to that man behind the curtain! Possibly- even probably a humbug. But a gifted one. And a happy one. And- well- if you don't like it pack your marbles up and go play someplace else. If you like my stuff my work, my lifestyle my outlook. My hand is out with a smile- "Welcome to Miles world"
Keep in mind money is not my God. I value much more, happiness, peace, respect, my health, and time. Money can be replaced, my good name and my time, my health can not. However paying me what I'm worth is a good way to show respect. Getting ripped off makes me a fool. Fools have no peace, are not happy, run out of time, and loose respect, are rarely healthy-- as good food, time for rest, checks ups etc cost money. And to quote one of my heroes, “Please don't rip me off, I'd hate to have ta kill you”
Pay Pal This is most common and works best for me and where the shop cart takes you. It cost me 3% but gives you insurance if I do not deliver or scam you. I like my customer to know that. It's a way of saying with deeds, I'm looking out for your interest. It's good for me- fast easy
Check I'll take a business or personal check.
Some people do not have, or are uncomfortable with Pay Pal. I wait for the check to arrive before sending the product out. My address is at the bottom of all my emails and on all my web pages
Miles of Alaska
Box 363
Nenana Alaska
99760
COD In the US I can ship out COD
where you pick it up at the post office and pay when the item arrives. It has a added post office fee I think $4.50 and you have to go to the post office.
Money Order From a post office works instead of a check
Bank Draft This works well from outside the US.
Any bank in the world can issue a bank draft to be paid in US dollars, like a bank money order
Bank transfer No
Overseas customers often ask me to accept a bank transfer, a direct deposit from their bank to mine. I'm told in Europe this is common. My bank and friends say “No way! Do not do this!” The transfer numbers requested, that allow access to my account for deposit, are the same numbers used to take my money out.
Western Union Maybe
This is a last resort for overseas sales. The nearest western union to me is 50 miles away and I do not drive. This requires a I get a ride and cost me a days time for the 100 miles round trip on a two lane twisting road. I could go there and the money is not there yet or a problem waits me. I've never used it, but in theory it is possible. The bank draft is better if not set up with Pay Pal
Charge card No
I'm not set up for charge cards. One reason is that in my own life I do not have or use one. I do not believe in spending money I do not have and do not want to encourage it. I could make more money using it, I do not care. I also do not want to be responsible for your card numbers. If you end up with a problem, identity theft, unauthorized withdrawals , I do not even want you to wonder if it happened here. That's too spooky. Credit cards scare me. I'm a subsistence wilderness person. I personally pay cash for everything. If it is naive of me to feel we all should, so be it. I feel one of the secrets to peace and happiness is being debt free. I feel strongly about this. I'm responsible for what I sell, and what we all do effects others. If you can not afford what I have, I do not want you to buy it on credit. I wish my work and material to be part of good things, doing good deeds. I can not control what you do with it once you own it, but I can care how you acquire it.
Trade!
I smile, What you got?
I'm open to suggestions. I've traded in the past for dry apricots, gem stones, fossils, amber, outdoor equipment. Just look at my site and lifestyle and ask yourself what do you have in your area that might interest me that you are at the source of and can get cheap. It could also be an alternative to customs issues overseas, a gift exchange.
Overseas
See Pay Pal , Bank draft, trade, and Western union above. One issue is that many items I sell have shipping restrictions. If it is an animal product and not a fossil, you might need to inquire.
Shipping
US air priority with delivery confirmation
is my usual method that is a good price, reliable and works here. It takes 4-5 days normally to anywhere in the US. 2nd day takes 3 days and cost 4 times as much and saves one day (as in big deal). If you got that much extra money to save a day, give some of it to me. Delivery confirmation is only 65 cents more and allows us to find out where it is or where it went and proves to you I sent it and protects me if a customer says to me they did not get it, when they really did. I try to weed out and not sell to customers like that, but now and then one slips through,
US flat rate priority
This works well. There are two choices an envelope for I think $4.50 and a box for $8.50. Whatever fits in goes at this price. I once got 30 pounds of rocks in a flat rate box. It's a good way to send heavier items. It makes knowing what to charge you easy. Add the 65 cents delivery confirmation.
1st class
Works well. This is for smaller items in a padded envelope and cost less but goes the same way as priority. Great for a flat strong item, small finished necklace or a claw for example
Parcel post
works This is good for heavy stuff and time is not a big factor. Supposedly it takes up to 6 weeks, but often it is 5-6 days.
UPS or Fedex. No Sorry we sometimes get items in this way but not out. This is a small remote community of 400 people with no house numbers and few road signs. Even stuff coming in sometimes ends up at the local store, the library, a neighbors house and I have to figure out who has it. Going out is a joke, forget it. They'll screw it up. Do not listen to some joker in an office outside Alaska.
Try to keep in mind I am in Alaska in a village of 400 people. We have a one room post office we have to go to in order get mail in or out. Mail is trucked 50 miles to the next community Fairbanks of 70,000 where it is transferred to air. Weather can be an issue. At 50 below I may not be able to get to the post office. I go by snow machine. Now and then the mail truck can not get through. We do not measure 'time' the same as civilized people do. We call it "Indian time" A day one way or the other is no big deal here. 'Checking emails often' is once a day. But sometimes Internet goes down or electric again no big deal to us. I know how to love off the land without power. Much of Nenanas is dirt roads with no names. "If you don't know where you are, you don't belong here" Most customers love that I get to hear wolves howl from my home, without thinking what the downside is. Keep your cool. Do not holler at me if a shipment appears to be a day later then expected. I'm not looking for the stress of your world. I live here for a reason. I can give you a tracking number if there is concern. Excuse me for not getting excited. I spent 25 years of my life getting supplies- mail- letters- once a year. I still tend to order things weeks or months ahead of time. It seems absurd to me to run out before ordering.
Overseas Priority mail works, and we have Global express but extremely high price - but fast. Parcel post works for heavy and slow and can take 6 weeks but best price on heavy items It is better to contact me because many items are restricted or can be sent but as a gift or traded or with special permits we need to discuss. Also there may be ways to make customs payment easier on you.
Best times.
During the year there are what might be considered 'block out dates' when I am not home. Only two are predictable, two shows I do annually. I'm gone 10 days starting about the 1st of August - August 10th to do our local Tanana fair. I'm gone for almost a month for the biggest show on earth in Tucson Arizona about Jan 25th till Feb 14th. I can often check emails, but am not home to conduct business. Sometimes in summer I am off on a wilderness survey trip 3-4 days at a time or off looking for fossils and I often do not give out the dates, it's a bit hush hush. I'm just 'gone'.
Time of day
main thing is to remember I am on Alaska standard time. It might be 4 hours earlier then East coast. Try not to call me at 3am my time. But I do get up early and 6am is not a bad time, but might be on the phone shared computer line. If so between 4pm and 8pm works. I'm rarely on line and usually home. I can be in bed by 9 pm though.
Email is best. It's fast and free. I have a record of our conversation to put in a file and can refer to. I can email pictures. I am comfortable with writing because I lived in the wilds, and writing was my only social life. My only means of communication. With email we do not concern ourselves with the time difference or if I will be disturbed.
Phone me
see 'Culture' I accept calls but tend not to make or return calls. I do not even have long distance on my phone. I use a phone card. It's going to cost me $3 to return a call to the lower states. We do not have the cool phone deals the civilized world has. I understand many people feel more comfortable talking to someone in person. And we get along and become friends and I understand and we sing from the same sheet of music. They remember and I forget. They call again “You are who?” At least 20,000 people feel connected to me. I feel connected to, well you could count them on one hand or less. If you are in my computer you are my good buddy. I know because the proof is in the file. It can take me 5 years to remember a name, and 20 years to be called a friend. I'm friendly to everyone. So please, do not assume I know you, or will remember what we talked about.
Fax is same as my phone number, rarely used these days it seems but I have it
How Pay Pal works www.paypal.com/
You have to have an account with Pay Pal. (web address above) Anyone who has a Pay Pal account can give money to anyone else who has an account. Our email address is our Pay Pal ID. So to pay me you can open your pay pal account and click on the tool bar on the top of the page either 'send money' or 'request money' In this case you want to send money to me so click that. When asked 'who?” you put in my email address (usually at the bottom of my emails but it is
miles@milesofalaska.net
) You can just copy and paste it in where it asks. You fill in the amount and leave a note if you want to and the instruction on Pay Pal are pretty straight forward. I get a confirmation in my email that money has been put in my account -how much and has your address so I know where to send to unless I get an email from you for another address. I think there is a 3% charge ( the seller , me, pays the 3% not the buyer) and part of that 3% is for insurance . so if you do not get the product or I in some way scammed you -you have recourse and Pay Pal gets your money back. I am somewhat protected because before I send something I know you have put money in my account.
How to Cut and paste a picture
You are on my web site and see a picture of something you wish to ask about. You need to get that picture in an email to me so I know what item you are talking about. See 'One man show' under 'issues' if needed. Summed up. I Have a lot going on and 1,000 pictures on my site and I may not have a clue what you are talking about unless I see a picture!
Put the cursor on the picture.
Double
Right click the mouse. A menu pops up. Choose 'save as' or 'email picture'. Left click and follow the directions. You can save the picture in your own computer to refer to in a file of your choice so you can find it and email from that fine. But easier to just choose 'email picture'. Left click and you might get asked to resize the picture so it is acceptable for an email - choose to do that. Then your email opens up - you put my email address in there
miles@milesofalaska.net
It is not easy to order from me.
An odd thing to say. The reasons are many. Try reading about my lifestyle. Try reading the order page, stuff like 'cultural issues'. Keep in mind I'm a one man show. Keep in mind I spent 25 years alone in the wilderness seeing no one for months. What do you think sitting in front of a computer is doing to me? I'm not superman. Sometimes the river of humanity that arrives at my home through the internet each day is depressing and overwhelming. I need to say “Halt enough!” and stumble out the door for fresh air. Consider what it means to meet a human being at the end of your click. Greetings to the plus and minus of being human, behold a personality. Greetings from Nenana Alaska with slow speed unreliable dial up, a monopoly server and no one in 100 miles who knows the internet any better then I do.
Raw stuff
-- So I wanted, and am good at running a huge flea market. Garage sale antique store. I am a collector. I like to sell and deal. Buy sell trade. But I do not like keeping track of stuff. So. So if you were 'here' you'd see 9 buildings filled with boxes of 'stuff'. (the raw materials). Like a yard filled by the tons of truckloads of things under tarps. You want to know about what? Ha ha and ha again! Dream on! You go find it. Have fun! Tell me if you find it! Filled with lost treasures and nooks and crannies like a treasure map. Stuff I have not seen since the 70's. Stuff with the prices still marked I paid in the 70's. No you got to pay more then that! But how much more? I have to think. I might pull a number out of the hat. See how it fits. I do not even own a suit and tie. Nothing is under bright lights with a sticker on it on a shelf. Yulk! You have arrived. You are not at an ordinary store. You are at the source , where 'raw' is defined as bloody and still twitching . Or still wet covered in mud. You have met the guy who might have drug it in screaming by the hind leg and ate it. You have arrived at some place related to Star trek. You have met Indiana Jones. The man who can make it happen. For a price, I can find even the holy grail. You just have to make it worth my while. See 'problem' below
Art !
You like to look at the art? To me it is all self evident and needs no explanation, but so few 'understand' I need to spell it out. First money is not my God. I'm not between a rock and a hard place and never will be. Happiness and lack of stress is important. I could be busy fishing today. I'm the only one who does this kind of art. It sells. If you do not get it, someone else will, and no one else offers it. . I want it in the right hands. Next. I look at today and tomorrow. I do not turn around and study my past. Once finished I loose interest in the item. I forget. I make a new one. I quit counting 15 years ago when I got to 9,999 (one of a kind items) I have made more claw necklaces then anyone else in the world. Where the item is I made yesterday I do not care. I have a good 500 finished items on hand at any given time. Sort of organized, but it might be in a box for shows, or in the tray it belongs in, or on consignment at a shop, or in for repair, or maybe I forgot, sold it, or gave it away. Rats. Some items are easier to locate . Some items sell so well I do not need to spend an hour looking for it because it will sell to the first person who sees it. Like big wolf teeth. Or blue ivory.
Problem !
So the problem is this is a garage sale and antique store. Nothing is marked and it's in any one of 9 buildings. Not a problem if you find it and bring it to me and I look up and make up a number, and you are happy. But guess what! You find the picture, not the item itself and show me the picture or give me a description and want me to go find it! Ha! Under what tarp? Which building? What shelf in what building in what box? Guess what! If I ignore you I can work in the shop for $65 an hour. If I stop to go look for something for you, my income comes to a grinding halt because the customer is not paying no $65 an hour to chat and have me go look for stuff. As in “That's $10 plus the $65 lost time it took for me to go find it” Tell me all you want about how I need to be organized. Bla bla you are in the peanut gallery, in the bleachers, while I am in the ring with the bull. Step into the ring and I might listen. Even if you are in your own ring with your own bull and are my equal, it's a state of mind. It's not about inequality. Each snow flake is unique and irreplaceable and can not be duplicated. The universe parts for each flake as it falls and closes again behind it forever changed. Some focus on that, and some focus on the storm comprised of all the flakes working together. Meanwhile yup I probably have what you want. That means squat if I cant find it. Worse, some customers talk me into looking, then say “Thanks , not what I'm looking for have a nice day” What's wrong with this picture?
Solution!
So I have no real rules, no minimum order etc. We'll see. Depends. If I'm busy, feel like it, like you, what the weather is like, and my opinion on if this is worth my time or not. All those cool pictures not in the shop cart? Teasers? Oh no not really. It's my resume, my portfolio, my references. Due to the volume of 'stuff;' going on I get to do repairs for museums, art collection value estimates for insurance companies, sometimes special orders for the rich and famous. It gives people ideas for a special order. It gives me credibility that I know what I'm doing. It's not talk, behold it is before you to see for yourself. Big buyers see my work and know I can turn it out, and some fly here to Nenana to see me and buy it by the truckload. One customer comes up from Japan once a year. We do not price it or mess around, we make a pile and I look at the pile and I make up a number. I just want it 'gone' so I have room for new cool stuff. But gone to my kind of people. He knows my prices are fair and we do not argue. I got 50 pounds of turquoise, you think I want to measure photo weigh each dinky piece? The decimal point has to get moved twice for that. On my art I have shops who say “Send me stuff” I accept returns. It all sells. I'm reasonable, fair. My prices are good, even if I make up a price at the spur of the moment my highest quote is half the completion's. Why argue? I can make a new one faster and easier then I can keep track of the last one. So in the big picture I make a living. I'm not rich, but it's my way, by my rules, when and how I want. Maybe I'm stuck up? An ego thing? Yea maybe (hmmm) But it's also a symptom of social problems that has to do with why a guy raised in the city would tune in and drop out to live in poverty listening to wolves. Why do we have to think value is in numbers or why cant we just look at something without having to own it? Maybe you are in a museum. Stop, stare, look, pause and smile. Why are customers irritated? So hey cut and paste me a picture if it's not in the cart! Who knows? Lets talk. If your only question is “Is it for sale!” in an irritated tone, well go shop on ebay and have a nice day. This is not your kind of place. Not everything is for sale just cause you want it, or because you see it. I get to choose my customers. Cool huh! Is that nuts? I can't say, but at least I'm honest. Customers are not used to seeing something they cant have? Well la de da. My soul is in my work and my materials. I either find or hand select every single item. There is less then 1% I order by mail. Every single art item I made, totally made, down to the carving, and making the mold, and casting of the cap. I had cut most of the rocks, eat many of the critters whose bones get used, find many of the fossils. There is a story behind every item. I care where my soul goes , and who gets a piece of it. The solution is all my art eventually is out there in the world being worn, and all my material one way or other is seen and used. What else matters? I own my world. What more do I need? One snowflake, that in falling, parts the universe, changing it forever. Money is not my God.
click here to go to my site directory with links to all my pages. Art - raw materials for sale- book- advice- tips-ordering- info- home page etc
I just capped a wolverine claw for someone else but this is what they look like so would one similar to this work for the necklace? This one is $45. On the subject of the other project to carry and for the desk. Kind of like the otter one-well the time and cost is an issue. I do not have a wolverine mould. Meaning I carved the otter long ago and made a rubber mold to make wax copies from to then cast in metal. I can make 100 of them. I have a few hundred molds- but none of a wolverine. My lifestyle has changed and I don't carve originals anymore. Partly I am getting older. Cant see as good- hands not as coordinated- and there is no money in it . Few can afford to pay me $65 an hour while I spend 5 hours making an original. I could when the economy was better or more specifically I was in Alaska during the pipeline in the 8o's when folks were getting the equivalent of $100 an hour. Good years- good customer base back then. But I'm just not set up for that anymore. Different sets of tools. One option is to have it carved in a 3rd world country like the rest of the world does and thus someone someplace made it for $1- with all the mark ups on it between that poor smuck starving in the jungle and me and you. I have such a connection, but they probably will not make 'one thing' and it takes 'months' to make contact come to an agreement- deal with customs etc etc. It's not really very effective in this sort of situation. I personally consider it a bummer it cost so much to live in the US of A. Trained help from a teenager where I live is minimum $20 an hour. Got kids out of high school getting $30 an hour. It's insane. But I'm not going to change the world---- totally of the subject but moving on----
Many customers can pay me $65 an hour while I cast 50 of something in that same 5 hours. (thus I can offer castings from my molds at one 50th the cost). If I have a mold. Or even a small toy or casting I can make a rubber mold from-- so I don't have to carve it. Wolverines are not popular toys-- like wolves bears eagles. Hmmmm. And these days I am so busy I don't have lots of time to think of solutions and possibilities, when basically I'm only bidding on the job at this point. I have more work then I know what to do with. Perhaps lucky, or in the enviable position of picking and choosing the jobs that are easy, or fun, or that will pay me the most. To buy time with- the most important thing we have. Time to work on my books, to do the kind of art I want to do the way I want, and time to live the lifestyle I advertize- subsistence- growing a garden, getting my own fish and moose meat, working on my own 'stuff' snow machine boat etc. It's all pretty time consuming (as I head into my retirement years) . Not to give you a song and dance-- just explaining. The real skull idea was very do-able because I have a skull and can fill it with lead and it's a half hour project- I do not have to recreate anything from scratch. If you can come up with a little plastic toy of a wolverine for me to make a mold from that would work. (?) Anyhow-gotta go. Miles
How you contact me, what you ask and tell me when you inquire can have a big effect on getting what you want. Give me a name and email that you expect to continue to use . Because I create files on customers using a first name filed by the month. I get about 30 inquires a day with 90% being a first time inquiry or inquiry that does not result in a sale or customers who buy once a year or less. Only after have a dozen or so sales do I create a permenant file on a customer. This is an advantage in being a repeat customer and getting more personal service as I then have a record of what you like - got last time asked about in the past etc. Till then- not to hurt your feelings- but you are one on 10,000 customers a year- a drop of water in a rivgfer going by. I can give an example of issues that come up. A customer calls herself 'Raven' so this is the file name I use. I get a pay pal payment with no note from 'Karen'. From who for what? Or a guy inquires 'Dave' and the next contact he has his wife email me 'Sue' they may assume I recognize the email address. Maybe some companies file by email?: I do 'name' because I can scan a list of 100 names and spot 'Dave'; in alphabetical order faster then I can spot 'hotmail.com' It also helps me remember the customer better, to call them by and find them by name. Anyhow.
Cut and paste me a picture off my web site of what it is you see that you like. 'Because' I am a one man show running a 56 page web site that is really 30 separate web sites linked together. I may not have a clue what page you are on. I also used to number my art pieces and stopped at 9,999 and that was 15 years ago. I have on hand at any given time 500 finished art pieces I made. Do I remember that cute little duck I made for $30 on my web site ? If I made it yesterday I may not remember it. Some pages on my web site I have not revisited in 5 years. Well- doing better now that I got high speed Internet! But with slow speed dial up it took 24 hours to upload the whole site. Neither can I possibly take time to go cruise around looking for what you are talking about with shop time worth $65 an hour. Trust me- it just goes a lot smoother if you show me!
Personal service . In order to give personal service I need information. It does not waste my time for you to explain. I can scan your words and pick out what I need to know in a few seconds. Wasting my time is not telling me anything so I have to email and ask. If the inquiry involves a raw material tell me what you use it for. "Do you have scrap ivory" for example involves ivory from $10 a pound on up to $200 a pound. I sell to children, to schools, to scientists, artists, knife makers, who all mean something different when they say 'scrap'. Tell me "scrap mammoth ivory for scrim pendants" for example. If art- tell me something- for a girl a boy give me an age a price range something I can go on. (but is also why a picture is worth a thousand words)
Regular customers. Let me know you bought from me before and clue me isn't might effect how much time I give you and what order you are in line. You are now not a stranger or tire kicker. Possibly I can create a file on you instead of file by the month along with the masses. With your own file you get better service because I save pictures I forwarded, or you showed me, and I know what you bought before and what your comments might be. I might have saved your own web site if you have one, with the possibility I might create a link to it on my page if you are in business. Do not assume we are friends! Even my mother has to remind me who she is. There are probably 100,000 people who know me by name, and half consider us good friends. I might remember 500 maybe. Remember I lived 25 years of my life alone as a hermit in the wilds (read my book). If we had a long meaningful conversation, that is not unique to me, and happens about once a day. I have the gift of gab. My mood can also change today I may not have the time I did yesterday. Or I feel stressed out. Or yesterday I needed a refreshing break and today I want to make up for it with work and I have no time to chat. Try to to take offense business is feast and famine. Lots of work followed by some slower times. That.s small village life. It's also 'how it is' where I live to wave and smile at every single person who drives by. Strangers are welcome to visit and have free coffee. But it might take 20 years to be 'one of us' a friend a regular, but it begins someplace with a reminder each visit. Eventually you might end up with a coffee cup on the wall with your name on it for the next time you stop by, and someone who remembers how much cream you like. My business is a little like that. I have a customer who flies to Nenana Alaska from Japan once a year to buy from me. I have a few customers who have a box with their name on it and I toss 'stuff' in it during the year and now and then contact em "Hey- got a box for ya" To get that service you need to earn it.That begins with letting me know you been here before. "Hey I'm Dave- the guy who got the knife scales back in June" I can then look up Dave in June... "Hey! My buddy Dave! Hows it hanging bro?" Eventually it might not be bullshit, I might actually begin to remember my buddy Dave. Like that.
Hi Miles,
I love the work you did on my lion claw. I would like to send you the other claw if you can cast a bronze cover over the entire bone portion with a little texture similar to the one you did. If you can do this I was wondering how much do you charge for that kind of work?
Please let me know and I will get the claw in the mail right away. In fact I am so certain you can do something that I will like I will mail it tomorrow.
Thanks,
Dave
Saturday, March 20, 2010
I received the order yesterday and I couldn't be more pleased. The bones are beautiful and the fur is wonderful. Thanks also for the free Marten fur (admittingly I had to google to find out what it was).
I plan on placing another order soon. I'm just so happy. When I finish I'll try to remember to send you a picture.
Sunny
Friday, March 19, 2010
Hello Miles,
I got the fish pendant and I love it as much as the owl. The opal eye was a lot more sparkly than I expected - such a fiery bit of color!
Thanks for everything.
Tish
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Miles,
Thank you so much for your time. I completely understand that some people are picky and I know the value of ivory. I am very glad that I found you and I plan to use you for all of my ivory and walrus needs. If I could afford it right now, I would take all of the pieces. All of them are beautiful to me. I would like, however, pieces #1, #2, #4, #5, and #7. I will be sending payment of $310.00 by pay pal in a couple of minutes. Again, thank you for your kind and quick service.
You are truly an artist.
Thank you,
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
I meant to write a couple of weeks ago, but simply forgot to. I wanted to let you know I got the two lbs of ivory from you, was happy with it, and will be buying more before my scrimshaw class starts. Thanks alot, and will be back in touch. Also, I wanted to ask your permission to include your name and email address in the info I give my students , I try to give my students sources of material. and as you know alot of ivory sources are drying up over time, I cannot gurantee any will buy anthing, but a few of my students have kept on and have bought some stuff from the sources I give them.
thanks
Rich W.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Hi Miles, Everything arrived today (our 16th, your 15th March) - not bad considering that it was intercepted by the Biosecurity people and inspected as well. Thanks for everything - we'll be back for more. Cheers, Candy and Len
Saturday, March 13, 2010
hi i received my otter today relay happy with it thanks if you come across-ed something else like this or smilier please let me know also i will be getting back to you about some moose butts and antlers if you have some again thanks nice doing business with you allen russ
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Hello Miles,
I got my package today and the items you sent were fantastic! I am thrilled to have found someone like you to buy from, so much so in fact that I am going to order the other two fossil lion fangs from you. I believe they were $95 each, so $190 total, and I will paypal it to you as soon as I email this. Best wishes to you and I hope everything has settled down a bit on your end. I will also be glad to show you photos of the finished pieces I make with these, especially the section of wolf jaw. I have big plans for that one.
Thanks again, and the money for the two other fossil lion fangs is on its way. Do you know if they are all from the same animal by chance? Just curious.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Subject: Howdy up North my Friend
Got the teeth and am very pleased. Ill send you some photos when she gets the sweater done. Maybe a week, had a minor set back on the sleeves.
Hope you had a nice Christmas, the white part is most likely an automatic up there.
I was looking at some of your stuff and have a question. Do you put custom handles on sheath knives? I have a couple that I would like done in mammoth tooth or tusk maybe. One has no hilt, is that a problem? The one I am thinking of is a Dozier camp knife. The tang I guess is the size of the scales, know what I mean. I just found a photo so Ill attach. Its not the same but pretty darn close.
Ill be in touch
Happy New Year!
Monday, December 28, 2009
Miles, Merry Christmas and I hope everything is going well for you.
I thought I would write and tell you that my wife loved the knife you made.
Of course, we love everything Alaskan. Have a great new year. Sincerely, Buda Jerry
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Hey Miles,
The two knives you made for me have been delivered and the guy loves them.
He thinks the art work is great... and the functionality of the knives are also. He especially likes the larger handle on the fishing knife.
Thanks again, you do such great work.
Good luck on completing your third book and I hope the winter is good to you...
Hope to see you next year when I'll back in the area,
Ray
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Good evening Miles,
I just started your book, and wow! What an interesting life, I'm enjoying it very much. I'm already up to page 154. You have some many interesting and insightful things to say, and a few things I feel I can relate to to a certain extent. I remember when I was a kid I wanted to live in Alaska, hunt, and have my own dog-sled team and run the Iditarod. Ha! Before that I wanted to be a railway hobo. I was such an odd kid. The dog sled and hunting dream has never fully left me though, I hope to get my hunting license sometime soon, and have my own homestead someday.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
heya miles
the mammoth ivory showed up today
thanks
looks like some really usable pieces
been doing some reading
will see how it goes at some point
thanks again
peace Sarah
Monday, December 14, 2009 Erin
Just letting you know that everything arrived safe and sound. Thank you for autographing the book, I looked through it and it looks very interesting, I can't wait to sit down and start reading it (probably over the holiday vacation!). I also showed it to a friend, who is an artisan who also works with bone and lapidary, and she's very interested not only in getting a copy of your book for herself, but also in doing business with you, as I showed her your website. She'll probably get in contact with you soon, her name is Raven.
Those mammoth ivory beads are real awesome, and now I desire some for myself! The capped fossil tooth you sent is going to a friend who is serving as a combat medic in Afghanistan. He loves wolves, and he'll really appreciate this unique little piece of home.
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
good morning miles
thanks for getting back
after i wrote i realized how much time you spend doing this and how much info is actually on yr site really diggin it!
so i really appreciate your taking the time to get back i have lots of other materials being a collector of bones n such most of my life have a brother and nephew who live in montana and pick up some sheds
Saturday, December 05, 2009
Hi, sorry about the mix up. Yes I ordered 2 wolf claws with the howling wolf caps. Are these able to be put on a necklace or earring? I want one for an earring for a man so I didn't want anything too gaudy or big. The other one I will save for me and make a necklace. Great selection of items! Also like your philosophies regarding life.
That is why I bought from you! Thanks, and happy holidays.
Diane Holdreith
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Yes I used the knife you made to cut the skin off my deer, and it worked very well. It handles easy for getting in close between the skin and meat to cut through the clear membrane that binds them together. A very good design for the wrist to control the blade without holding the knife in an awkward position. I like it a lot. It looks cool too. People I show it to just stare at it for a while cause they never seen one like it around here. They don't sell these at Walmart. Ha! Mark
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Miles, I received the knife today and it looks great. Really unique item and very impressive. Thanks alot for the work. Keep me posted on the solid gold mammoth request. Thanks, Buda Jerry
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Thanks Miles I can't wait, what a cool thing to complete my first knife. Will be taking my knife to another knife maker this next weekend and he will heat treat it ($15.00). Once mailed back to me the tang I made and the mammoth ivory goes on. Then I will pick up some leather at Tandys and finish a nice sheath for it. Thanks again Miles for your patience and working with me on this special project.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Hey Miles,
This looks fantastic, I am loving this. It's better than what I hoped for, actually. The $200 total sounds great, I'll pay you with paypal very soon and thank you for everything. I will do this as soon as possible for your convenience.
Once again, thank you for your hard work!
Take care,
Katie
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Greetings Miles,
I just wanted to let you know your package arrived safe a couple days ago. I would have emailed much sooner but work had me busy. I just love the stuff you picked out--and my friend is very happy too. I was pleasantly surprised to see two wolf skulls in there (they're very nice), and I really enjoyed the extra goodies you included. The wolf fang you selected is real nice, and all the broken fangs will be incorporated in some sort of art project. I'll send you some photos once I'm done with things if you like. In a couple weeks I'll probably be contacting you again for another order.
As well as artwork, some of these things I use in educational nature programs for children, as part of the job I do for the county government. You'd be amazed how their faces light up when they see these things. It gives them such a deeper appreciation for nature, and some of them come from the inner city and don't have the opportunities to see animals and/or touch artifacts from nature, so it's a great experience for them.
As always, a wonderful experience working with you. Thanks very much and hope you're doing well. We'll be in touch again soon.
~Erin
Used all the below on web site already
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
In any case, thank you for your business once again. Your materials help spice up my artwork and give me something amazing to have in my hands, and your website is very informative in dealing with/learning about these raw materials and helping me improve on my technique. I'd also like to work out some wholesale with you in the future...I'm very low maintenance where that goes and require little if any picture-taking, and can show you examples and photos of my work and the vending I do with my friends at area events sometime.
In any case, thanks again and hope all is well with you. We'll be in touch!
~Erin
Friday, September 25, 2009
Hello :-)
The claw arrived, my friend was so happy for it. Thank you very much.
Take care.
best regards from Iceland,
-Sunna.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Miles, Just received the Eagle Rock and it is stupendous. You are getting better each time in your old age. Really appreciate it and will be staying in contact. All My Best, Buda Jerry
Monday, September 21, 2009
Both packages came today. Bob says the leg bone is perfect and he can get two knives from it. I'm going to hang the shoulder blade on the wall for now. I'm keeping all the packing material for it, and the invoices, because I travel across the Canada/US border and I don't want any grief from Customs either way -- it'll help that it says fossils.
I'll wear the fang around my neck most of the time. I've been dreaming about a lion a lot recently -- I'm really glad you had this. And there ARE times occasionally, when I want to dress like a girl -- I'll get a silver chain for the mammoth ivory bead, and wear it instead then. Although, I think a lion's fang around my neck when I'm wearing a long skirt and heels might send a better message about who I am than not. Thanks for including the bead -- it's beautiful.
I've just sent $40 with PayPal. Your invoice said $30 for the shoulder blade and the postage was $9.40. If there should be more for time and mileage, let me know.
Thanks,
MorningStar
Monday, September 21, 2009
Miles, I think you did it again. It looks real good in the picture. I will go to Paypal now and send the $23. I will be seeing you again for other stuff. Thanks alot my Alaskan friend. Buda Jerry, 45 Country Oaks, Buda, Tx. 78610
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Dear Miles,
Recived the mammoth ivory almost a full pound i am very
grateful and i hope you covered your costs ,works realy well
with a beautiful finnish,
thanks again , JRV from the UK
Thursday, August 27, 2009
ABSOLUTELY PERFECT! Will PayPal right away!!! Thank you so much!!! Raven
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Hi Miles, thanks for writing, Yes I did receive it and worked on 3 pieces right away. SOld two last week, so thankyou so much. Was just what I was looking for.
I hope your fair went well, must have been alot of work but alot of fun too. I would have gone nuts seeing all your items:)
I will reorder from you again in the future, I appreciate your generosity and great service.
Janet
Monday, August 17, 2009
Hi Miles,
I received the wolf claw pendant with howling wolf cap today. I just wanted to say that I like it very much, and to thank you for the fantastic service.
Regards
Alex
Monday, August 03, 2009
Miles, I wanted to thank for the neat looking fish. It appears both copper and brass and I think that is a beautiful idea . Something you never see anywhere else. Hope everything is well. I will be back with you. Thanks, Buda Jerry
Monday, August 03, 2009
REC'D MY PACKAGE & LOVE THE MOOSE MOLAR! SO COOL & DIFFERENT!!
And thank you for more wolf bones - wolf is very big up here, alot of people consider wolf their spirit guide in Western New York. People are trying to buy my pieces before I have them completed when wolf is involved!!!
Raven
Saturday, August 01, 2009
Hey Miles!
I got your parcel today and i am thrilled to bits with the contents!
I thought my mother was going to pass out when i opened the box to see that wonderful moose's hoof! (which i have since mounted on a wooden wall-plaque)
The porcupine quills were brilliant! I have some from African porcupines as well so it's lovely to compare.
the marten skin was amazing, about twice as big as my mink!!
and of course the skulls were amazing! I have put them in my display together with my wild boar, sheep, red deer, fallow deer, pere david's deer, hedgehog, tawny owl, jackdaw, herring gull, rabbit, badger, dog and roe deer skulls, beaver Lynx and wolf make a great addition to the set!!
I'm sure when i get time (and when its not night time, yikes!) i'll take some photos for you so you can see how my little collection is coming along!!
Thanks again for a great shipment! I'm glad i trusted you with it! You made wondrful choices!!
Have a nice day now!
Lily
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
hello, i have just got the post today and recieved the package. wow am very please with the specimens. they are all very distinctive and in good condition. can i ask is there any tips on if u polish them or put anything on them that can shine them up to their full potential without rewening them? i dunno this is start to my claw collection not looked anything up on them yet. i have got bobcat and lynx already but wondering if u have any other claws like puma or mountain lion realy nice big examples? would really like to continue doing business with you. thanks for the great wolf claws am really happy with them.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
I look forward to working with you; it is refreshing to be dealing with someone who understands & respects what I do & how important it is to me. I consider my pieces a way to honor the animal's spirit - all are created with love & dignity. I don't mean to sound like a nut job....this is important to me. And you get it - that is very important to me too. Looking forward to my package! :)
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR GUIDANCE!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 from Arthur
Hello Miles,
I received my order today and was very much impressed and please how fast it came and what a wonderful things you have.
Worked on the bone a bit today, everybody hates me now at work because of the smell, you know what i mean, LOL Since you picked up such a nice and special things for me and shipped everything so fast i'm ready to place another order.
Here's what i would like:
Friday, May 15, 2009
Miles
Thanks so much for both the wolf claw and tooth jewelry everything looked great. My daughter was thrilled to receive these on her recent birthday and has worn them non-stop since. I hope to in the near future look at some other items for gifts etc.
Again many thanks.
Thanks,
Dan Baker
Director of Operations
dbaker@southernfoodsinc.com
Monday, April 27, 2009
I just found your web site - cannot tell you how refreshing it is to read your philosophical views and values. It speaks volumes (all good as far as I am concerned).
I feel that I can simply tell you what I want to do and say "send me five pieces of (? whatever?)" - and leave the choice up to you - And, know that you would send me the best pieces for my needs. Your being an artist too, gives me even more confidence.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Hello Miles,
Recieved the wolf claw yesterday - it's great & better than expected. Thanks for sending along the white bronze after all!
Stay warm, Deni Maze
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
The shark necklace arrived and Alex loved it!!! I'm not surprised seeing as it was gorgeous and it's clear how much skill you have.
Thank you
Beth
Monday, January 05, 2009
Hi, #1 email
I tried to copy and paste a pix to this but would not paste so here goes.
My hubby and I are retired and struggling to start our own jewelry business. I design, he does the wire work.
He is very , very good but................we need something that others don't have in our area such as your mammouth beads and any other fossil beads you sell.
We don't have much capital yet, but are working on selling ordinary beads right now to obtain some working capital.
Seems like both of us have always been a day late and a dollar short and we would really like to have designer pieces to make a "killing " with, so to speak.
Could you email some pix, and prices of beads you have and teeth that are drilled. We are signed up to do a "Indian pow wow" at Fort Robinson in Nebraska in June and would love to have some really neat pieces to take there.
Any help you can give us would be greatly appreciated.
Any fossil chips that could be drilled for a bracelet or necklace could be used now until we can afford better and the best.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions or help and for responding.
Gloria & Chuck Hill
Lisco, Nebraska
(now wintering near Quartzite, Arizona)
Hey David
Glad the tooth arrived and you are happy. As for the size. Many people selling are full of shit, or do not have any knowledge themselves and have never seen a real timber wolf fang and offer fangs from a lower 48 state wolf that is closer to a coyote. Our wolves can weigh over 200 pounds and be over 7 feet long-bigger then many bears. Some more common wolves that are not timber wolf are only 50 pounds. You probably got a coyote tooth that someone called a wolf. Anyhow got to go and good luck drilling hope it came out ok. Miles.
Monday, January 05, 2009
Dear Miles,
the tooth just arrived to me!!!! WOW!!!! It is incredibly huge if I compare it to my other wolf tooth, it seems like it is prehistoric?
Thank you very much.
Please, tell me how is possible the tooth has 7cm?
I am going to try to drill the small hole in it and let you know. I hope and pray it will stay ok.
Have a nice day
David
Friday, January 02, 2009
Miles
Those Mammoth Ivory blanks made some real nice grips for my 45. Here are a couple of pictures for you. Feel free to use them on your website if you like. Thanks again for the quality material and great service.
Al Ehrhardt
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Thanks again, Miles. Take care and talk to you soon!
~Erin
P.S. I'm wearing your fossil tooth pendant with the howling wolf cap I bought from you some months back--it's awesome and I still get nice comments on it when I wear it to work. I work with children and the kids totally dig it.
Monday, December 08, 2008
Hi Miles,
I hope you stayed high and dry during the flooding in Nenana. I've been watching the situation on the NewMiner website and often think of you.
I'll be taking my beautiful knife to Canada next week on my annual walleye fishing trip. I know the guys will be envious when they see it. It's a unique knife and I'm delighted to have a piece of your artwork. Thanks for making it and selling it to me.
Ralph Bolt
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Miles,
Hey, I just opened the package (away from the office for four days). Everything looks great, and the fangs in particular are impressive "in person". I'm still waiting for the center piece to arrive; once it does and I string this all together I'll send you a picture of it.
I have at least one other project for the not-too-distant future that I will be talking with you about.
Thanks for being available and doing what you do. Keep up the good work!
-Guy
Monday, November 17, 2008
Hi Miles,
Miles you have a eye in art that only a few have. Great piece. Make me a 100 - let use gold!!
Any of the options work for me. Miles - no bull shitting here - Korite - owns 90% of this market. The quality of the gem you have if you set it in gold start retail price would be ~$2,500.00.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Hi Miles,
The fang has found its way to me. Its beautifull! I'm very happy with it. It arrived just in time to be worn tomorrow in a samhuin ritual. Thanks for the opportunity you gave me to buy it, thanks for ur advise on the glue, and since all good things come in triads, thanks for the comic you wrapped the tooth in, nice touch :)
It's been good doing bussiness with you, I will keep an eye on your website,
I wish you safety through the winter, and may you never go hungry,
Hella
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Miles,
I just wanted to say thankyou very much for my wolf claw necklace. I am very pleased with my purchase. The necklace is beautiful. Thanks again,
Alex
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Hello Miles,
Eager to show you the Damacus knife that you supplied to me. This is my first job. I just can spend 10-20 minutes per day, and it took me more than 1 month to finish it. Though it still contains some minor imperfections but I'm really happy with it. Thank you for the blade!
Wish you all the best!
Hung
Vietnam
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Miles, I got the pendant today. Its real nice. I appreciate you getting it to me quick. Thanks, Jerry Johnson, Buda, Tx
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Hi Miles,
I got my package yesterday. That was fast considering it had to go
across the whole country. Everything arrived safely and looks great.
You are right - the opal is even prettier when you can see it in person.
Thanks very much!
Penney
Friday, September 19, 2008
Hello Miles!
I got the wolverine claws and tooth. Thanks for the wolf claw! It is very beautyful!:)
Thank you and Best wishes,
Sandor
Friday, September 12, 2008
Miles,
Thank you so much for making the spear with sinew and the drum and beater. They turned out so great! Our friend that owns them got back from hunting on the day they came in. He really likes them. Thank you again. You're an excellent artist. If I ever need anything again I will be sure to contact you.
Best Regards,
Pam Trottier
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Hi Miles,
I got the knife today......it is beautiful and really feels nice in my hand.....a good weight.
The blade is really sharp and the lock back mechanism is so easy to use.
I have others
that are really difficult to unlock.
Thank you so much for doing this for me.
Linda
Friday, March 07, 2008 worked on his claw
Hi Miles, wanted to let you know i got my bear claw today.great job,thank you very much. gary
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Miles,
Wow! Is that ever a beautiful piece of ancient mammoth tusk I just got in the mail.
Thank you!
I've put it away in the back room of my house and I'll watch it carefully
to be ready if any cracks start to develop after its change from your climate
to mine. The temperatures are running between 30 and 45 degrees (we even
had snow last night on the mountains in the San Francisco bay area, where I live),
so the ivory has received a nice welcome to this new, strange place.
Thanks again,
Robin
Monday, January 07, 2008
Miles
Finaly used the mammoth ivory you sold me, I used it on a small Hunter. Its quit a beautiful knife if I may say so. Hope you like it to. Your ivory is great to work with.
regards Eric
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Hello Miles,
I received the molar for Solstice/Chistmas and the fang came a few
days ago. The are amazing!!!
Thank you for going along with the ruse and playing it so well. I have done some ceremony with them and am now wearing the fang
regularly. Please share with me any helpful tips on caring for them.
Thank you also for the owl feathers. We shared them.
Kisa
Monday, December 31, 2007
Greetings Miles,
Authenticity is my favorite thing. You are the real deal & a genuine survivalist. Your page is a great resource. I'm sure I will refer back to it often. Found it in a Google search for tips on how to repair my mother-of-pearl carved hawk pendant. The head broke off where the hole was drilled through the sides of the neck. It was glued in the past but never stays attatched. It was made by the artist Gary Knack who may have his own page by now. I got side-tracked, intrigued by your site.
I also was hoping to learn the best glue for re-attatching a clasp to a stem of fossilized tusk or bone, I believe. It is part of a set of intricately carved feather earrings. Seeing as to how you are in the Interior these are not materials you'd come across. My son got me the earrings last year while he still lived in Fairbanks. Is it possible you made them? I live on 2 acres in the Kenai Peninsula and respect the rigors of your way of life. Seems you are part of a dying breed and by the looks of your book, must be some kind of a living legend. Your work is quite beautiful. I just wanted to thank you for your tips and wish you all the best in the new year. Carolyn
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Hello Miles,
I got the beads - all of them.
Thanks a lot they are great!
Merry Christmas,
Steffen
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Miles, I received the fossil Whale bone yesterday. Nice solid piece with a beautiful patina color. It will make for some beautiful knife handles and a conversational topic. Thanks once again Miles. Stay warm this winter and good luck on the Nenana Ice Classic this spring, maybe you will get lucky and win!
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Miles - they look great !!!
thank you so much.
and let me know if you want me to make up the shipping difference.
I'll be coming back to you for more medicine supplies for sure !!!
stay warm up there my friend.
Brad
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
I appreciate the effort. Every other response I've been getting has been from mining wholesalers saying a minimum order of $500 with freight or things of that nature. It is good to be working with a person. The end of January would be kind of late, but if that is how long it may take for you to find it, then I can wait. I realize this has a cost, I realize you have mostly larger orders, but I trust your judgment and I think more people ought to do business like you. Aaron
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Hello my friend,
Just sent you $60 through pay pal...
Thank you for the medicine that you are sending my way - and the warm words & e-mail conversations.
I will do my best to represent the wolf in the concrete jungle of NYC.
all the best,
Brad Teasdale
Friday, November 30, 2007
Hello Miles: My daughter is absolutely in heaven with some of the items I bought for her from you a few weeks ago. Saving a few for Xmas. Do you have any more copper nuggets..my favorite? She fell in love with the moonstone. Any more? Am dying the moose bone and stabilizing a bit of it to see how it turns out. Let me know on the availability of the two items above and cost. Thanks John
John Lloyd see above related
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Hello Miles: Recd the goods yesterday. Good load! I am guessing that all the white bone is moose? My daughter will be ecstatic. The copper nuggets are great...I think my favorite of her stuff. Never saw anything like it except some big gold nuggets I have from the late 50s when I lived in Anchorage and gold was 30$/oz. How do you cut the mammoth tooth? Diamond saw? I think I'll have it stabilized first. The balleen is very interesting. I think it will be perfect for what I call a "gents" folder. I am going to have the moose bone stabilized and dyed. What do you do with the mammoth bone...or the dark grey stuff? How does it cut and finish? Thanks alot for the new toys...I love raw materials. I have been a wooworker for forty yrs now and still collect wood...by the thousands of board ft. Have aobut 40,000 bd ft now and still collecting more. Hah! Thanks again.
John
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Miles:
It is Great to hear from you. There are few who experience Life the way you have, and I am Honored to see through your eyes, by listening to your Song. I am of the Iroquois Confederacy and of the Seneca People. I too know the Importance of Balance especially when it comes to Medicine. I must admit that in the 57 years my Path has taken me to many Places and met some mighty Influential People, You are one Person that I hold in the Highest Regard! I will Smudge the Tooth and send it to you this week. If you could, Please incorporate all three Spirits within the Necklace. Would you like the $75.00 in advance?
In Hopes that this finds you and your Family Well;
Raven
Monday, November 19, 2007
The knife is amazing just the way it is... It's honestly more than I had hopped for... please let me know how much the blade will cost so that I can send payment and if you are able to ship the item by Fedex and I will send you a label from my account to expedite the blade getting to me..
Thank you so much
Jeremy Gall
Monday, November 19, 2007
Hey there Miles,
Works for me. An inner ear bone it is then. Thanks.
It has been an absolute pleasure doing business with you.
Blessings, zan
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Hi Martin,
The claw and tooth are amazing!!!:-)Thank you very very much for beautiful postcard:-)You have huge talent:-)
pozdrawiam, Poland
Kamila Jankowska
HELLO,
ONCE AGAIN I WOULD LIKE TO ORDER WOLF'S TOOTH . I WANT HUGE ONE , NOT WITH TURQUOISE ,BUT WITH 'NOWITNA RIVER CARNELIAN AGATE' . IT SHOULD BE SETTED IN SILVER . IT SHOULD BE SIMPLE , WITHOUT ORNAMENTS ,BECAUSE IT IS FOR MAN . HOLE FOR CHAIN SHOULD HAVE 5 millimeters in diameter.
SO TOTALLY HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
GREETINGS,
CAMILA JANKOWSKA FROM POLAND
Saturday, November 17, 2007
I have never seen such Craftsmanship in all my years. As a Native American it does my Heart good to see such Spirit and Heart put into one's Creations.
I have a Large Lions tooth could you make it into a necklace for me? If so could you please let me know how to get things moving in order to get started?
I hope this finds you and your Family well;
Gary (Raven's Wolf) Crippen
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Hey Miles, Saturday nite.
Got my mail today, and Thanks you are the Man.
You couldnt have picked everything out better. There is not one piece I will not use.
Have been playing for the past few hours. I am just blown away.
Have a good trip and will catch you when you get back.
By the way Thanks, (smile).....Jerry
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Got it!
It's gorgeous! Thanks so much for your help with this.
Joe
Thursday, November 01, 2007 Joseph Sosta
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Miles!! I got the parcel today!
Thank you so much for such a wonderful selection!! The Lynx jaw and Moose hoof were such a surprise! I am so delighted!! Thank you so much for such wonderful service! I am very sorry about the price of postage, but i have an idea. Since you were so good to your word i should like to order some more parts, and whatever i owe you we can put on the next bill. I especially liked the jaws and wondering if you had any others? i also wouldn't mind looking at proces for sections of moose antler, I would quite like a mooses' skull but i imagine that even the small ones would be such an immense size as to render the postage out of my range! Dang. Well i hope this message finds you well, i have a more stable source of income now so money isn't a huge problem, i look forward to dealing with you again in the VERY near future
All the best
Lily
Thursday, November 01, 2007
WOW I love the knives I'm on the road currently and will be back in town on thursday, I will send a longer reply then, but I would love the idea of the wolves running with the silver moon and I would like to purchase both knives...
Talk to you soon and I could not be happier with the progress of both blades.
Thank you again so much
Jeremy Gall
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Miles,
I just wanted to say thank you for the wolverine claws. They are great and arrived very fast. I will certainly do business with you again and pass on to friends how professional you are. Thank you again.
Aaron
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Miles,
The wolf's tooth arrived today. Thank you so much! I love it and I know my friend will too.
Kate
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Hi Miles,
I got the moose bone and antler tine on Saturday, 9/22/07. The mail service is sure good between Alaska and here apparently. I know the antler tine will work out well. I think the moose bone will also be fine if I can figure out the correct places to cut it to get the best thickness and shape. They are both good pieces and I appreciate your handling the order so fast. I look forward to placing another little order soon.
Thanks, Miles.
Keith
Sunday, September 16, 2007 Erin Neville [technobushi@mac.com]
Greetings!
Just would like to let you know that the package has arrived today--
wow that was fast! I'm really happy with the teeth, they're great.
I'll definitely recommend you to a friend of mine who also deals in animal remnants for art and jewelry, I think she'd really dig your online store and what it has to offer.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007 Samantha Anderson [bluemoonbengals@yahoo.com] Miles,
We got the claw on Saturday. Thank you so much! It's beautiful and Jay loves it. Good work!
Sam
Friday, September 07, 2007 Juanita hachel@comcast.net
Hi, The bones and claw arrived today and they are super ! I am so happy with them, thank you very much. I will treasure them !
Sincerely,
Juanita