Started Making Pendants...

[Catherine Read]

I wish you every success in your new venture

Well done Spike and well done you repurposing Spike's cast offs.

Thank you

A unique product and a neat backstory is always a winning combination. I'm sure you'll do well!

You may wish to consider premium options (like silver bezel) and add-ons (cord, chain) since some people appreciate those.

In my experience, Etsy is very US-centric (with significant Canadian, Australian and UK traffic), and so in setting up, I would ensure p+p options and mailing times for deliveries to the US are clear in both your policies and in the listings to avoid misunderstanding or disappointment, especially for those looking for a last-minute gift.

Thanks for the input! We do want to investigate international shipping, one of the details we've not ironed out yet but definitely something we're mindful of. I like the suggestion of added premium options too.

Pet stores? (for shed skin)

The main reptile store I used to go to shut down but I do know of somewhere in my area that I could ask, will give it a shot!

Wow, those are beautiful. I didn't read any of the post, I just see beautiful things.

Haha, thank you!

I like snakes also and had a Boa for a pet when I was a teenager.
When he shedded his skin I would help him by giving him a big bowl of water and when
he was done soaking, he would go gently through my hands and the skin peeled off whole.

Rattlesnakes have interesting patterns and can shed easily a whole skin.
Bet you could sell quite a few right here when you get a site up with both UK and US prices
and shipping.

Bless, only one of mine enjoys a bath, the others don't like being in water so much so I have shedding aid spray just in case for them.

Rattlesnake skin would look amazing I think!

Exotic animal breeders! Maybe zoos if the keepers are friendly.

Thanks for the suggestion, I popped a message on reptile groups to see if anyones local I can pick sheds up from.

I love this so much and think it would look great with a leather cord! <3

I agree We're looking at different options for chains and cords so will definitely keep leather in mind.

 

[Angie97797]

Your pendants look super cool!

 

[Owliet]

So my brothers friend has been wanting to start up some sort of business for a while, we're all out of work (redundancy, depression, overwhelmed in workplace environments as we're all autistic, etc) so we were all on board with the idea. Chopping boards was the initial objective but wood isn't cheap. We have access to a lot of the tools we need as we're signed up to Hackspace (essentially a charity workshop full or tools and resources for crafters and builders) but there's been a few hitches in that plan (needed tools breaking down, cost to start up etc).

So instead I thought I'd make a few pendants. They seem to have gone down quite well so that's what we're going to focus on, with some variations planned. The only issue is the limited amount of snake skin I have, they don't shed very regularly so need to think of a solution around that. I don't personally know any other snake owners which is a pity.

These are all my pendants so far, and have 2 chain variations

Also looking at doing shiny ones we're going to call 'Dragon scale'

These pendants have so far been made possible courtesy of Spike...

Even if we don't get anywhere with it I've been enjoying the process.

Really creative use of snake skin. Looks really awesome.

 

[Luca]

This is honestly some of the most beautiful jewelry I have ever seen in my life. <3
I love snakes, and reptiles in general. I will definitely be purchasing one of these when you put them on Etsy.

 

[Aneka]

So my brothers friend has been wanting to start up some sort of business for a while, we're all out of work (redundancy, depression, overwhelmed in workplace environments as we're all autistic, etc) so we were all on board with the idea. Chopping boards was the initial objective but wood isn't cheap. We have access to a lot of the tools we need as we're signed up to Hackspace (essentially a charity workshop full or tools and resources for crafters and builders) but there's been a few hitches in that plan (needed tools breaking down, cost to start up etc).

So instead I thought I'd make a few pendants. They seem to have gone down quite well so that's what we're going to focus on, with some variations planned. The only issue is the limited amount of snake skin I have, they don't shed very regularly so need to think of a solution around that. I don't personally know any other snake owners which is a pity.

These are all my pendants so far, and have 2 chain variations

Also looking at doing shiny ones we're going to call 'Dragon scale'

These pendants have so far been made possible courtesy of Spike...

Even if we don't get anywhere with it I've been enjoying the process.

I've been wondering about the pattern until I read it's snake skin. They look gorgeous!
I agree with the wildlife center idea, maybe you should sell them on the internet. Sell on etsy, join a group on deviantart for promotion, ... There are various options that might be worth a try.

 

[ZebraAutismo]

Oh wow these are amazing

 

[Catherine Read]

So we're getting closer to opening up an online shop, tonight we plan to make a load at once. For fun I've been testing out making a logo as we settled on the name "Spectrum Crafting" with the mind to make a 'spectrum' of products. (The guys are good at computer programming, 3D printing and want to do some wood working too).

I've not really done this sort of thing before so open to opinions. Also possible I might not use it in the end as I'm definitely no expert with logo design so happy to call it a bit of fun.

 

[Catherine Read]

That`s impressive, so you have snakes? I mean, snakes living in your home with you? I have always liked snakes, I don`t have that natural fear reflex snakes should give me. Very special animals. Good luck with everything.

Yes, I have 4 snakes (Rupert, Spike, Kevin and Eddy). They're all siblings, very curious animals, I love them.

 

[Catherine Read]

That`s special, so is the snake in your profile pic one of yours? Beautiful colors on it. Snakes are very special, the colors and the way they move and everything. If Rupert, Spike, Kevin and Eddy feels like doing a photoshoot, maybe you could post some pics. Would be fun to see them.

My profile pic is of their dad, Benny. He passed away a few years ago, such a gentle soul.

Kevin

Eddy (during her halloween shoot)

Rupert

Spike

 

[Catherine Read]

Incredible colors and patterns. There`s something mysterious about snakes, they are very special animals. Thanks for sharing the pics, you have amazing snakes. What type of snakes are they by the way?

Thank you

They're Corn Snakes!

 

[Catherine Read]

I met one of these last summer, a black viper. It slithered past me when I was working outside. It`s unusual to see black ones here. I have heard they change color because of the temperature and location.

View attachment 74322

Wow, very nice!

I once saw a viper out in the wild while abroad, a Wagler's Pit Viper. I believe this one's a male, the females look the same while they're young but change colour drastically as they get older.

Corn Snakes change colour a little as they age but not as dramatically as some species. I find they tend to develop more yellow pigment in particular as they get older.

 

[Catherine Read]

A baby Spike, looking much darker. You might notice the little egg tooth at the front of the mouth, which is used to help them cut the egg open while they hatch.

 

[Catherine Read]

The colors and patterns on those snakes are amazing. The baby Spike even has something blue around the eyes. Thanks for showing me. We should have a snake thread on the forum. Are snakes expensive to have at home? I imagine you need custom made habitats and stuff.

The initial set-up is the most expensive cost, ideally around a 4ft enclosure or bigger for an adult corn with heating and lighting equipment, heat/light guards, thermostats and thermometers, accessories such as water dish, hides, decorations, substrate, etc, and other kit like feeding tongs and disinfectants. Long term costs aren't so bad as they only eat once a week, full deep-cleans once a month (as apposed to routine spot cleaning), so pretty low maintenance.

I like to let them free-roam around the room for a bit of enrichment (they each have their favourite spots to go to), I also train them to respond to a tapping, that gets them to come to me to make it easier to check on them and get them out of their enclosures. It also helps to tame them and build a bond. Spike used to be very anxious and shy but with training always hurries to me when he see's me so I'm something positive in his mind now.