SILENT MENAGERIE

Will-I-Won't-I: I take custom orders quite gladly for any animal except insects and primates. Insects do not suit my sculpting style and thus are prohibitively expensive for me to build, and I have no talent for primates or people. Otherwise, the sky's the limit--though wings are also difficult and time-consuming, and therefore expensive. Due to materials prices, it is also not cost-effective to build pieces more than about six inches in the longest dimension.

Portraiture: If you want to order a custom piece or a pet (or famous animal) portrait, please email me at silentmenagerie@earthlink.net and include as much detail as possible if it is a custom or pet piece. Photos are ALWAYS helpful, though in the case of very famous animals I can often find plenty of reference material on my own. If you want a custom or pet portrait, you can either specify what kind, color, and/or pattern the animal is (for example, a bay tobiano pinto horse, a chocolate silver dapple dachsund, or a mitted blue point ragdoll cat) or for better accuracy--highly recommended on animals with intricate markings--you can send photos to that email address. The more photo references I have for any one animal, the more accurate the finished piece will be!

Other Custom Work & Payment Options: If you want to order a typical-of-its-breed piece, all I need is what kind, color, coat, pattern, etc; if it is a fantasy animal I haven't heard of I will ask for details but I know what most of them are by now. All of my price quotes and listed prices for spec pieces include shipping to the US and Canada. At this time I do not ship overseas but I hope to change that. I am not yet set up to take PayPal--I'm an artist, not an accountant--but if you wish I did PLEASE let me know. If there is sufficient interest I will get it set up. In the meantime I will accept money orders and personal checks in US funds. (For Canadian orders I will gladly look up the currency conversion for the day the order is placed and quote a price in Canadian funds; that quote will not change if the currency conversion changes.)

Orders paid by personal check will be shipped as soon as the final payment has cleared. Orders paid by money order will be shipped when final payment is received. USPS money orders are highly recommended but not required for US customers.

Financing: I DO TAKE PAYMENTS! For a small (see the piece labeled "Tuxedo Cat") figurine, a deposit of $15 US will start the order or reserve the piece. For a large (see the piece labeled "Antique-Silvertone Tiger") figurine, a deposit of $20 US will start the order or reserve the piece. All price quotes given by email will include this deposit as well as shipping costs, and I work very hard to stick with my original price quotes! Any remainder due on a custom piece will be due when the item is finished. Individual payment plans can be arranged for spec pieces from the site. All arrangements will be made via email through my contact at silentmenagerie@earthlink.net.

IF IT IS PICTURED ON THE MAIN PAGE IT IS IN MY POSSESSION AND AVAILABLE FOR SALE! Sold items will be removed from the site when a deposit is received and clears; if the sale falls through the item will be returned to the site when the deposit has been refunded. ONLY initial deposits are refundable- any payments made beyond a quoted deposit will not be refunded if a sale is not completed. Receipts will be sent following any and all payments clearing.