Antler

[whistlebritches]

I'm new here, but was hoping to maybe get some ideas from all of you who have been at it a lot longer than me. What are some uses for those pieces of antler that are just too curved for a pen or too small in diameter (the "tips")? I assume that handles for letter openers and stuff like that would be one option...just looking for other ideas.

 

[JohnU]

I use the tine tips for key rings. Quick and easy to make and the outdoorsmen love them.

 

[wood-of-1kind]

The "tips" can be used for a BUSINESS CARD HOLDER using a wood base. Make a matching pen with antler and you've got yourself a winner.

 

[David M]

if it has three prongs ( tips ) you can use it for a pen stand . sand it so the tips lay flat then drill small hole in it for the pen go in.

 

[GoodTurns]

I use the tine tips for key rings. Quick and easy to make and the outdoorsmen love them.

takes about 30 seconds to smooth the top and 30 seconds to drill a hole and 30 seconds for the glue to dry.... $1.75 kit makes an easy $10 sale.

 

[jskeen]

The tips also make pretty good pendants if polished. I have done both higher end ones that are sanded and polished to look like ivory, mounted in standard silver jewelry findings, and rougher ones, mostly for kids that are just drilled and threaded onto some round leather cord. Had a request for a pair of earrings once. I tend to use them in desk displays for pens too, like for card holders along with a larger piece holding up a pen mounted on a wooden base.

I've seen larger bits turned into corn skewers, fridge magnets, knobs for rotisserie skewers or fondue forks ect. I use 318 stainless tig welding rod for those kind of things, it's food safe, and pretty cheap at a welding supply place.

 

[wood-of-1kind]

I've also seen some make EARRINGS with the tips.

 

[Chasper]

After many hundreds of antler pens, I've seen very few pieces that were too curved to use in a pen. Often there will be exposed bark because the curve was so great; charge extra for those. If you can lay a 7mm tube over the curved piece and see a little antler on each side, you can make a pen section out of it.

You have plenty of good sugestions about using the tips. It is the flat sections often near the fork of two tines that I have trouble finding a use for. Mostly I cut them up into mosaic sized pieces and cast them in resin.

 

[Jgrden]

I use them for non-magnetic latches on writing journals chain-pull ornaments for ceiling fans and key rings. To generate interest and have something to give away, I put those somewhat flat pieces into a tiny little plastic bag and give them to kids. I also have heard that you can sell these pieces by weight to out of the country interests.