Antler lighting, Antler chandeliers, montana rustic furniture, antler table and floor lamps, sconces, and unique art accessories created with quality elk, deer, moose and exotic antlers.
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F.A.Q.
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Please click on any of the following questions
to read the corresponding answer.
Q. How do I place an order? A. Since we like to work with you
individually on getting you the perfect custom piece for your home, there
is a variety of ways you can place your order. You can call us toll-free
at 877-ANTLER-1 or 406-837-0050. Since we are a small, family run
business, if you call and do not reach us, please leave us a message and
we will get right back to you. You can
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or you can write to us at 458 N.
Whitetail Road. Bigfork, MT 59911.
Q. What sets you apart from other antler chandelier companies? A. Besides our great customer service, attention to details, and unique
socket cover, the way Robin attaches the antlers sets us apart from most
other antler lighting companies. Most companies will use a hub or junction
box in the middle of the chandelier. You can usually identify if a company
is using a hub because most companies will try to hide it with an elk burr
(bottom of the antler) in the center of the chandelier when looking up
from the bottom. Then they use putty around it to attempt to disguise it.
The reason they use the hub is to attach the antlers to it and run the
wires to it from each of the antlers. The reason many companies create
chandeliers in this style is because they can use less antlers per piece
if they use a hub. Each antler is attached to only the hub and there is
usually space between each of the antlers. Robin creates his masterpieces
differently. He doesn't feel it is safe to have a heavy antler only
attached in one place and doesn't like the look of the putty. To keep our
design more natural looking, instead of using a hub, every single antler
in our pieces are touching another antler in at least three places. This
makes them very sturdy, durable, safe, and pretty. It creates a spiral
effect when looking at them from below.
Q. Are animals killed to get the antlers? A. No. Some people do not know that antlers are naturally shed, or dropped
every year. They are a renewable resource which doesn't harm the animal in
any way.
Q. How long have you been making antler chandeliers?
A. Robin has been making chandeliers and other products out of antlers for
over 15 years. He first started out making antler products for friends and
family which has developed into Meadow Creek Antler Company.
Q. Are the wires and areas of construction completely hidden and detailed
out?
A. The wires are all concealed within the antlers and the places where it
is attached and constructed are virtually invisible. If you look closely
at many products, you can see the "patches" where the chandelier was
attached and where wires were. Our patches are often said to be the best
in the business.
Q. I've heard of grades of antlers. What are they and what grade do you
use as a standard?
A. There are 4 basic grades of antlers. Antlers are graded according to
size, shape, and color. Grade #1 are hard brown antlers that were usually
picked up the same year that they were dropped. They have little or no
flaws in them. They are also the most expensive antlers. Grade #2 are
often referred to as hard white antlers. There are various degrees of
Grade #2 ranging from brown antlers that have some chew marks or flaws to
white antlers that were in the elements for short amount of time before
they were found. Grade #3 usually have many flaws and cracks. These
antlers are very light weight because they have been out in the elements
for many years and have started to deteriorate. Grade #4 are chalky
antlers. These antlers are extremely light weight and are starting to fall
apart.
As a standard, we use #1 hard brown antlers. Upon request, we will use #2
antlers to reduce the price or if someone wants a white chandelier. We
will never use #3 or #4 antlers. We don't feel they are safe to use in a
chandelier. We feel that using antlers of the highest quality, that have
good shape, color and appropriate size, is essential to creating a
stunning fixture.
Q. How many lights will my chandelier have? A. This will depend on the size of the chandelier, how much light you'd
like in a room, etc. We will work with you to determine how many lights
you'd like. We generally like to make it brighter with more lights when
possible. It's usually easier to install a dimmer switch if there is too
much light than to add more lights to an existing chandelier. The other
option we like to discuss with you is accent lighting. With properly
placed sconces, table, and floor lamps and even candelabras, we can make
some beautiful lighting effects in your home.
Q. Do these chandeliers and lamps really put off enough light? What
wattage bulbs can I use in them? A. We can create the chandeliers to put off as much or as little light as
you would like. We have never had a complaint that they weren't bright
enough. Generally we use 40 watt bulbs in the chandeliers and they put off
plenty of light. You could use 60 watt bulbs on most chandeliers, but if
you'd like to use a higher wattage than 60, please let us know ahead of
time so we can build the chandelier accordingly. The floor and table lamps
we sell are similar. We use 40 watt bulbs because of the fragile birch and
rawhide shades we use on them. They put off plenty of light. If you want
to use a higher wattage, please let us know and we will help you find the
right lamp and shade. Many lamps Robin builds with a unique style to
direct the light where you need it most. We would be happy to discuss some
of these techniques with you and help with your lighting needs.
Q. What size chandelier should I order for my great room? A. Depending on the shape and style of your home, sometimes one large,
grand chandelier looks great, but in other cases, many smaller,
well-placed chandeliers look striking. These are the kinds of options we
will discuss with you about your project.
Q. How many antlers will be in the chandelier? A. This also depends on the style and size of chandelier you like. We
generally use more antlers in each piece than most companies. We have made
very small chandeliers with one antler per chandelier and have made very
complex, large chandeliers with hundreds of antlers in each one.
Q. Will chain and hardware come with my chandelier? A. Your chandelier will come with chain (your choice of colors), ample
wire, bulbs (choice of: regular, frosted, torpedo, or flicker), and a
ceiling canopy kit. Our most popular request is large, rust looking chain
with a matching rust canopy.
Q. What kind of socket covers will be on the chandelier? A. Our most popular socket cover looks like the burr, or bottom of an
antler. It is one of the prettiest parts of the antler with lots of
character in it. Often it will have little spikes off of it. Robin makes
an original socket cover from a real antler burr. From that, we make a
mold of the antler
and then casts from that. It is a very unique look
which very few companies offer. The casts allow us to make a variety of
unique antler socket covers, each with it's own personality. The socket
cover flows with the beauty of the piece and Robin fits each socket cover
individually to the antler on which it will sit. We offer these awesome
socket covers standard with your chandelier and do not charge extra for
them. Upon request, we will also use a choice of antler beam pieces,
plastic drip candle covers, paper candle covers, or beeswax candle covers.
We would be happy to send you pictures of how each of these looks if you'd
like.
Q. How and where can I find antlers? A. There are many web sites and information available on "horn
hunting". Generally if you try to find where the animals wintering grounds
are, that is probably the general area where they will drop antlers in the
spring. If you find or have some antlers, we may be interested in buying
them from you. Please call us and we can discuss it in more detail.
Q. Where do YOU get all of your antlers? A. Antlers have become a big business. They are shipped all over the
world. They are used in everything from lighting to aphrodisiacs. There
are now antler brokers who just buy and sell antlers. Although we have on
occasion bought antlers from brokers, we prefer to buy them from the
people who find them. When we have time, we try to go find them ourselves.
We live in Northwest Montana where many people like looking for antlers
for recreation. We use only antlers that are obtained ethically and
legally by shed-horn gatherers. Since brokers will generally not pay much
for the antlers and then sell them for twice as much, we like to buy them
direct from the people who find them. That way, the people out looking for
the antlers get more money for their antlers than the brokers are willing
to pay for them. If you find or have some antlers, we may be interested in
buying them from you.
Q. How long will it take to get my custom antler chandelier after I order
it? A. We often have some of the smaller, more popular items in stock which
could be shipped out immediately. Your custom work will usually ship in
6-8 weeks after it is ordered. Often we will be able to get it out sooner
than that, and if for some reason it will take longer, we will tell you at
the time you place your order.
Q. Are antlers hollow? A. Antlers are not hollow. They are very dense like bone with a softer
marrow substance in the center. The marrow is still a very hard substance,
therefore it is a very difficult process to get the wires inside the
antlers.
Q. How do you get the wires inside the antlers? A. It is a very challenging and time consuming process because of the
density of the antlers. We would be happy to teach you some of the
techniques we have learned along the way when you visit our studio or
attend our school.
Q. Will you use antlers I already have? A. Yes. In most cases, if you have antlers that are in good shape and are
not chalky, we will use your antlers. Since a large selection of antlers
is needed in many of the larger pieces to ensure the colors, sizes, and
shapes match, depending on the design you choose, we may have to
substitute some of our antlers or add some antlers. We will always discuss
this with you prior to starting your project.
Q. What is the difference between the real antlers and the cast antlers? A. Cast antler chandeliers are
generally made of a resin and are therefore very light. If you lifted up a
cast chandelier and a real chandelier, the first difference you would
notice is the weight. Real antlers are much heavier and sturdier than cast
antlers. The other difference you will notice is the shape of the antlers.
In most cast chandeliers, the antlers will all look the same and the burr
or bottom of the antler will look a little flatter than real antlers. The
real antlers will each have their own character, color, and shape which
truly make them artistic and original. Each burr of real antlers has a
different shape. Some are very rounded and others are flatter. Each antler
is as individual as a fingerprint and when put together properly, make a
truly beautiful work of art. Since many cast antler companies sell online
and in catalogs, we recommend to most people who are considering a cast
chandelier to go look at one in person to make sure that is something you
will be
happy with. Often, we can compete with cast chandelier prices, so why buy
the fake thing when you can get the real thing for close to the same
amount of money.
and then casts from that. It is a very unique look
which very few companies offer. The casts allow us to make a variety of
unique antler socket covers, each with it's own personality. The socket
cover flows with the beauty of the piece and Robin fits each socket cover
individually to the antler on which it will sit. We offer these awesome
socket covers standard with your chandelier and do not charge extra for
them. Upon request, we will also use a choice of antler beam pieces,
plastic drip candle covers, paper candle covers, or beeswax candle covers.
We would be happy to send you pictures of how each of these looks if you'd
like.
