On this page you can find answers to some of my most frequently asked questions (FAQs). If you have a specific question that is not addressed here, please visit my Contact Me page!
For detailed information about my specimen sourcing practices, please visit my Sourcing page!
General Questions
Do you take commissions?
Yes, I am usually willing to take commissions of any type! I can do custom digital or traditional illustrations, custom bone jewelry pieces, and custom framed insects! Please feel free to reach out via my Contact Me page or send an email to sams.museum.az@gmail.com to discuss further.
My prices will depend on a variety of factors but I would be more than happy to discuss what you would like to do and provide you with a quote!
I require a 50% deposit paid prior to completion of the commission, with the remaining 50% paid after completion and delivery.
How do I find out what markets you will be at?
There are multiple ways to keep up-to-date with my current market activity! The best way is through my Instagram, though I also post announcements to my Threads and my TikTok pages!
Can I buy something specific that I saw you post on social media?
Absolutely! Please reach out via my Contact Me page or send an email to sams.museum.az@gmail.com to let me know what you are interested in, and if it is still available you can purchase it and have it delivered to you!
My item broke/was damaged/was defective after I purchased it from you, what do I do?
If you purchase something from me either in-person or online and it later breaks, gets damaged, or is defective, please reach out via my Contact Me page or send an email to sams.museum.az@gmail.com so we can discuss the issue and I can find a solution that works best for both of us!
Digital and Traditional Art
How do you make your drawings?
Most of my work is digital art, meaning it is drawn in a program utilizing a tablet device. I personally use Procreate on an iPad Mini with an Apple Pencil.
For traditional art, I use multiple mediums including various pencils, pens, alcohol-based markers, acrylic paint, etc. on sturdy mixed media paper.
Do you use AI to make your art?
NO! I do not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) in ANY aspect of my art. Every piece is made utilizing a combination of photographic references and my brain.
How long have you been making art?
I have been drawing since I could hold a pencil! Though my subjects have varied throughout the years, I have always drawn animals more than anything else.
Bone Jewelry
Is your bone jewelry durable?
Extremely! The bones I use to make jewelry are fully ossified and typically from adult animals, meaning if they are strong enough to support a living body, they are strong enough to dangle from your ears!
If I use any bones in my work that contain cracks, breaks, etc. they are sealed with a coat of UV resin to maintain the structure of the bone.
Is your jewelry hypoallergenic/nickel-free?
Yes! At the moment I prioritize using stainless steel for all of my jewelry findings.
Specimen Preservation
How do you preserve your insect specimens?
I use a few different methods to actually preserve the specimens I work with to ensure they last a lifetime with proper care!
Insect specimens are purchased already dried, typically with their wings and legs folded up. I rehydrate these specimens in a "relaxer", which consists of an airtight tupperware container with a damp paper towel placed at the bottom. Before placing them in this container I inject each specimen's thorax with water to speed up the process. Most specimens will rehydrate and be ready to pin within 24 hours, however some larger-bodied moths and butterflies can take some additional time. Specimens like beetles and arachnids are typically soaked in 70% isopropyl alcohol to rehydrate. Once the specimens are loose and ready to pin, I will delicately position them on a styrofoam board, using entomological pins and pieces of parchment paper to keep their wings and limbs positioned as they dry. They are dried for at least 24 hours (sometimes longer depending on the species), the pins and paper are removed, and the specimen is ready to be framed!
How do I take care of my preserved specimen?
Taking proper care of your taxidermy or preserved specimens will help ensure that they can be appreciated for a lifetime! Below are some simple ways you can help maintain the beauty of your natural specimens.
Framed Insects
- Keep out of direct sunlight
- Store in a cool, dry place
- Keep out of reach of small children and pets
- I recommend examining your specimen at least once monthly to check for signs of pests. Dermestid beetles are the most common pest that live virtually everywhere and can destroy natural history collections! Keep an eye out for brown dust/particles on or underneath your specimen, newly formed holes or tears in your specimen, and small brown, worm-like shell casings (molts). If you notice any of the above, place your specimen (frame and all) in your freezer for at least 72 hours. This will kill any remaining pests on your specimen or inside the frame.
Wet Specimens
- Keep out of direct sunlight
- Store in a cool, dry place away from intense heat or open flames
- Keep out of reach of small children and pets
- Over time, the preservation liquid inside the container may evaporate or discolor - this is normal! You can simply top off or dump out discolored liquid and refill the container with 70% isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) that can be purchased at any drug or grocery store.
How are your wet specimens preserved?
All of my wet specimens are fixed with a 10% formalin solution, then stored long-term in 70% isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol). This ensures the specimens will not rot and will instead last a lifetime with proper care! DO NOT INGEST PRESERVED SPECIMENS OR PRESERVATIVE LIQUID!
How do you clean your bones?
My bones are typically cleaned using the oxidation method, which involves removing as much flesh as possible from the skeleton and then submerging it in 12% hydrogen peroxide for 24 hours. The following day the skeleton is removed, further defleshed, and submerged in fresh hydrogen peroxide. This process is repeated until the bones are cleaned!
Occasionally I will utilize maceration to clean bones, which involves removing as much flesh as possible from the skeleton and allowing the bones to soak for days to months in warm (not hot or boiling) water. Once they are cleaned, they are typically soaked again in 12% hydrogen peroxide to whiten the bones and remove any grease.
Is it sanitary to handle cleaned bones/bone jewelry?
Absolutely! When bones are properly cleaned, there is no remaining flesh or animal tissue left that could potentially rot and introduce bacteria. Furthermore, any bacteria that is left on bones or teeth are killed by a soak in 12% hydrogen peroxide, which is a crucial step I utilize in cleaning any and all bones and teeth that I work with.
Shipping FAQ and Return Policy
My order arrived damaged/defective, what do I do?
If your order arrives damaged or defective, please reach out to me via my Contact Me page or send an email with photos of the items you received to sams.museum.az@gmail.com so I can help you out! I am typically more than happy to offer a refund or replacement for damaged merchandise.
I am not happy with the item I purchased, but it is not damaged. How do I return it?
I sincerely apologize if my products do not meet your expectations! My return policy for undamaged items is as follows:
I will accept a return for a full refund of the paid amount up to 30 days after purchase. The customer will be responsible for paying return shipping, and refunds will only be issued upon my receipt of the returned item(s). If items are not returned in the same condition they were sent, I reserve the right to refuse a refund for damaged items.
When will my order ship?
I try to ship orders out in batches at least once weekly, and due to my work schedule the actual day an item is shipped may vary. All orders will ship out no later than 7 days past the date of purchase.
When will my order arrive?
Every order will be shipped with a tracking number so that you can stay updated on the movement of your package.
My order did not arrive, what do I do?
If your order is lost in transit, I will be more than happy to file a missing package claim with the respective shipping carrier on your behalf, however you MUST notify me of a lost package NO LATER than 30 days after the order was shipped. It is the customer's responsibility to provide a safe and secure shipping address as I will not be responsible for lost or stolen packages once it is marked as "Delivered" in the tracking system.
