Wearable Wildlife

Over the years, Arch has developed a love for wildlife, and as a result, he has spent much time observing, drawing, carving, sculpting, and eventually casting them in precious metals and fine pewter.

During his years spent living along the sea coast, he learned to appreciate birds such as pelicans and seagulls, mammals such as the adorable manatee and the huge whales, and fish such as sailfish and sharks.

Later, while living in the southern Appalachian mountains of western North Carolina, he turned his attention to smaller mammals such as squirrels, rabbits, and chipmunks; to larger animals such as deer and bear; birds such as eagles, turkeys, ducks, owls and hummingbirds; and other more exotic creatures such as lions, elephants, and even scorpions and bees.

He has designed some lovely foxes, and one of them has become a collector's item and is strictly limited in its sterling silver edition. A former First Lady of the United States has one of them. When the silver edition sells out, this beautiful fox will only be available in fine pewter. (See Limited Editions for more on this collectible fox.)

Arch has designed dozens of exquisitely-crafted designs of wildlife, including: pelicans, seagulls, teals, mallards, owls, eagles, turkeys, whales, dolphins, squirrels, chipmunks, tree frogs, deer, rabbits, lions, hummingbirds, butterflies, manatees, doves, penguins, pony heads, quail, sailfish, sharks, fox, and others.

Most of these are still available at this time, but some designs may be discontinued in the near future.

In mid-2005, Arch made the decision to semi-retire. Although he is happy to make your hand-crafted miniature sculptures for you, he will be spending more time camping, taking photos, and traveling. If you want one of these great minature sculptures, don't wait too long!

Arch has cast his wildlife in brass, bronze, pewter, silver, and gold. He works mostly in sterling silver and fine (lead-free) pewter now, but custom orders will be considered. Custom orders require a 50% deposit on the projected price before design and development starts, with the balance of the final price payable before shipment. Depending upon the complexity of the design and the number of orders Arch has at the time of your custom order, he may choose to decline, or shipment may take 90 days, or even longer, before your custom piece is delivered to you. Arch does not do rush orders, and you must pay the design time at $60.00 per hour, plus incurred expenses. Of course, your custom piece will not be included in Arch's line of miniature sculptures.

If you'd like a design you don't see here, feel free to suggest it to Arch. If he chooses to make the item, you'll have first pick when it's available. Arch's time is limited, and he's worked many years at this, so he likes to take some time off in the spring and fall to pursue other things, such as camping, hiking through the woods, pursuing his interests in astronomy and wildlife observation, enjoying living in the mountains, flying his radio-controlled model planes, and visiting his children and grand-children. During these mini-vacations, he will not take orders nor work on custom pieces.

If you'd like a brief, custom inscription on your piece, Arch will be happy to personally inscribe it at no additional charge. (This service is not available if you purchase one of his miniature sculptures on eBay.) Space on the back of the pieces is very limited, so please restrict your inscription to 30 characters or less (and 15 characters or less on River Sports pieces).

These small sculptures are designed as pendants. Because individual taste in chains varies so much, chains are no longer included with the pendants, but are available on special request. Contact Arch if you'd like a chain with your pendant.

Some of the miniature sculptures are suitable for other presentations and are available as pins, tie tacs, paperweights, earrings, and other customized forms. These custom orders require advance payment and delivery times will vary. Again, contact Arch for pricing and delivery schedules. These are hand-made items and production is strictly limited since each piece is cast and finished by hand, one at a time. Please allow 60 to 90 days for delivery of a custom item, and up to 45 days for a standard item.

Whatever you call them, jewelry or sculpture, there is a design that will attract just about anybody. And, you can be sure, each piece gets the individual, meticulous, attention of Arch Avary to be sure it expresses his vision as well as possible.