Thank you JR , as one artist to another, we both know and appreciate the time , observation of wildlife, and practice to capture an image in our minds. Sure admire your art too and all the different mediums you place your images , in metal, antlers .

I saw that encounter as a movie in my mind as you described that wolverine ! What a video that would have made !



ST, keeping it updated .

I caught a few up here in North Idaho this year and they almost all had large bright orange or yellow throat patches like that. None had orange feet or tail tips though.

That is indeed an anomaly.

Here are a few more.....

^^^^
Now that is a nice pile of marten!

You have to love the variety in color of the marten T4E puts up.

My oh my !!! Just saw all these beauties this morning.

You sure do know how to bring them in, T4E!

I have that old feeling again of wanting to sit on the floor, and enjoy every one of them and those colours. I don't believe I have seen such colour variety and thick gorgeous marten fur all in one place , from anywhere.

Well done , you are a diligent trapper .

Dang.....gotta clean my screen again....

The summit of the journey ....

I have been waiting for the right weather , mainly full sun, to show this fur to it's best ! I never complain of clouds and rain , especially if things become dry , but between my work and the time, I was finally able to set up my cam and take some outside shots .

I needed something to occupy my hands , and in being at the entry of the wilderness , that has been very active for both species of bears this spring , I thought I would include my Mossburg 500 12 g. .....just for contrast . It is also the area where F&G transports grizzlies from Glacier Park who bother the tourists , breaking into stuff , etc. So they are accustomed to people and relatively unafraid . In the new area they can keep to themselves , though at times just continue to find cabins to raid . Fun.....

What an amazing journey a garment travels , from the trapper to the wearer !

I have learned so much along the way, with T4ever's patience and willingness to explain how he cares for his lines , such a successful custodian of all the animal populations that he manages so well, his fishing seasons also.

Many , many thanks to all , offering to help with their catches , which made my choice very challenging . To those who shared in the fun with their helpful information and photos in this sandbox.

T4ever , a true custodian of the habitat he knows so well, and his generosity . Moyles , Otterman , who kindly pointed me to the guy who was perfect for the building , AKnative ...you did outstanding work , as you do on all your fur garments ! A kind man to work with, also patient with my details of which individuals I wanted where , though appreciating the artist in him, I also wanted his own direction and choices along the way. What brilliant work you have done ! Thanks to Jack, for his depth added in knowledge of marten worldwide , also Sir Ken , JR, Otterman , for their encouragement .

Caught in Alaska, built in Alaska .

Doing this photo shoot, in the warm sun , I felt immediately how warm this fur really is. Fortunately, I didn't have to wear it too long to get the shots to sift through.

It is so different in its combination of fur tones, that I wanted to show all sides, flaps tied up, and flaps down . AKnative used different individuals for each side of the flaps, making the colour tones beautiful in contrast. Very unique all around.

Full sun just brings to life the rich dimension of the fur , in colours and texture. The bright lighting wasn't good for me, as I am very much darker than the over exposed lighting , but it sure brings the fur to life , regardless.

I simply adore this hat , the fur, the stories and immense talent of everyone , straight away from the trapper. I have a few fur hats, but this one will always be exquisite far and above them , a "crowning " beauty I will cherish always.

Pics to show soon .

First , flaps tied up. Nice contrast against the very dark browns in the panels behind them. These ochre ones , are sewn in perfect blend to the dark brown individuals on the tops. What an outstanding job AKnative did on the tassels , using all that bright necklace bling , seen just behind the flap.




Flaps down. The large male, Big John really showcases the front . Along with Black Gold's metallic hairs among the rich brown, along side.
Just love how the fur flows in contour. Love the dorsal lines in the centers. The fur is unbelievably glossy, a high sheen that highlights in ripples with movement in the sun.The blending of the ochre furs on the flaps can be seen flowing to perfection into the dark panels. Awesome stitching throughout , Temple ! Your choice of the liner inside is great too. Fits perfectly.






I could see this in my mind the whole time , as soon as T4ever caught that bright OJ. How well his panel would show those glossy tails .





The talent that fills Mr Paul's Tman Tribe is absolutely astounding, unsurpassed. I'm just happy to be in the cello section of this orchestra, one very happy client .



Fur....nothin' like the real thing.

Very nice !!!!

Better be careful out in that country. Some Red Tail hawk will try to take it off your head

Fair enough, then I just point and say " PULL" !

Nice hat.

Thank you, FL cracker in AK, marten are sure amazing colourful things .

Marten are the funnest animals to trap for me. Not too much work to make the sets when you have a system, easy to skin, flesh, and stretch, kids love them, and they are just amazing little animals.

Kezia, my little girl is attracted to their fur as well. Here she is with her toy hairdryer styling the hair on a thawing marten.

What a precious photo ! Kezia is having such fun, helping . I can imagine how great kids will be in handling fur , starting out so young in learning.

Marten would be so much easier for them to handle , compared to other animals . Thank you for that share .

I would still love to have the experience of seeing one of those bright orange individuals , glowing as the sun as it leaps in the muted blues,greys and white tones of winter . I am hoping , with so many trappers having their cameras , or iphones at the ready, someday, someone will record that and share for us all to enjoy.

Sharon , I really did some thinking when you approached me about this project and was really happy to be able to point you to Temple it has been a joy for both my wife and I to watch him grow and develop as a sewer. He use to just come by and hang out at our table For hours in Fairbanks and wish he could trap and sew we kept encouraging him to just get out and do it . He has come a long way and every year he still comes by only now he usually has a table of his own someplace in the building. Good job Temple beautiful hat

Aw shucks, thanks you guys!

I second that!! Awesome job Aknative!! Looks great!! Sounds like a very happy customer, with your custom work. Now we all know where to send those wanting marten hats built. Glad the project found the right guy for the job.
I think we are both glad Sharon is happy with the final product, as she had the vision of what she wanted, it just took a team effort to bring that vision to reality ; )

Sharon,
Well that was quite a journey , from your original post, looking for fur to build this hat, to the final product. I think 2 years or so has elapsed? Fun to know where at least a little of my fur has ended up. Glad you ended up with just what you wanted!

Well done, all! Sometimes it takes a village!