They Turn Animal Skins Into Clothing

They Turn Animal skins Into Clothing AG WORLD Ag World 20-1-20 Would you like to have a stylish "Davy Crocket" hat made out of that pesky raccoon in your back yard? How about turning some muskrat pelts into a vest, or a coyote's fur into mittens? A New York company will turn nearly any animal skin into a hat, headband, earmuffs, vest, mittens, etc. Gorlic's Trading, Inc., of Warwick, N.Y., has been working with fur for 35 years, mostly for retail stores. The company recently began selling direct to consumers. "We have customers in every state," says Willie Knobloch. "Just tell us what you want us to make and what size you want it. It takes six to eight months for us to make a finished product and return it to the customer. The best end products are made from good quality, professionally tanned skins that have no or minor damage. If the skins have bald spots or several cuts, it increases the time it takes to make the product and we also add a 10 percent surcharge. We don't accept low grade skins. "It takes five to seven muskrats to make a hat and 1 1/2 coyotes. The raccoon hat includes face and tail. We also make a special æmountain man' hat from a coyote. Ear-muffs can be made with fur or velvet bands. Attractive key rings can be made out of foxes, mink, and raccoons. Our coyote mittens reach almost to the elbow and come in handy for snowmobiling, ice fishing, etc. All furs can be died or sheared, if desired." Prices range from $7 to 10 for earmuffs, $35 to $45 for mittens, and up to $195 for a muskrat vest. A raccoon hat sells for $65 to $85 depending on skin quality. A color brochure is available for $3, with the cost deductible from the first order. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Gorlics Trading Inc., Box 50, Warwick, N.Y. 10990 (ph 914 986-8484).

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