I think you are framing the question wrong. The real question should be, "How do I convince my customer that I am worth the extra money?". In theory, assmuming your time=money, based on fast recoat times and great hide, using Aura will actually save you money, especially on more transparent colors. So why even spend time trying to explain that you are paying $50-$100 more for paint on a job that you are charging $1,000 to complete. If you go that route, most consumers would think you are out of line to even bring it up. Instead, your focus should be on the quality of your work along with the quality of the coatings used. Call out the extras you provide along with the performance they will receive from the coating long after you have left to justify your price, not that you paid $X extra and so you have to charge them $X extra. Even though you may achive 1 coat coverage with Aura, always sell a two coat system on repaints. I think most consumers instinctively know (thanks to boards like this) that a good paint job requires two coats. Selling one coat, even at $50/gallon, sounds like a con job. Do your best and use the best and you'll never need to sell anything - your work will sell for you. Good luck!

A friend of mine took hers and had them made into a throw for the bed. It was beautiful and she was able to continue to admire and use it. I have a few furs and minks that I have not used in ages, I have thought of doing that with some of those. I am going to hand down some to the granddaughters if they want them especially the ones that have been in the family. The animals idea is one I had never heard of, but I always used fake furs for my puppies when they are newly away from the mommy. So sounds great.

You seem to know what you want to do with the fur coat. As long as you're comfortable with how you're using it, that is all it matters. As for myself, I feel creepy wearing real fur. I'm not comfortable wearing one at all. However, I am fine wearing certain type of leather such as cow or sheep leather. At an earlier post, someone posted that's all in the food chain. I disagree, we eat beef, pork, chicken, lamb, etc. but we normally don't eat beaver, chinchilla, etc.. So, if it's snake skin, leopard leather, etc.., those too I wouldn't feel comfortable wearing it. That's just me though.

I got to see it yesterday. I am pretty sure it is beaver. Unfortunately I saw some tears in it: she will have to repair these before offering it for sale. She is good at hand sewing, though. But the pelt is not dry at all (I have had a few of my own that were, since donated (I think: I can't find them) so I believe I can tell). I don't know what she can get for it, that remains to be seen. I priced a few when we were out that afternoon at other antique shops, priced between $100 and $200. Hers is a really nice style, and not dated. She also showed me a full length muskrat I had not seen before. That one is in perfect shape. No damage, pelt not dry. I don't know what the market is for muskrat. I urged her to place that for sale first, while she works on the beaver. At the end of February, she is running out of time.