🌿 Frequently Asked Questions -
Shamanic Drums by Mark Wellard 🌕
What makes your drums different?
Each of my Shamanic Drums is birthed through Ceremony.
They are Sacred Items, not musical instruments. Every drum is handcrafted in alignment with the Moon, the Earth and Spirit - infused with prayer, silence, listening and guidance.
No part of the process is rushed. These are allies, not objects.
What hides do you use?
I only work with Kangaroo hide which I source, honour and prepare myself. I do not accept outside hides or customer-supplied materials.
These hides have been with me for at least a year before they are ready to become part of a drum. This ensures they are energetically aligned with the sacred work.
Do you sell drum hoops separately?
Yes. I now offer handmade Shamanic Drum Hoops for sale. Each hoop is crafted from Maple (Meranti) in Ceremony, using the same timber, care and spiritual preparation as the drums themselves.
These are perfect for practitioners who wish to build their own drums but want a spiritually prepared, high-quality hoop.
Hoops are octagonal formed from eight mitred segments and carry the same sacred geometry passed to me through my spiritual guidance.
Please contact me directly for pricing and availability.
Should the drum be used by only one person?
Ideally, yes. Each drum is a sacred ally, uniquely birthed for the person who called it forth. It holds the energy of that individual’s journey and intentions.
Sharing the drum is not wrong, but its bond is strongest when it remains with the person it was made for. If others use it, I recommend a simple blessing or intention-setting before and after, to maintain its spiritual integrity.
Do you make vegan drums?
No. I understand the importance of conscious choices, but I do not create synthetic or vegan drums.
The drums I craft arise from a Ceremonial relationship with the spirit of the Kangaroo, honoured and prepared through ritual and respect. A drum birthed this way becomes a living presence, carrying deep ancestral memory that cannot be replicated with synthetic materials.
If you feel a strong call to work with a drum yet follow a vegan path, I invite you to sit with that calling. Often, it is Spirit knocking - sometimes asking us to go deeper, sometimes offering a mirror.
Only you can decide if this journey is for you.
What wood do you use for the hoops?
I use Maple (also known as Meranti), a strong and spiritually resonant hardwood with deep earth tones. The timber is hand-selected and shaped by me in Ceremony.
Each hoop is glued, sanded, and formed with intention. The octagonal shape, which I was guided to work with, holds a unique vibration rooted in teachings from my spiritual team.
What are your prices?
Standard Shamanic Drums:
* 14" Octagonal – $780
* 18" Ceremonial Octagonal – $950
* 22" Ceremonial Octagonal – $1350
‘Adventurer Series’ Ceremonial Drums:
* 14" (Octagonal) – $1250
* 18" (Octagonal) – $1950
* 22" (Octagonal) – $2499
14" & 18" Round Drums can be requested but limited stock is available and will be priced differently.
Each drum comes with a high-quality, Ceremonially matched beater.
Shipping is not included and charged once the drum has been birthed.
What is the ‘Adventurer Series’?
These are drums born in wild places. A few times a year, I set out with my ute and build drums under the open sky - at sacred sites, mountains and rivers.
The drums created during these journeys carry the energy of the land, the animals, the elements, and the deep stillness that surrounds them. Pre-order is required to secure one of these limited companions. Click Here for more.
How long does it take to receive a drum?
Generally, drums are ready to ship within 12–14 weeks, though this can vary. Some may take 10–18 weeks depending on drying conditions, humidity and ceremonial timing. Nothing is rushed. Each drum is born when Spirit says it is time.
Drums created as part of the Adventurer Series will be ready once I return and they have dried and settled into their hoops. This can take 4–6 weeks after the journey.
Do you offer payment plans?
No. I take full payment before beginning the Ceremonial build. Once the process has begun the drum is uniquely tied to you and cannot be reassigned.
Do your drums come with a beater?
Yes. Each drum is paired with a German-made orchestral mallet, chosen in Ceremony to suit your drum’s energy and tone.
It is an extension of your hand, a bridge between your intention and the voice of the drum.
Can I hear the drum before I buy?
No. I do not send sound recordings. These are not musical instruments - they are Sacred Items.
Each one will sing its own song in your hands, when the time is right.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes. I’ve sent drums to the US, Ireland, France, New Zealand, Egypt, South America, the UAE and beyond.
Shipping is quoted individually. Please contact me for a quote.
What are the courier costs within Australia?
Approximate courier fees are:
* 14" Drum: $75 (WA & NT $85)
* 18" Drum: $95 (WA & NT $110)
* 22" Drum: $115 (WA & NT $125)
Shipping is billed once your drum is birthed and ready to send.
Can I pick my drum up?
Courier delivery is preferred for safety, but in some cases, pick-up can be arranged by prior agreement if you're nearby and the timing suits.
Do you accept returns?
No. These drums are built for you in Ceremony and cannot be returned or exchanged. Please be sure you are ready before committing.