Oh my god, whatever happened to just settling with Tortex/nylon picks, one of the many tortoiseshell substitutes, or buying existing tortoiseshell picks? That said, experimenting with your sister's dead turtle's remains might be admissible if you didn't attempt to be so clandestine about it- that implies that what you're doing is morally objectionable. If you clearly explain to her what good will come from utilizing the turtle's shell, by all means, proceed. If not, I'd hope you have the decency to abstain from diggin' up graves. I wouldn't suggest getting your own turtle, because we all know what you'd be tempted to do.

There's an international ban on tortoiseshell picks for a reason, ya know. There's no need to be slaughtering endangered animals. (Please note: I am not insinuating that this is what you are doing; it's quite obvious that the turtle is already deceased).
Scandanavian War Machine: If he were following the principle of true conservation and efficiency, he would've baked the rest of the turtle into cupcakes. Then served said cupcakes at the turtle's vigil. There's a difference between scattering someone's ashes and ingesting them, ya know.
To Brotheridge: Is that along the lines of thinking like "a girl"? PS: Please don't post pics in the arts and crafts thread, because unless you have the proper equipment and research, I'd hate to see someone take a hacksaw to ANYONE'S former family pet.