Crystalizing Antlers

[Fraido]

I personally like the short crystals the most. (: That coyote looks great! I actually thought before reading that it was alive in that photo... Lol Do you do taxidermy just as a hobby or as a career or something?

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[Caspian]

Fantastic coyote! I've seen some amazing taxidermy... and some really horrible taxidermy. The one thing that I've never understood is having your pets stuffed. To me, that's like having a child die and having it stuffed. Just... creepy. But then, my pets are family. But wild game is another matter entirely - and I particularly love what you're doing with these antlers. I'd kind of like to see a crown style mount done with the crystals, with just the tips of the tines and the crown portion coated.

[piedlover79]

Thanks to you both! I do taxidermy strictly as a hobby. I enjoy a lot of art forms, but this one I can actually make money on!

Most taxidermists will refuse to mount pets for a number of reasons. I can't imagine stuffing my dog.

I don't mount many deer (I find them boring), but I might have to do another one now that I've got this crystal thing going on.

Tonight I will be prepping some ram horns for crystalization!

[piedlover79]

Another one of my favorites that I've done, a great big bobcat: http://orig11.deviantart.net/9fe6/f/...ry-d7ni7uv.jpg

http://img09.deviantart.net/f74f/i/2...ry-d7ni87p.jpg

I was particularly proud of the base that I did for this one, that piece of wood was naturally chewed into that shape by beavers.

[Fraido]

Wow. How do you get into taxidermy as a hobby? And how did you learn how to do it so well?

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[piedlover79]

Trust me there was a *steep* learning curve! Heehee. I'm already a multi-media artist so a lot of my sculpting skills transferred over to taxidermy. I kinda just decided one day I wanted to try it and I researched it on line. Taxidermyforum.net was a huge help with some of the more technical aspects.

My first mount was a little scary: http://img02.deviantart.net/5bab/i/2...ry-d4o9wv1.jpg

Work in Progress Sculpture:


Digital painting of mine:



Traditional painting:



Jewelry silver wire wrapped around black pearl:


I'm not happy if I'm not doing some form of art.

[piedlover79]

Started a new one, this one is going to be clear.

[piedlover79]

All done.




The crystals encrusted on this antler are toxic if ingested, now I know you aren't going to be chewing on the art, but you also have to make sure that your dog doesn't chew on the art either. Dogs love to chew on antlers, but they absolutely can not be allowed to chew on this one!

[piedlover79]

Started on a set of Ram Horns. These are going to be part of a rouge bear mount. Added quartz crystals to the horns before placing in the crystal solution.

[Futile]

First of all, you do some beautiful work. I love this most recent work with the smaller crystals. I do have an artist (because to me, this is definitely an art) recommendation. He goes by the name of Tyler Thrasher and oh my, if I was rich, he'd never have any stock. He'll crystallize anything, but I believe that he is most famous for his crystallized cicadas.