formalin + hearts

[violette]

Hello, I am new at this but have always been interested in taxidermy and natural curiosities. I am also an art student and right now I would like to make a project that would include preserved hearts. I have heard that formalin makes the tissues solid but I have also heard that formalin is toxic. the idea is to preserve the hearts so I can wear them as a necklace for the time of a photo shoot. Can somebody tell me if the formalin hearts on my skin will be harmful, also, can someone please explain the process for me? Thanks in advance.

[Todd B]

cukoo!cukoo!  We got another one!  Get the padded cell ready.

[PA]

http://www.taxidermy.net/forums/IndustryArticles/02/k/02985396A5.html

These techniques as described are very similar to how biological supply companies preserve cow hearts for dissection. They always rinse out the formalin/formaldehyde, as it would "preserve" (fix) your skin.

[Colonel]

The idea is to preserve the hearts so I can wear them as a necklace for the time of a photo shoot.

WOW That is one of the most morbid things I have ever seen on here!! 

[gator dun]

what kind of hearts you wanting to use ? if its only for one photo shoot why go though the hassel of preserving them ? you could just rinse a fresh heart out real good string it up around your neck ,take the pictures and then toss it when your done .

[gator dun]

heres some cheap  hearts already preserved that might work for you http://wardsci.com/search.asp?t=ss&ss=heart&x=6&y=8

please post some pics here after you do the heart necklace photo shoot.

[violette]

Thanks for your answers. I like the idea of being able to keep the hearts so that they can be exhibited as part of the installation, which is why I would like to preserve them. At worst I will just rinse them and use them raw on a necklace, then trow them away. I do know it can be done though because I have seen someone wearing a squirrel heart as a brooch. thanks.

[violette]

Also, thank you for the link, but I live in Australia so I can't get them shipped (they have very strict customs regulations here). I will look for a place that sells the same thing here though. Thanks

[BVanKirk]

The idea is to preserve the hearts so I can wear them as a necklace for the time of a photo shoot.

WOW That is one of the most morbid things I have ever seen on here!! 

dont pick on art students!

[Colonel]

Bailey that's not Art, that is some morbid $hit!

[BVanKirk]

Bailey that's not Art, that is some morbid $hit!

i made a corset out of pig skin and wore it for a photo installation IN ART SCHOOL
got an A in that class too

[Colonel]

You don't have to prove to me that your not all there. I already knew that... 

[BVanKirk]

You don't have to prove to me that your not all there. I already knew that... 

what ever....

[Sarge]

Contact these guys they will probably know.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NlcIZTFIj8

[Sea Wolf]

      Formalin and formaldehyde is toxic. Rinse off the preserved heart, do with it what you will and return it to the formalin. Just don't eat them. Ingesting preservatives are very bad for you in general.