Jumping Into The Deep End

[Leaf-art]

Most of you know, I work for a school, and have been doing stuff for our museum for a few years. Now, another wildlife center has 'found' me and wants me to do some work. Haven't a clue if I'm ready to do this and how to price stuff, etc. OMG OMG OMG Deep breath, deep breath. Ok, I feel better. So, how did you guys take that 'leap' from hobbyist farting around in your spare time to ... I don't know ... hobbyist farting around for money? Semi-pro? Part-time pro?

[RDA]

simple Judy,,,   say  YES....    order supplies  with deposits of 1/3,,,,,then 2/3 due upon delivery.....HAVE A MINIMUM  charge  for mounting in each area  ie  birds,  mammals  etc......It takes as much time to mount a parrow  as a sparrow hawk....    And,,,  do your name proud  with your quality....  There ya have it.......

[psycho]

what RDA said x2   

good luck

[George Roof]

Just the way it happened to most of us.  X3 on Ron's reply.

[Leaf-art]

How do I figure out what to charge for a Sparrow? Crow? Towhee? It's pretty simple with ducks or upland game. There's enough price lists out there to sort of decide where my work lands in the price range. With all this dinky stuff, it's not going to take much in the way of materials, but a Hummer may take me longer than a Crane. I don't want to screw myself, and they want to know how much their 'list' will cost.

[George Roof]

When you're talking about "tweets", I set them at 75% of upland game birds (quail, chukar).  Towhee would be the same as a quail in pricing (they remind me of doves to work with).  Hummers would be the same price as I'd likely have them freeze dried. (Hands are just too damned big and eyes are too weak to work with that tiny crap.) You'd be very wise to sit down and price ALL your prospective work out so that you aren't taken to guessing when you get the calls.

[Leaf-art]

Thanks guys. That sort of gives me an idea of what I'm doing. I thought I was going to have my shop set up before any of this happened. Unfortunately, we had a conference group a few weekends ago that was all the outdoor education facilities in Calif. They were starving for a taxidermist who could do the dinky stuff for their museums. Great for business, I guess, but I wasn't prepared! I e-mailed Igor, to see what he does with prices. I know my work isn't on that level, but he's my dinky-bird guru!

[Missouri Creek Studio]

Ive had my initiation of that sort years ago. I told the museum that the small song birds and hummingbirds would be freeze dried here at my studio rather than conventionally  mounted. If you do have to outsource them be sure and have the proper permits in duplicate. Do not be afraid to charge enough, or listen to their pleas that  they are a non profit and would like a discount.