tutorial request

[ladyarcher726]

skinning for a rug, and open mouth 101; how to glue the lip skin, apoxy work, etc.
I didn't really see anything and thought it would be helpful, it would be for me!

Thanks!

[George Roof]

Lady Archer, that's a tough one.  I've been half-assed doing rugs for 50 years and I've been writing instruction manuals since my early military days.  But I have to tell you, the things you ask for are just tough to pull off by painting one dimensional pictures and words.  Nothing I could take a picture of or tell you in words would cover what I could SHOW you one-on-one.  That's exactly why these "cast lip systems" are so popular.

[michael p.]

Nothing I could take a picture of or tell you in words would cover what I could SHOW you one-on-one. 

Dirty old man!

[George Roof]

Only you, Michael. Only you.

[ladyarcher726]

Thank you George, as always, and Michael, geez you made me lol here at work, I'm getting looks, so thanks! 

[Mary Krueger (rugmaking)]

ladyarcher,

  See if you can get ahold of Breakthrough Winter 2005 Issue 78. I have a 3 page article which has all the info you are looking for. Pictures of skinning a fresh specimen for rugging with detailed instructions and open mouth mounting instruction (with pictures) for a rug shell.

Kind regards,
Mary

[Ken Edwards]

There is a newly created DVD available on this subject. This video was filmed years ago but never released until this year. Here is the description:

Black Bear Rug Head Mounting with Bob Elzner

1986 World Champion bear taxidermist Bob Elzner of Arizona demonstrates his procedure for mounting an open-mouth bear rug head shell for a flat rug mount. Starting with a commercially tanned skin, Bob covers reference, field care, rugging considerations, mannikin preparation, installing the jaw set, the bonded ear method, eye setting, eyelid sculpting, clay work, earbutts, hide paste, mounting, grooming, tucking and pinning the lips and nose, and mounting the rug feet with flexible bear foot mannikins. Finishing is not demonstrated. Sewing is not demonstrated, but Bob’s rugging, trimming and backing procedure is briefly explained with photos and diagrams. Recorded in the WASCO Studio. 3 Hours. Order number DVD201 available from WASCO.

[ladyarcher726]

Mary and Ken, thank you both very much!  I am going to purchase that Breakthrough if it's still on their website, otherwise I'll hit ebay and the classifieds here.  That video may be added to my collection as well.

much appreciation!