bear rug question

[rnviper3]

i am going to do a bear rug for a customer.  i have never done one.  my customer wants the pads left in the paws.  question is, at what point should i start the rug.  do i cut just behind the pad and split for the rug there. if so how do you get a smooth transition between pad and rug.  thanks for the help.
bob
RNTAXIDERMY@AOL.COM

[jrosbor]

First off, the pads need to be removed.  If you want them to look like they are still there, cut them off, clean them out, and sew them back on with some filler.  Second, if you did leave the pads on, you would not get a smooth transition between the pad and rug.  Plus you would end up with a very stinky rug!  Sorry to have to put it so grim.

[Laurier]

remove only the big main pad , skin out the paws removing all the bones, they do your pickle  and tanning.

[Mary's Rugmaking]

Hey Viper,
 In the 18 years that I have been doing rugs, this request has come in on several occasions. We always want to please the customer, so this is how I proceeded. The large pad was skinned 2/3rd's, or less, of the way off (leaving it attached to one side of the foot). This will allow you to get into that toe area to remove the bone, tendons and all the fat, to get that foot clean. Prior to tanning, sew that large pad back on with a good tight stitch. The foot should now resemble an open pita pocket. This will prevent the pad from curling during the tanning process,but allow the tanning solution to get in there and do it's work. Cannot stress enough how important it is to have that foot area "completely" cleaned out at this point! After the bear is tanned and ready to stretch, rehydrate the feet first before rehydrating the body and stretching. I usually rehydrate the feet for 1/2 hour or so,to soften the pads and loosen the toes a bit. Stretch your rug and pay close attention to the positioning of your feet. It would be a good idea to stretch this rug hair side down, to allow better circulation to get into the foot area, to promote even and definite drying.
 Now I have had customers who want that pad visible on the rug and then I have had customers want the pad not visible, but accessible. On the latter, I simply run my finished material  as I would on a regular rug but don't attach it to the foot. I adhere a piece of Velcro to the top of the large pad(closest to the small pads) and then the opposing piece of Velcro on the tip of the finished material. Now the customer can cover the pad and then detach the Velcro when they wish to view the pad(or show it off to their hunting buddies.LOL)
 Hope this has helped answer your question. If you need further help, feel free to e-mail or give me a call.
Kind regards,
Mary Hilliard-Krueger
Mary's Wholesale Rugmaking
halflingrugger@cox.net
623-582-0237

[Mary's Rugmaking]

Viper,
 I assumed you were tanning this yourself, if not make sure you pack that foot pocket with salt after it is cleaned and sewn back together. Change the salt a time or two with clean salt prior to sending it to the tannery(which is how I would recommend you have a bear tanned for a rug!)
Mary

[rnviper3]

thanks for the help.  i am sending the bear to a tannery. when it comes back, ill do the rest.  just wasnt sure about the transition there.  thanks again for your help

bob