starfish?

[Risingsun Waterfowl]

I just finished the first surf scoter I have ever shoot.  It turned out great.  I mounted it diving down for food.  I want to add some sea life around when I build the base.  I brought back some mussels from my trip but where can I get some starfish at?

[Jknuth]

This is what I do for starfish.
I bought a dried starfish at hobby lobby.
Then I made a silicone mold of it. You will need to seal it with Shellac as they are very porous
Then I dusted the mold with talc and pressed in Sculpey polymer clay into the mold.
The is then very carefully removed and positioned where I want it on the base. at this point I use a heat gun to bake the clay on the spot in the exact pose I want.
You may need to shield the rest of the base from the heat. Aluminum foil may work but I use a heat shield fabric used in foundry's.
You may need to bake it more throughly in an oven. if this is the case remove it after stiffening it up with the heat gun and place it in an oven to cure. just make sure to support it with paper towels or aluminum foil so it will keep its shape.

It takes a bit of practice removing the sculpey from the mold but with practice you will get it. and You will have a starfish mold for ever.

You can also use Apoxie in place of sculpey but it tends to stick more and you have to wait longer for it to set to just the right stage.

[EM]

Rising, Mr. Jknuth might be too humble to mention it, but he did a SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALADOCIOUS step by step tutorial about how to make molds.  Here's the thread link. 

http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php/topic,39157.0.html

I'm glad he mentioned sealing a starfish with shellac here though...cause I'd have forgotten to do it sure as I'm breathing...barely.  I am in Colorado & we don't have native starfish that I've ever seen...but sure enough if I hadn't seen this question, someone would come in tomorrow with a sea bird or fish that they want surrounded by 20 starfish.  Ornery critters. 

[nate]

i was at walmart tonite. they have them in the craft section

[Helicity]

I wish Canada's Walmarts were like yours....ours are only open 9 - 10....what If i wanted that same starfish at 3 in the morning?

[Jknuth]

I know! walmart is the DEVIL!!

but,

We needs it precious, We needs our starfishes!



HAHAHA!

Ok I have way! too much time on my hands. Hmmmm Perhaps PIE!

[EM]

Um...Josh...if you aren't on behavior modification drugs, you should be!!    And if you are, CHECK the DOSE!    And then share some with me!  Good work ya goofy guy. 

Helicity, if it makes you feel better, the Wal-Mart here closes at 11:00.

[Jknuth]

HAHAHAHAHA!