Today I was skinning a gs and realized that I've probadly just screwed up!(to much sewing) My cut was on the belly and out each leg to the toes. Also, I washed it in mild detergent and relaxo. Finished by applying DP and throwing it in the freezer. Yea, I already ordered a form. What do you think? throw it out or go with it for the training. Added info; I didn't split the ears! After I beat my head against the wall, I'll probadly order a video!
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Just don't leave it in the freezer too long as it may dry out(freezer burn)
with the dp on it. You may also have to rinse the squirrel after mounting
it if your dp is borax based. Borax can leave a soap film on the fur
which will prevent it from fluffing when you groom and dry the mount.
the soap film will make the hair act like it is greasy.
Beginner,
There's no such thing as too much sewing especialy for a beginner. It's the best practice in the world especially if you want to become a succesful taxidermist. I don't know what the DP in the freezer is going to do, but if I used DP I wouldn't put it on until I was ready to put the skin on the form.
Don't get so frustrated these are little mistakes and mistakes happen. What makes taxidermy fun and challenging is figuring out how to correct your mistakes. Not to mention the valuable information you have already learned by making mistakes.
Practice splitting the ears with this squirrel even if you don't mount it so you learn what to do and what not to do the next time, saving you both time and the frustration of making a mistake that may cost you another squirrel.
Another pointer if you get frustrated instead of beating your head against the wall, walk away from whatever you are working on for five ten minutes, an hour, a day, whatever it takes to get your mind refocused on the task at hand. Taxidermy is not a rush, rush, fast, business, take your time and do it right. It really doesn't matter if you can mount a squirrel from start to finish in one hour or three weeks. The end product is what counts. Last time I checked there weren't any awards given to the taxidermist who can do things the fastest, but to the ones who do the best job.
the DP is bessmaid. Another concearn is the drying of the skin while taking so long to sew! are there anything i can do? much thanks to the both of you for repling!
I'm not familiar with DP so I don't want to start any wars because I know this issue can really get things going. But if you are worried about taking too long to sew things up when using DP, try tannning the hide. It never hurts to expand and experiment (yeah we are all guilty of being stuck in the same tracks and afraid to try new things, including myself). If you tan the hide and it may seem like a waste on a small critter like a squirrel, it will allow you the time to sew it up properly. Hope to have helped.
I believe bessmaid does have borax in it, I'm sure someone who uses it will correct me if Im wrong. If you see it starting to dry too much, keep a spray bottle of water and sprits the skin while you work. be sure to reapply some dp to the areas you are working on before you stitch them. You should also wear surgical gloves while working on the squirrel, this will prevent body heat from your hand heating up the skin and spreading bacteria. It will also keep your hands from drying out from the DP. once everything is sewed up, brush any loose dp out of the fur and then give it a good rinse with water. then break out the hair dryer and dry the hair. by the way,
it is not too late to turn the ears. before you begin sewing, just take a lip tuck tool or some other thin piece of metal and work it in between the skin and cartilage of the ear, search the archives as I'm sure this is well explained and their are a number of tools that can be used to do this.
Please explaine what you mean by turning the ears of a squerril. I have mounted a few and have seen some vidios, but nothing was mentioned about turning the ears. My mounts seem to have turned out ok. Should I turn the ears and where can I find instructions.