First of all, I must apologise in advance for the animals I am about to ask advice on. A guy just asked me to mount 3 month-old (about) kittens - domestic - that he lost in a litter. Apparently the entire batch came down with feline cancer, so they had to be put down. I've done a few domestic dogs (large) before with no problems, but this situation is a little different. Anyway, I need advice on how to create a form for each one. I was hoping to mount at least two of the three in a laying down position. I have never seen a form for something this small. Also, where would I get eyes to fit? I was thinking Van Dyke's, but am not sure. Please reply here or e-mail, I really dont know where to go on this one.
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Why don't you just send them to a freeze dry taxidermist? Otherwise I would just rap the bodies with fine tow like squirells are (were,I am getting old now) mounted. I hope you got paid in advance and well.
I suggest you get the Chris krueger carcass casting for a small animal like that.. Killer intel...Beside anyone that will openly proclaim they get a lot of thier materials from Wally world is ok in my book....
Freeze the bodies in the shape you wish ot mount. After it is frozen, remove the legs, and head from the body, and then carve the body, legs, and head from foam and then do finish sculpting on the head, and then mount. I like to keep the head and legs apart from the body till I mount them up. I also ususally skin the smaller animals by either a dorsal or cased incision. I put the head in first, then the legs, and finally the body. Attach the legs and head with either the hide paste or with pins, or you can carve small locking blocks that will fit the legs into exactly where they need to be.
Email me if you wish
Freeze the bodies in the shape you wish ot mount. After it is frozen, remove the legs, and head from the body, and then carve the body, legs, and head from foam and then do finish sculpting on the head, and then mount. I like to keep the head and legs apart from the body till I mount them up. I also ususally skin the smaller animals by either a dorsal or cased incision. I put the head in first, then the legs, and finally the body. Attach the legs and head with either the hide paste or with pins, or you can carve small locking blocks that will fit the legs into exactly where they need to be.
Email me if you wish
I agree with the suggestion for the Chris Krueger materials...but also get a book entitled "Museum Quality Fish Taxidermy" by Ralph C. Morrill. I KNOW you're not doing a fish! This book is the most complete guide on molding that I have seen- YES, I have one! I received it when I took a class with Paul Rhymer on carcass casting, and HE recommends it HIGHLY! He is a very well known artist in our field. Hope this helps...but as Paul says" it'll only help you if you take the time to study it". So crack open this book, but get ready- I think it's SOO addictive, you'll be wanting to mold every rock(and small animal) that you work with! -Have Fun!-Susan