Submitted by Face on 9/7/99. ( ) 38.154.11.4
What does it take to get a studio started? I have no clue what tools
or machines a taxidermist uses. I want to do this part time at home
just as a hobby for now but maybe full time when I get good or the
best.:-) I think it looks like a very rewarding business to become a
part of morally as well as monetarily. Any ideas will be appreciated.
Remember all I have is nothing right now but ambition and internet access.
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This response submitted by Jim Tucker on 9/7/99. ( bigjims@wilkshire.net ) 206.68.132.250
I'm assuming you can't even do taxidermy yet. Get some good books and videos. Breakthrough manuals are great. Do some mounts and join your state taxidermy org., the NTA etc. Take some mounts and compete. Use the judges critique as a tool to learn. As a business taxidermy can be tough. There is alot of competition. The only way to get anywhere is to do quality mounts with a good turn around.
This response submitted by chuck on 9/7/99. ( KPartak ) 205.188.208.37
Face, the first thing you must do if you have ABSOLUTELY no experience is to go to the library or even a good bookstore such as Barnes & Noble ( if you have one nearby) and research taxidermy ,what it is and what it is about .It's not that difficult to learn if you have some artistic ability(some say artistry has nothing to do with taxidermy but thats another matter for another time.) and after awhile you will grow from the basics with your own "style".#2 if you have a local college that offers a taxidermy class by all means take it (them -usually classes are broken down into fish, gameheads,birds,and mammals.#3 and most important PRACTICE on anything you get your hands on as long as it's legal(check your local game laws) #4 feel confident yet ? NOW ,do some mounts for friends ,relatives or whoever see what sort of HONEST reviews you get .then when you really feel good about your work- go to a competition and let a judge tell you exactly what's wrong with it _BOY WILL THEY!! get the best references you can find- got a friend thats a shutterbug let him/her help you get good photos to work from.#5 stick around on this forum and visit the chat section for advice every little bit helps -you may just find someone you can relate to thats willing to "take you under their wing" and relay some experience to you.believe me I've been right where you're standing now.
This response submitted by Theresa on 9/8/99. ( theresa@gloryroad.net ) 12.4.13.90
Taxidermy looked easy to me...until I dipped my hands in it. I do have artistic ability, but to me it just makes it all that much harder as a beginer because this mount MUST be perfect and yet I am awakened by the fact that I have no knowlege of the animal I am recreating. What I am trying to say is be aware of your limitations. Someone who THINKS they know how to set an eye will not listen at a conference as the State champion does a demo. It is difficult and time consuming work. I totally agree with the above responses and will also say to try to find a good school. This will make all the difference in the world. Joining your state taxidermy asso. and the NTA will open up new doors for you too. These guys know what they are talking about. Do stick around and "listen".
Theresa
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