I received a quite a few furs last week, from a fur dealer from New York. I also got a shipment of more equipment, and forms.

Right now, I'm working on an awesome mule deer shoulder mount. The cape is amazing. I bought a semi sneak form from Research Mannikin's, and unfortunately the mannikin is too big just above the shoulder. I tried taxiing the skin up during the test fit, but no go. So, after a little alteration tomorrow, I'll get it mounted up.

I also have a beautiful coyote skinned for a lifesize. The fur is a gorgeous dark color. Very prime. I'm sure it will make an awesome mount. I bought a simple standing form to mount it on, and already have a habitat base in the works.

Last week, I cut a notch out of the tip of my thumb with my flesher after shaving a large raccoon. I was being super careful, wearing both my latex gloves and fleshing gloves, but nonetheless the guard slipped down at some point. It didn't hurt, but I bled all over my table. Anyway, after some nursing from my dad, I went back to work on the greasy, fatty raccoon. I'm mounting him up on a McKenzie form.

I still have my poor thumb wrapped up in gauze. I've been changing the dressings every morning and night, and I took the bandages off today so I could "work out" my knuckle. It was getting stiff from being wrapped up for 4 days.

On the upside, I've gotten very good at putting my latex gloves on over the bulky gauze. A talent that I'm sure I'll use again.

I altered the form for a lifesize beaver I'm mounting. I moved his arms around a little, and changed his pose a bit. I had no idea how greasy the little buggers are, but I got him fleshed and pickled. Needless to say, the shop smells lovely.

I ordered forms for 2 lifesize muskrats, but I'm not happy with them. Since I have to skin the little guys, I'm going to make my own forms for them, and possibly mount them for a show piece. They're such beautiful little animals.

My last critter is a groundhog. I bought a mannikin for him, but he's a lot smaller than the form... so again... I'm thinking of sculpting my own, rather than altering another form.

I've also been working on habitat bases for my lifesize red fox, pheasant, and lifesize fisher. I have so many ideas, and since I draw, I find myself putting ideas on paper all the time. Just filing them away for the right mount.

Until next time...

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