wood mounts?

[opakitas]

I noticed with some of the animal carvings they are on pieces of wood. Do you find these or can you buy them?

[woodchips4u]

If you have not yet carved habitat - which is my problem . . . you can get some nice big grapevine from your local Pet Store (they use these in the lizard aquariums etc) which birds perched on look very nice. Manzanite root (hopefully spelled right) - can usually be found at the local hobby or carving outlet store - it has a nice ragged form which shows nicely and for the bottom bases (Walnut circles, ovals, and pork chop designs etc - you can find through taxidermists and some of the carving suppliers such as Greg Dorrance etc. In another post - Doris T gave me a great hint on forming some branches, rocks and logs etc out of "car bondo" (pink stuff) that I have yet to try. but really want to. There is of course carving the base material out of basswood - but I have yet to do that as well. (Been using the grapevine myself for the birds to perch on. Not as much in Canada, but I understand as well that coastal areas in the States are favorable to using driftwood as it is weathered and light and makes for a good presentation. Hope some of this helps!

[opakitas]

do you just use the Grapevine and let it be natural or do you coat it with something to keep it. Also where can I find the course on carving the base? thanks so much

[woodchips4u]

I personally just use the grapevine natural on a walnut or maple oval for most of my small bird mounts like chickadees. That way if I want to add a branch made of brass etc and cover with quickwood - it blends easily and the joint is unnoticeable. Courses - I haven't seen any. In our club we are in the process of looking for someone such as Cam Merkle or such willing to fly out and give a seminar to the club around our show time in May. That way we can perhaps get a great teacher who could also judge for us. (for a cost of course). Other than that - I know of one book in the Bird Carving Basics series - titles "Habitat" by Curtis J Badger which has grasses, leaves snow and marsh ideas. Published 1990 by Stackpole books - Curtis J. Badger is the author- I recieved mine through Amazon as a used book - it is very good.
Taxidermists apparently hae publications on how to make and mounth their projects, however I have not purchased any of these so I am unaware what their content is.

If you belong to a club perhaps it is a seminar that they would be willing to bring someone in on. . . . or perhaps a member can teach you.

If there are any courses out there - I just don't know of any - sorry. But it would be awesome if any of the teachers out there would offer them . . . hint hint - and put some on up here as well please !!!!!

Larry