Although I have been practicing taxidermy for almost seven years, it is only in the past couple I have started to see improvements in my work, and that is entirely due to the increased resources being made available as of late. When I first started out, it was a much closed industry where secrets were guarded and held making it virtually impossible to access education and information. There was literature online, but there were so many conflicting methods and techniques that without a mentor, it was hard to make sense of it all. Progress was therefore slow, and bad habits were formed. It took me years to understand the chemistry behind tanning, or the anatomy behind form making. There was also little reflection of society within our industry, an obvious lack of diversity that made me feel uncomfortable.

Now, as I have developed as a taxidermist I feel a duty to others to share resources and help increase the accessibility of our industry. I want others to feel that they have the foundations to grow to be the best taxidermists they can be. As we move to be a more progressive society, making space for others who didn’t have access before, our industry needs to move too. I am making it my mission to make taxidermy more accessible and inclusive, and to help shape our industry into a more welcoming and exciting place. Taxidermy, in my opinion, is the most wonderful record of taxonomy, a pure, tangible record of our species. As we watch climate change and habitat loss affect our beloved animals, now is the time to concentrate on preservation and conservation. We need to find value in our natural world, and I believe we can do that through placing value in taxidermy and the way it can educate and inspire. 

I have, until now, made all of my resources available and free. I run the Facebook group 'Taxidermy Mentorship', which aims to provide a safe place for beginners in taxidermy and its neighbouring industries (entomology, skeletal articulation etc.) which is open to whoever wants to join. This also has 'Log Book' templates, beginners tool lists, and beginners recommended book lists I have put together. I also have spearheaded (but working with other taxidermists) on a new and upcoming  'Taxidermy Directory', aimed at providing a complete directory of vendors/taxidermists to help make finding a taxidermist easier for the consumer, or suppliers easier for beginners. I also host the podcast 'Specimens', which seeks to make space for those in under-represented science roles, and I also post via my IGTV 'Taxidermy Tip Tuesday', a visual resource for tips and tricks in taxidermy and entomology. I will continue to make these resources available and continue to update them irrespective to my Patreon, however with so much more content I would like to provide this is naturally all building at cost of time to me. That is why I decided to begin this page.

Running a small business in the creative arts has it's hardships, not just financially but also it can be isolating. Community is so important in having a safe place to chat and support one another, especially in what has historically been such a closed industry. In addition, now is the time to show up for our natural world, to start paying attention to it and finding ways to protect it. I am passionate about natural history and the education of naturalism and ornithology, and I really want to show you a whole new world that will excite you and delight you. So, if you are not looking to learn taxidermy I would still be enormously grateful for your Patreon support. I hope to connect with you soon.

I will be updating and checking my Patreon weekly but aim to make posts a minimum of twice a month.