AlmostAustralian In reply to Cynderthedragon5768 [2017-12-11 22:25:11 +0000 UTC]

Hello there! I am SO sorry it has taken me months to respond! I haven't been on here since posting photos of my white wolf back in June.  My schedule is so busy that I am not able to take commissions at this time, however, I do have a few projects that I am working on completing in my spare time and selling as pre-mades.  Keep an eye out if you are interested, but I am not sure how soon they will be available. Thanks for the interest!

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AlmostAustralian In reply to Mac-Halie [2017-08-09 23:16:47 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much for the compliments!! I haven't had much time to work on taxidermy lately but I do have a website (southernwolftaxi.wixsite.com/h… ), Facebook (m.facebook.com/southernwolftax… ), and personal instagram (almostaustralian) if you want to check those out I'm working on a couple new wolves to sell as premades so keep an eye out for them sometime in the future!

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AlmostAustralian In reply to cleffairies [2017-07-05 22:49:53 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much for the interest! My commissions are currently closed due to my busy work schedule so I never know when I will have free time to work on mounts. I am however hoping to mount a wolf or 2 to sell already completed sometime in the future.  That works best for me right now since my schedule is a bit unpredictable.  

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AlmostAustralian In reply to winddragon24 [2017-07-01 12:50:36 +0000 UTC]

I have not ever purchased from glacierwear. The only time I have ever purchased from a commercial site like that was when I bought my white wolf from Moscow hide and fur. In the description, it said he was complete and mountable however he had some issues, mainly that the ear canal cartilage was cut out and heel pads were gone. I was able to mount him but it was a bit of a pain. It is always a bit of a gamble when you aren't purchasing from an individual hunter/trapper who can take multiple pictures for you and answer lots of questions.

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winddragon24 In reply to AlmostAustralian [2017-07-01 14:04:04 +0000 UTC]

I can see that, sadly Hideandfur wolf pelts are just way too pricey for me when it comes to taxidermy quality, and I don't know any individual hunter/trapper so in a way Glacierwear is my only best bet, and of course I'm looking into getting a complete wolf pelt that is labeled as "possible mounted" quality. I just really hope I am getting my money's worth.

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AlmostAustralian In reply to winddragon24 [2017-07-01 15:15:55 +0000 UTC]

I would suggest searching on taxidermy.net to see if there are any wolves for sale there and you could also post an "in search of" post on the forum there with details and price you are looking to spend. That is usually where I look first because there are individual taxidermists or hunters on there looking to sell good quality hides.  Everyone is very nice and have always been very helpful.

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winddragon24 In reply to AlmostAustralian [2017-07-01 15:49:46 +0000 UTC]

I've checked it, and I could not really find much (looking for a black wolf pelt), and there wasn't much wolf pelt sells that was recently posted. However I'm glad I did checked them first just to know what I'm looking into.

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AlmostAustralian In reply to TrashiestFurryTrash [2017-06-08 11:44:16 +0000 UTC]

Are you asking what supplies are needed because you are interested in making your own or are you referring to my basic mounting price?

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TrashiestFurryTrash In reply to AlmostAustralian [2017-06-08 16:49:54 +0000 UTC]

What supplies are needed.

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AlmostAustralian In reply to TrashiestFurryTrash [2017-06-08 20:10:05 +0000 UTC]

Taxidermy is very expensive hobby. For a basic mount, you will need a head form, clay, hide paste, ear liners, glass eyes, paint, needle/thread, and polyfill stuffing for the rest of the body. And of course an already dry tanned hide that is skinned appropriately as to be taxidermy mountable. There are numerous taxidermy supply companies. I like to use Mackenzie or Research Mannikins.

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TrashiestFurryTrash In reply to AlmostAustralian [2017-06-12 22:02:38 +0000 UTC]

Ok, thank you very much!

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AlmostAustralian In reply to KawaiiThuggu [2016-12-16 14:43:37 +0000 UTC]

Well firstly, my commissions are currently closed and I'm not sure when I'll be able to reopen. This is something that I do on the side for fun and the rest of my schedule has gotten rather busy. 
Cost varies depending on what you want. Base wolf mounting is $450 plus shipping and that is without the cost of the pelt. Overall price would be likely at least $1000 when it's all totaled up. 

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AlmostAustralian In reply to SwiftHeartWolf [2015-11-17 15:30:02 +0000 UTC]

Hello! Congrats on the wolf! And thank you for the kind words on my taxidermy

1. First off, 9 hours is a very long time and risking damage to the pelt.  I usually soak my faces for 30 mins to 1 hour and then stuff the face into a gallon sized baggie, use a zip tie to close it so i won't leak, and place the wolf in the fridge overnight so it can sweat and soften.  If the nose/jaws have not been properly turned or thinned, sometimes they will not soften without having to thin them yourself (an incredibly time consuming process but often necessary).

2. I have use a variety of forms however I usually purchase from Research Mannikins.  And ears are a learning process that is simply perfected with practice. If the ears still have cartilage in them, I use the bondo method (there are lots of tutorials on taxidermy.net that explain that but again it takes a few times to get the hang of it). If the cartilage has been removed, I use earliners.

Best of luck and let me know if you have any other questions!

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SwiftHeartWolf In reply to AlmostAustralian [2015-11-17 19:17:03 +0000 UTC]

Omgsh thank you so much!!! This is so helpful! I will totally ask you if have any other questions, you have been the most helpful person I've asked so far, thank you so much again!

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AlmostAustralian In reply to Brokenstar60 [2014-12-15 15:31:16 +0000 UTC]

Wow thank you so much!!
i have been known to sell my personal pieces if I no longer have a connection with them after they are mounted, however I only have 3 wolves left (2 of them are still unmounted) and they are not any that I intend to ever part with. 
Prices vary depending on the coloration... The most recent one I've sold went for $1500.

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Brokenstar60 In reply to AlmostAustralian [2014-12-15 18:07:46 +0000 UTC]

It's ok ^^

Thanks for replying, very much appreciated. 

That's understandable that, though i've never thought you could have a connected to something such as mounted animals but i have heard of it before, but that was too pelts. But then again, i have never owned something such as what you own and what others do, also. 

Agreed on that. It all comes down to coloration and markings in the end. Would you be able to tell me what's the cheapest you would sell for, for a simple coloration of course?

Another thing i have noticed is that you say these animals were not killed for or by you, so how do you actually get ahold of them?

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AlmostAustralian In reply to Brokenstar60 [2014-12-16 02:32:37 +0000 UTC]

Before I began collecting, I hadn't ever understood the connection concept.  When I purchased my first wolf, I felt it immediately when he arrived and it only got stronger after I mounted him.  Mounted animals, to me, give a face to that spirit and personality that is found in pelts.  It can definitely seem like a strange concept until you experience it.

For an average size grey wolf, I would probably say minimum around $850 (that would be if the pelt were $400 plus my mounting fees) not including shipping. It would be difficult to find a good quality mountable wolf pelt any cheaper than that.

My hides come from various sources: from other taxidermists when they have one for sale, I have a few hunter sources in Alaska, and sometimes even eBay. I don't actively hunt them and don't hire hunters to go out and get one for me.  I know the ideal situation would be to use animals who passed from natural causes but that scenario is just not realistic.

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Brokenstar60 In reply to AlmostAustralian [2014-12-16 18:24:39 +0000 UTC]

Yeh, experience is everything if you don't understand something really. Though, i'll never get that chance for a while since my parents would never let me get a dead animal and bring it into the house, which i suppose is understandable in some cases.

That's a fair price to be honest. Most people nowadays (not saying all) will go way overboard in the price of selling a taxidermed animal.

Sounds fair. Would be quite hard to go out and hunt for an animal that has passed due to natural causes, since most animals like wolves and foxes rarely seem to die due to natural causes. It's good to hear you don't hunt the animals yourself, though i wouldn't judge anyone for it. Was just curious since you posted that you do not kill or hire someone to kill the animals for yourself

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AlmostAustralian In reply to Netflix-And-Chill [2014-09-15 15:21:03 +0000 UTC]

Aww thank you! If it was legal, I'd definitely try to help you out there

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Netflix-And-Chill In reply to AlmostAustralian [2014-09-15 21:09:36 +0000 UTC]

I wish it was legal too

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AlmostAustralian In reply to Scealai-Storyteller [2014-08-31 16:12:46 +0000 UTC]

Oh wow thank you SO much!! Your words are greatly appreciated!
There is nothing wrong with enjoying what nature leaves behind. I believe it is much better to put it to use instead of letting the beauty rot away, and that's what I love about taxidermy.  If something must die due to natural causes or be culled in order for the species to continue to thrive, at least I can provide new life and the opportunity for the animal to be loved and respected for more years to come.

As for commissions, I typically close during the school year (pharmacy school takes up too much of my time, and it would not be fair to make customers wait), however I may reopen for a couple slots during my winter break in December/January and then reopen entirely in the summer months (late May through early August). While I am closed, my Wait List is open for anyone who wants to get in line (however, as I mentioned, it could be months before I am available to work on mounts). I understand that is a lot of information; I get to typing and the words just keep coming haha! But since you are watching (THANK YOU for that as well!), you should be notified when my commissions reopen.

Thank you again! I am always humbled when I hear from people who enjoy my work. I do taxidermy because I love it, but to also enrich others' lives... It just makes it so much better!  

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Scealai-Storyteller In reply to AlmostAustralian [2014-09-06 14:11:24 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome.   You do amazing work.  I agree, making art of what would normally be discarded is a noble thing.  And the work itself can be so contemplative about life and death and their interconnectedness.  There is something ephemeral in it.

I'll keep an eye out for commission, though with any luck I may be able to snag the lovely piece you currently have available.  I swear, my husband is going to block DeviantArt, I find so much artwork I simply must have. LOL> 

I do find your artwork enriching.  I wish more people had respect for idea that what comes from death is not impure or bad, but simply a part of the cycle.

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AlmostAustralian In reply to HiddenRavenSilence [2014-08-15 20:08:03 +0000 UTC]

Oh wow, thank you SO much!! I'm glad that you enjoy my furry creations!
There are a few of us taxidermists scattered around DA, and we are always
happy to find people who admire rather than admonish taxidermy.

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HiddenRavenSilence In reply to AlmostAustralian [2014-08-15 21:34:52 +0000 UTC]

^^ I am open to new things, but I am a lover of all forms of art. This, taxidermy, is a form of art that is very... Downtrodden. At least, that's how I see it. Chances are I'll never get to order something form you, but I will definitely enjoy seeing your uploads as they show up ^^ 

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AlmostAustralian In reply to HiddenRavenSilence [2014-08-15 23:54:31 +0000 UTC]

The taxidermy community here has been the target of a great deal of harassment and hate within the past year, so it is quite refreshing when others come along and take the time to understand it as an art form instead of flying in, guns a'blazing.  
As of now, I am taking a break because school has begun again, and my new works will be few and far between until my schedule clears.  Although I do have one I just completed so keep an eye out soon for his big reveal! Sadly, he will be the last one for a while.

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HiddenRavenSilence In reply to AlmostAustralian [2014-08-16 06:32:51 +0000 UTC]

I can't wait to see him ^^ And I hope school goes well for you and your schedule clears quickly. One other thing, you're wolves seem so happy with you. Like, in the photos they have this really happy/content energy.... Was that understandable? I'm not really sure... >.< Ah well, either way your works are absolutely gorgeous.

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AlmostAustralian In reply to HiddenRavenSilence [2014-08-16 16:09:45 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for all the kind words!!
And YES! I know exactly what you mean! I put a lot of love into my mounts (whether they are mine or for a commission), and I love them all like they are still alive.  I connect with each one differently and individually, and they bring me happiness and keep me calm.  It's amazing at the vibes they manage to give off... it seems their spirits continue to linger and fill their new forms with life.

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HiddenRavenSilence In reply to AlmostAustralian [2014-08-16 19:33:25 +0000 UTC]

It is evident how much care goes into them ^^ I'd love one of my own, but I highly doubt it would be.... Accepted(?) where I live. That and my family finds taxidermy a little creepy, though they don't really have a problem with it. And yes, their spirits do linger there if looked after well, and they'll always give off good emotions with the love you give yours.

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AlmostAustralian In reply to HiddenRavenSilence [2014-08-17 17:10:51 +0000 UTC]

I understand how that goes.  When I first expressed interest in taxidermy, my parents looked at me a bit funny.  They didn't criticize me, but I'm not sure they took me seriously... until the hides and supplies started coming in!

And now they just realize it's what I am going to do whether they like it or not!

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HiddenRavenSilence In reply to AlmostAustralian [2014-08-17 19:00:04 +0000 UTC]

Ah it's what you enjoy doing ^^ So don't let anyone stop you doing it! Honestly, what I enjoy doing is drawing and writing. I've always been too nervous to start doing commissions and things because I do traditional art, and there is much more of a call for digital art. I've decided though that I should start commissions to save up for a tablet though >.<  So with a little more practice and such, maybe I'll be able to draw your beautiful creatures ^^ 

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AlmostAustralian In reply to DeLunes [2014-08-07 21:51:03 +0000 UTC]

Oh goodness thank you so much!! Also thanks for the watch and all the faves

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AlmostAustralian In reply to FurryiousWolf [2014-07-08 19:41:45 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

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FurryiousWolf In reply to AlmostAustralian [2014-07-13 13:52:54 +0000 UTC]

your wolf is so amazing. I has a coyote but the wolves are so much better ;-;

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AlmostAustralian In reply to FurryiousWolf [2014-07-13 17:18:54 +0000 UTC]

So many kind words! You're too sweet!!

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