Taxidermy Co. UK

09/07/2024

It's been a challenging year...

Well, I would love to say that after 4 seasons of splinters, sweat and tears, that I am now firmly set up in my beautiful new workshop. Alas! It is […]

02/07/2024

This photo perfectly illustrates why I have not done any work recently 🫣

It’s been a while and I’m just here to post a little update and to let you know I haven’t gone completely awol 👋 I’m ALOT closer to having my new workshop set up, which has been a verrrry long and painful time in the making. I know that all new builds have some teething problems, but it’s needed more dentists than the universe holds, to sort this one out, wow! 😅

I’m so thankful that there is now finally light at the end of the tunnel, as I’m absolutely ITCHING to get back to my taxidermy & art! (As well as going a little bit insane, after all, earth without art is just…EH 🤪)

Hopefully the next update will be a tour of my new, beautiful little studio space! ✨

P.s how gorgeous is my wallpaper? I bought it from before I even sorted my workshop out 😍 (huge thank you to my favourite hooman for putting it up 😘)

09/06/2024

I’m feeling very grateful that I was given free rein by wildlife royalty, Martin Hughes-Games, on this pair of beautiful kingfishers! (donated to him after tragically hitting a window!)

Anyone that knows me, knows that Springwatch is my fav programme, so this was a very special project for me!! ✨💚

31/05/2024

Blossom is always so fleeting and never lasts long enough! 🌸 although I’m thoroughly enjoying all the beautiful elderflower blooms at the moment - I may make some cordial if it ever stops raining for long enough to pick them!

I’m currently in the process of casing this taxidermy piece, with handmade blossoms, using the real ones in the garden as reference earlier on in the year.

04/05/2024

I couldn’t resist giving an update on a super unique project I’m currently working on, with a super special bird! 🦉👁️

This handsome chap is ‘Bowie’, the aptly named Eurasian Eagle Owl. He was born with a defect in his left eye, resulting in this very unusual shaped pupil.

There is always added pressure working with a specimen of an extra special nature, but this one has an extra dynamic to it! With his eye being such an integral part of Bowie’s character, I knew it had to be recreated as accurately as possible.

I ended up digitally painting his unique pupil and sending it to the absolutely brilliant .by who so kindly agreed to accept my custom request.

I am so grateful that they were able to make this project a reality! So my huge thanks goes to them, I’m so thrilled with how they turned out and I’m sure my client will be, too 🙏

Stay tuned for the end result soon!

18/04/2024

Here’s a bit of a close up of the African Grey Hornbill case ☺️☀️ I am really enjoying the freedom of mixing my oil paintings with my taxidermy work, now I’ve allowed myself time from commissioned work.

It really adds a special dynamic to the finished articles and gets my brain engaged with how and what the next scene will encapsulate! 🎨

09/04/2024

I’m super terrible for starting multiple projects at once, then never finishing any! But to fair, I have an awful lot going on behind the scenes of my life at the moment and things are a bit more hectic than usual.

Here is a sneak preview of a very special case I’ve been continuing with this week though. It’s been a while since I’ve made a water diorama, so it’s been a refreshing to do something a little different ☺️🌊

23/03/2024

I have been so eager to post this little cutie, but had to make it a surprise for my partners birthday! 🎈

are his favourite and I can see why, just look at the cuteness overload of this little weasel!

Blows my mind that something so cute, can be so deadly - they hold the title for the smallest carnivore in the world!

ethicaltaxidermy

18/03/2024

Work in progress 🦜 something a little more colourful on the taxidermy bench this week!

This Senegal parrot had a few osteological deformities (including a completely bowed tibia!) and and was a bit challenging to position, but a beautiful specimen, none the less!

This one will be part of a series, inspired by the beautiful, awe-inspiring colours of nature 💚💛

13/03/2024

Here are some stills of the taxidermy Red Squirrel I recently completed, with custom made corner case! 🐿️

(Hazelnuts cast from real ones from my garden - the only couple the grey squirrels didn’t get their hands on first! 🌰)

02/03/2024

Here's a little red squirrel replacement I recently completed. 🐿

The client's existing one (not originally completed by me) got ravished by moths and was in a very sorry state. (Picture in blog below, if you want to see!)

Sensibly, he opted for a custom display case this time, to stop this beauty meeting the same fate.

https://taxidermyco.uk/custom-taxidermy-glass-display-cases/

12/01/2024

Tweet twooo! 🦉Here are the finished pair, ready to fly to their new home, where they will play out the fable of the Owl & Thrush in an eternal snapshot of natural history! 🍃

I’ve really enjoyed this taxidermy commission ☺️ I love creating interaction between specimens, albeit subtle in this case, but I have positioned the Song Thrush in a way that looks like she’s talking up to the Tawny Owl, reflecting the scene in the fable, which I shall post below👇

“As soon as they noticed Owl, the other birds started to tease her.

“Isn’t it annoying, dear lady,” asked Thrush, “that for no crime of yours they bully you? Doesn’t it worry you?”

“Not in the least,” she said quietly. “They do the same among themselves. As for the nuisance, I bear it because, though Crow, Rook and Magpie may slander, Eagle and Horn-Coot and the citizens of Athens esteem me.”

It is better to be honoured and loved by one intelligent, generous soul, than by a thousand fools.”
 
By Gregory Skovoroda (1722-1794, known as the Ukranian Socrates)

*specimens not for sale and are displayed here as an example of my work*

31/12/2023

On the eve of a brand new year, I’m reflecting on all the wonderfully kind clients and amazing creatures I have worked with in 2023! ☺️🩵

I’m always so grateful for your support and for joining me on my taxidermy journey, I truly hope that you look forward to some very exciting projects I have planned in the coming year, as well as a brand new work space which is a dream come true! 🌟(it will allow me to be more involved and make longer format videos and all sorts that I have had so many requests for, so watch this space!)

Did you know, 2024 marks a WHOLE decade since I started taxidermy?! 🤯 I can’t believe how it snuck up on me and absorbed my life, I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way now.

I am still as in love with the art as I was at day 1 and it’s the incredible discoveries about wildlife and my progression of love for the natural world and the conservation of it, that keeps me ever involved!

Very best wishes to you all for the new year, I hope all of your wishes come true in 2024! 🌟

- Krysten x

22/12/2023

Wishing everyone a magical, enjoyable and relaxing festive season!🎄if you’re in the northern hemisphere, you may be pleased to know that the nights will be getting slightly less longer from now on, which is a reason to celebrate in it’s own right ☀️☺️ (although, I do love a dark, cosy night with candles, hot chocolate and a good book!)

Gratitude goes out from my heart, to everyone that has continued to support my taxidermy journey throughout the year, whether it be a commission, a purchase, kind comments and simply being here! 💖

It’s an honour to share this wonderful journey with you and share the divine delights of nature, up close and personal - I do not take my profession for granted in the slightest.

I’ve learned so much this year, from developing my skills, learning new methods of making foliage, making UV protected cases and more, which has made me SUPER excited about the possibilities 2024 will bring ✨

I hope you can join me for the surprises I have in store in the next coming months, but in the meantime, I’m signing off for a little while ☺️ So I will leave you with this marvellous little Kingfisher to brighten your days and shall wish you a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year! 🎄

- Krysten

#2024

08/12/2023

New Blog Post is now up! :)

Hello, I hope December has gotten off to a good start for you and you’re looking forward to the festivities and cosy nights to come! I would like to use […]

29/10/2023

Details from the taxidermy Blackbird case, a snapshot of British natural history and my favourite hedgerow melody! 🍃

Hawthorn blossom branch handmade from local casts and cold porcelain, countryside scene backdrop hand painted with oils🎨 for sale.

24/10/2023

Details from ‘Bramble Mice’ that recently sold at the ‘For Nature’ exhibit at this week, I miss them already! 🐭

I still have a couple of items left at the exhibition that is still on for one more day, so don’t miss out if you’re in the area. Maria, Nicola and Gray all have some stunning masterpieces on display, made from nature, for nature! 🍃

16/10/2023

The 'For Nature' Exhibition opens this Thursday in Woodbridge, I'm so excited! Hope to see you there.

The ‘For Nature’ art exhibition at ARTSPACE, Woodbridge, Suffolk, is open once again this week and I am absolutely thrilled to be apart of it! I’ll be displaying some of […]

16/10/2023

I am excited to announce that I shall once again be exhibiting at this week!

Of course with 3 other lovely ladies who all share the same passion for nature as I do, entwining it in to every brushstroke, stitch and delicate detail 🍃

The ‘For Nature’ exhibit starts this Thursday, 19th October until the 25th in Woodbridge, Suffolk.

Please do pop along if you’re in the area or passing as I’ll have some exclusive pieces on show for you to look at, plus it’s just generally the most lovely, calming atmosphere 🌻

See you there!
botanicalbeing

22/09/2023

Why is taxidermy expensive? I regularly write blogs on my website about subjects, moral issues and ethics within the taxidermy industry that I love to unleash out of my headspace!

We all know that with any art form or skill, the price of the outcome can vary wildly based on things like reputation, labour and many other factors. But here […]

08/09/2023

Who’s enjoying the late summer we’re having in the UK? 🌞

Well, I’m more of an autumn person and cosy jumpers, crunchy leaves, chilly mornings and overpriced lattes are all things I’m very much looking forward to and can’t come soon enough! 🍂

Plus the cooler weather means I can do taxidermy once more as it’s impossible (and a really bad idea) to work with deceased, biological specimens in the heat, as it opens up huge margins for error.

I’m looking forward to getting back to the taxidermy bench soon! But here’s a beautiful taxidermy dove from before the heatwave that will be complete with an olive branch really soon 🕊️

Keep cool! ❄️

23/07/2023

Last month, I had the pleasure of working with who took some lovely photos of my taxidermy work and I! ☺️

She also took some beautiful pictures of the late, great ‘Ticken’. Despite making a b-line for my feet with his beak upon arrival, he was a delightful little chicken with the biggest heart, whom he shared with ❤️

Thank you so much for entrusting me with your special feather son, he was a pleasure to work with ❤️🐔and thank you for taking such wonderful photographs!

06/07/2023

I miss having this beautiful Blue-and-Yellow Macaw in the taxidermy workshop, but so thrilled it’s gone to a fantastic home! 🩵💛💙

11/06/2023

‘A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trails’ 💚

A fable taught by this beautiful pair of Emerald starlings, one adult and one juvenile. Featuring a real emeralds, handmade embellishments and engraved plaque and dome.

I do love minimalism and the clean aesthetic it brings, but my gosh…the beautiful, maximalist Victorian styles of the 18th and 19th century have their place and I don’t feel like there’s enough of it in the 21st century!

This piece that’s been a year in the making is inspired by the Victorian marriage domes or ‘Globe de Mariée’, traditionally given to newly weds to preserve sentimental souvenirs and served as an object of beauty that holds many happy memories of their wedding and life together.

03/06/2023

Hello! 👋 I haven’t posted a picture of my face in a little minute, so here it is with a lovely blue and gold macaw that I’ve recently completed. I’ve become attached to this charming creature and I will be sad to see him go to be honest! 💙💛

If you’re new here, thank you so much for following my taxidermy journey and for your support! ☺️(Same goes to all of my existing lovely followers too, I am very grateful!!!) - I’ll take this moment to re-introduce myself and refresh you all about why I do what I do!

I work from my little studio in a sleepy village in Suffolk and my entire life pretty much revolves around birds. I am completely and utterly captivated by them and have been since a teeny tot. They are just so damn amazing to me! 🦅

I find a lot of solace in birdwatching too, learning about my subjects and being outdoors! Unfortunately I don’t do this nearly as much as I’d love to due to health issues, BUT this is why I cherish my ethical taxidermy work even more, because it gives me the unique opportunity to be up close and personal with wildlife.

From this unique and privileged perspective, I immerse myself and recreate worlds that I dream of being in all of the time. Hopefully others can can too, through this unique medium🌸

There’s a whole bunch of information on my website and blogs, including my philosophy and ethics if you want to know more! ☺️

06/05/2023

Long live the King! I hope everyone has a royally wonderful weekend 🤴🇬🇧

26/03/2023

Little taxidermy yellowhammer commission in progress, I adore these little buntings! 💛

22/03/2023

https://taxidermyco.uk/taxidermy-work-in-progress-cuckoos-kingfishers/

This week in the Taxidermy.Co Workshop, we can see the work of two juvenile specimens. A beautiful Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) and a Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) I have not yet […]

21/03/2023

A few shots of work that is currently in progress , pinned up and drying.

I have to use pins, cotton and tape in some cases to secure the feathers in place whilst the skin dries.

Sometimes I have to use more pinning apparatus than normal, such as this juvenile cuckoo which was a very challenging skin to work with! They have particularly thin skin which is prone to tearing at the lightest touch, plus this specimen was extremely fatty.

There were a few tears (not the wet ones from your eyes), so I had to repair them, which in turn can make the feathers lay in an undesirable fashion, hence why he looks like he’s having an acupuncture session!

I am so very grateful I had the chance to work with this curious creature - I’m looking forward to hopefully hearing them upon their arrival back to the UK from Africa in the next few weeks, marking the proper arrival of spring 🌸🥰

06/03/2023

This resplendent chap will be off to his new home very soon; his colours are just gorgeous and I’ll be sad to see him leave my workshop!💚