Skins

[Matt Skeet]

My daughters curly hair has moulted, i reckon a few days ago. Does anyone know how i can soften the skin up so i can put it into a pose?

[Mark Pajak]

At the museum we 'relax' skins by placing them in a humid container for about 24hours. the trick is to raise the humidity without letting the skin get wet, and just long enough to loosen it without mould growing.

Depending on the size you could use a jam jar or tupperware - wet some cotton wool and place in the jar first (not so much that water is free to move - then place the skin in a plastic dish/ plate on top of the damp wool so it is not actually touching anything wet.

After 24 hours (more or less depending on the size/dryness) the skin should be free to move. I find it is a good idea to glue each foot in place on a piece of card with a miniscule amount of water soluble glue (reversible/removable). This helps stabilise the skin when dry and will protect it, allowing you to manipulate it without damage - otherwise the skins become so brittle they fall apart under their own weight.


oh and by the way Wilkos sell amazingly deep glass fronted frames for next to nothing which are great for displaying the mounted skin!

Have fun!

[Mark Pennell]

All I do is get a flat Tupperware dish big enough to fit the skin when fully stretched out.

Then boil the kettle, when ready put two drops of washing up liquid in the dish and add enough hot water to cover the cotton about 3-4 mm deep.

Put the skin in the pop the lid on, you have to be quick as you need to get steam etc.

Works a treat if done right, and should only take a few mins.

Cheers
Mark

[mary walters]

Mark, I work at Wilkinsons and we don't have them??

[Mark Pennell]

I meant dish not disk - typo! sorry

Am alternative is to use takeaway dishes, my local Chinese takeaway delivers in plastic dishes with a lid... these work too.

I guess anything that we take the heat and seal tight will.

Cheers
Mark

[Mark Pajak]

Hi mary - these were bought from wilko's in Bristol - £3 for the smithi sized one and £6 for the big'un!

[KJ Vezino]

I just spray a few shots of watre on a paper towel, then wrap up the molt and seal it in a ziploc bag for a couple days.

Then I do this: