Morbid Elements

I'll admit I do most of my work in the bathroom during the winter.

I've got a pile of pelts salted and waiting for me to work them up while the temperatures are comfortable for it. We will have some available at our farm booth at the Central Alberta Critter and Craft Sale Spring 2022 on May 7th in Wetaskawin, AB.

I spent a couple hours today fleshing various hides I harvested last year. It's a fine balancing act between heat and flies and just too cold to work outside. These hides are destined for the Central Alberta Craft and Critter sale in Wetaskawin on May 7th

Sending Wishes for All The Best of The Season for your family, from ours.

Our farm, Valhalla Creek, produced about a dozen of these gorgeous Sr Prime Rex rabbit pelts. I am so excited to start working on them.

Living on a farm we sadly have to accept that not all animals survive. This barn kitten hadn't even earned a name before his demise.

This is Teddy. He will be residing in our freezer this winter and I am so excited to work this sheepskin!

It's very common for the mandible of skulls to split in two. Generally they are reattached but I also like leaving some of the seprate.

Don't believe for a moment that Gus is the only specimen being highlighted this season. Meet Adam. Adam is also a sheep but you'll notice he looks distinctly different from Gus, even with horns aside. Gus is an example of the kind of damage boiling or simmering a skull can result in. He was handled with as much care as Gus but simmered rather than mascerated in water. He is less pleasing, visually and tactilely. He needs another go round of degreasing and whitening, but, even if I can get him to look as clean as Gus, the damage to the bone is irreversible. Masceration takes a lot longer that simmering or boiling and It smells distinctly less pleasant but it makes for specimens with better bone integrity which helps to preserve delicate nasal turbinates and ear buds.

So glad it is finally Spooky Season! Several of the items we have retained at Valhalla Creek are out year round but really drawing focus to them such a treat!

Who doesn't love a good puzzle?