Fauxidermy, Textile Taxidermy, and the inspiration behind each - Marie clare.

Fauxidermy Beasties and how I name them!

I love locking myself in the Craftorium, late at night, with re-runs of some obscure comedy on the goggle box and a big vat of coffee. Sometimes the odd alcoholic drink, and some biscuits. These late night events in the Craftorium usually result in me trying to make a piece of Fauxidermy, or textile taxidermy as it's sometimes called. With a BSc Hons in Zoology, and parents who both have PhD's in biological sciences, and for that matter a husband with zoology BSc Hons too I suppose you could say I come from a natural world background. My interest in the natural world and my love of animals manifest in the Craftorium in the creation of my beasties!

I'm afraid I anthropomorthise animals, and it's the same when I make one in the Craftorium. I give each one a certain look, a character and also a name and date of creation.

Marie Clare the Fox

Marie Clare was one such beastie. I named her after a friend I met through the antiques trade, a well known Vintage dealer, with long legs, sparkly smile and a glamorous look. When I made the model with the turn in the head, and long eyelashes she spoke of delicate femininity, but she was still a fox, she'd nip if you didn't treat her properly........much like my friend MC. You see Marie Clare is the kind of woman you want your daughter or niece to learn from, a strong woman, a character trait to be admired. Even in todays society women at times still need to fight their corner, so weak and feeble just wouldn't do.

Well, Marie Clare the fox wasn't with me long before she was snapped up by another strong woman, a lady who runs Herbs on the Hill, Frome. Kate who bought Marie Clare the Fox, is frankly equally as strong! A successful business woman, who's known for business acumen and lovely products, she was attracted to my Fauxidermy beasties because they speak to the free thinkers, the people who stand out and aren't afraid to be different. The people who don't want to be run of the mill.

As Kate walked away after purchasing, laden down with her model Fox running for the train, I couldn't help but wonder, "do strong women, attract strong women?" or in this case "do model foxes named after strong women attract strong women?" I'll be honest I haven't got a clue, but what I do know  is I hope, when needed, we can all be called strong women, who raise strong children. After all, I wont be rushing to name a model fox after anyone weak and feeble now will I?