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Post by lordpandarus on Mar 29, 2018 10:41:03 GMT -8
I'm about to spread my holy grail which I only had one shot to get it in my life time and I'm stressed as hell.
What do you guys do to prepare and relax?
I've spread thousands of butterflies but still get an accident(setting disaster) once in a while
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Post by Paul K on Mar 29, 2018 11:56:15 GMT -8
I'm about to spread my holy grail which I only had one shot to get it in my life time and I'm stressed as hell. What do you guys do to prepare and relax? I've spread thousands of butterflies but still get an accident(setting disaster) once in a while 50ml shot of Vodka, if it doesn't work get a second round, you should be prepared and relaxed by then. good luck Paul PS. Have ready some more just in case something went wrong, kill the sadness with the rest of the bottle...or celebrate the success. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2018 17:54:13 GMT -8
Get yourself "warmed up" by spreading 2 or 3 common specimens and then go for it.
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leptraps
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Post by leptraps on Mar 29, 2018 18:45:09 GMT -8
I guess after I have mounted/spread over 200,000+ specimens in 60+ years, what is there to worry about.
I worry more about Momma calling late for dinner, or even worse, getting a late start to the Waffle House.
I mounted a Eumaeus atatla that was collected on 1898, an Ornithoptera is a piece of cake.
Speaking of cake, Momma made a New York style Cheese cake. You guys figure it out. I gotta find my coffee cup......
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Post by beetlehorn on Mar 29, 2018 18:53:47 GMT -8
I still remember mounting and setting a perfect A1 Phoebis avellaneda that I got for my wife as a 25th wedding anniversary gift. I was a bit concerned about the possibility of damaging it, so I took a few deep breaths and told myself....It's just a butterfly like any other! and so I went for it, and it mounted up beautifully. I made a special glass topped frame out of Black Cherry wood, and it has a black background to accentuate the bright colors of the specimen. She was rather pleased to say the least.
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Post by trehopr1 on Mar 29, 2018 19:18:48 GMT -8
I really like jtaylor's comment.... That is probably the best idea to get "warmed up" for that pricey or rare specimen you have. I too feel a certain amount of "anxiety" around any specimen I perceive as being pricey, rare, or unusual for the species. I think it's only natural if you are a collector who holds high standards for your collection ! Mounting issues and even "accidents" do happen even to the best of us. Not so likely with a freshly dispatched item but, re-hydrated specimens (papered and aged) are never the same as anything fresh and flexible.
I have seen pictures of your fine collection and you do some impeccable work so, I know you have the skills at hand to do another great job. Just hope that the specimen is willing to work with you (meaning nicely pliable) and above all: Take Your Time..... No distractions, have all your tools at the ready and focus.
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Post by lordpandarus on Mar 29, 2018 19:33:41 GMT -8
yeah that's my main concern. Papered specimens don't always "behave" as expected when you re-hydrate them. Sometimes they seem to be fighting you or the wings want to bend the wrong way...
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Post by trehopr1 on Mar 29, 2018 21:09:09 GMT -8
I'm somewhat surprised that you would buy something rare or expensive( papered). I only say this because you have mentioned you live in some part of Europe and over there Insect fairs are held at least 6 or 8 times a year in different places. Given that situation who needs to buy anything papered? There are scores of dealers with material all prepared up. Heck, you don't even have to have an "inkling" of how to spread anything to be a verifiable collector. I'll bet there are scores of collectors there that know their specialties but, have never swung a net or have the skillset to work up specimens.
I only wish I had such opportunity available to me. I'd surely blow thru my money like a drunken sailor at every Insect fair I attended - with no regrets. My collection would absolutely be "killer" compared to what I now have. It's so very different here in the U.S. I have acquired some nice things through old collections here (from time to time)and I only "cherry picked" them because of how well they looked prepared. But, I don't think I would have wanted to prepare up from papered those same said items. Too risky...
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2018 1:23:43 GMT -8
I know what you mean Lord P, how many times have I set a batch of papered specimens only for the really rare ones to give me a battle while the common cheap ones offer no resistance at all, take your time and concentrate, that's all you can do. In answer to the question why buy papered specimens when you can buy prepared stuff at fairs, well yes you can but they might not have what you want and the only specimens available are papered.
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Post by lordpandarus on Mar 30, 2018 2:55:22 GMT -8
I'm in Canada. I have to buy all my stuff papered (ebay, online dealers) since there's only one insect show per year and there's nothing much I want there
I usually do a better job at spreading butterflies myself anyways
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Post by beetlehorn on Mar 30, 2018 4:32:47 GMT -8
On the rare occasion I do get an already prepared specimen, I oftentimes end up re-hydrating the specimen, and reset it to my liking. Sometimes the wings are not symmetrical, the antennae need attention, but more often the wings are not set at the proper height. Insect fairs are nearly non-existent in my neck of the woods. Insect collecting is definately not a mainstream activity here, so buying or trading prepared specimens only applies to ebay transactions for me.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2018 4:39:17 GMT -8
Here in the UK the number of dealers who have anything worth buying are dwindling rapidly, it's mostly common, shiny stuff for a few pounds that only interests beginners, there are a few left but they are hardly going to have all your wants between them hence buying papered butterflies off the internet.
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Post by Paul K on Mar 30, 2018 6:54:48 GMT -8
I'm in Canada. I have to buy all my stuff papered (ebay, online dealers) since there's only one insect show per year and there's nothing much I want there I usually do a better job at spreading butterflies myself anyways Where about in Canada you reside, I am in Toronto/Mississauga for most part of the year, it would be interesting to meet fellow members here. |
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Post by lordpandarus on Mar 30, 2018 9:18:54 GMT -8
On the rare occasion I do get an already prepared specimen, I oftentimes end up re-hydrating the specimen, and reset it to my liking. Sometimes the wings are not symmetrical, the antennae need attention, but more often the wings are not set at the proper height. Insect fairs are nearly non-existent in my neck of the woods. Insect collecting is definately not a mainstream activity here, so buying or trading prepared specimens only applies to ebay transactions for me. on the opposite I've never bought a prepared/set specimen on ebay. Isn't there a greater risk of damage in the mail that way? I can't imagine how specimens make it intact |
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Post by lordpandarus on Mar 30, 2018 9:19:32 GMT -8
My specimen is still stiff after 2 days in the relaxing box so I have to leave it longer . I can tell it's going to give me a hard time. 90% of specimens are ready by now
If everything goes well you'll get to see what it is
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