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Post by wingedwishes on Jun 29, 2020 17:41:40 GMT -8
My last day of work is July 5th. I retire from working with animals in different forms after 36 years. Wildlife officer, pet store employee, teacher, importer, insect artist, etc.
Insects paid off the house and car last year.
The wild life work really beat me up so I planned for this.
Finally paid everything off, very little living costs, and so my youngest daughter and I will travel and collect insects and 'rocks' as well as write. Will still volunteer to teach.
Not meaningful to others but I'm sharing it here anyway!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2020 18:30:27 GMT -8
Congrats wingedwishes.
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Post by Paul K on Jun 29, 2020 19:31:20 GMT -8
Congrats indeed
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Post by wollastoni on Jun 30, 2020 2:13:38 GMT -8
Congrats !
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Post by exoticimports on Jun 30, 2020 4:47:35 GMT -8
Now that you're retired, care to share some "secrets"?
What's most popular- lucite boxes, wood/glass frames, or riker mounts?
Etsy, Ebay, or where to sell?
What is "hot"? Rare specimens for collectors? Morphos? Generic stuff like monarchs?
Do you remove antennae and legs?
How the heck do you ship without getting the contents (insects and glass) broken by the shipping monkeys?
The preparation and sale of insects for more artistic purposes has always intrigued me.
Thanks and congratulations!
Chuck
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Post by 58chevy on Jun 30, 2020 10:04:41 GMT -8
Wingedwishes, show us some of your insect art.
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Post by wingedwishes on Jul 2, 2020 14:45:22 GMT -8
Thanks to you all!
Just a little info:
My best sellers are always Urania ripheus, Morpho didius, Monarchs and Atropos ssp.. I try to buy A- since I remove antenna and legs.
I alter frames from Dollar Tree or Goodwill to create quick low cost shadow boxes.
I use photo backgrounds (usually photos I've taken) to complement the specimens.
Most of the time I use a local farm and art market so no shipping or packing.
I use Ebay in the winter - I do remove legs and antenna usually.
When packing - I use recycled bubble wrap from work (they are still going to save it for me). Do not over stuff with bubble wrap! A little wiggle room allows the bubble wrap to absorb blows rather than transfer shock through the box. I usually get the frames light enough to travel at the lower first class rate. I use priority for larger frames. I'd say I lose one in 150.
Lowest price is good but if priced too low then folks will think it must look like crap. Example - Urania ripheus from outside the country framed is no less than $25. You could get that one and hope you get it in a few weeks. OR - I've been selling them for $20 and you get them in a few days. My cost (Ebay,Materials, Shipping) comes to $9-10 and I net $10.
Having a couple dozen listings is good but hundreds are tiring to my customers.
Having 2-3 listings of a species often causes a quick sale since people don't want anyone else to get the one they like best.
I prefer the market because I get to interact with my customers. They appreciate the learning their children receive.
There's more but cooking dinner now. Photos later.
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Post by wingedwishes on Jul 28, 2020 8:19:43 GMT -8
  Love being able to attach images now! Acherontia are a favorite to my customers. I'll add more later. The frames came from a GoodWill store and cost to convert into a shadowbox was $4 and 15 minutes of my time. |
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