I am still working on the bear and friend for the Teddy Talk challenge. I started back to work in August after a long summer off . I am still having a hard time adjusting to working again. I work every evening on my bears, but they take a long time to make. This is week number four on this guy. I needed some claws my supply was running low so....
I made a pile of bear claws. I use All Game taxidermy compound. I bought mine on ebay, I often use Van Dykes taxidermy supply for eyes, they sell it there. It is a two part epoxy, so once I mix, I make as many as I can before it gets to hard to use. That way I have a nice selection to choose from for the next few bears. I try to make matched sets when I go to add them to the bear. I have only ever used this to make claws, so I have nothing to compare it too except polymer clay. It is so much harder than that. If mixed properly (it takes a lot of kneading) it is very hard but not completely unbreakable.
I Start by mixing equal parts. I generally knead it in my hands for about five minutes. I then roll it out into a snake. Cut with a metal blade, I use one for polymer, so I can put the slightest bend in it when I cut. Roll each slice out just a little, then I lay it over my index finger to give it the slightest bend. Let it cure, takes a day or so to get really hard. I make them twice as long as I need them to be, with a point at both ends. Half of the nail is buried deep into the paw. I have taken pictures of this procedure, I will post them at a later time.
