"I highly recommend taking the Stefan Savides bird taxidermy course. I met Stefan at my first Illinois Taxidermy Convention, where I received a Third and Honorable Mention. Soon after I took his class, my work greatly improved. Now, after a lot of hard work, and using Stefan's methods on birds I am in Masters category receiving Best Of categories, Taxidermist Choice, People's Choice, two Wasco's, and in 2000, two Best Of Shows. I don't think I'd be where I'm at today, without Stefan's instruction. Stefan is not only an excellent instructor, but a very good friend, and a credit to bird taxidermy."
Carmen Helmer, U.S.A.
"...the best thing I've ever done...studio was very roomy and well lit...lots of hands-on instruction....I came home with three beautiful birds..."
Jerry D. Whitaker, Jr., Ukiah, California U.S.A.
"I had taken some fairly difficult specimens to work on and (Stefan) patiently and meticulously showed me the finer points of producing spectacular mounts...I would highly recommend (the workshop)."
Willis M. Everett,
Gay, Georgia U.S.A.
"...there's no substitute for having a live expert with you who can answer all your questions...time and money well spent..."
Marty B. Middelstadt, Fairbanks, Alaska U.S.A.
"...I received training through your workshop. Just thought I would send you a photo of a mount I entered in a competition. This was
my first competition and I won a 2nd place in the professional level. I owe a lot of my success to your workshop and your help taking me to the next level. Just wanted to say thanks."
Bryan Jones, Trophy Care Taxidermy, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.
"Thank you for everything...you truly are an incredible teacher and a really genuine, down to earth guy."
Cyndi Polinskii, Harvey's Lake, Pennsylvania U.S.A.
HOW DOES A MASTER TAXIDERMIST
START HIS TEACHING CAREER?
Here, from a story in a local paper,
is Stefan at age 16 giving his very first workshop!
Avian Design
Master Skills Workshop
Learn Taxidermy
from a Master Taxidermist
For practing taxidermists...good for beginners, too!
View photos of workshoppers and their work
Web Site Contents Page |
Photo Gallery
A How-To Guide for the Hunter |
Selecting a Specimen
Preparing a Specimen |
Storing a Specimen
Shipping for Taxidermy |
Displaying your Mount
Learn Taxidermy (you are here)
News from the Studio
"Ask the Taxidermist"
Commissioning Your Project
The Avian Design Country Mall
You are invited to take part in the bird taxidermy Master Skills Workshop offered by Stefan Savides which is individually tailored to your skill level! You'll be with an expert on a one-on-one basis.
Each workshop runs five days and is limited to a maximum of three persons.
This is a unique workshop full of relevant, informative material presented with enthusiasm that focuses on the concept of having control of your project from start to finish...a method of rethinking about birds from the inside out.
You'll find, as many have, that you won't get bored. Instead, you'll discover ways to improve your own approach to the rewarding field of taxidermy.
Find out about the workshop by filling in the form which is below.
Here's just a sample of what you'll learn:
- How to understand the mechanics of bird anatomy.
- How to alter forms to create specialty poses.
- How to incorporate design and composition into your work.
- How to use reproduction parts.
- How to finish bills and feet with a blending of hand painting and airbrushing.
- How to prepare skins.
- How to do repairs.
- How to deal with difficult specimens and turn problems into pluses.
- How to assess a specimen to ensure a quality mount.
Step 1. Fill in your name and address, telephone number (so we can get in touch with you by phone), email address (so we can get in touch with you by email).P.S. we never give anyone our client or contact names.
Step 2. In the comment box provided, indicate when you would be available for the workshop.
Step 3. Submit your query by pressing the "Submit" button. If you would like to redo your entries, press the "Reset" button. After you press the "Submit" button, the form will be emailed to Avian Design and Stefan will get back to you by telephone, or email, or snail mail with all the information, including fee. Easy, right?
I accept payment by check or money order, Visa or MasterCard.
BIRD TAXIDERMY
MASTER SKILLS WORKSHOP
© Stefan Savides
To visit throughout our site... click on any of the selections at the top of this page.
AVIAN DESIGN WORKSHOPPERS
To see a popup blowup of these photos,
run your cursor over them.
Noah Strycker on the left is a 21-year old senior studying fisheries and wildlife at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon. He is currently a freelance writer,
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avian photographer, associate editor of Birding Magazine,
columnist for Wildbird magazine and contributor to many other books, magazines and government documents. Noah is an avid birder with more than 1,600 species on his "life list." See more of his work at www.noahstrycker.com. On the right,
Eric Smith is displaying the duck mount he created at the workshop. Eric is a former Florida sheriff moving into a creer change. He is in the process of opening a taxidermy shop in the Fort Myers, FL area.
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Kermit Cartwright is from Chattanooga, Tennessee where he operates a
taxidermy business and took the time out to attend the Avian Design Master Skills workshop. He specializes in waterfowl taxidermy and habitat reconstruction. You can view all his fine work by going to his website at www.thebirdstuffer.com .
Kermit is displaying the attrractive mount he worked on during his time at Avian Design.
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Kevin Burdock on the left is a trial lawyer from Auburn, CA who is looking to do
taxidermy for some fun and relaxation. Dan Boring, right, is owner of Desert Wings Taxidermy in Yuma Arizona, 928-341-0915. In addition to his study with Stefan,
Dan has studied with well-known taxidermists Bob Hancock and Harry Paulson. Kevin and Dan are displaying the attrractive mounts they worked on during their time at Avian Design.
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Ryan Badker is from Klamath Falls, Oregon. His interest in taxidermy brought him to the class in hopes that some day in the future he might make a career in taxidermy. Harry Pelton, of Grass Valley, California, operates the taxidermy business Harry Pelton Award Winning Taxidermy, specializing in life-size mammals and birds. You can contact him at 530-273-6745. Dr. Don Sebesta of Othello, Washington, curator of Lasting Legacy Museum, mounted this Horned Owl for the museum.
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From left to right are Brad Jones, Cyndi Polinskii and Todd Buchanan.
Brad and Todd are friends who operate individual taxidermy shops in Indiana. You can see Brad's work at Mount Your Pride Taxidermy . Todd's studio in Farland can be reached by calling 317-861-4783. Cyndi Polinskii is a full-time taxidermist at Harvey's Lake, Pennslvania. She operates a full-service shop and can be reached at 570-639-0123
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Professional taxidermists Kaycee Turley and Tom Perkins show off their mounts. Kaycee, on the left, has Arizona Game Services, PO Box 1308, 829 Willow Lane,Taylor Arizona 85939, 928-587-3523, email address is turley5@frontiernet.net. Tom has Perkins Taxidermy, 25063 Rainbow Lane, New Caney, Texas, 713-471-3912...he does wholesale work of high quality and offers commercial birds at competitive prices.
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From left to right are Dave York, Stefan, Sven Ebersen and Terry Van Loenen.
Dave lives in Rescue, California and so he might generate income in his pending retirement. Mark Plunket, owner of Wildlife Creations, Glendale, Arizona sent Sven to learn the ins and outs of avian taxidermy. Sven has an incredible collection of waterfowl and upland birds in captivity. Contact him at 623-451-7836. Terry operates a successful avian and mammal taxidermy shop in the Austin,Texas area. He was here to hone his already accomplished skills. Visit him at Game Tracks Wildlife Studio
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Todd Oranje, on the left, and Dr. Fred Graeber on the right, both from California, new to the art of taxidermy are now well on their way to enjoying this age-old art form. Todd expects to set up a taxidermy shop and Fred, a recently retired urologist, is looking forward to utilizing his new-found skill.
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Brent Nobles, center, of Colusa, California conducts Fur, Fin & Feathers Taxidermy, in the heart of some of the nation's finest waterfowl real estate.
Doug Wynn, right, of Benton, Kentucky operates a taxidermy shop and Goose Guide Service, hunting for Arkansas Snows, Blues, and Specks.
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Gina Tyler, who operates Eastern Shore Taxidermy in Marion Station, Maryland, enjoyed a week of the Master Skills Workshop learning everything from the basic procedures to building a glass case.
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Shane Osborn, St. George, Utah and Pat Bradburn, Veneta, Oregon passed their workshop with flying colors. Shane is a practicing taxidermist honing his skills and Pat is new to the field of taxidermy. |
Cyndi Polinskii from Harvey's Lake, Pennsylvania, recent student in the line of taxidermists and future taxidermists who have experienced the Avian Design MasterSkills workshop. She operates a full-service taxidermy studio, Wild Thing Taxidermy.
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Beginning taxidermists, left to right, Bridget Nielsen, wildlife biologist and photographer and Juliet Dunne, swimsuit fashion model.
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Brent Dolby and Jim Turcke, left and right, with their beautiful mounts.
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Scott Duewer and Roger Earley, left and right, flank Stefan with their mounts-in-process.
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Stefan Savides, Avian Design, 7901 Washburn Way, Klamath Falls, OR 97603 USA
1-541-885-2912 1-530-398-4700
E-mail: to
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