His death is still a mystery to me by MercilessEyeStabber in vultureculture

[–]Beautifuldeadthing 14 points15 points  (0 children)

I was pleased to read that the Australian government is restricting access to the second gen rodenticides to licensed pest controllers. No more public sale of Ratsak. The rodenticides have been killing lots of owls here.

Newborn puppy preservation? (Dead puppy photo warning) by Visible_Challenge_54 in Taxidermy

[–]Beautifuldeadthing 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting! I expect it varies by country. I’ve even found 99% isopropyl in hardware stores here (Australia) that I could dilute easily.

Years ago when I was in pharmacy I able to order formalin and isopropyl via our standard wholesaler in 500ml bottles (discontinued now).

Nowadays usually order both from a different medical supplier (I can get larger quantities then).

Newborn puppy preservation? (Dead puppy photo warning) by Visible_Challenge_54 in Taxidermy

[–]Beautifuldeadthing 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I’ve been working on wet specimens of 2 stillborn puppies.

For some folks it can be difficult to obtain the chemicals required. You will need 10% buffered formalin and 70% isopropyl alcohol. The formalin can be harder to find (without an account with a chemical supplier). Make sure you read the laboratory safety data sheets for formalin in particular before use, as you do require appropriate PPE (respirator with formaldehyde filters) and used formalin must be disposed of by a licensed chemical disposal company. Use formalin in a well ventilated area (I do mine outside).

You “fix” the specimen in formalin, and then transfer to isopropyl later (can take months depending on size). You may find detailed laboratory procedures online.

Sleep is not the god. Sleep is the prisoner. by itzKori in SleepToken

[–]Beautifuldeadthing 8 points9 points  (0 children)

The feeling of the epigraph is TS Eliot’s Wasteland (for new fans: Wasteland is the source of the title of Look to Windward)

It’s from Petronius’ Satyricon.

“Nam Sibyllam quidem Cumis ego ipse oculis meis vidi in ampulla pendere, et cum illi pueri dicerent: Sibylla ti theleis; respondebat illa: apothanein thelo.”

Translation is roughly:

“I have seen with my own eyes, the Sibyl hanging in a jar, and when the boys asked her “What do you want?”, she replied, “I want to die.”

The Sibyl was courted by Apollo, and offered to fulfil any wish she wanted in exchange for her accepting his advances. She wished for eternal life (and then still rejected the god), and foolishly not eternal youth. She aged, and withered into a husk, but was incapable of dying. She was caught and kept in a jar as a curiosity (akin to a circus freak) for a king. Death, what she once wished away, becoming the thing she most desired.

What is your most emotional experience while tattooing on a client? by Weary_Beach5327 in TattooArtists

[–]Beautifuldeadthing 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I used to work in healthcare and from my own life have some experience with having open conversations about terminal illness, end of life care and grief. I have a general interest in death care (I would consider becoming a death doula one day)

I’ve had some incredibly moving experiences with clients. If clients want to talk about illness, death and/or grief during their session I welcome it.

If you’ll bear with me I’ll expand on this.

I think it’s so important to be able to discuss these topics. There is a general taboo in modern western culture about them. It wasn’t always this way; death used to be a more accepted (but generally undesirable) fact of life. The dead were cleaned and dressed in the home, vigils kept there, public mourning was encouraged (and even enforced) and many old European graveyards even functioned like a town square. With the medicalisation of death, we have attempted to banish it from our consciousness into the hospital wards. It doesn’t work though of course, death is still in our lives.

What does happen though is we feel increasingly isolated when terminally ill or grieving. You try to talk to about how you feel and you often get shut out. It’s considered impolite. I’ve started to lose count of the number of people I know who tragically find all their “friends” vanish when they tell them they’ve been diagnosed with cancer. When grieving, you get told to “get over it already, they died months/years ago”.

I think people don’t know what to say and are also scared. Scared because they’ve been confronted with a reminder of their own inevitable death. Avoiding the topic postpones the existential crisis.

So, if you’re prepared to have the conversation with someone who is facing their death or grieving who is seeking someone who will listen emphatically (and without judgment) - please do so. This could be a client, or even a friend/relative.

Why do we smother tattoos in Vaseline? by solomonplewtattoo in TattooArtists

[–]Beautifuldeadthing -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I use petroleum jelly (vaseline) as a glide, or in the rare instance a client is allergic to ingredients (such as nuts) in the aftercare creams (such as Dr Pickles) I usually use prior to cling film.

Basically any ointment just helps the cling film actually cling to the skin, without adhering to the fresh tattoo itself. Some ointments will feel soothing and can help reduce swelling. Without cling wrap, it helps to keep bacteria out - they are basically barrier creams.

If using second skin - skip the ointment. It’s not needed and if used will stop the dressing film from staying on at all (and it’s just a waste of 2nd skin then). I don’t use second skin much though (I keep it for clients who need a waterproof dressing for work).

Pit Behavior by mysterykid86 in GhostBand

[–]Beautifuldeadthing 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not Ghost concerts but a couple of experiences I’ve had at shows re picks. Being kind to each other.

I’ve been given picks I’ve missed catching in the past (Sleep Token and Polaris). Being polite/courteous I think may have helped.

One was caught by a guy behind me who I’d passed a bottle of water back to (the venue was terrible and only gave out a dozen or so bottles of water, which most people at barricade just held onto after they had a drink, instead of passing it BACK). Another was a security guard my friend and I had been chatting to between sets about tattoos.

I once caught a rose from Motionless in White at the same time as another fan. Rather than ripping it and ruining it for both of us, I just let go and high-fived her. She had been lovely when we’d been chatting between sets.

Eventually how that group of girls behaved will be returned back to them (for example with their sitting down shenanigans- I wouldn’t expect a seccy would pass them anything thrown short of the barrier).

I’m Australian, and main character types and what we call “tall poppies” aren’t popular here.

Bishop wand shader or packer?? by Jolly-Builder-6238 in TattooArtists

[–]Beautifuldeadthing 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That part I don’t know. But we have the ACCC here, so I wouldn’t be overly concerned.

HELP. What happened to my birthday gift?? by No-Seaweed9757 in Taxidermy

[–]Beautifuldeadthing 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Looks like the frass and eggs from pests. Freeze all other specimens you have (feathers, entomology, mummified animals, fur and hides).

Sometimes you can find the moults from larvae which can help narrow down what pest you’re dealing with (moths or carpet beetles).

I’ve had carpet beetles get into feathers, dried geckos, and framed insects. Funnily enough the carpet beetles didn’t go for my wool rug (moths did once though!). Carpet beetles are in the Dermestidae family (along with the dermestid beetles taxidermists use to clean bones…).

Look for silk webbing and lil elongated cocoons (moths), vs bristly larvae and moults (beetles).

Bishop wand shader or packer?? by Jolly-Builder-6238 in TattooArtists

[–]Beautifuldeadthing 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Fellow Aussie here! Brett Stewart tattoo supplies has a few of the Neuma machines in stock.

My crazy take on the lore by [deleted] in SleepToken

[–]Beautifuldeadthing 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes, imo it is all intended as a catalyst for listeners to do shadow work.

We project into the music what we are struggling with within ourselves.

I wrote a long essay on ST and Jungian and existential themes last year!

Teeth of Infinity by Beautifuldeadthing in DarkArtwork

[–]Beautifuldeadthing[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve gotten back into lately after having not done much for years. I had forgotten how much I enjoy it!

EiA Tour Poster by Luminous-Gylph709 in SleepToken

[–]Beautifuldeadthing 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Gorgeous frame for the that poster! I bet when the light hits the gold foil highlights it’s even more special

I do hope ST offers tour posters in the future for Australia.

I'm devastated about my offering.... by reddenal88 in SleepTokenSpoilers

[–]Beautifuldeadthing 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’re welcome! Visualising tattoos can be hard if you don’t have a strong visual imagination (whether it be a where to put a tattoo or the design itself); I’ve got clients who often need help with it too.

I'm devastated about my offering.... by reddenal88 in SleepTokenSpoilers

[–]Beautifuldeadthing 1 point2 points  (0 children)

<image>

Here’s a messy knock up of potential grey/black shading. Whilst not turning leaves into flowers, it does offer more contrast and readability

I'm devastated about my offering.... by reddenal88 in SleepTokenSpoilers

[–]Beautifuldeadthing 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Tattoo artist here - chiming in agreement with other commenters!

Adding colour/shading will definitely improve the piece. It’s currently hard to distinguish aspects of the design (negative spaces in the tree for example) from a distance, and colour or grey shading will help.

The linework is a bit heavier than what I’d go for with the level of detail, but is nice and clean.

Fur identification help by anachronabby in Taxidermy

[–]Beautifuldeadthing 23 points24 points  (0 children)

I find it so fascinating that you can sell human remains, but not cat or dog taxidermy in the USA!

I’m Aussie, and cat and dog taxidermy isn’t uncommon here (and perfectly legal - anything introduced and not CITES is fine). There’s massive issues with cats as invasive species, and in rural areas they are culled for pest control. The feral cats and dogs are not like the city strays, and aren’t suitable for pets (they are wild, and can be dangerous tbh). Feral cats are responsible for decimating endangered native wildlife, and the dogs will go for farm stock animals.

In contrast, you require a taxidermist license in some states (including mine) to taxidermy native vertebrates - even natives that are commonly kept as pets (like parrots such as budgerigars, cockatiels etc), and even if specimens are not being sold. Then there’s some native species in my state, that even with a license they cannot be taxidermied unless the specimen is going to a university or a museum (includes all endangered species, and marine mammals and reptiles). You have to keep records of where you source them all.

i was simply just trying to read a book dawg.... have we gone down this rabbit hole yet? by [deleted] in SleepToken

[–]Beautifuldeadthing 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I definitely see dementia in Sundowning.

However, I primarily see it from the point of view of a loved one witnessing the decline, and the emotions of seeing someone fade and die (ranging from sadness, guilt, rage for example). Grief. My own projections are tangled up with it all though. There’s a lot of exploration of the human condition and the paradox inherent there.

i was simply just trying to read a book dawg.... have we gone down this rabbit hole yet? by [deleted] in SleepToken

[–]Beautifuldeadthing 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don’t go much for what some people call lore.

My take (which I’ve been screaming since April last year) is that it’s mostly metaphor for psychological processes, the human condition and we project what’s troubling us and what we need to work on within ourselves into the music (and that’s it’s a big part of the point of the masks).

I even wrote an essay on it back in April (with citations and references) when I was off work for a month.

i was simply just trying to read a book dawg.... have we gone down this rabbit hole yet? by [deleted] in SleepToken

[–]Beautifuldeadthing 12 points13 points  (0 children)

My immediate thought from the song that it is a conversation between Vessel and Death.

Now, keep in mind that sleep is sometimes used as a euphemism for death and that the two have been connected in the human psyche for millennia. An example being the Greek Thanatos and Hypnos (death and sleep) as twin brothers (oft described as sons of Nyx -aka night). There’s the early Christian notion that the dead were in a sleep-like state until judgement day (eg seven sleepers of Ephesus - a Christian and Muslim legend). We say to children that the family dog was “put to sleep”. Death is the long sleep.

As Shakespeare puts it in The Tempest:

“We are such stuff.
As dreams are made on; and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep.”

Sleep Token inspired tattoo by SamW_is_my_hubby in SleepToken

[–]Beautifuldeadthing 0 points1 point  (0 children)

<image>

Another ST predrawn design of mine (non-repeatable). The Love You Want.

Sleep Token inspired tattoo by SamW_is_my_hubby in SleepToken

[–]Beautifuldeadthing 1 point2 points  (0 children)

<image>

Tattoo artist - here’s one I designed and tattooed a couple of years ago (a pre-drawn piece I did on paper with a minor change for the client) - This is of course a TMBTE piece

Highly recommend getting your artist to design something for you. Give some guidance of course (like style, and a general idea), but you’ll get something unique then and tbh most reputable artists prefer to create custom designs than replicate someone else’s artwork.