Lodge Style: Faux Bearskin Rug
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Bear Essentials: Introducing the PETA-friendly rug.
Posted by ReadyMade
Project by Marie Mathiesen; photo by Jason Madara
So you love the hunting-lodge look, but your skin crawls at the thought of moldering animal hides? There is a more humane alternative. Using fake fur, a synthetic bear head mold, ear inserts, and eyes from Van Dykes Taxidermy (www.vandykestaxidermy.com), ReadyMade created this phony trophy rug. Believe us when we say that making this bear is leagues more empowering than killing the real beast.
Skill Level
Moderate
Active Time
More than a weekend
Cost
$$$
- Bear head mold with jaw set installed
- Black acrylic paint
- Clear glaze (optional)
- 3 yards of stiff cotton canvas
- 3 yards of fake fur
- Pair of ear inserts
- Pair of eyes
Materials
- Paintbrush
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Needle and thread or sewing machine
- Glue gun
- Comb
Tools
Apply black paint to the bear gums and around the eyes. To create the illusion of a wet snout, apply clear glaze to the nose.
Trace a bearskin shape (see illustration) on the canvas with a pencil. Cut the fur and canvas along the tracing line, leaving plenty of fur at the top for the head.
Sew the backing canvas onto the fake fur.
Cover the ear inserts with fake fur. Glue ears and eyes onto the head mold.
Glue the wooden base of the head to the canvas backing and cover the head mold in fur. Glue the fur on, cutting slits for the ears and eyes. Cut around the snout and glue fur around the mouth.
Trim the fur around the snout and mouth.
Nuzzle with your faux arctic artifact, then use a comb to tidy the fur you’ve mussed up.
Note: Although this project is not nearly as messy as skinning a real bear, it’s a good idea to have a vacuum on hand, especially when you start trimming. Even fake fur sheds.
