l, after weeks of hectic preparation for the Great Irish Game Fair at Shane's Castle it is finally over and done with. And I had a grand time!

The very first day of the fair we arrived around about 9am, and set up stall. It turned out nothing but the wooden table was provided, and I didn't feel too good about putting my work on a bare wooden table. Not very... professional.

Luckily there was the artist David Prescott, and he had a spare horse blanket. It was made of fleece, and green in colour, and he told me he used it for sleeping when on the move.. no horse had actually ever worn it! So the was the table sorted.

Inside the big magazine stall where three others with me. The magazine stand itself, Ramrod Antiques, and the 'Dog Guru' Keith Mathews . The guy running Ramrod Antiques was also named David, and he was hilarious. Sadly, during the span of the weekend, he didn't do too well financially, but he took it well and provided us with great commentary and laughter.

One screamer was provided when Keith Mathews made a brief appearance inside the tent. We hardly saw him at his stand inside the entire weekend, but I'm sure he had other things to do or was needed elsewhere. Much giggling ensued when Keith's kids were inside our tent, and running about the place. I didn't get the full details of what was happening, as I was sunk into my own work, but apparently Keith tried to get them to settle... with no luck. David's comment was; "So I take it you are better with dogs", which had my da and the magazine stand woman giggling like mad. Per usual I had to be informed later on the going-ons.

On Saturday I did a demonstration on a red-led partridge. I started around 10am, and pretty much spend the entire day putting it together and preening it until all the feather were in the right position. I was pulled away briefly for a tv-interview, but work soon resumed. There was LOADS of interest in what I was doing, and it felt great to get some recognition. There was another big taxidermy stand at the front of the fair, and I spoke to the owner briefly, complimenting her on her nice display. She had made an entire habitat, with pond and trees and .. well.. everything! Her work wasn't bad either, though it did (to me) miss that 'sparkle'.

Throughout the day I received comments on how good my work was compared to 'others', and how open I was about my work. Anything they want to know I'd answer. People asked for tanning lotions, and then laughed saying; "but you're not going to tell me where you get them is that it?". I answered where I got mine, and even gave them addresses where they could get their materials from. I've also received a LOT of interest in the classes I'll be giving later this year.. so fingers crossed

While working away, a couple took a great interest in my Blue Breasted Kingfisher... the only real exotic I had on my table, as the rest was all native. The man told me he collected taxidermy items, but only of the highest standards. He was working on a kingfisher display, and didn't have the one I had on display. It was sold, but left on the table while they went for walks across the fair grounds. It was only a couple of hours later, when he gave me his card that I realized his 'collection' was actually the natural history museum of Inishowen in Donegal!


Blue breasted Kingfisher, now in a museum

The second day I worked on a Kestrel from start to finish, and again there was loads of interest from all age groups. The biggest compliment came when a rather well dressed gentlemen walked by, gave a glance, and said in a rather posh voice; "Finally! Someone that knows what they're doing". To me, it was one of the biggest compliments I received during the fair, along with; "There are a lot of 'stuffers' in Ireland, but few true taxidermists that can bring the animals back to life."

In all I sold only 3 pieces. The red squirrel, the two teal and the blue breasted kingfisher. I would have sold my bohemian waxwing as well, if I was able to accept credit cards :/ Bummer.. But what can I say? I didn't except to sell anything. I sat there to get my NAME out there, and the get people to notice my work, and how it's done. To show just how much time, respect and patience goes into a well made piece. And I did just that! I have over a hundred people that will be in touch with things they still have in the freezer, and in the meantime I'm just going to keep spreading the word about my work.

In all, a wonderful and VERY successful fair!

Slán go fóill!
~Ingrid Houwers










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