Unusual Taxidermic Needlepoint with Scottish Naturalist Eliza Brightwen

Eliza Brightwen - Scottish naturalist

“The bones were cleaned, boiled, and dried. They were used as the wings for embroidered insects or leaves for flowers.” February 19, 1974 On this day, The Journal Herald out of Dayton, Ohio, published a little snippet about the naturalist Eliza Brightwen and her unusual needlepoint methods: If you are tired of the same crewel and needlepoint…

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Woman’s Work: The Revolutionary Taxidermy of Martha Maxwell

Martha Maxwell

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. May 31, 1881 This day marks the passing of one Martha Maxwell, that diminutive yet formidable force in the realm of taxidermy, who departed this earthly plane on this very day in 1881.…

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