Eye, eye! When conservation meets restoration #crimsonrosella #japanesetissue #conservationplacement

Somebody was evidently impressed by this specimen of a Snowdon beetle. :-) Spotted in the Amgueddfa Caerdydd Entomology collection whilst spot checking for signs of pest damage with the #PreventiveConservation @AmgueddfaVols.

Work well under way on the Indian Roller taxidermy specimen. Old glass eyes removed and swapped for the correct brown eyes and then I added an eye ring made from Japanese Gampi tissue and PVAC, painted orange. Big improvement and scientifically accurate 😀 #conservationplacement

Useful note about storage of entomological microscope slides - don't store them near the pinned insects. Canadian balsam reacts with parachlorobenzene from mothballs and becomes opaque. #NatSCAConservation

My exceptionally dirty polar bear says: "Crumbs. This looks good." natsca.org/node/2419 NatSCA's advances in conservation conference - 17th October in Oxford. A whole day dedicated to the latest way to clean polar bears, amongst other things. #NatSCAConservation

Open wide! Volunteers helping the #Conservation team with the cleaning of the display specimens. NatSCA #NatSCAConservation #photocomp

My corn poppy and opium poppy models are currently on display in the ‘Poppies for Remembrance’ exhibition Amgueddfa Caerdydd Exploring the science of poppy #biodiversity and the symbol of #remembrance, it’s open until 3rd March 2019. #botanicalmodels #WW1Centenary @walesremembers

Cleaning the skull of a pliosaur. #NatSCAConservation #photocomp being run to promote ‘Caring for Natural Science Collections: A 1day conference exploring advances in conservation’ by NatSCA & taking place in Oxford on October 17th 2018. For details see: natsca.org/node/2419

NatSCA #NatSCAConservation #photocomp. Replastering the bases of a different sized jackets containing Leedsichthys bones. From the Leedsichthys project @Vivacity_Museum

More things I discovered on my natural history conservation work placement, starting with the versatility of Japanese gampi tissue. From repairing butterfly wings, to creating fake feathers and even a new tooth for taxidermy specimens, it was a joy to work with! @CUConservation

I also learned that supports for objects can come in surprising forms! Polystyrene cups are very useful for entomology specimens, while paintbrushes and pens can come in handy to support joints while adhesive is drying. The only limitation is your imagination 😀 @CUConservation

A new exhibition at Oriel y Parc in St Davids is contrasting the beauty of the #Pembrokeshire Coast with the reality of the damage plastic is causing to the waters and wildlife of our fragile shores. Gallery open every day 10am-4pm. ow.ly/AAac30lQVy4

Mandy Garratt NaturalHistoryMuseum This chameleon’s tongue had become desiccated over many years. A little pigmented beeswax was shaped on the chameleon’s tongue with a heat pen. You can see before and after images below. 🦎#beeswax #chameleon #NatSCAConservation

NatSCA The in between stages of wrapping specimens for freezing is quite amusing. Here I have a Seven banded #armadillo ready for a nap! #NatSCAConservation #photocomp

NatSCA The inbetween stages of wrapping specimens for freezing is quite amusing. This #platypus has to be lightly tied down to avoid him slipping about! #NatSCAConservation #photocomp

For #ThrowbackThursday here is another of Eivind Senneset’s stunning pictures taken for Universitetet i Bergen to document NaturalHistoryMuseum being emptied before renovation began. You can see more pictures here: ow.ly/Ym4w50icbx3 #elg #elk #Alcesalces #MittMuseum

Conservation Matters in Wales Xmas Conference is on :-) More than an object - conserving our intangible heritage. Call for papers and save the date: Wed, Dec 19th - Insole Court, Cardiff conservatorswales.blogspot.com

Cadwraeth yng Nghymru Rhagfyr 2018: Mwy na gwrthrych – gwarchod ein treftadaeth anniriaethol. Galwad am bapurau a nodyn i’r dyddiadur: Dydd Mercher, 19 Rhagfyr 2018. Cwrt Insole, Caerdydd

#Museum30 #MuseumLoveStory For many years I have been inspired, cared for, conserved, exhibited and enthused on the Cardiff Curator collection of #Blaschka Glass Models Amgueddfa Caerdydd :-) Definitely a highlight of the job!