Brooklyn Taxidermy
Brooklyn Taxidermy is a private taxidermy studio specializing in custom commissions, hands-on classes, repairs, cleanings, and rentals. Founded by Amber Maykut, the studio operates by appointment only with two locations: Sugar Loaf, NY (Saturdays) and Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY (Sundays). Amber Maykut...
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Full description and what we offer
Brooklyn Taxidermy is a private taxidermy studio specializing in custom commissions, hands-on classes, repairs, cleanings, and rentals. Founded by Amber Maykut, the studio operates by appointment only with two locations: Sugar Loaf, NY (Saturdays) and Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY (Sundays).
Amber Maykut's formal training began in 2012 at Anderson's Whitetail Taxidermy School near Rochester, NY, under Bill Anderson. She continued her education studying under William Tinger in Highland Mills, NY; John Youngaitis of Cypress Hills Taxidermy in Queens, NY; and Mark Van Leuven of Buckshot Taxidermy in New Jersey. She also trained in England under Simon Moore, Conservator of Natural Sciences for The Natural History Museum of London and The British Museum. Most notably, she interned at the American Museum of Natural History in NYC under Senior Preparator Tom Doncourt, where she prepared bird study skins for their Ornithology department.
"Brooklyn Taxidermy has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, The New York Times, and more. Clients include celebrities such as Drew Barrymore, Neil Patrick Harris, and Courtney Love, as well as bands like Slayer and Tool."
Custom Work & Commissions - Full-service custom taxidermy for small mammals, birds, and other legal specimens - $100 minimum for all custom services - Clients have included major TV shows (Saturday Night Live, Portlandia, Wednesday), restaurants (Eleven Madison Park, Ace Hotel), and renowned institutions
Repairs & Cleanings - Restoration and refreshing of existing taxidermy pieces - Eye replacement, fur/feather cleaning, mounting repairs - $100 minimum service fee
Rentals - Available taxidermy pieces for events, film, TV, and installations - $100 minimum rental fee plus full deposit - Browse rental inventory on their shop pages
Classes & Workshops
Monthly hands-on classes for beginners and experienced enthusiasts:
| Class Type | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Small Mammal (Rat, Chipmunk, Squirrel) | $375–$550 | 4-hour class, skin and mount your specimen |
| Bird (European Starling) | $500 | 4-hour class, full mounting process |
| Lifesize Raccoon | $1,200 | 4-hour class, complete raccoon mounting |
| Lifesize Fox | $1,500 | 4-hour class (by request, email for availability) |
| Lifesize Coyote | $1,600 | 4-hour class (by request, email for availability) |
| Butterfly/Moth Pinning | $200 | 1.5-hour evening class |
| Gift Cards | $200+ | Instant digital cards redeemable for any class |
Age & Enrollment - Students age 13+ welcome; under 18 requires parent/guardian consent - Younger students (under 13) can take private mounting lessons - No bring-your-own-animal (BYOA) classes—they provide all specimens - 48-hour cancellation window required; $50 rescheduling fee; no refunds - Classes held weekends only; email to request custom dates
No animals are killed for taxidermy. All specimens come from: - Feeder animals for pet snakes and reptiles - Butcher/sustenance remains and livestock by-products - Naturally deceased pets and wild animals - Discarded roadkill - Destroyed nuisance animals - Donated specimens from zoos and sanctuaries - Repurposed vintage pieces
Protected Species: They do NOT work on dogs, cats, or any birds protected under the Migratory Bird Act (migratory birds, songbirds, raptors, vultures, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, etc.). State and federal laws carry $100,000+ fines and jail time for illegal possession. For dogs and cats, they recommend Buckshot Taxidermy in Sussex, NJ and offer transportation services for a fee.
Full online shop with free shipping (unless noted). Examples of available pieces:
Taxidermy Creatures - Jackalopes on wood plaques: $329–$469 - Taxidermy mice in themed poses: $159–$359 (raccoon outlaw, nun, tattoo artist, bookworm, wedding couple, etc.) - Shoulder mounts (raccoon, goat, fox): $349–$2,400 - Specialty pieces: Kitsune fox ($1,999), Himalayan tahr goat ($999), blind goat ($2,400) - Bird mounts: European starlings, lovebirds on perches - Novelty items: Raccoon butt bottle opener, middle finger turkeys
Butterflies & Insects - Real butterflies in bell jars and glass domes: $45–$195 - Madagascar sunset moths, blue morphos, red gliders, monarchs - Butterfly dome gift boxes
Accessories - Glass bell jars and domes: $45–$280 - Wood bases and plaques - Display perches
Gift Options - Tote bags: $13 - Gift cards: $25+ - Class gift cards: $200+
Greenpoint Studio 37 Greenpoint Ave Brookly, NY 11222 Sundays by appointment
Sugar Loaf Studio 1407 Kings Highway Sugar Loaf, NY 10981 Saturdays by appointment
(347) 829-4333 [email protected]
Amber Maykut has presented to NPR, The Explorers Club, Teddy Roosevelt's Birthplace National Historic Site, and the Morbid Anatomy Museum. She serves as a board member for the Garden State Taxidermists' Association of NJ and is a member of the National Taxidermists Association.
Follow @BrooklynTaxidermy on Instagram and Facebook for updates, class announcements, and occasional public studio access during Greenpoint Open Studios (roughly twice yearly). Join the quarterly mailing list for early notification of new classes and availability.
No storefront or walk-ins. All visits are by appointment only for consultations, pickups, drop-offs, and classes.