Introduction
Hi, I’m Lily! I’m the owner behind Whimsimoth, a small batch business in the Uk. I’ve always been curious about the taboo and macabre which is one of the many reasons why I started collecting and selling oddities! I’ve been selling for almost two years (learning the practice for over three) but it’s only recently that I’ve been expanding my shop, thanks to you guys of course! I never dreamed of anyone liking my products as much as they do now, but it truly is healing.
You can find me here, online, but if you wanted to see my work in person, you can also find me selling at gothic and alternative markets around the Uk! (Keep an eye on my Instagram for dates)
You might be wondering how or why I started this business so here’s a little background behind it all!
Why bones?
As an oddities collector myself, it’s a true struggle to find pieces that are genuinely sourced responsibly. It’s such a shame, but there are so many unethical sellers online especially as “vulture culture” is becoming more on trend. This is one of the main reasons why I started my shop. I got my hands on some nature found jawbones and decided that I would create something that you would hopefully love (which you did) but also something that you also knew was sourced well. I really enjoyed the process and so I set it upon myself to learn more about finding and cleaning bones and I haven’t stopped since.
I found that I really enjoy being outside more and I love the cleaning process too. It helps me feel more connected to nature and its also very grounding! Being a practicing witch for over 5 years, celebrating the cycles of life and death is natural to me. Its a way of honouring the dead. I take what's left behind and create something that can be cherished and loved again.
How did I learn how to clean bones?
Cleaning bones is a long but rewarding task. It may be hard to find but there’s a lot of support online. I learnt through blogs on Google, YouTube, Reddit forums, TikTok, and even Facebook groups! It takes a lot of digging and even after three years, I still feel like there’s a lot I could learn!
If you’re just starting out, be mindful as there’s a lot of misinformation online too, for example the use of bleach, boiling, collecting illegal species etc.
If you’re just starting out, be mindful as there’s a lot of misinformation online too, for example the use of bleach, boiling, collecting illegal species etc.
I use traditional bone cleaning methods with three main steps.
• Defleshing, I usually do above ground decomposition or burial.
• Degreasing, I use dishsoap, warm water and a bucket heater. I ensure all the bones I use are properly degreased for your safety! (I will spend months to over a year degreasing to ensure this!)
• Whitening, I will only use 12% hydrogen peroxide diluted with water (I never use bleach on bones) Or I will use a traditional method of sunbleaching!
These are just the basics of my practice, it really does take a lot of time and patience and all the information can definitely be very overwhelming. If you’re just staring out and need a hand, don’t be afraid of reaching out! I may not have all the answers, but I'd be happy to help! Alternatively I have lots of videos on my Instagram and TikTok about this topic too!
~ Lily 🪲