Curious and customized: St. John’s enterprise focuses on shadowbox seashells, seaside treasures and taxidermy rodents

ST. JOHN’S, NL – For most people, a walk on the beach or in the woods is just that – a walk. For Krista Elliott, however, it’s also a chance to find beauty in the everyday.

Elliott is the owner and operator of Curious Collections, where she sells individually curated nature collections and taxidermy, all hand collected in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Their boxed collections contain a variety of items from across the province, and part of the goal of making and selling them is to help people learn more about the province’s diversity.

“I’ve been very fortunate to live across the island, so I’ve had the opportunity to see a lot of the places that are here and all the things that they offer,” she told SaltWire. “I don’t think people are getting as much opportunity as I’ve been fortunate enough to have, so it’s a way for me to show people what we’ve got and maybe encourage them to do it when I box the Go go outside and find a treasure too.”

Krista Elliott takes found objects from across Newfoundland and Labrador and curates them into educational artworks. – contributed

Different parts of the island are very different when it comes to the environment, she said, and her collections reflect that.

“There are things you would find here that you would not find in Central, there are things you would find in the Burin Peninsula that you would never find here. What I’m trying to do is take little bits and pieces all over the island and put them there, so you might recognize some things, but other things you might not know, and it’s also nice to learn about the in that way province.”

Whimsical take on taxidermy

While her business is relatively new, her interest in foraging and taxidermy is not. Growing up in a hunting family where she was taught to appreciate the beauty of nature, animals and taxidermy, she hopes her art can help inspire others in the same way.

Elliott has been offering her wares at various markets in the St. John’s area in recent months and said the stuffed mice and rats she sells, some in costume and dioramas, have attracted a lot of attention from adults and children alike , albeit with slightly different responses. Kids think they’re cute, she said, while some adults say they “give them the chills.”

Krista Elliott’s stuffed rats and mice drew a lot of attention when she sold her art at markets around St. John’s, and she said reactions can vary widely. – contributed

She said that when she first started selling stuffed animals, she focused on mice and rats because they’re great subjects for creativity, are relatively approachable, and can be pretty cute.

“A lot of people don’t get along with a lot of animals, so it’s a way for them to touch them, see them, and appreciate them,” she said. “It’s also a way to have a little fun with it. You can make them whimsical and then people won’t see them as scary. I know mice and rats have negative connotations, but if you make them and present them properly, they’re more likely to see them in a positive light.”

Those who would like to see Elliott’s creations in person can do so at the Krampus Christmas Fair at St. John’s Farmer’s Market on December 9th or visit her Etsy shop online.