Bev,
Nice job with the Snake Pen and thanks for the tip about buying from Ryan at Woodturningz, I told them that you had referred me and I got $5.00 off the total and you got credits from my purchase.
I am a taxidermist, I haven't done any snakes, but deer heads, etc. I have done. I read Daniel's post and wanted to let you know that there is a substitute for formaldehyde that is safe to use (Rittel's Preservz-It formaldehyde replacement solution and is available from WASCO (Wildlife Artist Supply Company in Georgia www.taxidermy.com 800-334-8012) and they also have a product called Snaketan. The stuff ain't cheap, but it will produce a supple leather from your snakeskin (so they say - like I said, I haven't tried a snake yet) i deal mainly with WASCO as they have a very good inventory and is owned and operated by a world class taxidermist - so I believe she would only sell things that really worked. I you do choose the formaldehyde approach - be extremely careful as it is a known carcinogen. Use Dawn dishwashing detergent to wash the raw skin to remove any fat or grease after you scrape the skin and before you salt it down. Using the tanning solutions, you may not need to let the skin sit as long as you did. Usually with mammal pelts, I just salt for 48 - 60 hours and then proceeed to fleshing (scraping th efat & stuff off) then tanning.