Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Absolutely Fabulous

I was zooming around the internet when I came across this adorable 3.5 inch fiber art sculpture of a Tibetan Terrier. It is the creation of a Canadian artist by the name of Mandy who sells her work through Etsy, which I believe in an online store for crafty people.

Now Mandy tells me, "Needle felt, for me, is a total expression of the body. You have to really have a feeling of appreciation and creativity to make a sculpture that represents a treasured piece of someone`s life." And I'm picking up what she's putting down. If you know what I mean.

Needle felting is the technique of taking unspun wool and poking it hundreds of times until it matts and starts to make shapes. From there, you make the beautiful sculptures you see here. It is a very involved process. According to Mandy, "Extreme care is taken to make sure you are completely satisfied with your sculpture."

The little Tibetan Terrier pictured here is made from sheep wool, bamboo silk, mulberry silk and tussah silk (whatever the heck that is). He also has a hand-sculpted polymer clay nose and realistic brown glass eyes.

If you provide Mandy with photographs and/or a description, you can forever be immortalized in silk and wool. At least until the moths have their way. In the end they get us all. She has created sculptures of a wide variety of breeds. I think they're all pretty darn cute.

Anyway, I know what I am asking for in my stocking. A 3.5 inch mini me rendered in silk and wool. Now, mind you, these little sculptures are not cheap. Nothing good ever is.

For more info contact Mandy at fibreheart@yahoo.ca