An Artist Created A Needle-Felt Realistic Sculptures Inspired By Real Animals

Needle felt artist Cindy Thompson makes sculptures of different animals including dogs — and we have two of her dog breed creations to give away.

The hobby of needle felting is relatively new and involves felting wool into 3D shapes around a simple wire frame, using a barbed needle which mats the wool into any desired shape.

There are many different types of wool which all have different uses for felting; some felt easier than others. Cindy processes much of the wool herself, buying other commercially dyed wool

Each of the dogs takes a minimum of six hours to felt, and long-coated breeds even longer.

Cindy was captivated after viewing a Japanese site about someone who felted very realistic dogs and cats; she then taught herself the craft through trial and error.

She is able to capture the shape, colour, and character of each dog type.

“I thoroughly enjoy felting and have made many different animals — meerkats, gorillas, pigs, donkey’s, horses, hares — and I’m happy to attempt anything but I particularly enjoy different dog breeds,” she said.

The craft is well established in Japan and America. Cindy’s felts have sold in Germany, America, and Australia, and she will consider commissions.