Featured artist: Anna Ryasnova, AnnaRyasnova. Felted miniature

We love our pets so we were happy to see  almost identical figurines of our dog's breeds at AnnaRyasnova shop. There are so many interesting items there. Anna, the owner of the shop, works in a needle felting technique and reached a high level in what she does. 

She loves to make miniature pets figurines, especially dogs and every one of them is unique. A happy customer's reaction is what inspires her to create new figurines. She loves the challenge of working with miniatures and trying to make her work even smaller every time. What a great artistic approach!

 

Anna's works can be seen during Miniaturitalia Exhibition in Milan, Italy, on February 7-8, 2016 or visit her shop to see if there is anything that touches you.

Here is what Anna is telling about herself and her creative vision.

"It fills me with gratitude and pride that by today my creations have reached people from such diverse countries as the United States, Australia, Canada, Argentina, Mexico, Thailand, Singapore, Israel, Bulgaria, Russia, Germany, Ireland, England, France, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Spain. I take inspiration from my three beautiful sons, from nature as a whole and the animal world in particular.
Furthermore I consider it a special honor that so many clients have trusted me with orders to portray their dearest companion animals.

I firmly believe we all can be creators of happiness, for ourselves and for others, if only we allow love and affection to guide us. Everybody can create something, so can make a difference, and help to turn our world in a better place! I hope you will enjoy my works as much as I did making them."

 Interview by Tanya agardencottage

Felted dog

Today we are going to make a Cartoon Needle Felted Dog. My beagle might have a cartoon character looks and maybe he is not that realistic looking, but he is the easiest to make.

We will need:

1. Wool batt.
2. Rowing wool in white, tan, black and red colors
3. felting needles #38 and #40. We are using #38 during the whole process of felting and finishing our work with #40.
4. Foam sponge for felting
5. 2 black round beads for the eyes
6. A sketch of your project.


I usually draw my dogs in the size I am going to felt to make sure I am doing the correct size.


Step 1: Make a rough shape of your dog's body and head from your wool batt. It should be slightly smaller than desired size of your finished project. Poke through the wool evenly with the #38 needle until firm, adding additional wool batt if needed.




Step 2: According to your sketch make 4 white feet, 2 tan ears and black and white tail from your wool roving. Don't forget to leave the base of each detail un-felted to felt it later to the body.


Step 3: Connect all the body parts together. Felt feet to the body. Apply a medium layer of white wool all over the dog's body.


Step 4: Attach the ears with your felting needle. Add some tan wool where needed.


Step 5: Attach the tail and apply some black roving wool to finish the project.


Step 6: Make the nose by attaching a small amount of black wool with your # 40 needle, and glue your black beads for the dog's eyes.


Our dog is ready! Well, he looks a little sad doesn't he? Let's take some red wool roving and make a ball for him!


Much better! Look at him now, I think, he is inviting you to play! :)


Story by Yulia (HeartyDog)
Translated by Tanya (Socksandmittens)