About Me

ABOUT SARAH & WOOLY WILDLIFE

Hi! Welcome to my little world of needle-felted creations. I’m Sarah—a mother of two, an avid runner, and a self-confessed serial crafter. I’ve always loved making things with my hands, but I never expected that one of those creative pursuits would eventually become such an important part of my life.

In a past life, I was an archaeologist. When an autoimmune disease made it impossible for me to continue that career, I explored a few different paths, searching for that same sense of purpose and excitement. I eventually found it again through art. What started as a craft quickly became something much more meaningful—a way to create, to connect with the natural world, and to share that joy with others.

I create realistic sculptures of birds and animals using a process called needle felting. Working with wool allows me to build an incredible amount of texture, detail, and personality into each piece. I blend, layer, and shape the fibers over time, slowly watching each sculpture take form.

Every piece begins with a wire armature, which provides structure and allows me to give each animal a natural pose and sense of movement. One of the things I love about working with fiber is that the wire beneath the wool can retain a little flexibility, allowing the sculpture to be adjusted even after it is finished. From there, I build a strong felted core and gradually add layers of carefully blended wool to create the color, texture, and details that bring each animal to life.

Needle felting itself is a slow and rhythmic process. Using a small, barbed needle, I repeatedly work the wool until the fibers interlock and become firm enough to sculpt. It takes many hours—and sometimes a great deal of patience—but there is something incredibly satisfying about watching a handful of loose wool slowly transform into a recognizable animal. Every sculpture is entirely one of a kind.

Much of my inspiration comes from simply watching animals. I pay attention to how they sit, move, balance, and carry themselves, because those little details are what make them feel alive. My goal isn’t just to recreate what an animal looks like, but to capture something of its personality and movement. I want my sculptures to feel as though they could lift off their wooden base, take a step, or turn their head when you aren’t looking.

Lately, I’ve been especially inspired by the birds and mammals of South Carolina. There is something wonderful about seeing someone recognize a familiar bird or animal in one of my sculptures. That moment creates an immediate connection—a shared appreciation for something we may have seen many times but perhaps never stopped to really notice. Through my work, I hope to celebrate the wildlife around us and bring a little piece of that natural beauty to people, especially those who may not have the opportunity to experience it up close.

I also love sharing the craft itself. I offer in-person needle felting classes as well as DIY kits with accompanying video tutorials, so that others can discover the joy of working with wool. Whether you are completely new to needle felting or an experienced maker, I hope to make the process approachable, creative, and fun.

While birds have been taking center stage in my studio lately, I never know what creature will capture my attention next. I love creating everything from realistic wildlife studies to whimsical animals, and I especially enjoy the challenge of bringing someone’s special idea to life.

If you have an animal, pet, or idea you would love to see created in wool, I’d love to hear about it. Feel free to reach out through my contact page with questions, custom requests, or even just to say hello.

Thanks for stopping by and spending a little time in my world. I hope you find something here that makes you smile, sparks a little wonder, or reminds you to pause and appreciate the wildlife all around us.