Skip to main content

What a Foxy Devil


Hurrah! I've finally finished my foxy needle felted head (& named him Kasper) and am thrilled how well he's turned out. More a mask really than a complete head but certainly very foxy indeed! I was set on making a fox head as my first foray into needle felted faux taxidermy (or 'woolidermy' as I've termed my crochet & felt creations). I used a basic car sponge cut into a vaguely face shape and piled on this lovely russet coloured merino tops fleece, felting it in with the barbed needle (usually just one but a multi needle holder was used especially for the back & top of the head). I hadn't planned exactly how to do the muzzle so it's entirely made from layers & layers of fleece, slowly built up and shaped. I had tried coaxing a friendly urban fox to pose as a model but he/she was too busy (it was bin day) so had to make do with photos instead. 

My absolutely favourite bit was putting in the eyes. I'd bought 2 pairs of 'fox eyes', one acrylic (slightly cheaper & a smaller size) and a glass version, both from an online taxidermy supplier. The acrylic ones are clearer and brighter and initially looked more promising but once placed in the eye sockets, it was surprising how fantastic the glass ones looked and they really brought the face to life (or something slightly like it).

Kasper, sans eyes...


With eyes!


This handsome fellow needed a suitable mounting so the very talented slate guru Dave Stephen made me a bespoke shield out of Welsh slate http://www.davestephen.com/ I've also bought a pair of large wolf eyes so will be moving onto a more ambitious head soon!


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Joyfully Geeky Crochet- Creating a TARDIS

Creating a TARDIS (correctly using capitals now after previous admonishments by my pedantic husband) has, I can confidently declare, been my second favourite present make ever (only bested by a crocheted honeycomb frame made for my bee-keeping mother). It may indeed have a wibbly-wobbly roof (angle of the above picture is flattering!), cheerfully wandering letters on the 'police box' signs and a tendency towards a leaning base, but I am sadly very proud of my little blue box. Part of the pleasure definitely comes from anticipating the look on my brilliant Dr Who-loving friend's face as he opens the box it's travelled north in. Concerned about any misunderstanding, I've taped an 'it's not shoes!' note to the top so as to avoid even momentarily confusion when presented with a peppermint green Clarkes box. Once he fights his way through the swathes of bubble wrap (it was a big box), he'll be the wondrous owner of this mini delight. I'm thrille...
Post a Comment
Read more

(Anatomical) Love Is In the Air!

Crochet Anatomical Hearts by Lost In The Wood February has been set aside for a much needed catch up with the paperwork (dull but essential), a move into my new cute little studio (exciting), finishing commissions (overdue) and an exhibition piece (satisfying). However, I was a very busy little bee in January, working on some new anatomical designs (which will be a key focus for my work this year). I've started with hearts, the most appropriate bodily organ for this time of year and one of the most interesting to crochet with all it's ventricles, veins and arteries. I'm not claiming these are anatomically correct (no student of biology/ physiology should look to these as learning aids or we're all done for) but they make a reasonable attempt. Intended as large wall pieces, hang them as statement art works or nestle a smaller one under a bell jar and let them be brazen about their well crafted weirdness! They have been hanging splendidly in the Lotti & W...
Post a Comment
Read more

Good Riddance February, Welcome Cheery March!

'Meet the Maker' 01/03/14 Aside from a lovely weekend at the beginning of the month celebrating our Wedding Anniversary & friends birthdays, February was essentially a grim fest of illness, misery and much weirdness. So, it was with relief that the 1st of March ushered in much improved health & mental outlook. Happily, I had recovered enough to participate in and enjoy being part of Lotti & Wren's 10th Birthday Celebrations! As one of my most favourite shops, the continued existence of this adorable boutique packed with well chosen contemporary homely & gift things, is truly worth celebrating. As a little 'Meet the Maker' event, a few lovely local makers had stalls in the cute garden shared with next door Palas Prints (a fine independent bookshop stocking a wide range of Welsh & English language books and who also helpfully cater for more niche tastes by ordering in Victorian taxidermy books for their odder customers like me). As usual wh...
Post a Comment
Read more