Sarah Mitchell| Needle Felting ArtistMy name is Sarah Mitchell, and I am a fiber artist who strives to bring the beauty and diversity of the natural world to life through a process called needle felting. Needle felting involves using a small, barbed needle to repeatedly sculpt wool fibers, gradually building them into realistic, dimensional forms. Working with fiber allows me to achieve a lifelike finish that captures the spirit of each animal. Each sculpture begins with a carefully constructed wire armature, providing both structural support and the flexibility to create dynamic, natural poses. One of the unique qualities of fiber is that it allows subtle movement even after the piece is complete. I blend, layer, and shape the wool repeatedly, building it up layer upon layer until the sculpture fully emerges. My work is deeply influenced by close observation of the natural world. I study how animals sit, move, and carry themselves, incorporating those gestures and subtle details into each piece. This attention to movement and posture allows my sculptures to convey a sense of life — as if they might step forward or take flight from their wooden mounts at any moment. My goal is not only to capture an animal’s likeness, but its mannerisms and spirit as well. My work is currently available at Art in the Square in Summerville, the Charleston Fine Craft Gallery in Charleston, the SC Artisans Center in Walterboro, and online at WoolyWildlife.com. You can also follow my work on Instagram (@Wooly_Wildlife), Facebook (@Wooly Wildlife), and YouTube (@Wooly Wildlife).