Personalize your favorite pet in a needle felted wool painting and lovingly display in an embroidery hoop frame. Just email me (or send by Etsy Messages) a few photos of your special friend, and I will needle felt a "painting" out of wool roving onto a canvas of repurposed patchwork fabrics. I make a collaged background using a combination of neutral fabrics that best show off the colors and pose of your pet, set the finished portrait into a wooden 6” or 8” embroidery hoop, add a ribbon bow in a color that sets off the entire art piece. The finished measurements are approximately 7' tall x 6.5" wide x 1/2" deep for the smaller hoop and 9” x 6.5” x 1/2” deep for the larger hoop. Very simple to hang by a decorative sewing pin pushed into the wall, or a small nail (not included). May also be displayed on a small stand on a bookshelf, or simply lean it on a shelf where you can see it every day. You will feel like your special friend is with you always :o)

I have recently been working on my pet portrait needle felting skills and my portraits are better now than ever before. Please look at photo 3 showing the original photo next to the wool portrait.

This personalized hoop art would make a fabulous and unique gift, and will certainly delight the recipient! Makes an incredible memorial gift for someone who has recently lost their beloved friend. The hoop is an eye catcher in any room. Please note that this is an art hoop piece, and should be handled gently. Displaying it in a little-used area is the perfect display option.

Care instructions for this fiber art piece are simple: approximately twice a year, using a hair dryer set on low and the "cool" heat setting, or using canned air held 12" away from the art, gently blow off any accumulated dust on the front and top of the art piece. It is also advisable to keep the art away from direct sunlight so as to prevent fading.

Please note: I need a GOOD QUALITY PHOTO of your pet, with them preferably looking at the camera, or a nice profile view. It is most helpful if you can send me several different images, including a couple of different poses; sitting, lying down, etc. I am able to use a perfect head pose from one photo with a body pose from a second photo. If you have trouble getting your pet to look at the camera, I suggest holding a favorite treat in your hand while taking the photo. (Works great for me- my dog won't take her eyes off the treat!) Email photos to me at ValsArt@me.com, or send them through Etsy Messages.

Please keep in mind that I use repurposed fabrics from my stash for the background. You can let me know if you have a color preference for the background color, but I may not be able to match your color request exactly. I always allow the colors of the pet to be my guide, and select fabric and trims to compliment these colors. I always use neutral colors and will add an accent of any color you specify. I will create the background out of a 2 color combination of fabrics. Convo me for additional details, or if you just want to discuss your ideas further. Or, feel free to email me at ValsArt@me.com.

You may also select an option to RUSH the order for an additional $25.00, which means I will put it in front of other orders I am currently working on. Please make either of these selections from the pull-down menu when placing your order.

I can needle felt two or more pets within the same hoop, but please message or email me at ValsArt@me.com for a price quote. I put great care into capturing your pet's personality in this art form, and more than one pet means a larger hoop and twice the felting time. I am happy to create a custom listing just for you, and whichever option works best for you and your pet :o)

Please note: I DO NOT needle felt people, sorry.

Also, regarding the finishing time, I am just ->ME<- making these custom pet pieces, and I put my heart and soul into each one in order to get your pet just right. Thanks for your understanding and cooperation! I can take only a VERY limited number of these custom orders during the holidays, so please plan accordingly and I suggest you PLACE YOUR ORDER BY LATE OCTOBER IF YOU WISH TO RECEIVE IT BEFORE MID-DECEMBER!

=^_^= Feedback from people who have ordered my custom pet art:

"In the time between my order and you finishing the art, my mother's beloved dog passed away. She couldn't believe it when she opened her gift and saw her best friend looking back at her! She told me she would have never been able to get through those first few difficult weeks without this amazing needle felted art to help her feel like her pet was still by her side. You have an amazing talent. Thank you so much!"

"It is incredibly lifelike. Gracie is perfectly captured in this pillow. I couldn't be happier! Purchased this pillow for my Mother for Christmas. No doubt she will cherish it. I would not hesitate to purchase another. Thank you so much!" and later, "Mom called saying that she opened her present early and she was in awe. 'It looks just like Gracie! How she do it?' So I told her that you looked into her eyes long enough that you looked into her soul and captured it." (Oh my goodness, what a sweet compliment :o)

"Hi Valerie, OMG! My daughter absolutely LOVES the pillow! You did a fabulous job - I couldn't be happier! My daughter paid you the highest compliment when she said "those are OUR dogs!". She thinks you absolutely captured their personalities - doesn't get any better than that!"

- "OMG! The pillow is exquisite!!! It couldn’t be more perfect! (We) were jumping up and down when we opened it! Rylie, my grand daughter is going to flip. She loves this little dog and has had aspirations for a long time about becoming a Vet. Thanks so much for making this such a special gift for her l6th birthday!"

- (From a customer whose new puppy chewed the needle felted cat away from the pillow, and I had to recreate the image) "I forgot to email you at the beginning of this week to tell you I received my pillow back! I was so super excited and it looks just as wonderful as it did the first time. Thank you so much for taking the time to re work it and wrap it with such care and love. It is now placed high up and away from Max so he can’t get to it. I will treasure it for the rest of my life."

Thank you for checking out my shop, and especially for supporting my handmade efforts!