Needlefelting
Barbara Lawrence is a skilled needlefelting artisan maker of exquisite animal themed creations – some very traditional in style – and others more contemporary – but all with meticulous attention to detail and the highest quality standard finish. Barbara transforms soft wool fibres into sculptural forms through repeated hand-felting with barbed needles. Layering, shaping, and detailing techniques create richly textured pieces with character, depth, and yet with a distinctively superior quality and handmade finish.
Barbara has been an obsessive maker for as long as she can remember. Although creativity was a constant throughout her childhood and adult life, it was not until the age of 40 that she had the opportunity to pursue formal art education. She enrolled at Kent College of Art and Design, where she studied ceramics and gained an HND in 3D Design, beginning a rewarding career that combined both making and teaching.
After 24 years working with clay, Barbara’s body signalled that it was time for a new creative direction. This turning point led her to discover the art of needle felting. Entirely self-taught, she quickly became captivated by the medium’s potential for sculptural expression and lifelike detail.
Using a specialist barbed needle, Barbara carefully interlocks wool fibres to build each sculpture from the inside out. The process is painstaking and highly skilled, requiring thousands of individual needle strokes and many hours of work to create a single piece. Once the basic form is established, layers of colour, texture and fine detail are added to bring each character to life.
Barbara works predominantly with British wool, sourcing fleece from small and pet flocks wherever possible. All wool used comes from non-mulesed flocks, reflecting her commitment to ethical and sustainable materials.
Inspired by the personality and individuality of animals, Barbara’s aim is not simply to replicate their appearance, but to capture their essence. Her sculptures celebrate character, expression and charm, creating pieces that connect emotionally with viewers and, above all, make people smile.
Each sculpture is a unique piece of textile art, handcrafted for adult collectors and intended for display purposes only.
Important Information
Barbara’s sculptures are created as collectible art pieces for adult display. They are not toys and are unsuitable for children under 14 years of age. As the sculptures contain wire armatures and small components, they may present a choking hazard and should be kept away from children and pets.