Most environmentally-minded people agree that the stag head hanging above the mantel is a cruel and unpleasant decoration. But there might be a way to capture that classic decorating theme without harming even one little hair on any critter’s head. Shauna Richardson sculpts incredibly detailed animals – out of yarn. Her Crochetdermy project is a fun, cruelty-free take on the practice of decorating one’s home with stuffed animals.
Shauna Richardson uses yarn to create amazingly life-like creatures that look disarmingly like their fur-and-bone counterparts. Mounted on wooden bases, they could be dearly departed pets or perfectly preserved wild animals kept as offbeat home decorations.
But a closer look reveals that these furry wonders are, in fact, perfectly detailed crocheted sculptures. Made of yarn with realistic eyes, teeth and noses, these beasts look almost able to get up and scamper off at any moment.
Richardson’s art has garnered plenty of attention recently. She was commissioned to create a portrait of the Royal of her choice and elected to depict Prince Harry as a screaming blue-eyed baboon. Two of her 30-foot-tall crocheted lions will be on display during the 2012 Olympics, so all of London (and the rest of the world) will be able to appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into these faux-taxidermied beasties.


