ADVERTISEMENT

Moscow-based artist Nastasya Shuljak has grown up in nature, enjoying the natural world around her. Now, she's creating miniature wool sculptures of small animals and other cute creatures, and her rich childhood is really visible in her works. Plants sprout from the heads of natural spirits. Polar bears, foxes, and other critters look as if they've just stepped out of a magical wonderland... Shuljak's 42.5K followers as well as her clients can't get enough of her adorable toys, and it's easy to understand why. It's impossible not to smile when you're meeting them.

More info: Instagram

Shuljak's transformation into a full-time toy designer began when she was still a theater artist and art teacher. "About 10 years ago, just before New Year's, I received an unexpected gift from my friends -- a pack of wool," Nastasya told Bored Panda. "I made a bear and a rabbit from it. Immediately, I fell in love with wool for its flexibility and the endless possibilities you can achieve with it."

"I also saw little sparks in my client's eyes after they bought the toys; a child's happiness in an adult man holding in his hands what I created. It still touches and surprises me. Working with wool has been a huge part of my life for the past ten years. I think it's not a coincidence."

Shuljak doesn't want to exhibit her creatures in a gallery. Or even to consider them as art. "They're just little lumps of joy," she said. "Carefree temporary smiles. I try to keep them as minimal as possible, strip away all the unnecessary details."

However, elements of the natural world find their way into Nastasya's pieces without her giving much thought to it. They're in her blood. "It's not a cheap attempt to be trendy. I've lived in nature for a very long time. I've spent my childhood in a small town near the sea, and my parents and I used to go to the forests a lot."

ADVERTISEMENT

Currently, Nastasya lives in Moscow, Russia. And when she's not busy selling her toys on Instagram, the artist also teaches classes on how to create them.

#4

Cute-Wool-Toys-Nastasya-Shuljak

stowaways_toys Report

Add photo comments
POST
jacobbeccagizmothesquirrel avatar
Becca Gizmo the Squirrel
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good grief I absolutely need one of these adorable little furry puffs in my life!! Too freaking cute!

View more commentsArrow down menu
#8

Cute-Wool-Toys-Nastasya-Shuljak

stowaways_toys Report

Add photo comments
POST
autumnsky38 avatar
Sarawyn
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Awwww! So adorable. I feel like the one on the right is saying, “Will u be my friend?”

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#25

Cute-Wool-Toys-Nastasya-Shuljak

stowaways_toys Report

#26

Cute-Wool-Toys-Nastasya-Shuljak

stowaways_toys Report

Add photo comments
POST
meyowmix avatar
Colin Leetham
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When a cat looks at me I ask... food or cuddles? What do you need?

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#35

Cute-Wool-Toys-Nastasya-Shuljak

stowaways_toys Report

Note: this post originally had 47 images. It’s been shortened to the top 35 images based on user votes.