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.
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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."
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.
Good grief I absolutely need one of these adorable little furry puffs in my life!! Too freaking cute!
I cat handle this cuteness overload!! I'm in love! Why are these so cute!
how much would it be to purchase one these adorable fluff balls!!!!!!!!!
On her Instagram at the top of this article, she doesnt have any for sale at the mo.
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These make my heart super happy! <3 Such amazing skill work. It reminds me of pokemon lol
These are absolutely adorable! I would love to see how she is making them.
These little creatures NEED to be featured in an animated movie, or short. I'm NOT kidding. They're beautiful and I can totally see them as--maybe not even speaking characters--deeply feeling, caring critters that take care of the forest and each other, perhaps encountering some threat to their harmony, or finding something strange and wounded that they take in and heal...
Nastasya, please choose compassionate material for your adorable, happy creations.
They are all so thoughtful and lovely. I would really like to see a hedgehog though!
Such special treasures. I think she could easily write some children's books to accompany these marvelous little creatures she has created. They are amazing ❣️
Was there not a giraffe with different colored spots on here earlier or am I going crazy?
On her Instagram at the top of this article, she doesnt have any for sale at the mo.
Load More Replies... These make my heart super happy! <3 Such amazing skill work. It reminds me of pokemon lol
These are absolutely adorable! I would love to see how she is making them.
These little creatures NEED to be featured in an animated movie, or short. I'm NOT kidding. They're beautiful and I can totally see them as--maybe not even speaking characters--deeply feeling, caring critters that take care of the forest and each other, perhaps encountering some threat to their harmony, or finding something strange and wounded that they take in and heal...
Nastasya, please choose compassionate material for your adorable, happy creations.
They are all so thoughtful and lovely. I would really like to see a hedgehog though!
Such special treasures. I think she could easily write some children's books to accompany these marvelous little creatures she has created. They are amazing ❣️
Was there not a giraffe with different colored spots on here earlier or am I going crazy?
