Not ready for the real life responsibilities of owning a pet, but wondering what it would be like to have one in the house? We may have something for you.
Alaskan sculptor Lee Cross, more famous under the pseudonym Wood Splitter Lee, makes some baby animal plush toys that convincingly look like the real thing. No, they aren’t made of real fur & no animals were hurt in making these plushies. [Source]
Lee does not have one big secret, but has a whole process that makes each toy so lifelike. She starts with a poseable skeleton that she wraps in stuffing to make soft. The toy they gets covered in cloth, and then gets decorated by hand. Lee does not use molds; she paints and covers them with fur by hand.
Lee also makes fantasy beasts, but it is quite clear she has a fundamental understanding of the anatomy of real life animals. It is a skill that is not commonplace, and is not readily duplicated in a factory, so you can rest assured if you buy one of these toys, they are truly special.
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