Fibre artist Liza Saxton is much in demand. Such is the call for her dogs rendered in felted wool and made to look the very image of the mutt of your choice, that she has orders stacked up through to June next year.
It’s no wonder she is popular. Take a look at her website and you will see a range of the most beguiling canine figures, about six or seven inches long, in various stances, innumerable breeds, some with props (a fashionable neckerchief here, a favourite ball there), but all with clear character. I’m fond of the meek-looking Springer Spaniel, Millie, above. On her website you’ll also see a particularly winsome Border Terrier and Annie, a very jaunty Scottie. Wire Fox Terriers seem to lend themselves to the art.
Dogs costs from £75-£95 each and Saxton handmakes two a week. She gets thoroughly involved with each commission. The individual head tilt, the single floppy ear, soft eyes or smiling mouths reflect careful study. “I work from photographs and a bio of each dog. I hear some lovely stories, and some extremely sad ones, too,” says Saxton. “Because I like to get a clear idea of each character, I do tend to fall for the dogs I make.”
Currently I’m imagining a woolly Miniature Schnauzer in full feisty mode – tail-up, chest-out, stiff-legged – that I would neatly capture under a glass cloche: a smart little tribute to rascally Ted.
