Mama Elephant and her two calves!

These were commissioned by a woman in San Diego from my Etsy site. Big Mama is about 8″ tall x 10″ long.

I used 12 ounces of our Suffolk Sheep’s wool to make her and it took about 70 hours.  Her calves were around

3.5″ tall x 5.5 – 6″ long. Since Elephants are pregnant for 2 years, the calves are two years apart.

They tend to bulk up before they grow taller.

Here they are trundling across my backyard savanna.

I really enjoy working on this scale so I can work in great detail. I loved making her wrinkles and toes.

The tusks were perhaps the most difficult and time consuming aspect.

With the calves, I sculpted bent legs to show movement (there are no wires in the legs or body).

Because they are much smaller, I had to show wrinkles with contrasting wool colors, except on their trunks.

Elephants are so expressive of intimacy. I just had to try getting that across with this pair by entwining their trunks.

I just love wrinkles on behinds — as long as they’re not mine!

Here are comments from the client once she received her Elephant Family:

“This stellar seller patiently felted and formed and finalized this magnificent family of pachyderms. I could not be more thrilled nor honored to be the proud owner of these elephants. I am so lucky to own a FarmGirl Original Creation that will make me smile every morning for many years to come. Well worth the wait as our convos alone were as entertaining and witty as the three elephants that just sauntered into my life. I can’t say enough about this very busy felter and these very beautiful elephants! They have all won my heart completely!! Thank you!”  Karen G.