Hande’s journey into wool felting began with a deeply personal loss. “My pet passed away unexpectedly, and I wanted something to commemorate him,” she recalls. “I happened to see someone creating a felt replica of a pet, and I decided to make a felt piece to honor mine. My favorite thing about felting is the comfort it brings to pet parents, as if their pet is back. Every time a client receives a piece and sends me a thank-you message, I’m deeply moved. I feel this work is profoundly meaningful.” That mix of artistry and heart is what makes her creations so special.
When Hande works on a piece, it’s more than just capturing a pet’s likeness—it’s about preserving its essence. “I hope to preserve the pet’s original aura and recreate its expression in each piece,” she says. Every tilt of an ear, every sparkle in the eye, is carefully recreated so that each miniature feels alive.
Some portraits carry extra weight, leaving an emotional mark on both the artist and the pet parent. Hande remembers one in particular: “The most memorable piece I’ve created was when a client sent hair from a long distance and asked me to incorporate it into the felt. It was a gift for their family. The pet had been with their mother for over a decade. Because their children were away at school, the dog had been her constant companion. When his mother received the portrait of the dog, she was so moved that she cried — and I was moved to tears too.”
Beyond the realism, Hande loves to add thoughtful, personal touches that make each portrait unique. “I like to add hearts to the felt, customize their pet’s name, print photos, and provide other personalized dog products,” she shares. These little details make the sculptures not just art, but heartfelt keepsakes, capturing the love between pets and their families in every fiber.
