The humble pencil typically plays a behind-the-scenes (albeit vital) role in the creative process, but artist Jennifer Maestre brings it center stage by turning sharpened pencil nubs into beautiful and sometimes threatening sculptures. She even offers smaller, affordable versions of her elaborate works in her Etsy shop.
Maestre creates the pieces by drilling holes in the nubs and literally sewing them together. We think the mini “urchins” available in her Etsy shop would make a very cool office or craft room desk accessory.





Comments (22)
Very creative concepts. The pencils look like the perfect tool to create abstract artworks.
Nicolette
http://www.furnitureanddesignideas.com/
Wow that's gorgeous! A pain to dust, but then again, I'd develop an air can routine for art maintenance sake ;-)
This is ART!
Lovely. I never would have thought using pencil nubs this way. Very creative. The first one reminds of a sea creature of some kind.
Genius and gorgeous. Look at the jewelry.
Beautiful.
Wow! Is this ever impressive!
Oh my! They look alive.
LOVE thy anemone!
Lovely.
These are amazing!
What a neat idea! Are they new pencils or used? Seems like they'd have to be new.
$$
wow. beautiful, intriguing, impressively refined, and smart.
This are things of beauty.
Wow! It's so refreshing to see a novel use of a ubiquitous item. You don't often see a truly imaginative use of materials everyday, but this is really special.
These are amazing!!! They look quite delicate though. I would be so bummed if I was moving the piece and accidentally broke a lead.
Lizzykewl, I don't think they would have to be new. I would assume that she cut them up to get several pieces per pencil and then sharpened the pieces. I suppose it would be easier to buy them new since she needs so many in the same color.
They are so fantastic! I want like, 20 of them!
Reminds me of the durian fruit!
Wow, amazing work! Very impressive use of a very common item.
what does etsy stand for?
ETSY : means everything and nothing... Speculation on this topic is still going strong... I don't think anyone really knows! The admins give different answers every time...
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5155056&page=1
http://www.thenameinspector.com/etsy/
I can appreciate the art and creativity in these pieces (even the beauty), and I wish I could enjoy them, but these sculptures really make me cringe. Something about all those pencils pointing at me just makes me... **shiver**.