This 15cm felt sculpture was created in memory of Nia Elysium, a chinchilla deeply loved by her family. Most of the time, her family would always  call her “baby girl.”

How They Met:

Three years ago, her family came across a listing from a breeder/rescue a few hours away and immediately fell in love with her photo. Nia was just four months old at the time, a white ebony chinchilla with the most unique facial markings ,almost like delicate skeleton makeup, complete with what looked like eyeliner. A friend jokingly called it “corpse paint,” and that playful description became one of the earliest memories of her.

When I spoke with Nia’s dad, Wesley, I could immediately feel that he is an incredibly kind and creative artist. While admiring his artwork, it felt as if meeting Nia was meant to be. Many of Wesley’s BJD (ball-jointed doll) creations share a similar gothic, dark style, yet beneath those “skeleton-like” faces lies the sweetest, most gentle personality , just like Nia.

At the time, Wesley already had two chinchillas, but Nia was something truly special. Bringing her home turned out to be an incredibly precious decision.

Nia was  gentle and calm. She loved snuggling with her family, and of course, every cuddle ended the same way , her soft white fur covering her daddy’s clothes, leaving a little mark of her presence.

Later, she formed a deep bond with another chinchilla in the home, Milo, and together they welcomed a healthy little boy.

Nia became a tender and patient mother. She trusted her owner completely, allowing frequent check-ins and gentle care. Watching her care for her baby was quiet, focused, and incredibly heartwarming.

Nia in Wool: Bringing a Memory to Life

When I started working on Nia’s felted portrait, her family had spent a lot of time sharing her story with me. They wanted this piece to capture her gentle, calm nature — pure and angelic in every detail.

The biggest challenge in the entire process was her eyes. Nia’s gaze had such a unique softness and peacefulness, but bringing that to life in wool was far harder than I expected.

I kept adjusting, adding and shaping the wool, carefully fine-tuning the shape of her eyes and the surrounding fur. I tried to capture the subtle colors around her eyes, as well as the little markings on her nose and face. Her eyes were the most important part of the sculpture , the part I poured the most care into.

Because only when her eyes truly convey her spirit does the whole Nia come alive. That’s when anyone looking at her can feel the sweetness and calmness that were at the heart of her being.

A Tribute to the Moments We Hold Close: Nia 

Though Nia’s time with her family was far too short, the love and warmth she brought into their lives was immense. Every day was filled with gentle cuddles, soft white fur, and a calm, peaceful presence that made every moment truly irreplaceable. The memories they shared — her snuggling close, her gentle, peaceful gaze, and the unique markings that made her who she was — were more than fleeting moments. They were little pieces of a life filled with tenderness, trust, and joy.

Through this wool-felted sculpture, I hope to capture even a small part of what Nia meant to her family. She wasn’t defined by the brevity of her time, but by the sweetness, calmness, and love she shared every day. This little wool portrait may be small, but it carries the depth of a full, meaningful life — overflowing with warmth, tenderness, and lasting love.

Nia’s family chose to treasure every single moment with her, and in return, she gave them a love that will forever remain in their hearts.