I am Claudia, owner of Patagonian Hands. I am from Coyhaique, Patagonia Chile. I have been living in Missoula, Montana, USA with my husband Karl since July 2012.
I used to be a school teacher in Chile and I have become a self-taught fiber artist and jewelry artisan since I moved to the northern hemisphere. 
I create animals, mostly birds, using only sheep wool that I get in Hall, MT and some my family in Chile. I don't use any glues or stitches to keep sculptures together, but the compression I get through barbed needles that push the fibers every time I poke the wool. This process is known as needle felting.
I also love creating silver jewelry, my inspiration is nature. I design, hand saw, solder, file and polish each piece.

Karl needle felts the sculptures, small and large, he starts the poking process, creating the entire shape of each bird, and then I finish each piece, adding the details to give them that realistic look.
Karl is also the wooden stands master. He does landscaping and tree removal, owing his own business, Karl the Beaver. Whenever he finds interesting looking wood, he saves it and lets it cure for around three years. When time has passed, Karl cuts each stand, he rubs them with linseed oil and beeswax or leaves it natural, depending on the wood.
​