This fun, playful sculpture was designed and created by the very talented Polymer Clay artist, Nancy, proprietor of Etsy.com shop, NanjoDogz.

Click each of the photos to view the item description in greater detail.

Just look at all the incredible little details in this piece - the wonderful doggie bowl, the heavy “lockdown” chain, the charm hanging from his collar, the “wood” dog house, the skull & crossbones over the door, the nail stud details throughout - not to mention the actual dog - the Pugsta.

I can attest to Nancy’s impressive meticulous attention to details because I’ve actually purchased a couple of her pieces. Let me tell you - if you think it looks this good now in the photos - just wait till you get it. It’s even more fantastic in real life!

I took the opportunity to ask Nancy a few questions and here’s what she had to say about this piece.

What was your inspiration for this piece?

I am always inspired by animals, especially dogs. As for the Pugsta, he just came from my imagination. When I think of dogs sometimes I look at their features and see their uniqueness and with the Pug, with their pushed up nose and big eyes and little rounded low to the ground bodies, they just remind me of a little tough guy walking around, like a little gangster, just cool as can be and from there Pugsta was born!

How long did it take you to create it?

I never really can say how long a piece takes me, because a lot of my pieces are mixed media, they are done in sections and it’s usually a three to four day process.

A lot of animal lovers are sensitive to dogs that live a lifetime chained outside with limited contact. By the looks of it, this pugsta is obviously loved and cared for. Is he on lockdown for only a limited amount of time? Does he get to run loose or let into the house with his humans?

This little Pugsta is not really on lockdown, he’s more like on time out. He had been running the mean streets of Chicago and got into some big time trouble with his pack. Oh, he’s always running in and out of the house with his family, but this little Pugsta prefers to be outside, he likes running with his Pugsta Pack. As a matter of fact that’s who he’s waiting for — he’s waiting for his pack to stop by so they can go off and get into some more mischief!

Will there be more of this series in the future?

Actually this is my second Pugsta and I am planning on doing more Pugsta pieces.

About you, how did you get into your craft?

I have been creating all my life, in one form or another, from drawing to quilting. Polymer clay was just another medium that I started to play around with and found that it was something that I truly enjoyed and it stuck with me.

How long have you been making polymer clay sculptures?

I have been making polymer clay sculptures now for about 2 years.

What do you love most about being an artist?

I always say the best thing about being an artist for me is that I can do what I love and create the animals that I love so much, it’s a double blessing.

What words of advice would you offer to other artists?

Stay focused, don’t get too discouraged when sales are slow and just remember if you’re doing something you truly love you are so lucky — and don’t give up, stay with it.

Wise words indeed, Nancy. Thank you for that!

You can purchase Nancy’s work at her Etsy shop and on eBay. Besides her wonderful sculptures, she offers adorable Christmas ornaments, sweet little pendants & other jewelry, and the cutest beads. They make the perfect gifts for any dog lover!

If you’d prefer a custom piece in your dog’s likeness, no problem. Just send Nancy a message. She does a really terrific job!

I loved the first one so much, I had to order another. Cute, isn’t she? That’s my golden retriever, Mocha.

Jennifer of Itty Bitties For You does such a terrific job and provides some pretty impressive customer service that’s professional and friendly from start to finish. It really was a pleasure to work with her each and everytime! Click the thumbnails below to get a better look at my Super Cutie.

Want your own custom superhero dog? You’re in luck! Jennifer is offering her custom services in her Etsy.com store. It’s a fabulous way to remember your best friend or commemorate a beloved pet and makes the perfect gift for a dog lover - whether that’s you or someone special! Just click the big photo above to take you directly to that listing.
WOOF!

They wait silently, colorful paw printed capes fluttering in the breeze, masked glass eyes intently watching over you, keeping you company, eager to play and amuse at your beck and call, always at the ready to valiantly save you…faster than you can say “Treat?”, cuter than a monkey’s butt, able to leap small bushes in a single bound — “Look, up in the trees! It’s a polish sausage! It’s a squirrel! No, it’s an Itty Bitty Superhero pup!”

Aren’t these superhero Golden Retrievers just the cutest? They were a special custom order handmade by the terrific and super talented Polymer Clay Artist, Jennifer, of Itty Bitties For You. Jennifer has been making Polymer Clay creations for about 11 years and her passion for this medium shows! She makes a wide variety of items from whimsical animals, fun n’ colorful robots, to pretty pendants. Not only has her talent impressed me, but her friendly, easygoing customer service skills and meticulous attention to details rates this one of the best buying experiences I’ve had anywhere.

Check out all her wonderful pieces at her Etsy store, Itty Bitties For You. But before you go, take a look at all the fabulous photos she snapped of these two pieces she made for me. Click the thumbnails for a closer look. They make me grin everytime I look at them. So fun and so clever!
WOOF!