_____A love for animals is inspiration for sculptress Constance Shields. Using soapstone from the Sierra Nevada foothills, she creates sensual, award winning sculptures. Many local and international collectors are astounded by the bold creatures that she finds within the rock.

_____Constance began her career as a painter. In 1972 she cataloged the quilt and coverlet collection at the LA County Natural History Museum -- that launched a lifelong interest in handmade textiles. In the same year she learned the Tiffany technique of producing stained glass. She has been making custom pieces since. _____Sculptor Miles Metzger mentored Constance in Angels Camp, California for four years. Acting as his production manager helped her learn all she needed to know to begin her own studio. She has been sculpting professionally since 1985. * Prices and availability subject to change. Pieces pictured here may or may not be in our gallery. Stop by to see Constance's newer pieces! Large Eagle 5" x 11" SOLD

Mother Bear with Cub 10" x 8.5" SOLD Animal Minis Each about 3" tall $50.00 each*

_____Constance lives in Tuolemne County on a small farm with her husband and children. Together they raise specialty miniature and toy sheep and Angora rabbits. The wide variety of wool colors and textures that come from these animals supplies plenty of wonderful fiber for the spinning wheel and loom. They also supply orphan fawns with milk from their dairy goats. As you can surmise, Constance and her husband have created their family unit based around the natural environment. Quite an honorable and difficult labor of love in this modern age!

Horse 15" x 11" SOLD Buffalo 7" x 6.5" $180.00*

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