A round of appaws for a Kirkcaldy artist who has launched her own clay pet sculpture business

Kirkcaldy freelance artist Laura Lawson, who makes clay sculptures of people's pets, with one of her creations. Pic: George McLuskie.

Laura Lawson mainly designs and sculpts dog’s heads although she has also been commissioned to do cats as well.

The mum-of-one came up with the idea after watching popular television show Kirsty’s handmade Christmas last year.

She said: “There was someone on the programme making little polar bear sculptures using polymer clay and I thought I would like to try it.

Kirkcaldy freelance artist Laura Lawson. Pic: George McLuskie.

“The first sculpture I made was a little polar bear and then one of my friends asked me to make a little Scottie dog.

I realised that that was what I wanted to do. I loved it, especially as I love dogs!”

Laura (34), who is self-trained, said the more sculptures she has made, the more her skills have improved so she decided to set up a Facebook page.

She continued: “It attracted so much interest that I thought I could really make it a business. And that was it – I have been doing it since last June and my workload is crazy.

“It takes me about three or four weeks to make a sculpture from beginning to end but it depends on the size of the dog as the bigger breeds take longer. Then there is the painting and polymer clay can crack so there are repairs to do. A dog with specific markings will take more time too.”

Laura said people message her through her Facebook page asking her to do a commission and she will then discuss with them what they are looking for as well as pricing. She then asks them for as many photos of their pet as possible from as many different angles and people can also send her videos.

Laura keeps in touch with her customers throughout the process and sends them progress photos throughout.

And as well as sculpting local dogs, along with pets which have passed away, she has also been taking commissions from further afield including one client from San Francisco!

She said: “The feedback I have had has been amazing. I have had clients who have been quite emotional when they have received it because it looks so much like their dog. I couldn’t see myself doing anything else now I just love it.”

Visit Laura’s Facebook page @LLCoolClayArt.