Dee's PorTfolio

Happy Hatters - Whimsical, enchanting sculptures each with its own little hat

 

 

Welcome to My Happy Hatters Portfolio—A Celebration of Joy Through Art!

Step into a world of whimsical, hand-sculpted animal creations, where each piece is bursting with character and charm. Every sculpture in the Happy Hatters collection is crafted to spark smiles, inviting connection through expressive detail and playful storytelling.

While conservation carries many serious themes, Happy Hatters embraces the lighter side, drawing people in with its vibrant personalities and delightful quirks while also informing people of the animals plight at the same time. Through these sculptures, my goal is to captivate, inspire, and showcase the joy that sculpting brings to wildlife storytelling.

 

 

Series - Happy hatters

sculpture - 🐷 The Yorkshire Trotter

 

🐷 The Yorkshire Trotter
In bowler hat and monochrome flair,
He snorts at nonsense in village air.
An advocate for pigs endangered and rare,
With a monocle fixed in a thoughtful stare.
From muddy tales to hedgerow lore,
He’s Yorkshire through and through—and more

Before Glaze is Fired - Once fired these two pictures will be updated

 

The British Saddleback pig breed is currently classified as "At Risk" by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST). This indicates that it is one of the breeds facing the highest levels of concern for its survival. While the breed has experienced some decline, recent figures suggest a more stabilized situation, with a good number of breeders maintaining stock. The BPA has a conservation breeding plan in place to ensure the breed's survival, including efforts to maintain regional spread of different bloodlines and reduce inbreeding. 

Aquabelle Darling

She doesn’t just swim—she soaks.
Draped in mid-century dazzle,
with daisies perched proud on her crown
and ruby goggles gleaming with flair,
she brings vintage glamour
to every ripple and roll.
Aquabelle Darling knows:
the ocean is not merely for moving through—
it’s for floating in style.

The West Indian manatee, which includes the Florida manatee, is currently listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. While it was previously listed as endangered, its status was downgraded in 2017 due to an increase in population numbers. However, manatees still face threats and are also protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. 

Series - Happy Hatters

sculpture - Yorkshire Tongue Twister

 

Yorkshire Tongue Twister

With a hat on his head
and Yorkshire in stride,
He twists every turn
with his tongue held with pride.
A Kordofan King
on long-legged patrol—
spinning tall tales
from the dales to the soul

The Kordofan giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis antiquorum) is a critically endangered subspecies of giraffe. Fewer than 2,300 individuals remain in the wild, primarily in Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, and South Sudan. This represents an 85% decline since the 1980s. The Kordofan giraffe is classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List. 

Series - Happy hatters

sculpture - Hats off to johnny

Hats off to Johnny

Inspired by a quiet moment and a kindly hand,
he wears not just a hat,
but the memory of being held.
With whiskers lifted
and tail twitching proud,
this young badger carries
a touch of silver screen magic—
and a whole lot of happy.

The IUCN lists the European badger as "Least Concern". This means they are not considered endangered or threatened on a global scale. They are found throughout Europe and parts of West Asia, with a wide distribution and relatively stable numbers. In the UK, badgers are a legally protected British wildlife species and they are safeguarded by the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. In the UK, badgers face threats from roadkill, particularly during summer when cubs are dispersing. They are impacted by badger culling programs related to bovine tuberculosis control. Additionally, some illegal persecution continues despite legal protections. Despite being a persecuted species, badgers are among the most legally protected in the UK, highlighting the need for continued conservation efforts. 

Series - Happy hatters

sculpture - Driving miss daisy

Driving miss daisy

She doesn’t rush.
She reclines.
Crowned in blooms and golden ribbon,
she lets the day come to her—
one lazy breeze,
one warm gaze at a time.
Miss Daisy knows:
elegance is a state of mind,
and summer was made for sitting beautifully.

The common ostrich is currently classified as "least concern" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, meaning it is not considered endangered or close to becoming endangered. While wild populations have declined due to habitat loss and hunting, the overall species is not considered threatened. However, some subspecies, like the Arabian ostrich, have gone extinct, and the North African ostrich is critically endangered. 

Wild populations of common ostriches have decreased, but the species as a whole is not currently considered threatened, however conservation and monitoring of all wild animals is very important to ensure they stay at healthy numbers. 

Series - Happy hatters

sculpture - Cap & Courage

Cap & Courage

He doesn’t know yet.
Not about the weight he’ll carry,
or the wilds he’ll help shape.
For now, he just sits—
cap tilted, grin wide,
as if courage came
not from knowing,
but from simply being.
A rhino with heart,
wearing tomorrow like a badge.

The current status of rhinoceroses varies by species, with some critically endangered and others considered vulnerable or near threatened. Poaching and habitat loss are major threats to their survival. 

Near Threatened:

White Rhino: While the population is around 16,000, it still faces threats from poaching. 

Critically Endangered:

Black Rhino: Numbers are estimated at around 6,421, with ongoing threats from poaching. 

Javan Rhino: Fewer than 80 remain in the wild. 

Sumatran Rhino: Fewer than 50 are left in the wild. 
Northern White Rhino: Functionally extinct in the wild, with only two females remaining. 

 

Series - Happy hatters

sculpture - Blooming hopping mad

Blooming Hopping Mad

Don’t mind the pout—
beneath that moody little mug
is a garden-dancing, bloom-balancing whirlwind.
With a daisy as big as her dreams
and a yellow hat that defies logic,
she hops to her own joyful rhythm.
A little mad? Absolutely.
A lot magnificent? Without question.

The term "Rain Frog" generally refers to frogs in the genus Breviceps, known for their short, stout bodies and burrowing habits. Several species within this genus, particularly the Desert Rain Frog (Breviceps macrops), are facing threats to their survival. The Desert Rain Frog is currently listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss from coastal diamond mining, road construction, and human settlement. While mining has ceased in some areas, and restoration efforts are underway, it's unclear if the frogs have recolonized these areas. Another species, the Cape Rain Frog, is also listed as Near Threatened, facing habitat loss in diminishing fynbos biomes due to urban sprawl and agriculture. 

No longer available, Found her new home

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