Little me with my first cat

Theresa Furrer Nine Lives Twine

My cat family: Lupe(21) Poppy & Fergus(10)

Theresa Furrer
​Nine Lives Twine
​Yup - that's my real name;)
 I am a professional fiber and textile artist and most of all, a creator.  I love coloring outside of the lines and pushing the boundaries of everything I create.  I live in Pittsburgh; Pennsylvania and I love animals more than words can tell. 
Loving animals has always defined me, and I can't imagine my life not being centered around them.  I fall in love with literally every creature I meet.  Since I was a little girl, I've been fascinated with animals.  I was collecting feathers and having back yard burials for birds and other critters as a child and this appreciation and respect for all life forms molded me into who I am today.  Fast forward and I've taken that love and my creativity and turned them into a thriving business.  I am an artisan spinner with a specialty in creating yarn and keepsakes made from pet hair.  I've experimented extensively over many years using countless breeds in hand spinning, felting, and needle sculpting.  My services have been used all over the world and I've found that people who love animals all speak the same language.  Utilizing your pet's hair in a piece that celebrates or memorializes their life is an amazing and unique way to not only honor them, but to keep their life force existing. 

 I've been working with yarn in one form or another for 30+ years.  I've participated in conventions all over the United States, demonstrating, presenting and selling!  I've also been known to work with some pretty famous cats and dogs, but truth be told, they are all rock stars to me. I recently had the opportunity to visit Myanmar and the Lotus Weavers on Inle Lake. The women there use lotus plants to create a coveted and rare thread (this is only place in the world where it is produced) which is then woven into the most beautiful textiles. (more about that experience in an upcoming  Entwined Newsletter so stay tuned) .
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A large portion of my work centers around pet loss and memorial projects.  These creations are deeply meaningful for me.  Playing a part in helping someone's heart to heal after losing their companion is the most rewarding part of my work.  I meet amazing people through Nine Lives Twine who share incredible stories of love and companionship.  It's these people, and their endless love for their pet's who inspire me. I'm currently cataloging these experiences and learning everything I can about our connectedness with animals.  Entwined will publish soon and I couldn't be more excited to share these stories and mine with you!
If you have been saving your pet's brushings for a special project or keepsake, I am so glad you found me!

In case you are wondering - I do have hairless cats:) It's pretty ironic that I'm equally fascinated with hairless cats and making yarn from pet hair.