A Different Use for Colored Pencils

When I first saw these I wasn't sure what I was looking at. It took me a second to realize I was looking at sculptures of pencils. Artist Jennifer Maestre created these intriguing sculptures in which her inspiration came from the shape and look of Sea Urchins.  I think she does a better job at describing her idea and the process; here are some words from the artist:

Paradox and surprise are integral in my choice of materials. Quantities of industrially manufactured objects are used to create flexible forms reminiscent of the organic shapes of animals and nature. Pencils are common objects, here; these anonymous objects become the structure. There is true a fragility to the sometimes brutal aspect of the sculptures, vulnerability that is belied by the fearsome texture. 

To make the pencil sculptures, I take hundreds of pencils, cut them into 1-inch sections, drill a hole in each section (to turn them into beads), sharpen them all and sew them together. The beading technique I rely on most is peyote stitch.