The inspiration for my submission to the Oh, Christmas Tree Collaboration was a photo of our recently passed antique kitty, who was always found hiding in the Christmas Tree every year. She was so tiny (4.5 lbs when she passed at 18 years young), it was always a game of “Find Marianne” within minutes of the last ornament being placed.

Apart from the tree skirt, everything was hand modeled. The biggest challenge was trying to make whiskers small enough not to overpower the piece. Each tier of branches is separated by a marshmallow, and the individually hand cut level of branches drapes over the marshmallow separator to give that volume and shape of an actual tree.