... And The Vulture Danced With Joy, For He Knew Happiness Was Found In What Life Had Given Him.
Dancing Vulture Designs is the result Melissa Benzinger's love for both wildlife and art. The wild world around us can teach us so much, if only we would take the time to listen.
Dancing Vulture Designs specializes in making highly detailed, realistic soft sculptures, clay sculptures, and jewelry of a variety of animals that are near impossible to find anywhere else! As Melissa fell into her love of wildlife, she was disappointed to find that many of her favorite animals lacked any sort of merchandise for her to collect! As she was developing her skills as a crafter, she decided it was her duty to fill that void. Starting with the animal closest to her heart (and shop name inspiration!), the turkey vulture was the first of many of the animals to find their way into Melissa's shop. Now she prides herself on creating realistic little versions of every animal she can. Going birding with her father has been one of her driving influences to create animal art. Making a list of all of the beautiful animals they encounter in one trip is nearly overwhelming, as is the task of making something to represent and honor every one of them! The undertaking is a spiritual practice for her, and connects her to our natural world. Dancing Vulture Designs hopes this shop will do the same for you!
Melissa Benzinger is completely self-taught, having developed her skills at home with whatever minimal tools she could get her hands on. Unable to attend art college, she found herself developing her crafting skills on her own. With the local wildlife as her inspiration, and minimal funds to work with, she slowly developed her skills to where they are now. Melissa continues to work as hard as she can to keep bettering her work for animal-lovers everywhere, and to reconnect them with that primal side that humanity has tried so hard to forget.
Dancing Vulture Designs has been featured on WNEP's Home and Backyard and the Pocono Record. She has showcased her work at the Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, as well as in many group shows in galleries in the Poconos. Melissa also enjoys attending local festivals with her fuzzy menagerie throughout the festival season.
