Celebrating Deviousness - May 2025

The Deviousness Award is given to one deviant each month in recognition of their exemplary contributions to DeviantArt and its community, and has been a long-standing tradition since DeviantArt’s early years. @ZimtHandmade is the recipient of May 2025’s Deviousness Award, so please join us in congratulating them!

A cherished presence within the DeviantArt community, @ZimtHandmade enchants audiences with their expressive illustrations and meticulously crafted needle-felted creations. Their gallery is a testament to a unique blend of storytelling and artistry, where each piece resonates with emotion and imagination. From dynamic character designs to intricate sculptures, their work reflects a deep passion and dedication to the craft.​

Beyond their artistic talents, @ZimtHandmade is a beacon of positivity and support. They actively engage with fellow artists, offering encouragement, insightful feedback, and fostering a nurturing environment for creativity to flourish. Their commitment to the community is evident in every interaction, making them not just an artist to admire, but a community member to celebrate.​

It is with great joy that we award @ZimtHandmade the Deviousness Award for May 2025! 

Hey, everyone, I’m Zimt, a German freelance artist.

My sister introduced me to DeviantArt back in 2009, when I was still in school. I was completely into beadwork, specifically making Pokémon pieces. I even printed out a huge sheet with all the Pokémon sprites available back then and crossed them off, one by one, as I recreated them!

I even got my first commissions through the beadwork I uploaded on DeviantArt, and it was such a key experience for me — to know my art is worth something to someone out there.

Over time, my focus shifted from beadwork to needle-felting. My felted characters ended up getting a lot of attention, which has always been really flattering. But for me, needle-felting has mostly been about craftsmanship: translating characters into another medium with my own hands. It’s creative, but it’s more about skill than emotion. 

Drawing, though, that's where my heart really is. I incorporate bits and pieces of myself in my drawings. It's how I process feelings, make myself vulnerable, and communicate when words don't come easily. I especially love drawing characters and letting them feel what I feel, and in turn, allowing other people to feel this, too.

What keeps me inspired is definitely interacting with people. I love when someone comments on my work — whether it’s sharing a story, saying what they liked (or even didn’t like), or just letting me know my art meant something to them. Art has always been a way for me to communicate, especially since I'm not the best at talking face-to-face. One of the things I’ve always loved about DeviantArt is how talkative and encouraging the community is. It's rare to see a piece go unnoticed here; there’s almost always someone willing to leave a comment or a kind word! That sense of community has kept me coming back all these years, and if I’m being honest, it’s what I miss on other platforms.

Last but not least, a fun fact: I always joke that my real hobby is “research." I love getting completely absorbed in learning new things, and I have two big, personal worldbuilding projects going on right now that constantly pull me down deep research rabbitholes. Every little discovery adds new layers to the worlds I’m building, and I’m loving every bit of it!

Community Love

From @Phraggle  

I've been following @ZimtHandmade 's art for some time now, and it’s all rather engaging. They use many different techniques, but somehow, each one has a signature style. I particularly enjoy the felt characters @ZimtHandmade creates, as the detailing is exquisite. Their beaded character sculptures are impressive, too, and to top it all, their drawn art is fantastic and expressive as well.

From @Gosh-Heck  

I love seeing @ZimtHandmade 's work in my feed. Their drawings are so expressive and feel almost animated in the way they capture movement and characters. Their handmade creations show the same expression, being uniquely their style while having all the details of the original subject matter. Together, this makes their work an absolute delight!

From @K-Zlovetch

Pretty drawings or pretty needle characters? Why not BOTH? I really like all of @ZimtHandmade ’s art: great color choices, strong graphic lines, good attention to tiny details, and the AWESOME WORK WITH LIGHT, I love it too much... A true pleasure for the eyes!

From @pinkythepink  

@ZimtHandmade was one of the first artists I followed when I was really getting into beadwork. They’re so skilled at their chosen crafts – truly inspirational.

From @KovoWolf  

@ZimtHandmade is a remarkable artist, whose creations radiate warmth and imagination. Specializing in illustration and needle-felting, @ZimtHandmade 's work captivates the community. Their dedication and passion, not just for their art, but for the community as well, is palpable in each piece and each interaction, inspiring fellow artists and admirers alike.​ Not only does @ZimtHandmade 's artistry showcase technical skill, it also evokes emotion, making their gallery a true treasure trove for art enthusiasts. Well-deserved indeed. Congratulations, @ZimtHandmade !

Congrats to @ZimtHandmade !

If you would like to suggest a deviant for Deviousness, you can do so by filling out this form!

As always, please keep the Etiquette Policy in mind when leaving a comment.