Matted Hair becomes Art

Have you ever had a dog's hair get matted to the point where there's no way you can clean let alone comb it out...it literally becomes a mat and can only be cut.  So this happy family ( http://www.etsy.com/listing/69325144/needle-felted-mother-with-children ) was made using the same principle:  mat up wool to the point where it won't ever come un-done -- but do it all on purpose with clean, colorful wool (and it works best if you're an artist).  Needle felting:  one barbed needle prick by prick matting up wool into something sculpted.