Karen Monteverdi is a sculptor and storyteller whose hands bring magic to life. With a background in both traditional craftsmanship and fantasy world-building, she transforms raw materials into whimsical, hand-sculpted characters that invite connection and spark imagination.

From one-of-a-kind art pieces to her intricately designed dragon-themed tournament chess set, Karen’s work blends artistic vision with technical mastery. Each figure she creates is more than a collectible—it’s a character with a soul, a story, and a place in an unfolding universe.

Aetherwood: The Festival of Unity

Karen’s current passion project, Aetherwood: The Festival of Unity, is a rich narrative experience told through sculpture. This fantastical realm is home to seven enchanting characters, each hand-sculpted and brought to life with vibrant detail and personality.

So far, four characters have emerged from the studio and into the world:

• Yomei, the reflective mandarin duck, who inspires gratitude and serenity

• Noravana, the tiny dancer who expresses truth through movement

• Patty, the lantern-bearing fairy of gentle wisdom and mischief

• Aloysius (Teddy), the owl sage, whose quiet insights shape harmony

Each sculpture is part of a limited edition of 200, accompanied by a story card and sold through the Smiling Beagle store.

Every week, Karen spotlights one character from the Festival—sharing their origin, design process, and the values they represent. Last week, the focus was Noravana. This week’s featured character is Yomei, whose tranquil beauty and inner strength mirror the gentle ripples of change and reflection.

Ready to meet Yomei? [Click here to read her story➝]

Click here to visit him at the store➝