The written word has always felt like home

When people hear about my work in taxidermy, they often assume that’s the whole story. And while it's true that I have a deep passion for the natural world and the art of preservation, there's another side of me that’s just as creative, just as personal—I'm also a writer.

Writing has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. As a child, I was always reading, scribbling in notebooks, inventing little stories, writing poems, lists, and diary entries. The written word has always felt like home—a place where I could explore thoughts, emotions, and the worlds inside my head.

My first and second Novel

In February 2011, I took a big step and published my first novel in the German market, E-mail für mich, (An E-Mail for me") under the pen name Isabell Kruse. It was a dream come true and a moment that reminded me how much storytelling means to me.

Storyline Novel 1

"Emma instantly feels that Ben is the love of her life, but their unconventional relationship brings many unanswered questions. Ben hesitates to commit fully, leaving their love uncertain and sometimes distant. When he suddenly disappears, Emma struggles to cope, seeking solace in fleeting relationships and adventures. Despite moments of happiness, she remains haunted by thoughts of Ben. Unexpectedly, Ben contacts her again, and when they reunite, their emotional turmoil reignites, stirring intense feelings and uncertainty about their future."

ISBN-13 978-3939241300 / DeBehr Publishing 

In August 2012, I published my second novel with Laudatio Publishing. The title was Zwischen Herz und Verstand (“Between Heart and Mind”).

Storyline Novel 2 

"Lea, though married to the charming Patrice, is unhappy and plans to separate during a vacation. Before she can tell him, Patrice suffers a severe accident and falls into a coma, prompting Lea to care for him at home. During this difficult time, she reunites with her first love, Florian, who is also facing personal struggles. Old feelings resurface, but Florian is now with another woman, leaving Lea torn between desire and reason as she wonders if their love might have a second chance."

ISBN-13 978-3941275454 / Laudatio Publishing

Creative Writing

When I still lived in Germany, I taught creative writing classes for both children and adults. I truly enjoyed coming together with others who shared a love for writing. Our sessions were filled with inspiration, meaningful discussions, and plenty of creativity—it was always a joy to see ideas take shape and stories come to life in a supportive group setting.

Blog Author

was also the author of the blog “Shabby Chic & Co.” during my time in Germany. From 2010 to 2015 the blog focused on shabby chic and vintage style home decor, where I shared ideas, tips, and inspiration for creating warm, cozy, and vintage-inspired interiors. Taxidermy was a major topic on my blog, and I loved incorporating taxidermy pieces into my home decor.

At some point, the shabby chic style began to shift in a direction I no longer connected with. What once celebrated the charm of age-related imperfections and the beauty of timeworn pieces gradually turned into a trend of painting everything white, often stripping away the character I loved. As a result, I chose to step away from the shabby chic community, stopped blogging and have focused primarily on taxidermy since 2020.

My First Children's Book: "The Adventures of Little Wayne"

In August 2023, I proudly published The Adventures of Little Wayne, my very first children's book—and my first work in the English language. With this project, I brought together two of my greatest passions: storytelling and taxidermy artwork.

The journey began with a vintage duck taxidermy piece, a gift from a dear friend. It was missing an eye, and I immediately saw its potential: this duck would become a pirate! I envisioned a tiny, brave mouse riding on its back, setting off on a whimsical adventure. And so, Little Wayne was born.

From that moment, the story began to take shape. I created a cast of imaginative characters, including Martha—the mouse in a mushroom costume—and Grandpa Walter in his cozy library setting. Over the next two years, I poured my heart into developing the story, characters, and visual world. Finally, I self-published the book through Amazon's KDP platform.

Aimed at children aged 4 to 10, The Adventures of Little Wayne is available on various online platforms, including Amazon.

So, what’s it about?

Join Little Wayne and his old friend Frederik on a magical day trip through an enchanted forest. From a perfectly planned cheese heist to a daring rescue mission, their journey is full of surprises, new friends, and heartwarming moments.

Step into a world where animals come to life through the lens of anthropomorphic taxidermy art—and discover that taxidermy can be imaginative, enchanting, and full of storytelling magic. My mission is to show that this often misunderstood craft can be so much more than "cruel and creepy."

Let me take you into Little Wayne’s world—you just might fall in love with it.

ISBN-13 979-8853020900

Here's a small sneak peek into Little Wayne’s magical forest life