A while ago I featured the miniscule art by Micro sculptor Willard Wigan who sculpts within the eye of a needle (‘Tiny worlds between heartbeats’ post). Brazilian artist Dalton Ghetti sculpts using the lead of a pencil as his media. The artist is already a carpenter in his own right, but for his micro sculpture he uses some more unusual tools, including a sewing needle and razor blade.
Some of the sculptures have taken years and a lot of patience owing to the fragile nature of the graphite media. But as you can imagine a lot of them break whilst he is working on them. This must be so frustrating and disheartening for the artist, yet still he carries on. What dedication and what great sculpture!
More about him and more pics here
See the artists alphabet carvings here
Echostains Blog 
I can’t imagine! I’d break every single one I worked on. Does he work on larger pieces in other materials, Lynda?
He’s a carpenter so I would think he could go up some scale. I can’t even sharpen an eyebrow pencil by hand without breaking all the lead:)
I’m amazed that people feel compelled to work with such limitations! Do you think the artist views this partly as a performance art?
Interesting question Al…..I think there must be a certain level of performance about it, though they take him years. Wonder if theres any film of him doing this?
wow, incredible! I love that there is someone in the world that really wants to do this!
and with the patience skill and tenacity to see it through – amazing:)
unbelievable. i want to see the tools he uses to make those! they must be nearly invisible.
Hhehe they must be Kimia! One of them is a sewing needle, but he’s probably customised it:)
Hey, this is amazing art.
Imagine the patience involved too!