She initially thought that people would favor cute felt sculptures while having little interest in her emotionally expressive artworks. Yet, the reality was unexpected.

At her latest exhibition, which launched on Oct 26, many people started queuing up the night before it opened, in a bid to ensure they would be in a prime position to get their hands on the most sought-after pieces before they sold out.

"When I find someone is staring at my art and there seems to be a strong connection between them, I feel that all of the repetitive, boring stabbing motions I performed, over countless hours, become worthwhile," she says.

Thanks to needle felting, Yin has also become increasingly confident over the years.

"I once thought of giving up," she recalls. "Because, as a freelancer, I failed to earn a stable income like most of my friends and I didn't believe in my ability to create outstanding work with felt."

Fortunately, Fei Si, her husband, studied fine arts from a very young age and is a keen supporter on her continued exploration of her art.

"Yin has her own style, that's very important in the art world," Fei states with spousal pride. "Although I've systematically learned painting skills, I just can't draw something or create a figurine to copy her distinctive style."

Yin says all of her felt sculptures have given her the power to face the passage of time.

"Now, instead of worrying about aging, I'm looking forward to seeing how time leaves its impression upon my work," she says.