Leimert Park, CA native Joaquin Horton seeks to abolish the stigma strictly associating pipe cleaners with arts & crafts. His mission is to elevate the art form beyond its stereotype into the realm of contemporary arts.

“I’d use them to create action figures to play with, this was my childhood hobby. Normally we grow out of things we deem childish, but I couldn’t, something was telling me to keep going.”

Transitioning into a teen entrepreneur, Joaquin's product Fuzzy Stix was a kit containing pipe cleaners and instructions on how to make figurines and toys. To fund his company, he designed and sold custom phone cases, headphones, and baby mobiles. His persistence culminated in being featured as one of ABC-7's Cool Kids during his visit to Mattel Children's Hospital to teach patients how to build pipe cleaner designs.

It wasn’t until he completed his life size Michael Jackson piece that he found his passion as an artisan, currently designing sculptors, and 2D/3D canvas art.