Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
I Needle Felt Wool Sculptures Of Wildlife, Trying To Capture The Individual Character Of Each Animal (30 New Pics)
Many years ago I discovered the art of needle felting. When you needle felt, you stab wool fiber repeatedly with a very sharp, barbed needle. The barbs of the needle felt the wool into shapes and thus you can sculpt it!
I used to paint for a major animation studio where I spent many, many hours a day painting on a computer in a dark room. While it was a fun time, I now treasure sitting in my studio, in the light, working with my hands in a completely different way.
I love this medium because the wool is warm and organic in my hands and I find, it adds "life" to my animals all by itself.
I do not strive to make my animals look 100% realistic (they are made of wool, after all). By trying to capture the individual character of each animal, my sculptures appear realistic. Sometimes I get angry emails from people that are upset because they are convinced I am sending baby bunnies through the mail!
I shared my creations with the Bored Panda community before, you can check out the previous post by clicking here.
More info: Etsy | yvonnesworkshop.com | Instagram
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Final score:
79points
I started needle felting around 2012 after I spotted someone at a booth at a fair, demonstrating the craft. I bought a small kit of some colored wool and tried it out.
My girls sat by with bandaids as I kept stabbing myself, asking why I kept needle felting. It was fun from the start!
From there it was a steep learning curve for me and quite the evolution from play sets with little mice to now, faux taxidermy, lifelike animals.
RELATED:
#2
Final score:
70points
Tracey Strohmeyer 2 years ago
I justxstarted needle felting about 3 weeks ago and I'm completely hooked! What are the little quills made of? So adorable.
#3
The detail was a lot of work! Needle felted over the wire. The eyes are hand painted. I spent 80 to 90 hours creating this.
Final score:
69points
Ruth Baldwin 6 years ago
What an unusual subject! I was expecting all kinds of fluffy little creatures but this is utterly charming!
I just love animals so very much! To me, there was no question I was going to needle felt them. Also, it is in my nature to be quite literal although I admire artists who create fantastical creatures as well.
The challenge to be able to create bird feathers as closely as possible with wool fiber is especially interesting to me and I have become known for my owls.
#4
Needle felted and life-size.
Final score:
61points
Ruth Baldwin 6 years ago
These are my absolute favourites of all the creatures shown. Unique and so real you expect them to breathe.
#5
Final score:
55points
It really depends on how long it takes me to finish an animal sculpture. I can finish a baby bunny faster than a barn owl, but each owl also takes a different amount of time depending on their markings. Tiny insects or animals also take an amazingly long time because you have to be so careful around the wires and you stab yourself much more often. So I would say anywhere between 2 days to several weeks!
#6
I was surprised that many people do not know about the happiest animal on earth!
He is needle felted over the wire out of 100% wool, has glass eyes and a nose sculpted of wax.
Final score:
54points
#7
Final score:
53points
I love the texture of the wool fibers and by their nature, how organic my art looks.
The challenge to create the essence or spirit of the animal or insect will never get old for me and as the years go by, I’ve discovered that you are never done learning and growing. I just love it!
#8
Final score:
51points
Brigitta Swart 7 years ago
Click on the Buy Now button just under the pic to the right
Load More Replies... Ruth Baldwin 6 years ago
Wonderful! Love the addition of the snail shell and how his tail curls around the stem of the toadstool.
#9
Final score:
46points
#10
Final score:
43points
#11
Final score:
43points
Jackson “Bumblebee4264” Kinch 7 years ago
It's really hard remembering that these aren't real animals
Melody Lanzatella 7 years ago
*GASP* So adorable!! *passes out, face on keyboard...drooling* (yet another case of cute-icide!!!)
#12
Final score:
41points
#13
Final score:
40points
#14
Final score:
37points
#15
This owl is needle felted over the wire.
I usually start with a wire skeleton. It gives my pieces durability (often they are quite large life-size or near life-size) and the skeleton provides me with a focal point of where I want to go with the sculpture.
I mounted this needle felted sculpture of a barn owl so that she could be displayed on a wall.
Some people describe my work as faux taxidermy...
Final score:
36points
Ruth Baldwin 6 years ago
Wonderfully made and so realistic. My favourite owl - there are some nesting in a building near me and they're fascinating to watch.
#16
Final score:
35points
Chelle Jones 7 years ago
Piglets are so cute & this one looks so real, The detail on the snout is incredible.
Ruth Baldwin 6 years ago
It's just how piglets lay down, half curled like this and his face is perfect!
#17
Final score:
34points
#18
I loved working with the sand and little rocks.
These meerkats are needle felted, have glass eyes and sculpted noses out of wax.
The ground is made out of mixed materials.
Final score:
33points
#19
Final score:
33points
Ruth Baldwin 6 years ago
African land snail, I presume? Whatever it's exact name, it's fabulous!
#20
Final score:
33points
#21
It was amazing to work on this sculpture. I used a lot of lamb locks for the longer fur. I hand sculpted the horns and painted them as well as the hoofs. The nose is made of wax. He has glass eyes.
Final score:
32points
Bluebird11 7 years ago
After 4 summer living/working in Yelowstone, I'm reeeeeally familiar with buffalo. This still looks amazingly real to me.
Ruth Baldwin 6 years ago
I love the woolly tufts on his front legs and across his shoulders; he looks so real!
#22
Final score:
31points
#23
This little squirrel monkey is near life-size. Needle felted over the wire and, of course, with glass eyes.
I personally love exhibits in natural museums and old world taxidermy. I know it is super controversial and I do not like trophy hunting one bit. But when I go to a natural history museum, I appreciate how the exhibits are a tool to teach people about nature around the world.
Final score:
29points
#24
Final score:
27points
Ruth Baldwin 6 years ago
Perfection, thy name is needle sculpted white bunny. Perfect paws and the sweetest little face!
#25
Final score:
26points
#26
Final score:
21points
#29
Final score:
14points
#30
Final score:
13points
Add New Image
Explore more of these tags
What do you think ?
Daryn Martin 7 years ago
OMGeeeee I have never needle felted before by I know it is a painstaking process. This are exquisite!
We'llSee 7 years ago
I've always found needle felting so amazing, my question is where can one learn this ? Maybe self teaching in an smaller area like I live. Can't love it enough such talent and so beautiful.
Amanda Ford 7 years ago
I would love to know where to learn this as well!
Load More Replies...
Melody Lanzatella 7 years ago
A Scottish black faced sheep would be SOOO cute!! Also a,long haired/curly haired guinea pig!!! You are such a gifted artist!
Bittersweetie 3 years ago (edited)
She had me 100% forever until...spider. 😭😭😆❤️But seriously - I think her work is museum quality amazing.
Daryn Martin 7 years ago
OMGeeeee I have never needle felted before by I know it is a painstaking process. This are exquisite!
We'llSee 7 years ago
I've always found needle felting so amazing, my question is where can one learn this ? Maybe self teaching in an smaller area like I live. Can't love it enough such talent and so beautiful.
Amanda Ford 7 years ago
I would love to know where to learn this as well!
Load More Replies... Melody Lanzatella 7 years ago
A Scottish black faced sheep would be SOOO cute!! Also a,long haired/curly haired guinea pig!!! You are such a gifted artist!
Bittersweetie 3 years ago (edited)
She had me 100% forever until...spider. 😭😭😆❤️But seriously - I think her work is museum quality amazing.
Related on Bored Panda
