Miniature donkey

Posted on December 29, 2014 by Amanda Adebisi

I can now reveal my latest creation, a miniature donkey!

I was sent some photos of an absolutely gorgeous real miniature donkey and asked to needle felt her as a surprise Christmas present for her loving owner. It was an absolute pleasure to create her as I looked at those cute eyes and wonderful fluffy coat.

As she is a hoofed animal I quickly realised that to stand up she would need some stability so I wrapped core Corriedale wool over a wire armature. She soon started to take shape!!

I made her as a young fluffy donkey with long fur rather than when she was a bit older after a summer moult but this meant I really had to think about how to get the right colour and texture for her fur. I ended up buying 4 wool colours and mixing them carefully by hand with other brown and cream colours I had to get the right shade.

Once I started adding the long fur I had to be so careful not to let the strands fuzz up when laying the animal down to reach all sides. I therefore had to start on the legs and tummy and do the back and face last so the fur was looking its best in these areas and I didn’t end up squashing her ears.

Thankfully donkey fur is slightly matted so I didn’t have to worry too much about it having to look silky smooth! I just love doing faces so this was hard for me to have to wait til the end but it was definitely worth it 🙂

48 Comments

Posted in Needle felt and tagged Donkey, felted animal, felting, handmade, miniature, wool. Bookmark the permalink.

48 responses »

Helen Wegner | May 15, 2017 at 11:34 pm

Do you sell these donkeys? I would love to purchase a couple of them. Please send price and details if available for sale.

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- Amanda Adebisi | May 16, 2017 at 3:34 am
  
  Thanks for asking but no I am sorry I don’t sell at the moment.
  
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Gwen smith | May 15, 2017 at 5:46 pm

I wantbto purchase one

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Cora | August 30, 2016 at 3:08 am

Where can I buy one??

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Colleen | January 15, 2016 at 5:24 am

That is gorgeous. I would love to learn how to needle felt. Would it have been possible to use some of the hair from the actual animal?

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- Amanda Adebisi | January 15, 2016 at 12:52 pm
  
  Thanks Colleen yes you will love it if you try. Once i had bought my wool and needles I was addicted. Yes some people do use alternatives such as their own dog’s hair so I am sure some donkey hair would felt just fine.
  
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Freida | July 27, 2015 at 4:06 pm

Hi Amanda, my oldest daughter’s name is Amanda!!! I love this little guy so much, was wondering on if you would be interested in making me one? Also on the price of such piece? I could never be this talented….

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- Amanda Adebisi | September 7, 2015 at 6:54 pm
  
  Great your daughter has the same name 🙂 so pleased you like the donkey. I am making one at the moment for someone but as a one off so unfortunately won’t be making any more.
  
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Cindy DeBoard | May 15, 2015 at 10:39 pm

Amazing work, so realistic.

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- Amanda Adebisi | May 23, 2015 at 8:26 am
  
  Thank you so much Cindy 🙂
  
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pd Cunningham | February 5, 2015 at 3:49 am

How much is your adorable donkeys?
It is precious!

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Virginia | January 20, 2015 at 11:59 am

That’s the most realistic fake donkey I’ve ever seen. Amazing!

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Nancy Eubanks | January 3, 2015 at 3:38 pm

You did a magnificent job. It looks real enough to run around!

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- Amanda Adebisi | January 4, 2015 at 10:39 am
  
  Thanks Nancy.
  
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Dawn Wick | January 1, 2015 at 10:47 pm

Oh my, she is precious! I used to have donkeys, and when I saw this I was hoping she was for sale. Even though she’s not, you’ve brought a smile to my face.

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- Amanda Adebisi | January 4, 2015 at 10:38 am
  
  Thanks Dawn. Yes she has been adopted but if you would like one please send me a custom order in my etsy store 🙂
  
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Leeanne | January 1, 2015 at 1:38 am

So wonderful… You’re very clever..xx

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- Amanda Adebisi | January 1, 2015 at 10:35 pm
  
  Thanks Leeanne
  
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Verónica | December 31, 2014 at 5:58 pm

Amazing. I love the face.

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- Amanda Adebisi | January 1, 2015 at 10:34 pm
  
  Thanks Veronica
  
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rabenschwester12 | December 31, 2014 at 10:05 am

Wow… so cute

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- Amanda Adebisi | December 31, 2014 at 10:11 am
  
  Thanks 🙂
  
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Debbie mcdougall | December 30, 2014 at 7:25 am

Hi Amanda. Do you know of anyone where I could buy the wire armatures for the needle felting animals, I was in contact with a lady that sells them but, she has retired does no more I hope you can help me
Deb

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- Amanda Adebisi | December 30, 2014 at 11:32 am
  
  Hi Debbie, i bought aluminium wire from a great seller on ebay. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Armature-Frame-Craft-Modelling-Wire-Aluminium-or-Galvanised-All-gauges-/110878474532?pt=UK_Crafts_Other_Crafts_EH&var=&hash=item19d0df4124
  
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  - Debbie mcdougall | January 6, 2015 at 10:57 pm
    
    Thanks very much Amanda
    
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thorgrimsinga | December 30, 2014 at 7:02 am

wow.. so impressed

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- Amanda Adebisi | December 30, 2014 at 11:20 am
  
  thank you 🙂
  
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Debbie mcdougall | December 30, 2014 at 2:10 am

Luvvvvvvv your work, how do you get the shape of the animal?
Hiw do you do the wire insert?
I am learning all about needle felting
Thank you
Deb

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- Amanda Adebisi | December 30, 2014 at 11:17 am
  
  Thanks so much Debbie. I start off with a wire, bent in shape of the donkey (a bit like a skeleton). this is wrapped with pipe cleaners so the wool has something to grip onto. I wrap long lengths of wool round the wire, felting slightly to hold in place. Then start adding different shapes of wool which i have already felted to give the anatomy of the donkey and build up from there -this is all with core wool that felts quickly and is cheaper than the nice stuff. I then add the layers of the nicer merino wools as long fur.
  
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fairysockmother | December 30, 2014 at 1:57 am

This is the cutest animal you have ever made! I love it! It is absolutely adorable!

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- Amanda Adebisi | December 30, 2014 at 11:12 am
  
  Thank you and thank you for following all my creations so far. My aim is to improve all the time. Glad you like her! 🙂
  
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Lourdes | December 29, 2014 at 11:59 pm

i appreciate your dedication and attention to your art. the donkey is so realistic i can hear her/him in my ear.

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- Amanda Adebisi | December 30, 2014 at 11:11 am
  
  So kind of you to say. Thank you 🙂 imagine having one that was real but that size!!
  
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wonnieslittleideas | December 29, 2014 at 11:24 pm

Oh my… ❤ She looks so real! Really great. I think i need more wool to felt another one for myself. I love that fluffy hair. Have a look at my blogheader, i felted some extramini donkeys, mother and child 😀 Maybe you will love them too? ❤

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- Amanda Adebisi | December 30, 2014 at 11:10 am
  
  Ooh i love them, so cute and such character! yes you should have another go.. donkeys are simply adorable and i so loved making her.
  
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Teresa | December 29, 2014 at 10:07 pm

I appreciate that you show us the steps building up to the finished project. Your animals are always a pleasure to see. As usual Donkey is a incredible work of art.

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- Amanda Adebisi | December 30, 2014 at 11:08 am
  
  Aw thanks so much for saying Teresa 🙂
  
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lucyannluna | December 29, 2014 at 8:43 pm

Beutiful

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- Amanda Adebisi | December 30, 2014 at 11:08 am
  
  Thanks Lucy 🙂
  
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Gloria Irla Marlow | December 29, 2014 at 6:13 pm

Your miniature donkey is amazing. I’ve only read two of your blogs, one with instructions for creating long hair and I’m already learning so much.

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- Amanda Adebisi | December 30, 2014 at 11:08 am
  
  Thank you Gloria. SO pleased the tutorial is helping 🙂 do just ask if you need help with anything.
  
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Tracey Smyth | December 29, 2014 at 4:49 pm

Wow. That’s amazing skill. My animals are all rather ‘quirky’!

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- Amanda Adebisi | December 30, 2014 at 11:06 am
  
  Thanks Tracey. Quirky is good!!!
  
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stewartnancy86 | December 29, 2014 at 2:41 pm

Wonderful work! Impressive!

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- Amanda Adebisi | December 30, 2014 at 11:06 am
  
  Thanks Nancy 🙂
  
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Linda Wenger | December 29, 2014 at 2:05 pm

I think your little donkey is just the cutest thing ever! It looks like it’s ready to trot around the paddock and get into mischief. I’m sure it’s new owner was thrilled to pieces.
What kind of fibers did you use for its coat? Were they all merino?

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- Amanda Adebisi | December 30, 2014 at 11:05 am
  
  Thanks Linda, yes from what i hear her new owner is very pleased. I used merino mainly for the coat with a bit of corriedale mixed in and in fact i used a tiny bit of alpaca for the white on her tummy as the lady who she went to had very kindly given me some alpaca wool from her own alpacas so I wanted to incorporate some in there as a thank you. 🙂
  
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  - Linda Wenger | December 30, 2014 at 2:22 pm
    
    Thank you, Amanda. I’m still learning about the different fibers and which make the best fur and hair effects. I haven’t tried any alpaca yet, but I have used some angora that a friend sent me. Someone else just gave me some Persian cat hair that will be interesting to try on my Sheltie felties.
    
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