Welcome!

Welcome to Snailia's Animal Craft Ideas! This blog was inspired by my educational animal blog: Snailia, where I post about adorable animals and explain some of the interesting facts about them, in easy-to-understand language (plus there are photos!).

This blog will feature animal craft ideas for all ages and skills, as well as some tutorials. 

P.S: I recommend using materials that you have around your house, or buying them from thrift stores or local independent craft stores.

Creative Drawing Collage

This is a great children's drawing activity, although an adult could enjoy this too! Take any clipping from a magazine, glue it to a piece of paper, and expand on the image by drawing your own details. Animal clippings are quite fun and could be used to make imaginary creatures as well.

Nuts about Squirrels!

Collect various fallen nuts and cones from the forest and create adorable woodland creatures, like a Squirrel, one of my favourite animals! Glue the nuts together with hot glue, and glue on a pipe cleaner to make the tail of this Squirrel. Try making other animals, like a Beaver. 

Read about Squirrels on my animal blog: Snailia 

Leaf Animals

When you're out for a walk in the park or forest, collect some fallen leaves and flower petals to make cute and whimsical animals! Collect a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors to make the animals, and add details to create a scene. Take inspiration from this blog: 

Animal Mobile

Materials: Varies, depending on type. 
A. Paper - paper, scissors, string, branches/wood
B. Plastic/Rubber - small toys, string, branches
C. Fabric - fabric/felt/wool, string, needle, branches

Time: 30 minutes to 2 hours

Difficulty: Easy-Medium

Website: Tiddliwink Toys

Instructions

Step One: Cut out Animal Shape
I chose to make jellyfish for my mobile and made them from felt. You could use paper or fabric and achieve the same result. Or you could knit or crochet an animal. 

Step Two: Add Details 
I used bright blue thread and a decorative "x" stitch to mimic the bioluminescent lights that some jellies have. I also used fabric scraps in different shades of green and white to create tentacles. If you're making a jelly try different lengths and shapes for the tentacles.

Step Three: Stuff It!
Make your animal pouffy by filling it with fabric scraps or cotton batting. Then sew it up all around the edges to finish it. Repeat steps one to three, so you have a bunch of cute animals for the mobile.

Step Four: Attach Animals
You can either buy wooden/metal hoops to serve as the mobile base, or you can collect fallen branches to make your own. If using branches, you can form an X shape with two branches and secure them in the middle where they overlap. Use a tough string and hot glue to attach them. Next, sew a piece of string through the top of each animal and tie the string to the branch/hoop. Use a tough string/ribbon to hang the mobile from the ceiling. If using branches, use two pieces of string/ribbon and tie on to each end of the branches. Enjoy your new mobile!

Needle Felted Animals

Materials: Needles, Wool, Foam (as a work surface)

Time: Varies depending on size of project (2+ hours)

Difficulty: Medium

Instructions

Step One: Gather/Buy Materials

For needle felting, you'll need special wool and needles. You can buy these from craft stores and they are pretty inexpensive. The wool is really soft too! You should have a project in mind before buying so you get the right colors. 

Step Two: Poke Away!

Pull a clump of wool fibres from the ball and begin poking the clump with you needle. Be very careful to always pay attention to what you're doing, as the needles are very sharp. If you lay the project in your lap, use a piece of foam so you don't poke yourself!

Step Three: Add Details.

To add details, such as hands, feet, or ears, simply pull a new clump of wool and poke with the needle to attach it. It's that easy! 

Here's a cute little needle felted bunny. :)