6 Adorable Handmade Gifts for the Animal Lover in Your Life

Finding the perfect gift for an animal lover in your life may be a bit of a chore at times. You want something that actually means something to your friend or coworker, something that is unique and special, rather than just another keychain or another mass-printed tote bag. That is exactly why you should be looking at animal lover gifts from OakenArk. 

Each of these handmade items is made with love and care, felted to look exactly like an animal, and made to last for a very long time. You may be looking for something for your friend who is obsessed with their kitty at home, or perhaps something for your coworker who has their little fox figurine sitting on their desk at work, but whatever it is, you know it is going to be perfect.

Why Choose Handmade Gifts Over Mass-Produced?

You may be wondering why you should be choosing handmade gifts over mass-produced items, and it is a very valid question to ask. You should be asking it before you go out and make your purchase, to be honest with you. When you choose handmade gifts, you are choosing quality over quantity, and here is exactly what that means:

• Each of these handmade items is unique in its own way, so your friend or coworker will not be able to go out and buy something exactly like it

• These handmade items are made from higher quality materials, in this case wool felt, which is very long-lasting

• You are choosing to support an artist, rather than a factory

• These handmade items come with a story, and that is exactly what it means to be handmade

Mass-produced figurines might look fine in a photo, but they don't have that same warmth when you hold them. Handmade pieces feel different. That difference is what makes them memorable.

6 Handmade Animal Lover Gifts Worth Gifting Right Now

1. Felt Bear Figurine

There is something about a bear that just feels like a gift. It is cute, but not too cute, and it can go anywhere, whether it is on a bookshelf or on someone’s desk. The Felt Bear Figurine is made by Oaken Ark, and it is stitched together with a little scarf that just feels so thoughtful. It is the kind of gift that someone puts up the moment they get it and leaves it that way for years to come.

Perfect for: nature lovers, cabin decor enthusiasts, or just someone who loves bears.

2. Grey Cat Ornament

Cat lovers are very particular about their cat stuff, and this one is just perfect. The Grey Cat Ornament is just so full of cat, and we are here for it. It is soft, detailed, and honestly looks just like a cat just sitting around being perfect.

This is the perfect gift for someone who talks about their cat like it is a member of the family, and honestly, is that really anyone?

3. Chubby Hamster Decorative Figurine

Hamsters are so in right now, and this little guy is embracing that whole thing. The Chubby Hamster Decorative Figurine is round, soft, and just so darn cute. It is one of those things that just puts a smile on someone’s face the moment they see it, and that is just what a good gift is.

It is small enough to put on a windowsill or in the corner of a desk, so it is just unassuming enough to be noticed.

4. Felt Chubby Shiba Inu Dog Figurine

Shiba Inus are a breed of dog with a devoted fan base, and understandably so, as they are expressive, quirky, and even cute in an odd sort of way. The Felt Chubby Shiba Inu Dog Figurine has the quintessential Shiba Inu look: round face, confident demeanor, short stature, etc. This will mean a lot to anyone in your life who is a Shiba Inu fan.

It also works well as a general dog-lover gift for anyone who appreciates a well-made, characterful piece.

5. Owl Figurine - One of the Best Handmade Owl Ornaments Out There

Owls are a breed of bird that, while not necessarily cute, do carry a certain charm with themselves, a charm not all animals carry. The Owl Figurine is a piece of craftsmanship that fits in wonderfully with a book nook, a study, or even a little corner of plants.

As far as handmade owl ornaments go, this is one of the better ones, owing to its texture and level of detail, such as the feathering.

6. Red Fox Figurine

Foxes are a breed of animal that people tend to either quietly appreciate or openly adore, with little middle ground in between. The Red Fox Figurine captures this sense of intelligence and slyness incredibly well, as do the earthy tones used in the piece, which make this one of the more visually appealing pieces in the Oaken Ark lineup.

This works as a seasonal decoration during the autumn months, but even as a desk piece, it catches the eye.

Eco-Friendly Gifts for Pet Owners and Animal Lovers

If you want to give something that is sustainable, then these pieces do that too. If you are looking for eco-friendly gifts for pet lovers that do not compromise on style, then these are great options. Made from natural wool felt, a renewable and biodegradable material, and crafted using no synthetic materials or plastics, these are great choices for those who want to reduce their impact on the planet.

They are also long-lasting, unlike many other decorations that may lose their color or shape in just six months or a year. That is also a form of sustainability, because you are not giving someone something that is just going to go to a landfill in six months' time.

The packaging is also minimal, so that is another positive feature.

What Makes Felted Animal Figurines Different

The term felted animal figurines is quite broad, ranging from quick, machine-made ones to slower, hand-crafted ones like ours. While both can be lovely, the difference is in the look and feel. Machine-made ones are flat and look very uniform, whereas hand-crafted ones are textured, have character, and are slightly imperfect, giving them a very alive look.

Each OakenArk felted animal figurine is needle felted, meaning that the shape is gradually created using a barbed needle and layers of wool roving.

These are the kind of decorations that are put on display, not in a box in the closet.

A Few Things to Keep in Mind Before You Order

Here are a few things to keep in mind before making your purchase:

• Think about where they'll display it — a desk piece vs. a shelf piece might be a different size

• Think about what animal they already love — these gifts are more effective when they match something real

• Consider ordering ahead of holidays — handmade goods take a tad longer to produce than mass-produced ones

• Consider adding a handwritten note explaining why this specific animal was the right choice - it makes the gift feel even more personal

The Right Gift Tells Them You Actually Paid Attention

The best animal lover gifts are the ones that don’t need to be fancy or overpriced. They need to be thoughtful. A fox or a chubby hamster placed lovingly on a desk says the following: I see you. I think of you. I found this and I thought of you.

Take a look at the full collection of handcrafted gifts at OakenArk and find the one that fits your person perfectly. They are pieces meant to be loved, and so are the best gifts.