When it comes to custom My Little Ponies, Annie and Miranda of A&M Creations dream big. Really big. Using 3D printing, paint, and Dollyhair Nylon Doll Hair, this creative duo brings larger-than-life pony customs to the collecting world. Their oversized ponies capture the magic of childhood favorites while opening up endless possibilities for new designs, colors, and flowing manes. Annie and Miranda turn 3D printing into pure pony magic—meticulously refining every detail to transform beloved vintage ponies into whimsical works of art.
All images in this blog post belong to their respective artists and are used with permission.
Tell us a little about yourselves and how you got into creating custom 3D ponies?
We have both been part of the MLP community for many years and we actually met for the first time in real life in 2003 at the very first Swedish MLP Meet. We've both also co-hosted and/or hosted the Swedish MLP Meet at different locations. We are foremost collectors and love creativity involving everyone's favorite little ponies.
Miranda: I have a background as a dental technician specialized in CAD/CAM. I've dreamt of making custom 3D printed ponies for years, but I've been waiting for newer and better 3D printers that won't cost a fortune for use at home. I bought my first 3D resin printer in 2023 and involved Annie early in the process and we formed our creative hobby collaboration A&M Creations.
Annie: When Miranda approached me about making a 3D project I decided to give it a go as it was a new creative challenge for me. My skills in the 3D world were from the start very basic. But as time went on my skills kept building up as I gained the knowledge I needed to not only complete the project we set out to do but also started taking initiative in making even more projects. It’s just a very fun collaboration as both me and Miranda have so many ideas we want to do with the ponies we both share a common love for.
What inspired you to start modeling ponies digitally rather than customizing existing figures? What drew you to creating the larger-sized ponies? What do you love about that scale? (Your large-scale pony reminds us a bit of My Pretty Pony—the OG Gen 0 pony. Was that an intentional inspiration or just a happy coincidence?)
A custom based on a digital model opens up for more customization possibilities, such as scale, re-modelling it by taking parts from one model to another or 3D-sculpting brand new parts for the model or rigging it into new poses. It is also beneficial if you want to customize a conventional model which is uncommon or better suitable for restoration than turning into a custom.
The reason we made our large-scale ponies is because we've always wanted a big pony of our favorite boy ponies!
Can you walk us through your process—from rough scan to final printed and haired pony? What software or tools do you use? How do you refine and prep the scan?
1. The chosen pony model was scanned and made into a 3D file (STL-file). It was then imported to the software Blender for a clean up and refinement.
2. The STL-file was then imported into the 3D printer's software for additional adjustments and/or alterations before 3D printing.
3. The pony model was 3D printed in two steps -the first being the body and the second being the head. We wanted a model similar to that of a conventional custom pony for easy rerooting.
4. After 3D printing the models were cleaned with isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and light cured.
5. The models were dremeled and sanded to give them a smooth surface. We spent many hours doing this step. We usually paint our models, but in this case the models got a custom base color in the resin tank.
6. The models got a first coat of matte varnish, adding to the smooth finish and protecting the plastic surface from scratches.
7. Eyes and symbols were hand-painted on the models and an additional coat of matte varnish was added.
8. Each head model has 3 mane rows and a total of 83 plugs, so 83 hair plugs using Dollyhair nylon hair were made by tying one a knot in one end and securing the knot with super glue. A total of 8 bags of nylon hair was used for the mane and an additional 8 bags of nylon hair was used for the tail.
9. The head model was rerooted from the inside and out by using a string loop and pulling the hair plug out. A dressing plier was also being used to grab ahold of the string later in the process.
10. The tail was secured in the same manner as in a conventional model, by adding a cable tie around the hair and securing the hair with another cable tie around it all.
11. The heads were glued on with a thicker clear glue suitable for plastics.
12. The ponies were given custom made bandanas and also a hair trim and styling with a curling iron.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in designing or printing your own ponies?
Software issues or bugs in the printing software, but it gets updated regularly. Also, small models require a steady hand when painting complex details which can be both tricky and time consuming.
How do you go about choosing hair colors and fiber types for each custom? How has Dollyhair fit into your creative process?
If we make a pony based on an original pony we aim to be close to the original hair colors, but sometimes it is fun to do something different and pick a brighter or better color for that pony to make them stand out more. We have yet to try out the new fiber types -who knows what future projects we'll do!
Fireball is rerooted with Sour Grapes and Butterfly Nylon Doll Hair.
Have you discovered any surprising or fun realizations while working on your pony models?
That it is really fun to work with 3D models -we have a lot of ideas and too little time to realize them all immediately!
Do you have a favorite piece or project you’ve created so far?
Miranda: It is hard to choose a favorite piece or project as every creation is special to us in some way. We create what we love.
Annie: Basically I love any project we are working on at the moment! My favorite part of any project could actually be the whole process of creating. Just experimenting digitally and seeing all the awesome possibilities it gives and then finally holding that piece of fantasy for real in your hands.
Any advice for artists or collectors curious about getting into 3D modeling or 3D printing?
There are tons of great software out there for refining 3D models. One software we are particularly fond of is Blender! It's a free and open source 3D creation software in which you can do almost anything even if it can be a bit overwhelming when starting out.
As for 3D scanners and 3D printers -do your research and also watch people review them on YouTube. A resin 3D printer is not suitable for keeping in your living area as it needs a ventilated space. The 3D printed resin model also needs cleaning with isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and light curing before you can start to work with it. It is also more suitable for painting as it can get a bit messy to change the colors in the resin tank. It’s common to just use grey or white (easy when re-filling). If you plan to use a lot of different colors from the start, a FDM 3D printer may be more suitable.
4-Speed is rerooted with Blue Moon and Bubblegum Nylon Doll Hair
What’s next for you? Do you have a dream project or ultimate goal—or is it always evolving?
We always have a lot of ongoing projects, either in our heads or digitally. Not all models have seen the light of a 3D printed model yet. We will probably keep going as long as it feels fun and fulfilling!
Where can people find more of your work or contact you for customs or commissions?
You can follow us on:
Instagram: @teamamcreations (A&M Creations). This is where we will post all our 3D projects.
Website: A&M Creations website
At the moment we’re only accepting a few commissions at the time, but you can always send us a message. We will also gladly answer any questions regarding 3D models and our processes.