Very Vegan! :)

I have been strict vegetarian for 18 years, and also a borderline vegan - I never bought or wore anything made from animals (like fur, leather, wool, etc.) and also don't buy from companies that test on animals or have animal by-products in their ingredients. It's still hard for me to imagine that in today's society, animal testing still goes on, especially in this day and age with so many other alternatives to test products, rather than on defenseless animals!

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But recently, after being a vegetarian for 18 years, I decided to become a vegan! And I feel great ever since. My body feels more pure in a spiritual and physical sense from being 100% vegan now! And through my decision to go totally vegan, I felt that this was my next step in helping to prevent the horrifying conditions that our animal friends live in, as well as the painful, senseless and inhumane slaughter of these beautiful and innocent animals, such as in the photos below...

A baby calf, chained at the neck in a stall in a factory farm- unable to move, walk, and barely lay down

Chickens on their way to being slaughtered in a factory farm

I know these photos are very graphic and disturbing, but sadly, this is the truth and reality of what happens behind closed doors to animals in factory farms all over the world!

As the saying goes, I believe that animals are *not* ours to eat, wear, or test on. These beautiful animals should be able to live their lives with happiness, dignity, and freedom! And who are we to deprive them of those rights?

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I know not everyone may agree with my standpoint on this issue - people have their own beliefs and need to make their own choices in life. But in my personal experience of becoming a vegan, I feel it sends out the message that I strongly believe in - that the cruelty, torture, and ultimately death that these animals have to endure, should not be tolerated or accepted. And I will not support in any way, shape or form, the abuse these animals go through! But I believe there is hope in that, as well as through other people who are passionate about the welfare of animals, like in the photos below...

A rescued sweet baby chick, now living a peaceful and happy life at the Farm Sanctuary

Another rescued animal from Farm Sanctuary. This is Georgia, a lovely lamb, also now living a life of joy and freedom at the Farm Sanctuary

As an Etsy shop owner, in addition to being a member of the wonderful street team "Etsy for Animals" (EFA), I have also recently joined another street team, "Vegan Etsy"! I am a proud member of both of these groups now!

In the blog, "Vegan Flower", they wrote a small post about my Etsy shop, which I was happy to come across. You can read about it here: http://veganflower.blogspot.com/2008/05/jane-diamond-designs.html

I'm very excited about my new vegan diet and lifestyle, as well as getting to know other vegans and animal lovers through the "Vegan Etsy" team! A very special thanks to Molly (a fellow Etsy For Animals member too) for having me be a part of your wonderful vegan team! I'm so glad to be part of your group! :) To learn more about the "Vegan Etsy", please visit their blog at: www.veganetsy.blogspot.com

Power By Ringsurf

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And you can visit Molly's Etsy shop at: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5537231

where she makes and sells vegan mini muffins for dogs! She has a very unique shop, with healthy and delicious treats for your pups!

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Also, to learn more about the amazing and wonderful work that Farm Sanctuary does, like rescuing the beautiful baby chick and lamb in the photos above, as well as all the other work they do for animals like them, to please go to their site at: www.farmsanctuary.org

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In other Etsy related news, I will be adding a new ACEO cat collage that I recently designed. I already have a couple ACEO prints in my shop, but will be adding more asap. I'm still going through recovery from my back injury, so I haven't been as active at Etsy and my other favorite sites and blogs, but am slowly getting a bit better everyday, and am hoping to have my new handmade ACEO's available in my shop soon!

Here is a photo of my most recent cat collage ACEO...

"Catch Your Dreams" - handmade cat collage ACEO by Jane Diamond

I sent one of these ACEO's to my friend Katie (known as mishkat at Etsy) for her birthday and I was really happy to know that she liked them so much!

I hope all you cat lovers out there will check back at my shop to see when the "Catch Your Dreams" ACEO is listed, as well as my other crafty kitty goodies that I have in store now, and also coming soon, thanks!

www.janediamond.etsy.com

Til later...

Cheers from Catland!

- Jane

Etsy For Animals Article!

I haven't been as active here, (or at Etsy, Flickr, and my other favorite sites) as I recently tore a muscle in my lower back, so it's been difficult to sit for long periods of time, so that's why I haven't been on the computer as much.

But in better news, two of my "Etsy For Animals" friends, WHSKR and Mishkat, wrote a wonderful article about Etsy For Animals (also known as EFA), and I wanted to share it here in my blog since they did such an amazing job on it, and also because Etsy For Animals is an Etsy street team that I am very proud to be a member of!

Here is a direct link to the article: http://www.etsy.com/storque/section/craftivism/article/etsy-pets-worldwide-animals-with-efa/1715/

I hope you will take some time to read this article and learn more about EFA (accompanied by some super cute pictures of EFA members pets and art). In the article, I am the "cool cat artist" mentioned in the first line, and also included is a photo of my ACEO of my "October" cat painting! It's so nice to be featured amongst so many talented and compassionate EFA artists there. Each EFA artist has their own unique style of art, we live all over the world, and yet we are all bonded by our passion for helping animals!

Many thanks to WHSKR (Marjorie) and Mishkat (Katie) for writing the EFA article, which helps spread information and exposure on how EFA members are committed to helping improve the welfare of our animal friends through our arts and crafts.

And a special thanks also to another one of my EFA friends, Michele (mvegan5) who started and created the Etsy For Animals team! Thank you Michele for all your hard and loving work that you do for EFA, and for bringing Etsy artists together through your group so that we can all be a part of making positive changes to animals in need!

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For more info on Etsy For Animals, please visit the EFA shop at: www.etsyforanimals.etsy.com

or at the EFA blog at: www.etsyforanimals.blogspot.com

All items at the Etsy For Animals shop have been donated by EFA members, and 100% of the proceeds (less S&H) go towards the EFA charity of the month. You can also type in 'efa" or 'teamefa" in the main search box at Etsy.com to find members shop who donate percentages of their sales to Etsy for Animals.

To me, shopping at the Etsy For Animals shop and/or from artists' shop who are EFA members is a win-win situation. You get lovely and creative handmade arts and crafts, and get to help animals in the process too!

Til later,

Cheers from Catland!

- Jane

New interview feature on me by NanjoDogz!

I was very honored and flattered that Nancy, from "NanjoDogz" at Etsy.com, recently interviewed me for her personal blog. Nancy is a fellow member of "Etsy For Animals; Artists Helping Animals" and she does monthly features on various EFA members in her blog. For this month, her feature was about me and my shop. To read the interview she did with me, please click on this link: http://nanjodogz.blogspot.com/2008/04/efa-interview-jane-diamond-designs.html

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Nancy is a huge dog lover, and adores her own dog, as much as I do with my own cat, Ms. Abbey. Nancy creates gorgeous and darling dog themed items such as beads, pendants, note cards, magnets and much more! Here are some of my favorite items from her shop...

"Greyhound Art Pendant"


"Pomeranian Crystal Flower Pendant"

"Greyhound Summer Sunshine Distressed Pendant"

I really enjoy Nancy's work, but I like her greyhounds the best since they are one of my favorite breeds of dogs, and Nancy really captures the striking and beautiful elegance of greyhounds in her work as you can see!

To check out more of Nancy's work, please visit her Etsy shop at:

www.NanjoDogz.etsy.com

And thank you so much Nancy for the 'Etsy For Animals' member feature you did on me for your blog! I really enjoyed the interview and also answering all your questions! :)

Til later...

Cheers from Catland,

- Jane

Extra Extra! Read all about it!

It's been a little while since I've updated my blog. This past month, I haven't been feeling too well physically, which in turn has been effecting me emotionally as well. Everyone I know here in Chicago has been sick. Everyone! There's been something going around that just won't seem to go away. The weather here doesn't help. One day it's 50 degrees, warm and sunny out, and yet the next day, it will drop down to 20 degrees, snowy, cold and grey. An old friend of mine once said there are only two seasons in Chicago - summer and winter. It's so true, it seems there's just no in between.

Anyway, I'm starting to get back on my feet, and wanted to update my blog. I have a lot of catching up to do about various things going on with my arts, crafts, and my life. Mostly good stuff, and some sad, but for now, I wanted to post about this......

Recently, I have been making some new catnip toys from this fabulous fabric I bought. The fabric is a cat themed 'mews'paper, with various cat related articles accompanied with cute kitty photos. I cut out the articles, and hand sew them together using a black backing fabric with white paw prints all over it, which I completely fill with 100% organic catnip!

I have sold two of these mewspaper toys already at my Etsy shop, which I'm very happy about. And in addition to that, I recently was on Etsy, browsing through their "Gift Guide" section and was happy to see that one of my mewspaper catnip toys was featured in the gift guide, under the "Pets and Pet Lovers" section! All items listed there are picked and curated by the Etsy staff, so I was really flattered and excited my catnip toy was selected and featured there! Thanks Etsy Staff :)

To see this catnip toy of mine at Etsy's gift guide, click here: http://www.etsy.com/gift-guides/pets-and-pet-lovers/30

Below is a photo of one of these catnip toys I have already sold

"Chilly Calico, the meteorologist cat" - handmade mewspaper catnip toy!

And here is a photo of the catnip toy in the "Pets and Pet Lovers" gift guide section at Etsy

"Astronaut Cat" - handmade mewspaper catnip toy

If you're interested in purchasing this cute and clever catnip toy above, please visit my Etsy shop at: www.janediamond.etsy.com

I'll be listing more of these mewspaper themed catnip toys in my shop in the future, and I have other goodies that I'm planning on making, so check back at my shop soon to see my latest crafty creations! And also, 10% of my sales from my items tagged with "efa" (Etsy For Animals) goes to the Etsy For Animals charity of the month. So it's a great way of not only buying something for your cat that they will really enjoy and love, but also to benefit animals in need at the same time!

Til later...

Cheers from Catland!

- Jane

Kitty Love Cat Creations!

In my group "Etsy Cat Crafts and Art" that I started at Flickr, I held a "Kitty Love" contest in the spirit of Valentine's Day! Members of the group were encouraged to post their own handmade cat creations that had a Valentine's Day/Kitty Love theme to it. The entries were all very cute and embraced Valentine's Day with our feline friends in mind!

I wanted to feature all the entries that the members had entered in the contest. I am happy to showcase all of these lovely cat creations! So please take a look below at these wonderful, beautiful and creative kitty creations, along with links to each members Etsy shop where you can see more of their wonderful work!

"Bombay Cat Brooch" felted cat brooch by KaysK9s

to visit KaysK9s's shop, please go to: www.KaysK9s.etsy.com

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"Purple Heart Catnap" cat sculpture by Endless Whimsy

to visit Endless Whimsy's shop, please go to: www.endlesswhimsy.etsy.com

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"Mau Mau in Love" cat button by MAUstudio

to visit MAUstudio's shop, please go to: www.maustudio.etsy.com

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"Skittles" felted cat sculpture by bjmaiee

to visit bjmaiee's shop, please go to: www.intimateforest.etsy.com

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"Dobby loves Sophia" mixed media ACEO by mishkat

to visit mishkat at Etsy, please go to: www.etsy.com/profile.php?user_id=41710


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Thank you to all the members of the "Etsy Cat Crafts and Art" group for submitting your entries for the "Kitty Love" contest! All the entries were fantastic and you are all winners!

Since I started the "Etsy Cat Crafts and Art" group, one thing I noticed that I really enjoy about the group, is while everyone there loves cats and creates cat themed items, every member has their own very distinctive style! It's so interesting to see how different people portray and illustrate cats in their own special and unique way!

If you are an Etsy shop owner, and create cat themed items (either for people and/or cats) please come join my group at: http://www.flickr.com/groups/etsy-cat-crafts-and-art/

Hope to see you there!

Til later...

Cheers from Catland,

- Jane

My Entry for Etsy For Animals February Challenge

Click on the link below to see my entry for the "Etsy For Animals" February Challenge, "For the Love of Animals". As a member of EFA, I like to participate in their challenges. My entry for this challenge is especially close to my heart...

http://etsyforanimals.blogspot.com/2008/02/my-entry-for-february-challenge-for.html

Cheers from Catland

- Jane

List and Video of the week

I have a confession to make

I am a list-a-holic.

I LOVE to make lists. I make them about anything, but usually about favorite things of mine.

My list addiction started years ago when I was working at a toy shop. It was a really cool shop, not your typical chain toy store, but rather one that catered towards old skool toys like metal wind up toys, smurfs, silly putty, and some very cool and unique puppets. They also carried various instruments from around the world, like african drums, pan flutes, etc. Never a dull day working there. And I've always been a kid at heart, so while I wasn't working, I was playing with all the fun things in the shop.

Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse when the couple who owned the store of ten years, decided to retire and move. It was sad to see them go, they were so wonderful to work for and put so much heart and pride into the shop, and they gave the shop a sort of mom and pop feel to it, very welcoming. But after 10 years in the business, they wanted a change.

Enter the new owner, a young guy who completely lacked any and all business skills, couldn't seem to care less about the customers, or the actual store for that matter, and ran the store into the ground within about a years time. So while he was off getting stoned, avoiding all the angry companies that were after him for all the money he owned them that I got stuck having to deal with, I was basically left in the store with nothing to do. The new owner got rid of the majority of items in the shop, and the little amount of items he carried in the shop, was more to what he liked (mostly hippy stuff) rather than what the store was known for, so the regulars started shopping elsewhere, and the new customers didn't stick around for long.

So this was around the time I really started to get addicted to making lists. I would work 8 to 9 hour shifts with a small handful of customers all day long, so I killed a lot of time making lists about various things. It's been years since I've worked at the toy store, but I still love to make lists to this day. So I thought I'd start posting some lists of mine to share here in my blog.

This list is my top 31 favorite 1 hit wonders of the 80's.

Some (er, okay most) of these songs fall into the 'so bad they're good' category, some are more club type hits rather than radio hits, cover songs, or from bands that maybe had more hits in other countries, but you get the idea.

Top 31 one Hit Wonders of the 80's (in random order) by Jane Diamond

31. "Love and Pride" by King

30."Cars" Gary Numan

29. "Tenderness" by Genereal Public

28. "Space Age Love Song" by A Flock of Seagulls"

(this one was more of a 2 hit wonder, but I think this song is so much better than "I Ran")

27. "Heat of the Moment" by Asia

26. "Birds Fly - Whisper to a Scream" by The Icicle Works

25. "Obsession" By Animotion

24. "Dominatrix Sleeps Tonight" by Dominatrix

23. "Come on Eileen" by Dexy's Midnight Runners

22. "Inside Out" by The Mighty Lemon Drops

21. "State of Shock" By Michael Jackson and Mick Jagger

20. "People Who Died" by Jim Carroll

19. "Politics of Dancing" by Re-Flex

18. "Too Shy" by Kajagoogoo

17. "Red Red Wine" UB40

16. "Pop Musik" by M

15. "Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggles (first video ever aired on MTV)

14. "Wot?" by Captain Sensible

13. "Let's Go All The Way" by Sly Fox

12. "In A Big Country" by Big Country

11. "99 Luft Balloons" by Nena

10. "Something About You" by Level 42

9. "Go!" by Tones On Tail

8. "Can't You See" by Vicious Pink

7. "Relax" by Frankie Goes To Hollywood

6. "Turning Japanese" by The Vapors

5. "Der Kommisar" by After The Fire

4. "Close to the Edit" by Art of Noise

3. "Pass the Dutchie" by Musical Youth

2. "World Destruction" by Time Zone

1. "Shiny Shiny" by Haysi Fantayzee

What are your favorite one hit wonders of the 80's?

Comment me back and let me know!

Cheers from Catland!

- Jane

Current Cozy Cat Creations!

Greetings everyone! I wanted to upload some photos tonight of my latest kitty items that I have available right now in my Etsy shop!

It's getting very cold outside, so why not warm your heart with these handmade greeting cards of mine? The design on the cards is from a commissioned cat painting I did for Harmony House Cat Shelter's annual Valentine's Day open house. The painting is called "Share Your Love For Cats". This painting is used in Harmony House's newsletters and their website, and now it can be seen on these lovely greeting cards I made!

Each card is 5x7 inches, printed on card stock, and comes with a bright red envelope. The inside of the cards are blank to write your own personal message. The back of the cards are white and has my Etsy information, as well as information about Harmony House.

Also, 20% of all sales from these cards goes directly to help the cats and kittens at Harmony House! A great way to share your love for cats! :)

These cards make for a purrrfect way to send a Valentine greeting to someone special, or keep it for yourself to hang it up in your house! The cards look great in a 5x7 frame to add some cute kitty decor to your home.

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I have also listed this gorgeous painting print called "Peter the Great". This painting I did in ode to my favorite Victorian artist, Louis Wain! Louis was inspired to create cat art from the very first cat he had, Peter - otherwise lovingly known as "Peter the Great"! And since Louis Wain's cat art and life story have greatly influenced my very own cat art, I painted a portrait of Peter in ode to Louis. This painting print is ideal for fans of black and white cats (or "tuxedo cats" as some people call them), fans of Louis Wain, or just fans of cute kitty art!

Both the greeting cards and the Peter Cat print are available in my shop now. I already sold one of the greeting cards, but have more in my shop. To check them out for yourself, please visit my shop at: http://www.janediamond.etsy.com/

The pictures there of these items are much more in focus at my shop, and I have also additional photos of the greeting cards at my shop too, to give you more perspective on what they look like.

Til later...

Cheers from Catland!

- Jane

Video of the week- Etsy For Animals!

My video pick of the week is an "Etsy For Animals" video created by Diane of: www.woodnvisions.etsy.com

This video that Diane created showcases many of Etsy For Animals members, featuring their arts and crafts, and photos of their pets too! I was honored to be one of the artists selected for the video, and my "Calico Queen" painting along with a photo of my cat Abbey can be seen in this video, along with many other wonderful and talented work by EFA members, and their adorable pets too! Many thanks to Diane for all her hard work and supporting Etsy For Animals in this unique and creative way! Check out her video here!...

Blog feature on me and other recent 'mews'

Recently I was featured in woodnvisions blog for my "Calico Queen" painting. The woman behind "woodnvisions" is Diane, who is also a fellow Etsy seller and Etsy For Animals member too! She creates very unique, beautiful and well crafted sculptures and clocks out of wood. I especially love her Poodle Clock

"Poodle Clock" by woodnvisions
So cute! :)

Diane is a wonderful supporter of Etsy For Animals! She is currently in the midst of creating an Etsy For Animals video featuring the work of EFA artists and their pets too, and I'm very excited and honored that I was selected to be one of the artists featured for the video! Thanks Diane for your feature on me in your blog, and also for all the hard work you are putting into this video to showcase and support the art and artists of EFA! I can't wait to see it!

To check out Diane's wonderful wood creations, go to her Etsy shop at: www.woodnvisions.etsy.com/

To see Diane's feature about me in her blog, go to: http://woodnvisions.blogspot.com/2007/12/featured-seller.html

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In other news, I have begun some "Kitty Love" style work for my Etsy shop, since Valentine's Day is fast approaching. I already have this catnip toy available in my shop right now!

This is a super cute catnip toy that I sewed by hand and is completely filled with 100% organic catnip! I have made these retro style catnip toys for my own cat, Abbey, and she loves them! She assures that your cat will love their very own retro style catnip toy too! I love the fun and flirty look and style to this toy, and all the pink flowers and hearts is very festive and purrrfect for celebrating Valentine's Day with your cat(s)!

Also available in my shop is this adorable and sweet painting print

"Gretchen - Kitty Angel"

This is a high quality print of my original painting based on the second cat I ever had, Gretchen. She was a very pretty long haired white cat with very long whiskers, and two different colored eyes, one green - one blue. Gretchen also had the cutest high pitched mews, and had a very girly purrrsonality. This print is ideal for fans of white cats and also the color pink!

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I also recently picked up some new cat themed fabric, as well as some new ACEO cards and other craft supplies that I look forward to working with to come up with some new creative cat designs. I only wish there was more than 24 hours in a day! I always have so many ideas for new arts and crafts, but never seem to have enough time to complete them all in the time frame I would like. But I will still have some new items in my shop soon, so keep an eye out to see what's in store! Valentine's Day is an especially fun time of the year for me to come up with "Kitty Love" items!

You can visit my Etsy shop by clicking here: www.janediamond.etsy.com

And speaking of "Kitty Love", on February 3rd, "Harmony House Cat Shelter" in Chicago is holding their annual Valentine's Day open house! If you live in the area, you should stop by. There will be lots of cute and crafty items that you can buy that helps support Harmony House, yummy cupcakes and other sweets, a raffle, and of course, you can visit and share your love with all the lovely cats and kitties there too!

To find out more about Harmony House, as well as this event, go to: hhforcats.org

Here is my commissioned painting that I did for their Valentine's Day open house

"Share Your Love For Cats"


Me with my cat Ms. Abbey - Kitty Kisses!

Til later......
Cheers from Catland!

- Jane

Video of the week - Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

Specimen

Long before there was "goth" there was "Batcave", and bands like Specimen and Alien Sex Fiend epitomized this movement in music. Unlike "goth" music today, Batcave wasn't as serious and all 'gloom and doom' - there was a dark undertone to it, but it was more fun, glam and had almost a campy element to it. I loved the song "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" when I first heard it back in the 80's, but have been playing it a lot lately on my Ipod, though I still have their albums on vinyl! This song is still very popular in the clubs today

Take a trip back in time to the old "Batcave" days with the classic song by Specimen

Etsy For Animals - New Craft Challenge

As a member of Etsy For Animals, I like to partake in their monthly challenges in their blog. For this month, the theme was "New Craft" for the New Year. To view my entry for this challenge, please click on this link: http://etsyforanimals.blogspot.com/2008/01/my-entry-for-new-craft-challenge_04.html

Cheers from Catland!
- Jane