Update about my cat, my computer, my shop and more...

Hello friends & fellow Catlanders -

I wanted to write to update and catch up on things with everyone about why I haven't been around lately as it's been a long time since I've been active here and other sites I frequent.

Reason being .... my computer died - again - and it was dead for quite awhile.
This is the 2nd time my computer has died this year. Really annoying to say the least!

But fortunately - and finally - I got it back up and working the other day. A-freakin'-MEN!

Also - my cat, Ms. Abbey, was very sick last weekend and had to go to the animal ER, so I've been spending most of my time taking care of her since she was released from the hospital. Though I'm very happy to report that she seems to be doing better so far. Thank goodiness :)

But I'd like to ask of my close friends - please keep Abbey in your thoughts and/or prayers, and to send her positive vibes, so that she will recover quickly and that she won't have to go back to the animal ER again as she's not 100% better just yet. Thanks sooooo much everyone!

Below is a sweet and funny photo I took of Ms. Abbey about a week before she got sick. I caught her on top of my art desk again. She likes to check out all my supplies and watch the neighbors two cute pups (as they do with her - I call Abbey and my neighbor's dogs - "window friends") but Abbey especially enjoys scenting the tops of my paint brushes and colored pencils. I liked this photo and thought she looked adorable - so I wanted to share it here for you to all see...

Abbey feeling crafty and looking so cute and happy on top of my art desk

(As much as Abbey likes to check out my art and craft supplies - I always keep anything that could be dangerous - such as paint, varnishes, razors, etc... safely away from her in the desk drawers!)

In better news .... I've also been a bit extra busy these days because my brother is getting married soon, so I've been attending lots of pre-wedding events (and birthday parties too for family members and friends) It's been a very happy and exciting time - but a busy time too.
I'm sure in the future I'll post photos from these events, and of course, of "The Big Day" too!!

Also.... I wanted to post about the latest news regarding my Etsy shop,
"Jane Diamond Designs"
For those who may not already know - I have temporarily closed down my shop since the economy has been hitting me really hard personally (as it is with most people I know to some degree or another) and my money is so tight right now. All my listings and re-listings at Etsy were adding up, along with buying materials for new items for my shop. Combined that with my finances being in a crunch outside of Etsy, everything was just getting really difficult to get by in general money wise. So I took time off of Etsy to get my finances in better order.

But - as soon as I do re-open my shop, I will be sure to announce it here!
As of now - I'm thinking I'll probably re-open my shop in August or September. And I'm thinking of possibly opening a whole new shop altogether because I'm wanting to expand the types of items I create and sell. As of now - my idea for a new shop would be to continue to sell all of the feline themed items that I'm known for - like my cat painting prints, ACEO's, handmade catnip toys, pendant necklaces, etc... but then also adding new items with more variety of different animals, themes and styles. But whether I re-open my shop - or open up a brand new one - I will let you all know here as soon as I do. I'm really looking forward to getting back to work at Etsy since I miss it so much! I already have some Victorian style Halloween Cat themed items I will be listing - like this festive feline ACEO that I made:

"Happy Halloween" - black cat ACEO
by Jane Diamond Designs

so definitely keep an eye out for that and more fun Halloween feline goodies from yours truly!

Lastly - since my computer died - I have a lot of catching up to do.
Like with the Etsy forums, the Etsy street teams blogs and message boards for
"Etsy For Animals" (aka EFA) and "Vegan Etsy", Flickr, Myspace and replying back to all your comments here at my blog. Thanks so much for your comments that you have posted here - I have read them all - just haven't had a chance to reply back yet. I also need to catch up with my convos, PM's, emails and more... so I hope you all understand why it will take me a bit longer than usual to reply back.

It's been soooo frustrating having all these problems with my computer, in part because I fall so behind with everything going on - but I will reply back to everyone soon and am looking very forward to catching up with all my friends, and your furry families, too :)

Til later...

Many cheers and best wishes from Catland,

- Jane

CALLING ALL KITTIES...

Do your cat(s) have "Jane Diamond Designs" catnip toys from my shop?

And do your cat(s) like to model?

If so - your cat could be a model by having their photo featured in a future listing at my Etsy shop! Their photo would be included the next time I re-list the same catnip toy like the one that your own cats have! Also, your cat's name will be credited (as well as your name if you like) in the information provided for the listing.

My cat, Ms. Abbey, posing with one of my handmade catnip toys!

She's such a fabulous feline model :)

you can find this image in my listings for my catnip toys

and your cat could be next!

So if you're interested in having your cat as a model for my shop, please send me your feline fotos via a convo at Etsy at:

http://www.janediamond.etsy.com

or at my e-mail address, which if you don't have, feel free to leave a comment here for it.

Thank you!

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*** More of my Etsy shop updates and other posts about various things in my life coming soon! ***

Til later...

Cheers from Catland!

- Jane

Delayed Update.....

I wanted to update my blog real quick to let all my friends know why I haven't been as active here, or the many other sites I frequent.

As some of you know, my dad was very sick for quite awhile and was in hospital - it was very serious, and also a scary and stressful time for my family, and for my dad too, obviously. But he's out of the hospital now, and is doing much better - thank goodness!

But then my precious 19 year old cat, Ms. Abbey, got very sick too and I had to take her to the ER. Since then, Abbey is also doing better, but still recovering - so I've been staying at home a lot, taking care of my sweet 'golden girl' ;)

And then my bi-polar computer started spazzing on out me - it didn't work half the time, and when it did - it would boot me off at random times - until it finally died. so annoying! So I've been without my computer for awhile now, adding to yet another reason why I haven't been on-line much (I'm currently writing this from a computer cafe) but I should get my computer fixed and back at home early next week. xx. So, thanks everyone for your understanding and patience regarding my current circumstances :)

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However, with all the stress over the past few months - not all was lost. I had a fuckin' fabulous, amazing, and crazy fun time at the ohGr show late last month!

In the future, I really want to make a separate post all about it, accompanied by the photos and videos I shot that night, cause it really was soooo amazinG - seriously. that show blew my freakin' mind!

But suffice to say for now, it was truly one of the best shows I've ever seen (which says a lot considering just how many shows I've seen in my life) and I was sooo happy that night that my face actually hurt from smiling so much. I also took tons of photos and videos before, during and after the show which I'm still hoping to post soon here and my Flickr page. But in the meantime, here's a photo that my friend Miche took of me with my Dlovely friend Ogre after the show.

<3>

Ogre + I - huGsville - 2008

Til later....
Cheers from Catland!

- Jane

Etsy Shop & Abbey Updates

As I mentioned in my last post, I've been working on some Halloween themed items and other kitty crafts for my Etsy shop - but I lost the battery charger for my camera, and even if I find it or buy a new one, now my photo shop program isn't working! Grrr. So I can't crop, resize and adjust colors to the photos even when I do get my camera working, so it may take me longer to list all my new items. I hope to get that resolved soon, cause I'm so frustrated right now about that, and am anxious to list my new items soon!

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Before my camera died, I took come very cute pictures of my cat, Ms. Abbey, that I thought I'd share here. My cat Abbey is 18 years old (she will be 19 next month!) and is my 'mews' (muse ;) for most of my cat paintings. We've been together for a long time and I feel so blessed to have her in my life for so long. She is the sweetest cat ever, I know everyone says that about their cats, but she really is a fur angel. Abbey has even turned friends of mine who didn't like cats, into cat lovers who now have cats of their own. Abbey is so special and sweet, and I love her so very much!

Abbey sitting on my art desk

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Action shots - Abbey jumping from my art desk (right) to the couch

Cheers from Catland!

- Jane

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

Happy Holidays!

My cat Ms. Abigail and I want to wish everyone a healthy and happy holiday

and a wonderful new year too!

Cheers from Catland!

- Jane

My Latest Crafty Cat Creations!

Greetings from Catland!

I've been enjoying making my latest crafty cat creations!

Below are some photos of my newest catnip toys, enjoy!

"Pretty Kitties" Catnip Toy
Handmade and handsewn catnip toy completely filled with 100% organic catnip!

My beautiful 18 year old cat Ms. Abbey modeling with one of her very own "Pretty Kitties" catnip toy!

My Art Noveau inspired Catnip Toy!

These catnip toys have been a big hit with my cat customers! They are sure to make you cat play and purr with delight!

These catnip toys and other cat creations of mine can be found at my Etsy shop at:

http://www.janediamond.etsy.com

~
I've also begun working on some cute cat pendants! I haven't worked with jewelry much, but I've been having fun making these pendants and they have turned out great so far! I can't wait to add them to my shop.

In other news, aside from work, just getting ready for the holidays! As much as I'm looking forward to Christmas, I can't wait 'til it's over as all the stores have been soooo busy and swamped and I don't do well with big crowds, or the sappy Christmas music! Although there is one Christmas song that I have always liked, "Do they know it's Christmas"? by Band-Aid. I still have the 12 inch and 45 of the song on vinyl too!

Til later...

Cheers from Catland!

- Jane

Give Thanks to your Cats this Thanksgiving holiday!

Let your cats in on the Thanksgiving festivities!

Any cat owner would agree to being thankful for having their cats in their lives. For this Thanksgiving, why not show your gratitude for your cats by giving them this adorable Thanksgiving themed catnip toy! Your cat will thank you in return!

The front of this catnip toy features a vintage design of a darling and playful little mouse wearing a pilgrim hat surrounded by fall leaves with a grey background - a very fun and festive design!

The front of the catnip toy says "Happy" at the top, and at the bottom it says "Thanksgiving". The "Thanksgiving" part is much more visible on the actual toy than it is in the photo.

This catnip toy measures approx. 2x3 inches (this smaller sized toy is ideal for kittens, or grown cats that prefer to bat around smaller toys) and it is completely filled with 100% organic catnip - sure to make your cat(s) purr and play with delight!

Each catnip toy I sew by hand - a lot of time, work, and love goes into these toys, but it's well worth it, I've had many happy cat customers :)

I have made these catnip toys for my own cat, Ms. Abbey, and she gives them two paws up!!

Abbey assures your cats that they will love their very own vintage inspired catnip toy!

I also sell my unique and charming handmade catnip toys at "Wigglyille Pet Boutique"

in Chicago and they are very popular there, they fly off the shelves!

However, if you don't live in Chicago, you can purchase this catnip toy, or other ones I have available now at my Etsy shop: http://www.janediamond.etsy.com

Cheers from Catland,
- Jane