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

Charmed, I'm Sure...

I've finally begun working on some pendants that I bought and have been in the process of making some cat charm pendant necklaces out of them. I'm quite happy with how they've been turning out considering the little amount of experience I've had working with jewelry.

Below are some photos of my latest cat charm pendant featuring two cats by my favorite Victorian cat artist, Louis Wain! The pendant has a cat on each side - one happy cat, and one grumpy cat. This necklace would make for a cool way to display the mood you're in. Wear the Happy cat side when you're feeling happy, and the other side when you're feeling grumpy. Or you can just wear it to show off your love for cats!

Happy smiling orange tabby cat

Black and white grumpy cat

Side view of the pendant

Grumpy cat side displayed on an Egyptian cat statue

This was made on a 1 inch silver pendant with a glass insert that magnifies the images.

The pendant comes with a silver ball chain necklace that can be worn at any length of your preference. This pendant is purrrfect for cat lovers, as well as fans of Louis Wain alike!

This pendant can be found at my Etsy shop at:

www.janediamond.etsy.com

And check back at my shop for more cute cat charm pendants in the future! These are a lot of fun to make, so I'm sure I'll be listing some other ones soon!

Happy Holidays to everyone!

Til later...

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

Latest Cat Creation!

Here is my latest handmade catnip toy, "Puss at Home"

It features a charming and heart warming Victorian design of a beautiful brown

Mama tabby cat, with her sweet faced kitten all cozy and close at her side.

This toy measure approx. 2x3 inches in size

Ideal for kittens of for grown cats that prefer smaller sized toys

This catnip toy would make for the purrrfect stocking stuffer this holiday

for your feline friend!

This toy is available now at my Etsy shop at:

http://www.janediamond.etsy.com/

Cheers from Catland,

Jane

All Things Handmade

My Etsy shop is now featured in a wonderful new blog called "All Things Handmade"!

Thanks to my friend Michele ('mvegan5' at Etsy) for letting me know about this blog
To check out my shop listed there, just click on this link: http://etsymini.blogspot.com/2004/08/art-and-illustrations-page-4.html

Also, I wanted to thank my other Etsy friend Katie ('mishkat') for taking screen shots of two of my treasuries at Etsy. The first one I did recently featured donated items in the "Etsy For Animals" shop, and my theme was EFA Harvest, in the spirit of Thanksgiving. Check out the screen shot of it that Katie took for me, it has some wonderful Thanksgiving and autumn themed items...

The second recent treasury I did was an ode to Victorian cats! Obviously I'm a huge cat lover, (just in case you haven't noticed ;) and I love the charm, warmth, and elegance of Victorian art. Below is the screen shot of my "Fine Victorian Felines" treasury!

Cheers from Catland,

- Jane

'Tis the Season to be Frisky!

It's that time of the year for some frisky and fun feline festivities!

Here is my latest crafty creation - A beautiful Victorian inspired Cat Christmas Ornament!

I worked really hard on it, but enjoyed creating it, and was happy with how it came out.

Below are various photos of the front and the back of the ornament, as well as some close-up shots of the gorgeous designs.

UPDATE - This item has been sold!

This Cat Christmas Ornament is available now in my Etsy shop at:
http://www.janediamond.etsy.com

And check back at my shop for more Christmas creations and other goodies coming soon!

Cheers from Catland,

- Jane Diamond

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

My Latest Crafty Cat Creation!

Here is my latest cat crafty creation! This is a cute and colorful handmade magnet called "Kittens Dream". It has a collage design I created with a Victorian inspired look and style to it.

The magnet is 3x3 inches in size, made on wood, but lightweight with a very strong and durable magnetic backing. (the copyright watermark is not on the actual magnet, only on the photo here)

These magnets make for a fun and easy way to display cute kitty art! This cat magnet and other goodies of mine are available now at my Etsy shop at: http://www.janediamond.etsy.com

In other news, it's been awhile since I updated my blog, I was sick with the flu, but am now getting back on my feet, and have been busy creating new items for my Etsy shop! And with the holidays fast approaching, I've also begun to make some Christmas themed creations that will be listed in my shop soon!

In the meantime, take a look at the items I have available now - my shop is purrrfect for cat lovers, and I have fun and fabulous items for you and your feline friends too!

Cheers from Catland,

- Jane

EFA challenge of the month - Harvest Colors

My latest Thanksgiving themed handmade catnip toy is featured now in the Etsy For Animals (efa) blog! I submitted it for their November challenge, which was "Harvest Colors".

Too see and read about my latest catnip toy, as well as a bit more about the charity I support and do art work for, and more info on my Etsy shop, please go to this link: http://etsyforanimals.blogspot.com/2007/11/for-november-challenge-harvest-colors.html

I'm very happy to see this very sweet and special catnip toy featured in the efa blog, hope you check it out for yourself! This catnip toy would make for the purrrfect way to show you thanks to your cat and have them join in on the festivities this Thanksgiving!

Cheers from Catland,

- Jane