An overdue update

So, as some of you may know, I took a vacation from my Etsy shop for awhile. I've had a lot of things going on here. I typically don't like to talk too much about my personal life in my blog, so I'll just say that the past couple of months have been really hard and challenging, mostly in emotional and physical aspects.

But the good news is I have re-opened my Etsy shop, and will be listing some new items soon I had been working on during my time off. I was planning on listing them earlier this month, but then I started having lots of problem with my computer, and then I was out of power for awhile due to the crazy storms and tornado activity that happened just a couple days ago in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. So that's why I haven't been on-line as much these days.

The storms have now passed, and I'm hoping the same applies to the personal problems I've been having too.

In the meantime, look for some great kitty goodies coming soon to my Etsy shop, including more catnip toys for your feline friends and cat themed sachets for yourself!

Below are two samples of new items to come...

El Pajaro - Mexican Bingo Card - Handmade Catnip Toy

Savory Sushi - Handmade Catnip Toy

Also coming here soon will be a new feature in my blog called "Cool Cat Customer of the Month"! I wanted to feature the cats that own my handmade catnip toys from my shop. My friend Katie (aka 'Mishkat' at Etsy) will be the first to be featured, including stories and photos of her beautiful cats, along with the toys I made that they now enjoy playing with! Also in the feature will be information about Katie and the wonderful and hard work she does for Etsy For Animals!

If you would like your cat(s) to be featured in the future for the "Cool Cat Customer of the Month", contact me at Etsy at: http://www.janediamond.etsy.com Thanks!

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

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