Don't forget Fluffy or Fido this Christmas!

They've been good (or TRIED, at least) all year long.  Don't your pets deserve a special gift (or 2) for all that effort?  That's why I put together this collection of handmade toys and treats for cats and dogs.  Perfect for Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers, or any other occasion, your pets will love getting any of these special treats!

Handmade Christmas Stocking Stuffers for...

   Curated By: CreativeCritt...

ArtFire.com

Handmade Soap

-Michelle of CreativeCritters

Featuring the polymer clay work of Tamed

Tamed, on ArtFire.com, creates cute, unique creations for animal lovers and specializes in one of a kind scale miniature replicas of your pet in polymer clay.  Not only is she a fellow animal lover, but she's a fellow Polymer Clay Smooshers guild member.  Dee has always loved animals and always enjoyed crafty and creative things. She discovered polymer clay about two years ago and found that she adored trying to replicate a living creature in clay, watching it gradually come to life. The joy she could give to the owner through her interpretation of their pet was an added bonus. Her main art is recreating beloved pets in polymer clay and "plushing" them with fibre. She also likes to dabble in other things based around polymer clay such as making fun critters, or more cartoony things, all animal based.
  Dee's work is unique and adorable.  Who wouldn't want their pet immortalized in polymer clay?  Tamed can also be found online at timetamed.blogspot.com and  www.tamed.me.uk.  Below is just a sample of what you can find in her shop. Be sure to check out everything she has to offer!


Could these critters be any cuter?!  If you love animals, or know somebody who does, this is the shop for you!
-Michelle of CreativeCritters

My tributes to my Ozzy cat

Some of you may have already read my post In Memory of Ozzy Cat.  For those of you who haven't heard, my cat died December 21st.  As a way to cope with his death, and honor his life, I made a special grave marker and a stuffed Ozzy cat.  Keeping my hands and my mind occupied was pretty important.  I still miss him very much, but I think he'd approve of his stuffed likeness.  I used soft black yarn to knit the cat, and lined it with dark brown fleece.  Ozzy had a nearly invisible dark brown undercoat.  I filled his body and front paws with rice to add weight and make him feel more realistic.  Of course I realize this is not a replacement for my Ozzy- it's just to comfort me and allow me to remember the many hours he would sit on my lap and keep me company.  The stuffed cat is just about life size and weighs about 6 or 7 pounds.

For his grave marker I knew I had to make something special.  Ozzy was a very cool cat, and he liked cool things.  I used a stepping stone kit and alphabet stamps to create the message.  I made a little polymer clay sculpture of Ozzy and pressed that into the mix, along with glow in the dark stars and little red hearts.  I made an impression of a paw print to one side as well.  Once the stone was dry I painted the paw print black and filled the letters with glow in the dark paint, then sealed the stone with a high gloss glaze.  I feel like the glow in the dark elements represents Ozzy's glowing spirit.  I'll probably wait until spring to put it on his grave- I don't want to risk having it freeze and crack.

I still plan on making an Ozzy Angel sculpture.  I haven't done any sculpting since he died.  I want to thank everyone who has offered their kindness and sympathy since I lost my kitty.  It truly has helped to ease the pain.  And a special thanks to ButtonWilloe, who made me a very sweet little Ozzy sculpture, and has really been there for me.  By the way, the picture above is from when Ozzy was a little kitten.  He was always such a feisty little man (but never mean).  He was as playful as a kitten until the last few months of his life.  Now he's free to jump and play again.

-Michelle of CreativeCritters