I've reached the next level on Fiverr!

Due to consistently good customer service I've reached the next level on Fiverr and can now offer my customers the option to order my gigs multiple times at once. For example, you can now order several Custom Cat Sculptures at once, rather than having to place a separate order for each sculpture.  This option will be visible to customers on the gig page.  I can also offer my buyers Gig Extras for $5 or more.  You now have the option to upgrade your order and get better value for your money.  Many of my Gig Extras allow you to order a larger sculpture as well.  I also offer extra fast completion of your order for when you need it fast!  Starting at just $5.00 you can get customized pet sculptures

 

 

Adorable personalized gifts

 

 

 

Pets with logos or messages

 

 

catnip toys filled with my own organic catnip

 

 

And fun handmade jewelry

 

 

I plan on adding more gigs as the Christmas season approaches, so be sure to stop by CreativeCritter on Fiverr to see all I have to offer!  You could do all your Christmas shopping without spending a ton of money (and still get some really awesome personalized gifts).  And if you don't see exactly what you're looking for, just let me know- I may be able to create something special just for you ;-)

I hope to see you soon!

~Michelle of CreativeCritters

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Getting back to work

It's been a bit over month since I moved from Ohio to Arizona and I'm settling into my new home nicely.  I had to take a few weeks off from work as I waited for the moving company to deliver all my craft supplies and the rest of my belongings.  I'm still waiting for several boxes to be delivered, but at least I got the majority of my crafting supplies.  It took me a little time to figure out a new work schedule, but I'm now back to sculpting and listing new items on ArtFire and new gigs on Fiverr.  And of course I'm back to blogging regularly for my personal blog, my Artfire blog, and the Smooshers blog.  I've discovered that it's a lot easier to get more done now that I don't have the constant interruptions from my husband.

 In the last several weeks I've completed several custom pet sculptures, added a Personalized Scarecrow sculpture gig to Fiverr, a larger version on ArtFire, added listings on ArtFire for custom cat and custom dog sculptures, and worked on the wedding cake topper sculpture for my brother's wedding next month. 
I have a personalized baby sculpture I just finished today and plan to put up on Fiverr, and started a baby pin I hope to get listed in the next few days.  I'm feeling very productive out here and even finding it easier to write.  I've even been able to make a braided rag rug for in front of the cat's litter box and have started making a dog bed for my puppy.  She's quickly outgrown the spare cat bed ;-)

 And I've been able to do all these things without feeling rushed or stressed out.  In fact, my stress level has dropped significantly.  Even Calcifer and Ginko are less stressed here.  They're both more playful and loving and are very relaxed.  Calcifer used to be much more high strung and jumpy, but since we moved here he's become downright laid back ;-)

And being surrounded by all these animals is great too.  Miss Kitty shares my craft room with me and has to check out all my projects.  All three dogs are interested in anything I'm doing, and when I need to think about a project I can take them for a walk and get some fresh air, which helps to clarify my thinking. 
So leaving my husband and moving to Prescott was not only good for me, but for my business as well!  I have lots of ideas for new creations and a few special things just for Christmas.  Being able to brainstorm with my mom is really great too.  She's another very creative person and has already come up with several good ideas for things I can create.  So be sure to stay tuned to keep up with all the fun new things I'm doing and making! 
Thanks for stopping by! :-)

~Michelle of CreativeCritters

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Introducing custom pet sculptures from CreativeCritters

I'm now offering custom cat and dog sculptures made to resemble your pet at CreativeCritters.  You can also find smaller versions of these sculptures on Fiverr.  The custom made cats and dogs I'm offering on ArtFire are about 3 inches tall.  Each pet is individually sculpted by hand in Premo polymer clay without the use of molds, making them one of a kind creations.  I ask that customers send me several good clear pictures of their cat or dog, showing all sides and markings, along with a written description naming the breed (if known) and any distinctive characteristics or markings.  The better and more detailed the pictures and descriptions, the easier it is for me to re-create your pet in polymer clay.  For most animals I texture the fur before baking, then paint the markings and details in acrylic paint after the sculpture has cured.  I seal the sculpture with matte glaze to protect the paint.  Each sculpture takes about a week to complete and I'll email pictures of the finished sculpture before shipping it to you.  These sculptures also make wonderful gifts for friends and family, as well as being a great way to remember and honor pets who have passed on.  To view or purchase a custom cat sculpture just click on the picture below to be directed to the listing on ArtFire.
 
The listing also has pictures of several of the custom orders I've created for people in the past, so you can see examples of my work.
To purchase a custom dog sculpture or view examples of dogs I've sculpted for other customers just click on the picture below. 
 
If you're interested in having me sculpt any other type of animal for you, just contact me at artisticduo@sbcglobal.net.  I've been sculpting animals in polymer clay for many years now and I love working with customers to create sculptures they absolutely love.
Thanks for stopping by! ;-)

~Michelle of CreativeCritters

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Custom Cat and Dog Sculptures Lead to Promotional Pups and Pussycats from CreativeCritters on Fiverr

I joined Fiverr a few months ago and have been getting quite a few orders for my custom miniature dog and cat sculptures.  I do my very best to give customers far more than five dollar's worth and each customer had been very happy with the results.  I sculpt a 2 inch tall likeness of their pet in polymer clay based on the pictures they send me.  Here are just a few of the pets I've sculpted over the last several weeks.  You can click on the pictures to go directly to the gig on Fiverr.

Creating these adorable pets actually led me to create another type of gig.  Someone saw my miniature dog sculptures and thought they would make wonderful thank you gifts to his customers and asked if I could sculpt them with his logo added somehow.  I did a bit of experimenting and ended up creating these Promotional Pups for him to send to his customers.  I was able to include his message along with his business logo on the sign.  I can put just about any logo, name, or short message on the sign.

And one of the great things about these being handmade is that each one is a little different.  I don't use any molds, so you're always going to get a one of a kind creation.  And of course if I offer Promotional Pups I have to offer Promotional Pussycats!

What a unique and memorable way to thank your customers for their loyalty!  These would be great for birthdays, anniversaries, or as a way to say Congratulations!  A unique handmade gift will always stand out and the recipient will  certainly feel special.  You can check out all the gigs I offer on Fivver at http://fiverr.com/creativecritter, and if you don't find just what you're looking for you can always send me a message.  There's a good chance I'll be able to create just what you need.
Thanks for stopping by!

~Michelle of CreativeCritters

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Been too busy to blog

I know it's been a while since I've blogged, but it hasn't been because of a lack of ideas or topics to blog about!  A lot has been going on in my personal and business life and I've just been too busy doing things to actually write about them (although I've composed a ton of blogs in my head while I'm working out, most haven't actually been written yet).  On the personal side of life I put the house up for sale and have been dealing with showings at least a few times a week.  Of course that means having to spend more time keeping the house clean and organized, something that can be difficult to do at times.  I don't know exactly where or when I'll be moving, but it doesn't look like I'll get to have a garden this year, which really bums me out.  This will be the first time in about 15 years that I haven't had a garden :(  But hopefully wherever I end up I'll have lots of room to plant everything I want to grow.  I do know I want to move to a more rural area and have at least a few acres of land to work with. 
Then of course there are the critters.  Ginko is very happy in his new forever home and just adores Calcifer.  The two of them race around the house like wild beasties playing tag and wrestling, but never actually hurting each other.  Then when they're tired they hop into the fabric bin and curl up for a nice nap together.

 

Ginko certainly does know how to get comfortable!  I've also discovered that he's the kind of cat who likes to carry his toys around.  He drags his string all over the house, and a lot of times Calcifer will run after it and they end up playing tug of war.

 

I think I got pretty lucky when I picked Ginko out.  He's a sweet, loving, and funny kitten, and is exactly what Calcifer needed too.

Things have been very busy for me on the business end of things too.  I've been making lots of custom pet sculptures for customers on Fiverr. And I now have quite a few very happy customers over there.  I even moved up a Level so I can now offer multiples and add-ons, such as creating a larger sculpture for an additional $5.00.  I love this picture that one of my repeat customers shared with me.

 

These are some of the pets I sculpted miniatures of for him.  I almost feel as though I know his furry family now ;-)  I just finished sculpting several dogs including a long haired chihuahua, a golden retriever, and a yellow lab.  I'm currently working on a poodle and two beautiful cats.  I really do love recreating a customer's pet in miniature.  I work very hard to capture their personality as I'm sculpting.  That isn't just any Russian Blue cat up there, that's Symon the Russian Blue ;-)

And the there's the hippo plushie project.  I was contacted by the author of children's book who wanted to know if I could create the main character as a stuffed animal.  The main character is called the Blue Toothed Sleuth and is a whimsical hippo wearing camouflage pants.  After some trial and error I created a pattern that we were both satisfied with and that represents the hippo quite nicely.  I sewed a few different versions and now she just has to decide whether she prefers the light gray hippo or the dark gray hippo.  These are the first two versions.   I've modified the pattern a bit and changed a few things to improve the ones I'll send to the customer.

  

So that's basically what I've been up to lately.  And of course there's the Smooshers too.  As guild master I try to post to the Smooshers blog regularly, post on the Smooshers Facebook wall, check in to the guild forums, and organize the Challenges.  The Challenge for this month is Celtic, and I think I want to sculpt some type of Celtic fairy, if I have enough time.  All this and there's still a million other things I want to do as well!  And before I forget, I also added Feedburner to my blog, which allows you to subscribe to my posts by email.  That way you won't miss out on any of the fun and excitement ;-)

Thanks for stopping by!

~Michelle of CreativeCritters

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Find CreativeCritters on Fiverr

I recently discovered a site called Fiverr, where you can find a huge variety of items and services for sale, all for just $5.00.  Since it was free to join I figured I'd list a few different items on there and see what happened.  Within just a few days I had my first order!  You can check out CreativeCritter on Fiverr to see everything I have to offer.  I decided to start with a catnip mouse, which I will make in your choice of colors (or you can let me decide what color to make him).  The pictures are just examples of what your finished creation will look like.
 
I also can sculpt a miniature cat that resembles your cat, or you can have me sculpt him in your choice of colors.
 
I can do the same for your dog.

I can also turn creations like this cat or owl into pendants, pins, or magnets- your choice!
 
 
So far everything I have listed here is customizable to some degree.  Any of these would make thoughtful, personalized gifts that won't break the bank!  And as always, they're all hand crafted by me.  If you click on any of the pictures above you can read the full listing and get all the details about each piece.  And anyone can feel free to contact me about any custom order they may have in mind, even if I don't have anything like it listed.  Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest creative adventures!
-Michelle of CreativeCritters

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