Fall/Winter 2015 Inspurrations

Hello, kitties!  I figured I'd hop on and write another journal-style blog post, since I haven't done one in awhile.  Also, I have been brainstorming like crazy.  Re: product line additions for winte, since Hunt & Gather December is already right around the corner!!!

I still have a bunch of ceramic rings, pins, hair clips and necklaces to sell, but my goal for this holiday show is to create a couple new items to appeal to a wider range of people.  Since people will be shopping for holiday presents and such, I want to incorporate some more "gifty" type of items.  

My first lightbulb moment occurred almost immediately following June's Hunt and Gather, when I decided to create a line of kitty Christmas tree ornaments.  Since then, I've been Pinning different patterns and silhouettes.  I went back and forth between ceramic or fabric, and decided that fabric ornaments are probably the best choice as they won't break if they fall off a tree, can double as cat toys (YES!  Another reason for kitty to climb the tree!), are lightweight, and can be made using really fun upcycled textiles.

Plus, in the last year or so, I've toyed around with embroidery a bit and think that embroidered details on a fabric cat ornament would be sooooooo adorable!  I was originally inspired when I saw this photo on Pinterest...

Obviously, I will be making ornaments and not pillows, and I haven't even created a pattern yet, but I love how stinkin' cute this printed fabric looks, and incorporates really well with the embroidered kitty face.  Kinda reminds me of my original prototype for my cat necklaces!  Oh, and if you are so inclined to create the pictured kitty pillow, here is the link.

The nice thing about working with fabric is the fact that I can use a sewing machine and get some ornaments made in a probably one-tenth of the time it takes me to make my ceramic pieces.  With ceramics, you have to sculpt each piece, let it dry, fire it in the kiln, decoupage and seal it, and string it onto a necklace or wire-wrap it.  The entire process can sometimes take weeks!  Whereas with these ornaments, I will literally be able to embroider the face (probably the most tedious part), and then whip out the sewing machine and crank out a bunch of finished ornaments in a matter of a couple hours.  The lack of hand cramps for this project will be beyond exciting!

But apparently I must want arthritis, because my second winter project is sculpting intensive like nothing I've ever done...ceramic cat planters!  I decided to do this because I keep getting hired on freelance basis to make paper bouquets for people, and every time I post pictures of these works-in-progress, I get requests to put them on my Etsy shop.  The problem is, I need items in my shop to fit into the cat lover theme...so naturally, I decided create some little cat planters to house each paper bouquet!!!  Problem solved.  This way, shoppers are getting a two-for-one....a beautiful, one-of-a-kind mini paper bouquet, and an adorable, hand-sculpted cat planter!

This is what my bouquets look like, in case you are wondering :)  I love using old book pages and recycled buttons!  The pictured bouquet is a commission I'm currently working on that features old Harry Potter books (basically my dream project!).

As with the ornaments, I have been Pinning my inspirations for planter shapes and designs, but when it comes to sculpting, I never really create templates or patterns.  I tend to work much better when free-form sculpting, and kind of think it might even be cool to make each planter in a slightly different design.  As always, though, I promise to post some "in-progress" pictures as I start to create these new items, so you can get an idea of what they will look like far before they hit the Etsy shop.  I'm currently loading up on new supplies as we speak, and plan on having all my new pieces ready to go by Halloween, so make sure to keep checking back for photo updates and more journal entries!

I can't wait to show you the designs and ideas come up with!  Make sure to subscribe to this blog, leave a comment, and share this link with your friends if you love what you see here!  I hope you all had a lovely weekend!!!  Get some rest so you can pounce on the upcoming week like the majestic tigers that you are!

Xo*

Jess

Funko Pop Cats!

Unless you've been living under a rock, you most likely have heard of Funko's Pop! Vinyl figurines.  If you don't know what I'm talking about, click the link and I can *almost* guarantee that you may recognize what you see.  They literally sell Pop! Vinyls almost anywhere, and carry collections for cartoons, movies, TV shows, video games, and other facets of pop culture.  This is awesome, but dangerous, because chances are, no matter what your pop culture obsession is, you can most likely find a Pop! Vinyl version!

Hubs and I randomly decided to start collecting Pop! figurines earlier this month, when local game shops started carrying the brand new Harry Potter Pops.  We already have all seven of the HP collection, plus a Hot Topic exclusive variant of Harry with the sword of Gryffindor.  We have also snagged a handful of other cuties along the way...it is a legit addiction at this point.  And you can get these guys for only about $10 a Pop (punny), plus we have gotten all ours on BOGO deals, which is better than spending $10 on stuffing my yap with cheeseburgers as per usual, an advantage that my skinny jeans truly appreciate!

Now that I am obsessed with these vinyl beauties, I of course had to run through the rosters to find my favorite Pop! cats.  And while I haven't found any of these in person yet (I am not really about buying these online, as the IRL hunt and gather is much more special to me than simply Googling for one), one day I will own these three adorable feline Pops....

Oh....I know I just said that the IRL hunt is the best, and it really is, but I am including links with online purchase info for anyone that prefers web-shopping :)

Without further ado...

#1: The Cheshire Cat

I have to say that the Disney Pop! line as a whole is pretty spectacular.  And while this guy was also released in other exclusive variant forms, I am simply smitten with the classic purrrrrrple Cheshire.  I love that they kept his eyes as they were in the cartoon while still retaining the uniform Pop! Vinyl aesthetic.

#2: Chococat

As a woman who had Hello Kitty bedding into her mid-twenties, I can safely say that anything Sanrio wins the cute war any day of the week.  Especially good old Chococat.  I have no words, as I am overcome with severe nostalgia.  Again, I'm loving how the Pop! aesthetic blends with Sanrio's simplistic style, resulting in pure plastic purrfection.

#3: Catwoman

Where do I begin with this one?  While Catwoman is not your typical four-legged feline, she more than deserves her spot on this wishlist!  First of all, I grew up loving the 1960s Batman series that this Pop! line was modeled after, so again, major nostalgia comes into play.  But the glittery costume, winged liner, and lashes all put me over the edge a million percent!  I have to have her!!!  Heck, I want to BE HER!  AmIright???????

Do any of you share my love for Funko Pop! Vinyls?  Which ones do you have?  Leave me a comment and let me know, and don't forget to share this post on social media if you loved what you just read!

Thanks for tuning in!  Until next time...

Xo*

Jess

Catsy--The Cool Cats of Etsy

Since I am now an official Etsy shop owner, I've been conducting serious official market research.  In other words, I'm using Lady and the Cat's shop as an excuse to peruse all things cat on Etsy.  Thank goodness I'm dirt poor, or I'd become dirt poor from spending all my money on kitty treasures.  But I mean, what type of businesslady would I be if I didn't check out the competition?

And because there are so many awesome goodies out there, I decided to start a new feature called "Catsy!"  Catsy posts will feature some of my current favorite feline fancy items on Etsy, and because there are always awesome new items being posted, I figure I can spread the handmade love and share all of my favorites with my cat lady family!

And you know what?  The limit does not exist.  THE LIMIT DOES NOT EXIST!!!!  That's right, Cady Heron, Catsy posts will not only rave over other sellers of cat jewelry (in fact, this first post features absolutely no jewelry).  I'll also be sharing links to my favorite handmade cat toys, kitty treats, clothing, home decor, you name it!  The limit.  Literally.  Does not exist.

So without further ado, my current Catsy wish list...

Okay, okay.  I realize that I am jumping the gun here with the tree skirts, but #1 I am completely over Midwest summers, so I truly don't care and #2 who can resist these adorable prints from Kay's General Store on Etsy?????  I might need both of these this Christmas.

Vaiva and Indre sell gorgeous, colorful handmade felted wool creations, including these cat caves that had me basically urinating all over myself in delight.  I legitimately squealed for a solid two minutes over these suckers, and truthfully, I am pretty sure my cats wouldn't use them.  But guess what?  I kind of don't want them for the cats.  I want one in every color for me.  Or a tiny house that resembles one.  Regardless, these kitty caves are as majestic as the day is long.

Last but not least...

Even after getting a crap ton of IRL tattoos, I still have a strange fascination with temps.  And these days, there are some seriously kick-tail designs out and about.  The Netherlands' own Tattoorary is my personal favorite in all of Etsyland, hands down.  Their 3-piece cat lady set is obbbbbbbbviousllllllllly my top choice, but seriously, if you are like me and love "temporary tats, bro", you must check out Tattoorary.  The designs are all ridiculously pretty, and promise much more than just cats.  But I mean...the cats.  Look. At. Those. Cats.

Well, that's all I've got for you today.  Go visit those Etsy shops, visit mine while you're at it, and leave me a comment with some of your cat lady faves on Etsy!  If you like this post, make sure to share it on Facebook or Twitter!  I really loved writing this one, so I definitely want to keep sharing my Catsy favorites every month or so.

Oh!  I also just realized that next month marks one year since I created this blog.  We'll just have to do something fun and exciting to celebrate, won't we?  Stay tuned...

Xo*

Jess