Search results (tags) for: "cats"

Etsy Finds: Sexy Halloween Style From The Frisky

2009-09-26T09:19:00-05:00

Erin Flaherty is the style editor of The Frisky, a ladysite that offers a humorous, irreverent, and above all, authentic take on pop culture, relationships, and style. She is a huge Etsy fan because, as someone who lacks mad craft skills, groovy handmade and DIY items simply blow her away.

We know it's a big old cliche that ladies use Halloween as an excuse to dress risqué. While we'll probably go out of our way to avoid this stereotype (personally, we prefer to go the "funny" route, but here's a debate on either/or), tarting it up can definitely get you some extra attention, and if that's your goal, we can help. So if you're more of a "if ya can't beat 'em, might as well join 'em" type, here are the top "sexy costumes" and the racy items you need to pull the look off. For more costume ideas, visit Etsy's Halloween Costume Shopping Guide.

Le French Maid

Ah, the grand dame of sexy outfits. This getup fulfills so many sexual fantasies that we forget what they all are.

French maid dress

By Lovesmariessa, $98.

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Sexy FLORA TATTOO thigh-high socks

By post, $18.

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Ostrich Feather Duster

By BROOMCHICK, $26.

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Rose Apron

By Hopeless, $60.

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tea for two

By whiteapple, $95.

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FRENCH MAID wedding garter

By PetereneDesign, $20.

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The Bad Kitty

There's the crazy Cat Lady, and then there's the incredibly hot Catwoman. For slaying dudes, we'd suggest going with the latter.

1950'S Pin Up Kitty

By dirtybirdyvintage, $60.

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Vintage Black Leather Gloves

From pluum, $26.99.

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Black Cat Leather Mask

By teonova, $58.

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Sex Kitten - Cat Ears

By topsyturvydesign, $119.

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Vulpes Vulpes Garter Belt with Tail

By idolatre, $75.

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Tiger Mask

By lupin, $18.

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The Bloodthirsty Vampiress

A summer of vampire madness will most certainly culminate in way more sexy vampires than Kate Gosselin lookalikes this Halloween. And we can all be grateful for that.

Detachable Bustle

By BizarreBoudoir, $55.

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FANG BANG - Stamped Necklace

By MetalTaboo, $72.

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I Would Kill For You Earrings

By tianarutledge, $18.

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Black armwarmers in corset style

By estylissimo, $18.

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Scarlet Mini Cloak

By CrystalKittyCat, $120.

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Bite Me Necklace

By TillyBloom, $26.

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The Flirty Fairy

The most demure of the sexy Halloween looks, the fairy is traditionally "cute," but show some skin and slap some glitter on top of the whole shebang and that fairy is ready to make out on the forest floor.

solstice - harvest wire crown

By whichgoose, $35.

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Ivy Tunic Forest Nymph SALE

By TheBohemianGoddess, $375.

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Milady Faerie Wings

By Spygroove024, $30.

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Leafy Lace - Fancy False Eyelashes

By intrinsicimagination, $25.

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The Neried

By littlegreenpixie, $100.

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Green Nymph

By missynicole2005, $95.

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Sexy Halloween Miscellany

The truth is, you can make just about any costume provocative — even if you're dressed as a cookie à la Mariah Carey, which is super weird, but anyway — with slight touches such as cleavage and thigh-high boots. And sadly, yes, we're afraid this year we'll even see "slutty" Michael Jacksons. Scary, indeed.

Peggy Sue - Cheerleader Dress

From zwzzy, $45.

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superhero/ villan mask

By dullleadsinker, $30.

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Vintage 80s Red Leather Jacket

From Erstwhilestyle, $98.

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Vtg Roller Skates

From isidoraverde, $32.

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Gold Mesh and silk lace Cat Mask

By Mascherina, $95.

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DIY Girl Scout COSTUME Baby Doll Dress

By lynnsrags, $95.

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For more sexy Halloween ideas, or just info on sex or style in general, check out our ongoing coverage on The Frisky!

Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Items Tagged "Halloween" | More Halloween Posts | Halloween Gift Guides

Halloween Category | Search for Costumes

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Trends: People Pets With the Latest in Fall Pet Fashion

2009-09-07T20:00:00-05:00

Fresh off Pet Fashion Week in New York City, People Magazine’s new website, People Pets, brings you the top five trends to keep your furry BFFs purrfectly in style this season. Editor Amy Jamieson and her team give four paws up to faux-fur trim, bedazzled accessories and bold patterns. Check out this season’s bark-worthy looks right here on Etsy!

Trend 1: Faux-Fur Trimmed Coats
Just because your pet has a built-in coat, doesn't mean he can't wear another! Faux-fur details will keep your pooch warm — and looking red-carpet chic — for those long walks. AcmeCouture's coat, pictured above, brings an air of elegance, while her design below, That 70s Pup, has a kitschy twist.

Trend 2: Pet-People Separates
Is your pet a mini-me version of you? Embrace it! Matching pets-people separates are a fun — but still, thankfully, subtle — way to show your mutual love and devotion.

EcoDog Collar and Owner Cuff Set with Tribal Tooled Leather, by greenbelts, $45.

Trend 3: Bedazzled Accessories
Nothing says "star" like a little bling, dahling. So make Mr. Fluffykins or Princess Puffytail feel like one with jeweled accents.

The Gold Collection pet ID tag with Lady Pink, by makeyourdogsmile, $20.

Trend 4: Clothes With Prints
Is your pup the Blair Waldorf of the dog park? Get that Gossip Girl look — from argyle and plaid to super-preppy prints — with bold patterns that'll make the other pooches envious.

Floral Tweed Harness by SophiesThreads, $26.

Trend 5: Decorative Pet Beds
Does your dog or cat hog the bed — your bed? Maybe it's time to take back the night and get them one of their own — one that's as comfy, cool and inviting as yours, only smaller!

Retro Modern Pet Bed in Light Rust by likekittysville, $69.

Looking for more pet style trends, cute photos and amazing animal stories? Check out People Pets to see celebrities and their pets, watch hilarious videos, meet adorable cats and dogs, and share your own photos!

Photos of Mischa Barton and Blake Lively
© Humberto Carreno/Startraks

More Trends Blog Posts | Etsy Pets Series on Etsy's Blog

Pets Gift Guide | Browse the Pets Category

Pets Showcase: On Sale Thursday, June 18, 2009 at 12 p.m. ET

2009-06-23T15:07:00-05:00

We are excited to announce a special Pets Showcase. This will have all things handmade and vintage for that special animal in your life, such as collars, clothing, feeding bowls, toys and beds.

Items in the Pets Category will be eligible, as well as other animal-inspired work, such as pet portraits, paintings and jewelry that features animals. We encourage sellers to add items that could would make unique gifts for any pampered member of the family or a general pet lover.

The Pets Showcase goes on sale Thursday, June 18, 2009 at 12 p.m. ET.
Go to the Showcase Gateway to purchase a spot.
This Showcase will run from Monday, June 22, 2009 12 a.m. ET until Sunday, June 28, 2009, 11:59 p.m. ET.
For $15 USD, Etsy sellers can purchase a 24-hour spot, which will be linked from a prominent banner on Etsy's homepage.
Sellers determine which item will be featured in your Showcase slot. Sellers must use the tool in Your Etsy > Promote > Showcase. Learn more about this process here.

Future Showcases

If you are thinking about planning for other Showcases that may be more appropriate for your items, here are some of the front page Showcases we will be highlighting:

Summer Entertaining: On sale Thursday, June 25, 2009; the Showcase will be live June 29, 2009 through July 5, 2009.
- Think garden parties, barbecue, pool parties and all the items to make a summer event special.
Travel: On sale Thursday, July 2, 2009; the Showcase will be live July 6, 2009 through July 12, 2009.
- Think all things for traveling, such as bags, passport holders, sunglasses, safari hats, maps, travel games, travel-sized toiletries and journals.

What is this Showcase thing? For a general introduction to Showcase, read Matt's Storque article 13.5 Questions about the Showcase, and for deeper thoughts on figuring out if Showcase is right for you, see Beth's Showcase Deconstructed article.

Etsy Finds Vintage: A Beautiful Collection

2009-06-13T11:14:00-05:00

From an early age, I've always maintained a well-dusted area of little things that bring me happiness. What started with trolls and geodes morphed into dresses from the 1940s, vintage puppets, deer figurines, and more recently, bell jars, antique portrait paintings and quilts. The thrill of the chase has always spurred on my rabid collecting habit, and working at Etsy has only increased the voracity of my vintage addiction.

There's a saying that once you have two of anything, you've started a collection. Today's Vintage Finds are dedicated to collectors, be they past, present or future. Maybe you should start a new display area with velvet paintings of UFOs, vintage toy guns, or lost and forgotten photographs. (All results of my informal collection survey on Twitter!) I'd love to hear what your collection is, so make sure to leave it in the comments. For more collecting inspiration, check out the Organized Collection flickr pool.

Salt and Pepper Shakers

These classic housewares are utilitarian, humorous, and fairly easy to come by: in other words, a great collection to start!

Vintage Celery S&P Shakers

From onevintagelife, $14.

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Shakespeares Vintage trio

From PolkaDotSandals, $26.

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Folksy Owl Salt and Pepper Shakers

From vindeelyndee, $8.

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nerdy bookworm salt and pepper shakers

From krankyk, $8.

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Modern Rosewood Salt and Pepper Mushrooms

From ellacinders, $29.

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Vintage Salt and Pepper Couple

From desertnana, $35.

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Antique Hats

I love old fashion, and antique hats make such a beautiful display. Here are some ideas to start your own accessories menagerie.

Doris Day Hat

From AmeliasRetroVogue, $45.

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vintage STRAW hat with green ribbon

From allthishappiness, $15.

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1940's Navy Blue Veiled Headpiece

By jessjamesjake, $50.

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Vintage Red Sculptural Pillbox Hat

From calloohcallay, $47.

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40's ASIAN NEEDLEPOINT HAT

From BackThennishVintage, $36.

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Bird of a Different Feather

From WearingHistory, $9.99.

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Typewriters

Get nostalgic with old technology (and maybe type a letter or two).

IBM Selectric Typewriter

From kellyhillis, $175.

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Chocolate Brown Manual Typewriter

From jessjamesjake, $72.

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Beautiful Vintage Olympia Typewriter

From foxtreemiscellany, $79.

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Vintage Royal Typewriter

From AntiNu, $65.

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Vintage Smith Corona Typewriter

From ToodleLoot, $249.

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Vintage Cutlass Typewriter

From vintology, $64.

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Cult Housewares

Be it Pyrex bowls, Cathrineholm cookware or Dansk serving dishes, beautiful housewares look good on the shelf and the table.

Vintage Belgium Descoware Cast Iron Pot

From jenfurmishel, $45.

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Blue Dansk Enamel Pot

From bettyninjafinds, $55.

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Primary Pyrex Nesting Bowls

From findingfabulous, $70.

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Cathrine Holm blue lotus frying pan

From beggarsandchoosers, $49.99.

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Cathrineholm Yellow Lotus Dish

By 13bees, $58.

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Turquoise Dansk Kobenstyle Paella Pan

From tippleandsnack, $64.99.

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Vintage Cameras

Are you a camera nut? Show off your fascination for film with the photographic equipment of yore.

Brownie Burp Party

From objetpetita, $18.

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Vintage Fujita 8mm Movie Camera 1961

From MrFilthyRotten, $31.99.

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Vintage Polaroid Swinger Camera

From VintageEyeCandy, $20.

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Vintage Folding Camera

From domestikate, $42.

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Vintage Pentax Spotmatic 35mm Camera

From NickelCityGirls, $150.

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Shur Shot Antique Camera

From belovedbaglady, $28.

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Ceramic Animal Figurines

Who doesn't love a good tchotchke? Show off your love for cuteness with a decorative animal or two.

Skitty

From objetpetita, $14.

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Vintage Ceramic Boxers

From DecoDeli, $22.

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Handpainted vintage butter dish

From pointb, $10.

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Adorable little doggie planter

From homesweetvintage, $12.

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Puppy dog vintage eyeglass holder

From OliveVintage, $12.

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VINTAGE GERMAN GLAZED SHI-TZU

From OddznEndz, $6.

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What do you collect? Let us know in the comments, and post links to photos if you've got 'em!

Looking for more styles and interiors? Check out our new video series, There's No Place Like Here, where creative types show us their unique spaces — infused with their aesthetic and filled with the treasures they collect. Get involved and show us your amazing space in this flickr pool.

Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

More Posts on Collecting | There's No Place Like Here Flickr Pool | Vintage: What's Old is New

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Etsy Pets: My Top 10 List for the Active Pet

2009-06-07T12:45:00-05:00

Ok, whose dog is jumping up and down at the door? They want OUT! Here are my Top 10 cute and practical pet needs. I've included a little something for the indoor pet as well — you know, that indoor cat who would like to bring the outdoors in, or the turtle who yearns for a bit of greenery to call his own.

1. Picnic Cape

Don't forget to bring the doggy treats to the picnic! This capelette will come in handy when the park gets a bit chilly in the evening. By bugduds, $22.

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2. NEW // Spring Love Pet Collar

Doggies can be dirty little piggies, and a fresh new collar should do the trick. By TheHydrant, $20.

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3. Blue and Green Patchwork Leash made with Lilly Pulitzer Fabrics

And how about a fresh new leash to go with that brand spanking new collar? By PinkysPetGear, $13.99. Browse more leashes.

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4. Wag more...bark less...badge

More attitude, yes. But mean dogs suck. By thedogcoatlady, $1.

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5. TALK TO THE PAW Pet Tag

This pet tag is not mean...but it is sassy! By PoochyCouture, $10.

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6. Dog On Holiday Dog Shampoo

I just love this dog shampoo's packaging. Who is that on granny's lap? A Boston terrier? By Scrubyourbutt, $13.49. Find more pet grooming items.

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7. Tropical Vacation

"Speaking of vacation," said the kitty, "Get me outta here!" By 2hounds, $75. Etsy is bursting with pet portraits.

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8. Turtle Tortoise Transport Receptical Number 29

The turtle will be chaperoning the kids to the seaside this summer. A turtle with that much responsibility needs a proper mode of transportation. By FlatOutFun, $43.

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9. Critter repel doggie shampoo bar (or outdoor soap bar)

You don't want critters on your critters! By luxuryfalls, $3. Find more flea repellents.

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10. Punky Puppie Paint Fur color

And last but not least (ok, maybe the least practical), hair dye for your punk rock puppy! I cracked up when I read this line of the description: "NEVER ATTEMPT TO BLEACH YOUR DOG!!!" This is an amazing item. By GokiChan, $3.

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Handpicked Pet Items | Sponsored Pet Picks | Pet Category

Etsy Pets Blog Articles

Spinstersummer's Ode to the Queer Animal Kingdom

2009-05-08T16:30:00-05:00

Nicole Georges, a.k.a. Spinstersummer, has been making zines since she was thirteen. Her ongoing autobiographical zine Invincible Summer is about bands, relationships, animals, vegan food and beehived hairdos. Nicole's Etsy shop is full of goodies, from fun zines to stuffed sock monkeys, narwhals and queer animals calendars. The animal lovers pet portraits and illustrations are not to be missed!

Freelance producer/director Cat Tyc was inspired by Etsy's Handmade Portraits series and decided to head out on her own to shoot a portrait of her pal Etsian Nicole Georges. Cat Tyc has produced and directed music videos and the short film, Umbrella. More info about Cat's work can be found on her blog and her website.

More Comic Book Posts | Books and Zines

Browse Etsy for Comic Books

Watch our Handmade Video Portraits series and subscribe to our Youtube Channel!

The Most Sopping Wet with Drool Pet Item

2009-05-04T13:00:00-05:00

...You know, in a good way! The most drool-worthy pet item (otherwise known as the community favorite) is the Goldfish Cat Bed by natdesigns2003! Yay! (Bursts of fur-ball confetti shoot off! Happy meows! Soft sounds of furry paws clapping!)

Congratulations to all our contestants. The runners up can be seen below and we'll feature some of these cunning items in the Gift Guides as well.

This week's round of voting caused additional excitement and squeals because Cuteoverload featured it on their blog! Ooh lala! Special thanks to hatz4brats, whose be-petaled pooch graced the call for votes and stole the whole show.

Want to get involved in next week's round? Post links to your suggestions in the comments below. We're looking for gifts for teachers, now that we're in the end of the semester.

Vote! Drool-worthy Pet Items

2009-04-28T11:12:00-05:00

We asked the Etsy community which items would make your pets drool (well, drool a little more than they already would be). Thank you for your submishes, as cuteoverload would say. Now it's your turn to vote!

The top favorites from this week's poll will be featured in the Gift Guides and here on the Etsy blog, so show your favorite sellers some love and get out the vote! Spread the drool!

Voting Posts | Browse the Pets Showcase | Browse the Pets Category | Handpicked Pets Items

Etsy for Animals Team

Etsy Finds: Happiness is a Warm Kitten

2009-03-16T10:10:00-05:00

If there is one thing that makes me click in a heartbeat, it's a cute animal. Dog, cat, mouse, bunny — if it's cute and/or wearing an adorable piece of clothing, I'm there. (Yes, I'm all for anthropomorphizing animals. Deal!) I've put together a collection of pet clothing, accessories and treats that will make even the most staid individual utter squeals of delight. Fire up your browser and get your clicking finger ready — you're about to become a pet lover!

Hand Stamped Sterling Silver Pet Tag

By tinytokensdesigns, $12.

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Dog Harness - Medium - Eco Friendly - Green Plaid

By anniessweatshop, $38.

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WOOF Driftwood Collar/Leash Hook

By CarabellaStudio, $28.

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Cuddly cat snuggle bed - Irish Emerald Green

By Photogirl95, $40.

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Petite Pups

By sweetdogorganics, $5.95.

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Baby Blue Eyes Dog Collar

By BeanTownHandmade, $25.

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Abe Lincoln costume for dogs only

By thecavewithnoname, $20.

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Commission a REALISTIC Needle Felted Likeness of your Dog or Cat - Custom Order Sculpture

By KaysK9s, $250.

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Deep Blue Feeder

By StoneyCreekDogBowls, $115.

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Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Gift Guides | Guest Curators | More Etsy Pets Posts | Pets Category

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Gift Ideas: For the Pet Owner

2008-12-15T16:15:00-05:00

You know that friend who's always covered in pet hair? They can spot a dog breed a mile away? They continue to snorgle a puppy even after being informed that puppy has just been rolling in something unidentifiable? That friend is me. Here's what I want for Christmas. (Please include the furry models!)

Gift Ideas | Pets Category | Etsy Pets Series

Dogs vs Cats Duel: Cats Are More Fashionable than Dogs

2008-10-30T16:32:00-05:00

Nothing is more heartwarming than a glowering, seething and outraged kitty in a cute handmade sweater. Here are some of my favorite Etsy items to best humiliate your adorable wittle snoogums this winter (and keep your pet warm and toasty, too).

This is a very important duel. Vote in the comments below if you think kitties rule the pet fashion world. If you prefer dogs, vote in the comments of this post.

Another important duel is coming up on November 4th, 2008. Americans, don't forget to mmreeeeooow the vote!

See our past duels | Suggest a duel | Etsy Pets posts | Pets Category | Political Posts

Dogs vs Cats Duel: Dogs Are More Fashionable

2008-10-30T16:30:00-05:00

We're all pretty excited about the upcoming vote. On one hand you have a collection of very serious candidates (who are looking a little hot under the collar, rrrrrrrrrrreeeeerrrrrr!) and here you'll see my furry candidates, who take themselves a little less seriously. Look at them posing with a casual sense of pride, digging their winter accessories — first-class temperaments abound!

Who do you think are the hottest (er, warmest) pets on Etsy this year? Let's let the people decide! Every vote counts, people! Every vote counts.

This is a very serious duel. Vote in the comments below if you're for dogs. If you prefer cats, vote in the comments of this post.

And remember to bark the vote, Americans. This Tuesday, November 4, 2008!

See our past duels | Suggest a duel | Etsy Pets posts | Pets Category | Political Posts

News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere: September 25, 2008

2008-09-25T14:39:00-05:00

It has finally happened: I'm wearing tights, a sweater and boots. Fall is here! YES! Now all is well with the world. (For today, that is.)

This week's edition of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere is full of whimsy, Polaroids, voyeuristic kitty experiences, patterns and fabric. Read on!

The Porter Polaroid Project presents a whimsical view of New York that I've never experienced before. It's quite addictive. [Via Royal Quiet Deluxe]

If you are suffering from a lack of feline companionship and are looking for a few quick purrs, Cats I Am Near is the most amazing voyeuristic kitty experience out there. Simply put in your city or zip code, and voila! You'll know what cats are snuggling in your neck of the woods. This little kitty comes care of ClatieK on Flickr. [Via For Me, For You]

In today's heated political atmosphere, it's important to think about what came before, just to keep things in perspective. These photos from historic Democratic and Republican National Conventions past are very revealing. Suffragettes unite! [Via Nothing is New]

Looking to take in some awkward photos? Let Sexy People be your guide. This collection of terrible/beautiful photography will surely make your day. If you want to submit, you should know that they only accept studio photography. We have a soft spot for awkward photos here at the Storque — just take a look at our About Us series.

Have you heard of Bon Bon Kakku? It's amazing! This fabric design website functions like popular T-shirt design site Threadless — simply post your design, people vote, and if it's loved, Bon Bon Kakku will produce it to sell! It's pretty rad.

Wanna give me some more artsy, style or design blogs to peruse? Leave them in the comments! And check out past installments of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere!

Etsy Finds: Pet Costumes

2008-09-15T08:22:00-05:00

Ah, the time-honored practice of dressing the family pet in an embarrassing and oft-ridiculous outfit! Those of you who are lucky enough to share your household with an animal friend know that this is truly the best thing about Halloween. (Unless you are me and have a Baby's First Halloween on the horizon*. Hello, tiny beer can.) I went searching around Etsy this weekend for the top nine costumes that are guaranteed to win admiring looks from other pet owners and cause your lil princess to hide under the sofa all night in sheer mortification. Enjoy!

Dragon Costume

This one has pretty much everything you could want in a pet costume: it's unique, it costumes your pet as a big scary monster that he is definitely not, and has an opening at the tail end. By nomorenekkiddogs, $20.

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Pedro Cowboy Vest and Bandana

This is so, so cute. You can complete the look with a doggie cowboy hat, also from Etsy. By daleydoolittle, $15.

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Wee Wittle Jack OLantern sweater - 2 to 20 lb dogs

Pumpkins = classic. By DianaDesignsNY, $18.99.

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Dog Hoodie with Zipper with your choice of Crystal Designs

This really falls under the category of "everyday wear" — if that category exists in canine fashion. Your pooch could totally pull off [insert name of Juicy-Couture-wearing celeb you'd like to make fun of here] as their costume in this. By miascloset, $22.

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Custom Made Frankenstein Dog Costume for Halloween

No words. Okay, one word: hilarious. By sewsweetfinery, $15.

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Halloween Witch Hat Pets Puppy or Kitty Sz. Small

Aw! Add an orange ribbon and this puppy is ready for Halloween. By SparkleberryCrafts, $14.

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The Green Polka-Dot Tie

Add a doggie sweater and this guy is business casual. I mean, look how fresh this kitty looks rocking the same vibe. By dogties, $8.

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SAVE 20 PERCENT...........Pink Rhinestone Frilly Scarfette

The first step towards a really good "sad clown" costume. By thevintagedog, $6.40.

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Custom order Tutu for Dog or cat

Cats are usually not so stoked to wear clothing of any form, and a black cat like this lil guy is a Halloween icon as is. However, putting your cat in a tutu still seems like a great idea, and I can't wait to see how adorable/miserable my two look in these. By jiniaj, $15.

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Looking for more animal Finds? Try these Etsy links:

Pet Category | Pet Lovers Gift Guide | Items tagged "pet costume"

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* Send your hilarious baby costume ideas to anda@etsy.com, the more funny and inappropriate the better. Thanks!

Etsy Finds: Superhero Cat!

2008-07-27T10:41:00-05:00

Those who know me well know that I am obsessed with cats, especially my amazing feline companion Ollie-Bear. They also know that I love the heck out of my niece and nephew. This fierce — though still adorable — Superhero Cat from desdemonia is a prime specimen of just the sort of unique item I can only find on Etsy. I love the fact that its a cat, and I love the fact that my little nephew would love it.

All little boys like kittens, and what little boy doesn't love superheroes?

Meow!

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Handmade Kids Series | Special Kids Showcase | Baby Gift Guide | Children Gift Guide

Etsy Pets: Brawny Cats

2008-07-12T09:17:00-05:00

Deep in the Magic Forest of Arizona there is a property set back which is nearly unseen from the dirt road. If one ventures onto it the tranquility one feels is almost palpable. Stop for a minute and listen. All one hears is the singing and chirping of birds, the buzz of hummingbird wings, and the gentle rustling of leaves as squirrels and rabbits forage for food. When breezes pick up, the melodic wind chime collection fills the air.

Two humans and two cats inhabit the home, which has a wrap-around porch on three sides. The alpha male human is an inventor who came from a long line of inventors (his grandfather invented the folding box process and the first folding box machine). He spends his days in a separate building creating his own inventions, and has several patents to his name, with the most recent being for the world’s best electric heater. His wife is a nurse half the week and works diligently at her Etsy shop the rest of the week.

The couple lost many cats over a period of years because the wildness of the area has some major predators. There are bobcats, coyotes and hawks, always hungry, and always ready to make a meal of house cats.

The couple was very sad for about 10 months after their next-to-last cat went missing. The husband pestered his wife several times a day about getting more cats. Finally, the wife agreed, and decided each of them would have their own kitten. She decided hers would be a Bengal named Mica, a purebred that arose from the blending of an Asian Leopard Cat and a tabby. The animals have sleek, velvety fur which either sports spots like a leopard, or a mottled, almost tie-dyed look. She chose the spotted look. Her husband chose an alley cat of the same age, named Bart. The two would be raised as brother and sister.

The plan was to have a place where the cats could enjoy the outside and yet remain safe from predators. Thus the inventor created a wonderful outdoor porch in which the cats could play without fear of being added to a lunch menu. But that was not all — he added a giant wheel to the enclosure, and trained the cats to run on it for exercise. The original Bengal cattery had such wheels, and it seemed a wonderful idea. The cats run on the wheel off and on each day in their special covered porch, and have buffed up incredibly! The veterinarian says she has never seen such healthy cats! They spend from 9 am to 4 pm outside, and return inside and spend the evening basking in the glow of their health. They have never scratched a piece of furniture, they don’t smoke, have sex or get in trouble with the police. Mica and Bart do have one vice, though: a squirt of whipping cream each evening. Mica yowls loudly for it, and Bart stands by silently and accepts the gift.

Both cats have inspired the wife in her collage art; they are remarkable cats and are putting their human counterparts to shame with their exercise ability and commitment. The cats inspire the couple to forge ahead with their exercise regimens.
Would it not be wonderful if zoos had such giant wheels for their larger cats and maybe even some primates?

Etsy Finds: Cat Skirt

2008-07-06T10:22:00-05:00

While I was browsing around Etsy in search of something that would fit into this lovely Pet series, I found this Cat Skirt by kachingdesign! The image handprinted on this skirt is such a sweet representation of a kitty. The colors and the style of the skirt are wonderfully cozy and also a bit modern. I love how the description says: "Wise kitty cat will keep you company wherever you go." I personally would love this cat looking up at me, as I go through my day.

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Etsy Finds: Pup Tent (or Kitten Tent)

2008-07-03T08:31:00-05:00

My kitty, Stella, is a little blue-eyed princess and I love her with all of my heart. We play fetch together and she knows her name, but I never have to call her because she follows me everywhere. She's also a fan of belly rubs...it's possible she may think she's a dog. It sounds strange to some, but I know she loves me too. That's why I would do anything for my Stella Bean.

I had never thought about getting her a special bed, because she has her chair that she prefers. It's the one she sat on while eating the fins off my beta fish. Maybe it's time for Stella to get her own digs! =^..^=

Here's a goldfish kitty/pup tent by Seapets.

The Very First Alchemy Request

2008-05-02T14:45:00-05:00

While Etsy engineer Jorge Lopez coded Alchemy, he was daydreaming of the his ultimate Alchemy request. As soon as we released the new site feature on Etsy, he was the first one to post a request! He ended up choosing artist Emily Balivet's bid and getting the most amazing painting. Watch the video to learn more...

MP4 | Youtube | Blip.tv | iTunes

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Etsy Pets: Paws for a Cause — Listing Items for Animal Charities

2008-04-29T14:32:00-05:00

Growing up, I always knew I would have cats — my parents had cats, their parents had cats, their parents' parents...maybe it's genetic. When I got my own apartment, it was only a matter of weeks before it was time to add a kitty. I began my search at Petfinder.org and came across an “adorkable” kitty named “Roxy” (later renamed Quasi) at the Cool Cats Rescue, a no-kill shelter in Annapolis, MD.

When I met Quasi, the sneezy little kitty with a cleft lip, it was love at first “snarf.” I knew she was something special, and adopted her on the spot. She quickly became a wonderful, attention-demanding addition to my family and I knew I had to give something back. I began listing UglyKitty buttons in exchange for $1, $5, and $10 donations to Cool Cats. That was 18 months and $2,000 ago.

If you’ve ever wanted to thank the shelter who gave you your fabulous furry friend (or help another worthy animal cause), it’s time to use your powers of craft for good and consider donating to your favorite animal charity!

First, there are a variety of ways to raise money for animal charities. Decide which works best for you!

Designate specific charity items in your shop, like these notecards by ImagesbyAileen. She donates money to Petsmartcharities.org from the sale of these items.

Donate a portion of ALL your sales, like greytcrafts and gabrielsaunt.

Try helping locally, like greytcrafts. All her donations go to the Greyhound Pets of America - Arizona Chapter, her local greyhound rescue!

Gabrielsaunt suggests adding "PIF" as a tag, which stands for "Pay It Forward." PIF items are a way to do a virtual good deed by offering items for the cost of shipping only. Many Etsians search for PIFs when looking to do something good. PIFs can be anything, so get creative with it!

Donate a set amount from an item, like retrowhale.

She suggests sending your donations to the charity at the beginning of every month — almost like a bill. That way you never lose track.

Offer a percentage from a specific item, like CaptureCapeMay.

If you have a lot of supplies, but not cash, consider donating an item to a charity shop, like classichound, who donated this collar to handmade4hounds.

She recommends joining charity teams like handmade4hounds (of course) and Etsy for Animals. Don’t be afraid to start your own team: every bit counts!

Or, go all out and open a shop entirely for charity, like RescueMeTugz.

Through RescueMeTugz, Michele is able to donate more than she ever could on her own. Instead of giving cash, she invests in supplies...for the toys she sells...to raise money for the Heartland Great Dane Rescue!

Things to keep in mind:

- Always remember to offer a tangible item in exchange for the donation. Per Etsy’s DOs and DON’Ts, you must have an item that you intend to sell. Listings just asking for money are a big no-no.

- Think about what items will best lend themselves to donations. For example, if you’re raising money for Golden Retriever rescue, consider dog or Golden Retriever items...that’s your target audience! Also, think about how much materials cost and how much you’d be able to donate, but only give what you feel comfortable giving.

- Give your customers the specifics about donations. Do you donate a portion of all your sales? A portion of certain sales? Do you subtract transaction fees? What about shipping costs?

- Be sure to include a website and specific information about the cause. Customers want to know how their money is helping. Adding a link also gives your listing credibility.

- Help your customers find your charity items. Try adding tags to your listings like: donate, charity, animal, shelter, pets, and team names (“team EFA” is the Etsy for Animals tag). Also, consider making a section in your shop dedicated to charity items.

- Figure out a system that works for you. I prefer to keep an Excel sheet with all the donations until I send them to the shelter. Also, be sure to check with your charity to see how they prefer to receive donations.

Now get out there and help some four-legged friends! And post your animal charity listings in the comments too!

Further Resources
Ace of Hearts Adoption
Heartland Great Dane Rescue
Greyhound Pets of America - Arizona Chapter
Almost Heaven Greyhound Adoption
Cool Cats Rescue and Adoption

Renee, aka UglyKitty, works 9 to 5 as an environmental scientist in Annapolis, Maryland and from 5 to 1 as a frantic crafter. If she had free time she would probably use it to sleep...or bake cupcakes — the world always needs more cupcakes. Quasi is a full-time lounger and enjoys hiding pens under the coffee table, Law & Order (SVU), and sneezing on "her person."

Etsy Pets: Lilly the Cat — Giant Cat Sighted Across The USA

2008-04-29T10:59:00-05:00

A giant cat has been spotted in cities and towns across the United States. Her name is Lilly the Cat. In San Francisco, stunned sightseers saw her creeping down curvy Lombard Street. In St. Louis, she stood victorious over the Gateway Arch. In New York City, morning pedestrians found her blocking passage across the Brooklyn Bridge. Was this colossal cat the result of some radiation experiment? Did she come from outer space?

Lilly speaks . . .

Meow. Don’t be silly. The truth is, I came from the Humane Society in St. Louis. My owners, Gen Obata and his family, adopted me in 1999. They knew right away I was destined to be a star. Something about my natural-born ability to pose like a model and my euphoric expressions when I hear the crinkling of plastic.

Here’s how my meteoric rise to stardom began: In 2001, Gen’s wife suggested he send a photograph of me to their daughters at summer camp. Trying to be funny, Gen photographed me lying face-up, legs sprawled (my favorite position) and then combined that shot with a photo of the Gateway Arch. The kids loved it. And so did everyone else! In fact, Gen got more comments about my photograph than any other one he had ever taken. Gen started taking lots of photos of me and placing me in other scenes around St. Louis, for my first modeling series, “Lilly in St. Louis.”

Soon, Gen decided to insert me into settings from all over the United States. After the family went to New York City for a wedding, Gen created the “Lilly in New York” series of notecards. He created another series upon returning from a trip to San Francisco and another to New Orleans. You get the picture (pardon the pun). It’s a little unfair because they do all the traveling and I do all the work! But I’m lazy so it all works out.

I guess I should tell you a little about Gen. He grew up in St. Louis and began drawing and painting as a young boy, and playing guitar as a teenager. He earned degrees in studio art and architecture and married a friend since high school. He worked for many years as an architect and did some teaching. He also started playing in acoustic bands around St. Louis. Two beautiful, brilliant daughters came along. But it wasn’t until the family adopted me that his real artistic talent was put to good use. Recently, Gen has been creating artist quilts, many of which include images of me.

Gen says the best part of creating the Lilly the Cat series is seeing and hearing the reactions of people who see my photograph for the first time. You can always tell which is Gen’s table at an art fair because people are gathered around, laughing out loud. Well, I think it’s time for a meal and a nap, and then another meal.

Watch out for the giant cat . . .
— Lilly the Cat

Further Resources:
Genobata.com
Genobata.etsy.com
Lilly's Official Story
Lillythecat.blogspot.com
Genobataarts.blogspot.com

Etsy Finds: Giddyup Cowboy

2008-02-20T08:57:00-05:00

Kyle aka twokb is a new hire at Etsy. He works as an engineer with us here in Brooklyn.

So I was looking for that perfect piece to finish off my living room when a couch, TV, and coffee table alone would just not cut it. Well, I certainly found that piece with cindricksbaby's Giddyup Cowboy. There is just something so whimsical about a childish cat on its own adventure through the wild west.

I asked cindricksbaby where she came up with such an idea. She said:

"My inspiration in this one comes from my love of my crazy cats, they are always up to some thing, and usually it means trouble, so when my husband and I sit down to a glass of wine at the end of our day, we come up with these crazy, offbeat ideas for me to sculpt my next figure, this one came to me as I wanted to do a cowboy theme and thought well, I don't want normal, as this is too easy, and I came up with the hobby horse idea, and the end results are Giddy-up Cowboy! YeeHah!!!!!!!!!!"

I really feel this is the perfect center piece to any room that needs just a little something extra, and I know quite a few cat lovers that probably could not resist this little guy.

Seriously though, check out her shop for some equally inspired pieces.

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Craft Protest Discussion at the New School: A Recap

2008-01-30T15:33:00-05:00

On Saturday, January 26th, 2008, The New School in Manhattan hosted Crafting Protest, a discussion celebrating contemporary artists' diverse and timely political statements. These artists argue that creating crafts is a social activity and created by communities they can often play an important role in the public sphere.

The discussion was fascinating and highlighted the works of the panelists's, which included artist and designer Liz Collins, artist and curator Sabrina Gschwandtner, artist and activist Cat Mazza, visual artist Allison Smith and art historian, critic and moderator Julia Bryan-Wilson of the University of California at Irvine.

Cat Mazza is the founder of microrevolt (previously profiled here). She discussed her product KnitPro, a free web application that translates digital images into knit, crochet, needlepoint and cross-stitch patterns, which many have used for protest purposes. Simply upload a jpg, gif or png image of whatever you wish -- portraits, landscapes, logos -- and it will generate the image pattern on a grid sizable for any fiber project, crochet, needlepoint, etc.

Cat also discussed the her Nike Blanket Petition, a project that started in 2003 to protest sweatshop practices and to promote sweat free communities. It is a 14 foot handmade swoosh that made the rounds to knitting circles around the world. People from every U.S. state and thirty countries participated. Cat also called out for people to create 4x4 inch squares or handmade petitions to border the blanket. She has plans to deliver it to Philip Knight, the chairman of Nike, to protest Nike’s labor practices.

Liz Collins discussed her project Knitting Nation, an exploratory art project launched in 2002. The project is a commentary on how humans interact with machines, global trade, fashion and iconography, and a celebration of machine knitting as a creative medium. Knitting Nation is committed to exploring, deconstructing and reconstructing important cultural symbols and artifacts that manifest in textile forms, such as sweaters, blankets and flags. Projects discussed were the creation of a new version of the American flag during wartime, reinventing the rainbow flag during gay pride month, and exploring the love/hate relationship the gay community has with the flag.

Allison Smith discussed Notion Nanny, the collectible figures and genre of dolls from the Victorian era commemorating female peddlers who journeyed through the countryside selling varied wares. Her goal is to engage people in a dialogue about the social enterprise of working, exchanging and sharing. She traveled throughout England learning traditional crafts such as ceramic tiles and lace, and her work was exhibited in the U.K., as well as in the United States. You can learn more about her travels on her blog.

The panelists also collaborated on a large-scale knit banner which was unveiled at the event. Described as “a meeting of the minds,” the word "agency" is the focus topic for the upcoming year.

Sabrina Gschwandtner presented her piece "Wartime Knitting Circle," an interactive installation created for the Museum of Arts and Design's exhibition Radical Lace and Subversive Knitting. The piece was a public knitting circle dedicated to wartime knitting. It was meant to encourage discussion about the war, and invite knitters to use their craft for political expression.

Taking the form of machine knitted photo portrait blankets – which since 2005 have been a popular way for families to honor their relatives who have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan – nine images culled from newspapers, historical societies and library archives showed that knitting has been used for civic participation, protest, therapeutic distraction, and even direct attack. A table was set up for people to come work on various war-related knitting projects, such as Lisa Anne Auerbach's Body Count Mittens, Cat Mazza's Stitch for Senate helmet liners, and knit squares for Afghans for Afghans. Photos of knitters at work, along with information about their projects, were presented in a photo album in which visitors were invited to write comments.

[Found object: "Terrorist Body Bag" found by Allison Smith in Virginia]

The panelists also agreed that the internet has played a part in the crafting resurgence. People organize, find inspiration, and build an audience via the internet. This program was also presented concurrently with the release of the February issue of Modern Painters magazine, where a roundtable discussion by the panelists is featured.

For more info on crafting and protest, see our interview with Cat Mazza and pinupchick's call for info on the intersection of crafting and feminism.

Etsy Pets: Mosie and Tala

2008-01-14T18:35:00-05:00

These beautiful cats belong to Michele of mvegan5.

Michele says that she adopted Mosie (Moses) at 4 months old when she was still in college at the Rhode Island School of Design. (He was adopted from the Feral Cat Foundation.) Moses has traveled and lived with her in California, Rhode Island, New York, New Hampshire, and now Israel.

Tala was adopted from the Be'er Sheva SPCA in Israel at 2 1/2 months old.

Michele says they inspire her by being cute and snuggly and loving her unconditionally. She says they will sometimes sleep or play nearby when she creates her artwork and jewelry.

Michele created a Etsy Street Team called Etsy for Animals, which now has approximately 350 members. Their website is EtsyForAnimals.com and their shop donates 100% of their profits to a chosen charity of the month. Visit their shop at EtsyForAnimals.etsy.com.

We found Mosie and Tala in the Etsy Pets Flickr Pool. Do you have cute pets? Put them in the pool today!

Gift Ideas: For Your Pets (and you)

2007-11-28T10:57:00-05:00

I love my Brussels Griffon, Rudy. Last year I spoiled him with a giant stocking full of bones. It blew his mind. This year I'm thinking about going all out - handmade style. Here are some great gifts for you and your pet I found while searching for things to put under my tree. Oh and the photo above is of Rudy, my inspiration for this guide.

Honor your furry beast with a custom portrait or custom needle felted likeness from one of these talented artists:

lizzelizzel erinkejo AmeliaMakesArt

Rudy would love all these handmade toys. Even the ones for cats. He's a weirdo.

Yule Log Squeek Toy Stuffed Squirrel Catnip Maki Sushi Rolls

Let's accessorize our little devils for our own amusement. They hate it but we love it.

Custom Dog Tag Red and White Striped Dog Harness Holly Collar

Cat Tie Gingerbread Cat Collar Diamond Cat Collar

That's enough for the pets, here's some fresh finds for pet lovers!

Boston Terrier Pillow Custom Pet Mat Chihuahua Sweatshirt

Peeping Cat Pendant Kittens Shirt Bailey Print

Hope you like these finds and happy handmade gifting to you and your furry monsters!

Find more pet goodies (like treats, more custom tags, and even pet shampoo!) in the new Pet Gift Guide.

Etsy Pets: Full House with Gorgeousredhead

2007-11-12T09:54:00-05:00

My house is basically overflowing with love. My name is Camille, aka gorgeousredhead, and I live with my boyfriend Randy, our two cats Toby and Gabbie, and our two bunnies, Edie and Lillie Belle.

Each one is amazingly cute and funny in their own way, but I’ll start with our oldest, Toby. He is an 8 yr. old Tabby, and a total mama’s boy. I’ve had him since I was 15, and spoiled him rotten ever since. He has a series of tricks he’ll do, which I make him perform for all the company that comes over. They’ve all seen his ‘trick’ way too many times to count, but I still make them watch! (I’m a proud mother.)

Sometimes my sister will participate in teaching him his new trick — kissing others. Right now he only kisses me or my boyfriend. That is his trick — kissing on command. And you will not understand the full scope of this unless you see it, but basically I just say “kiss, kiss” or sometimes it may take a little more coaxing, such as, “kiss, kiss Toby — be a good boy” and then he wipes his snotty nose on your cheek or mouth, wherever. That’s hilarious in itself, but sometimes when he wants a treat, he’ll pounce on you and do his kiss, all on his own, which after a couple tries becomes almost aggressive! And then you have snot all on your face…But hey, it’s cute, right?

Lillie Belle is our oldest bunny — she’s a 3 year old Dutch bunny, and the sweetest, smartest bunny you’ll ever meet! She also does a trick (which to most animals is simply behaving), but for a bunny is darn smart: she comes to me when I call her name! (I know this is smart because our other bunny, Edie, does not do this.)

Edie (short for Edith) is our 1 year old Lionhead bunny. Even though she doesn’t like us as much as Lillie Belle does, and doesn’t come when we call her, she is simply precious. She’s at her full size now, which is still super small (smaller than Lillie Belle), which means she’ll stay cute forever! She’s kind of skittish, so we don’t get to pet her very much, but she’s still one spoiled rotten bunny.

And Gabbie, who I call Bratticus Finch, is our 5 month old long haired kitten. She’s at the “terrible two’s” phase, and everyday reaching a new paramount. The other night we had food delivered, and when I was paying the guy, she ran out and he went and caught her for me! When we got back inside, I was like, “See what happens when you run out there? Strangers grab you!” (They live very sheltered lives, if you couldn’t tell.)

I could go on and on forever, but I’ll spare you. So anyway, that’s the fam!

Caring Crafters Event: Cage Comforters for Homeless Animals

2007-11-08T14:31:00-05:00

On Saturday, November 17, 2-6pm at the Etsy Labs, we'll be hosting a special craftivism event.

Join Jen (aka dillonDesigns), Rational Animal, and the Mayor's Alliance for Animals at Etsy Labs to create cage comforters for New York City's homeless animals. All materials will be provided. Help us reach our goal of making 100 comforters by sewing, stuffing and sending a little love their way.

Cage comforters greatly increase a shelter animal's chance for adoption and makes their cage a more comfortable place to be as the winter chill kicks in.

Enjoy gingerbread, animal crackers, spiced cider and the company of other compassionate Etsians to make a difference in the lives of animals this winter. You don't need to be an Etsy seller to attend. All are welcome!

ps
Check out The Etsy For Animals piece for more connections to Etsians who strive to make the world a better place for animals.

pps
Big shout-out to my sister, who adopts shelter pets and had to put down her beloved dog today. She was an adoption that no one else would take. She kept on ticking (even in old lady diapers) well beyond her expected years — because she was a tough old junkyard dog and because of my sister's love and care. If you love animals, get involved!

Etsy Pets: Kitty Ties

2007-11-05T13:23:00-05:00

This week's beacon of Etsy Pet cuteness comes from natorious (aka purry), who produces the most insanely cute cat costumes I've ever seen. Her cat ties can take a country kitten to the big kitty city! (In other words, they're sophisticated. I'm just overcome with cute.)

In addition to the adorable ties exhibited above, Natalie is also a card-carrying member of Etsy for Animals. I recently convoed with Natalie, where we chatted about dapper felines, choking on cat food and the classic infestation movie Joe's Apartment. Read on!

How many pets do you have? What are their names? What are their stories?
I only have one pet at the moment. His name is Rafiki [below], and he's nearly 10. He goes by Kiki, which is also my store name. He also goes by other names like "Señor Furry Pants," and "Purry the Super Kitty," but mostly it's Kiki.

He's a 17 pounder, and mostly fur. His top skill is purring and opening cupboards and sliding doors. He can purr while eating, but occasionally this results in near choking incidents, and it's terribly funny. (P.S. If you want to hear Kiki purring and eating simultaneously, check out the video on Natalie's blog!)

Kiki has lived in five different homes, in three cities, in two countries. He's a very good mover and drove five days across the continent when I moved to California in 2005. I think that's pretty good for a cat. The cupboard and door opening skills have resulted in much sealed tupperware in various cupboards to prevent things like 10 lb bags of kibble from being eaten, or catnip mice/sacks for Etsy from being licked.

What inspired you to start making kitty ties?
Since Kiki's so darn furry, collars got lost on him completely. Or they'd get tangled. I made my first Kitty Tie years ago while procrastinating data collection in grad school. I guess I bought a bunch of vintage ties from the thrift store to make something out of, and the idea just came to me! I thought that a tie would a) be completely hilarious on my cat, and b) not get lost in his fur. When it was done, I immediately had requests from two good friends with cats, and Pepper and Gandalf (the 2 gray cats wearing ties) got dappered-up.

What's your favorite animal in entertainment? (Television, movies, music.)
My favorite animal in entertainment? That is one heck of a good question... There are animals in music? Being as it's this hard to think of for me, I clearly haven't noticed too much. BUT, I did LOVE the cockroaches in Joe's Apartment - that MTV "musical" from ages ago? They are hilarious!

Etsy Pets: Happy Halloween

2007-10-28T23:24:00-05:00

Happy Halloween, Etsy Pets!

Hope your costumes are not too annoying to wear, but us humans appreciate the opportunity to take a few cute pictures before you wiggle out of your costumes!

Friendly reminder: keep an eye on your pets that are outdoors on Halloween night! Spooks and goblins will be running the streets!

Etsy Pets: Brothers From Another Mother

2007-10-22T13:37:00-05:00

We were on our honeymoon in Connecticut when we stopped at a local pet store, drawn helplessly by the puppies in the front window. When you're standing outside of a pet store looking at puppies, it's really hard not to go inside the pet store to look at puppies. And once you're inside the pet store looking at puppies, its practically impossible not to look at the kittens, which were not visible from the window but are now tussling and wobbling and staring straight at you imploringly from their little kitten playground.

We were back within 24 hours, lovesick and pressing a credit card into the cashier's hand. Those two. Please.

The pet store employee took an old cardboard box and stabbed holes around its sides with a pair of scissors, scooped up each kitten, gave it a brisk nail-clipping, announced "You're going to be a Brooklyn boy" and unceremoniously dropped them into it. And so we drove back to New York, our family now doubled in size, discussing names.

We're really great at discussing names because we are going to have a baby in February. Discussing kitten names is much more fun that discussing baby names because when you suggest things like Catface or Otto Triangle Woodson Corrie*, it is actually sort of a possible thing.

There is a photo at Pete's folks' house of his little sister at age 2 or 3, staring at the camera and holding the family cat in one arm, who looks huge and grey and placid in her lap. And I want to recreate this image with our unborn daughter someday.

Three hours or so later, they were Buckminster Fuller Corrie and Huey P. Newton Corrie, or Bucky and Huey for short. Bucky is one week older, although they look like brothers or fraternal twins. He is solemn and has better motor skills, while Huey is sweeter and more trouble. They do a lot of wrestling and getting underfoot; they menace one another in a kindergarden king-of-the-jungle way, snooze together in a fuzzy pile at night, and their little heads appear at the window, stepping on one another to see better, when they hear our house keys jingle. We tell our friends, we have kittens! and suddenly everyone says yes to all our dinner invitations.

*Actual name we had decided on if our (human) baby was a boy. The girl name is a secret.