Happy Early Valentine's Day in Polymer Clay to Cat Lovers and a Tribute to Cats!

As an early Valentine's Day celebration today we are paying tribute to cats and their adoptive "parents". Many years ago when I designed the very first cat in my Cat Collection it was just a whimsical cat pendant necklace (no wings or halo) intended to pay tribute to all the cats and cat angels who were important members of our family over the years, especially the departed and much loved black cat named Stormy.

Stormy in mom's loving arms

Then, several years ago, I needed an angel for the top of a cat themed Christmas tree for our local animal shelter, so I embellished the existing at cat pendant necklace with wings and a halo and it become the prototype for the "Angel Cats" hanging ornaments that eventually became part of my Cat Collection. Since then I've been so gratified to find that Angel Cats have brought comfort to dozens of grieving "cat parents" who hang them as a remembrance of their beloved kitties who have passed over the Rainbow Bridge to Catnip Heaven. Customers have written that they have hung them on Christmas trees, on houseplants, in windows, suspended them over computers, hung them on special metal ornament stands on their desks and one was even included in a special "remembrance shrine", all in memory of their special feline friends and the love of their lives.

The following are three stories of my Angel Cats ornaments that I especially treasure; stories of REAL angel cats and their "people".

Bonnie shared her life with a VERY handsome gold tiger cat named Booboo who had been her best friend for almost 20 years. He talked to her non-stop all day, especially when Bonnie was talking on the phone trying to carry on a conversation.

He always had to sit on her desk whenever she was working on the computer and Booboo would hold Bonnie's thumb when she was using the mouse.

Bonnie adopted Booboo on Halloween and her Angel Cat ornament is symbolically black and orange. She handmade this lovely "remembrance shrine" for him from polymer clay, complete with his favorite rubber toy balls. If you look at the top right you'll see his Angel Cat.

Jay had a beloved cat and constant companion named Blackie. Jay was actually the person who bestowed the name of "Angel Cat" to the ornaments and he was the first person to request a custom made Angel Cat to honor his Blackie. His black and white Angel Cat is suspended over his desk where it grins at him constantly reminding him of his much loved departed companion who is now, "resting off the edge of the patio with a marker of an angel with a cat in her lap that says, "Always in our Hearts".

Of Blackie Jay writes, "Blackie would sleep beside me until he discovered my pillow. I had to buy king size pillows so he would be comfortable. Many times I would wake up with a paw on my face with him still sound asleep. If I was still sleeping when he got hungry in the morning(6AM), he would tap me on the cheek as if to say,"Wat cha gotta do to get some grub in this joint?Animal abuse. SPCA."After breakfast it was like, "Not bad if that was all you had." I still wake up sometimes and check the pillow to see where he is. He would sit behind my head on the recliner to watch TV. Many times he would put his paw on my shoulder or play with my ear. Got bored watching TV. I miss him so much. I'm glad he let me live with him. He's out of this life but still very much in my heart."

Sara designed and created this lovely Christmas tree decorated with different colors of Angel Cats for her sister who had recently lost two of her beloved cats. I was told that her sister liked it so much that, " She kept it on the whole time she was here." I can see why!

The Valentine Angel Cat hanging ornament and a Valentine Cat pendant necklace that converts to a brooch are both available for purchase at MelodyODesigns at Etsy

The angel cat ornament was featured at: Jillys Handmade Heaven

FYI: Our cat, Stormy, (pictured in my arms near the top of the blog post) wrote a book with assistance from my husband, Sy, called "Life Is a Hammock". All the profits from the book sales benefit the Kreutz Creek Library (PA) and the Adopt For Life Center for Animals in Cottonwood (AZ). It is illustrated with photo cartoons that make for delightful light reading and is the perfect gift for any animal lover. The book can be purchased at MelodyODesigns at Etsy


Sy has made the book available on consignment at cost to animal shelters around the country to use as a fundraiser. For information on the consignment program please click on Life is a Hammock and read the info down the right side of the home page.