Patriotic Cat Necklace and Ornament for Fourth of July - Independence Day, Flag Day celebrates the USA and Freedom in Red, White and Blue polymer clay

Our newest cat necklace is a Red, White and Blue Patriotic Cat that's designed in honor of the USA and celebrates the freedom we enjoy in our country. It also honors the founding fathers and those who gave their lives in the name of freedom, as well as all those in the military and their families. The Patriotic Angel Cat version seen above is a hanging ornament decoration version that's equally at home dangling on a computer in an office cubicle, hanging off a potted plants, or sitting in a window.

It's also available as a decorative magnet that's a cheerful way of attaching important notes to the refrigerator.

 The Patriotic Cat is also available in a necklace version with a red, white and blue beaded chain........

 ............and in a necklace version with a silky cord and a clever finding that allows one to slip out the cord and wear it as a brooch.

All the Patriotic kitties, as well as many other cat themed pieces are available at MelodyODesigns at Etsy

The designing of the Pink Rose Cat jewelry, a tribute to Mother's Day and my Moms

Rose Cat Brooch

Whenever I see pink roses I think of three important women in my life whom I consider my "moms", my grandmother (mémère), my mother and my mother in law. They all loved flowers and pink roses were a particular favorite. They all loved cats, too, so I designed these Rose Cat pieces as a tribute to all three in an early celebration of Mother's Day.

I couldn't find a mold of a rose small enough to use on the "collar tag', so I borrowed  a tiny carved rose pierced earring from my jewelry box and made a mold of it using Sculpey Bake and Bend. It's a pity that the Bake and Bend is no longer available in open stock and seems to only be available in sets. Luckily I still have a lot in stock and it's great for making inexpensive molds that hold up to using with a firm clay. Earrings are wonderful to use for making tiny molds and I always check out the earring displays when I shop at thrift stores and garage sales. For the rose on the collar tag I used pink clay and then accented it with a mix of TLS (Translucent Liquid Sculpey) and raspberry mica powder applied sparingly with my fingertip.

Behind the Scenes studio photo

Tiny Kemper mini cutters (actually called "pattern cutter") get used a lot in my studio and I used round and 5 petals cutters for this project. I use a a piece of Saran Wrap on top of the clay when I use a cutter so that the cut image comes out plump with nice tapered edges.

Beaded chain Rose Cat necklace

Rose Angel Cat Hanging Ornament

The Rose Cats are available for sale at MelodyODesigns at Etsy

Daffodil Spring Cat and Eliminating the Bumpies when curing Polymer Clay

Introducing Daffodil Cat, the newest member of my Cat Collection who was inspired by the gorgeous blooming daffodils in our garden. When daffodils bloom can spring be far behind?

Entire Daffodil Cat Collection is now available at MelodyODesigns at Etsy

The daffodils in our garden that inspired me thriving beneath the Palo Verde tree

Bumpies, they have various innocuous names, but I call them the BUMPIES!#%^&*?!*. They are the small bumps that appear on the surface of raw polymer clay that are much more visible once the clay is cured. Bumpies are caused by tiny air bubbles that are trapped within the clay. The air can inadvertently become trapped when conditioning with a pasta machine, so it's wise to place the folded end into the rollers first. The cats I make require a sheet of FLAT clay without imperfections and when "cat acne" appears on a piece I'm making for sale it's VERY noticeable and is banished to the garbage can. I normally use PREMO clay, but there are some colors where I prefer to use Kato clay. In spite of taking care in conditioning I've found that no matter how much I've tried to prevent them, I get about 95% more bumpies when I use Kato brand than when I use PREMO.

I recently tried staircase or ramp curing, as recommended by both Jana Benzon Roberts and Tony Aquino (the chemist at Van Aken, the company which manufactures Kato) and I've found it very helpful. One puts the clay piece in a cold oven and cures at the lowest temperature for 20 minutes and then raises the temperature to 200 F for 20 minutes. Then, without opening the oven gradually increase the temperature 50 degrees every 10 minutes until the target temperature is reached and start timing of the actual curing time. For me, ramp curing seems to help a lot with PREMO, but not so much with Kato. I've seen an increase in the problem with both PREMO and Kato since they changed their formulas and I've noticed it's worse with mushy clay that needs leaching.

When I first encountered the problem, about 3 years ago, I contacted Tony. He suggested a "work around", but at the time it wasn't  practical to use it with my designs. This week, when my newly designed Daffodil Cats began sporting roaring cases of acne, I knew I'd either have to find a solution or discontinue using Kato, even if it meant changing my design. I am pleased to direct your attention to the Daffodil Angel Cat hanging ornament below. Look ma, no acne!

Daffodil Angel Cat Hanging ornament

So what did Tony suggest? It's really rather simple, but I think it's only practical to use with FLAT clay designs, like one might make from a flat clay sheet using a cookie cutter. I'm going to paraphrase his burnishing method of eliminating Bumpies adding my own suggestions to his. It seems to work even for clay sheets that were made from bits and scrap pieces flattened together in a pasta machine, a process notorious for producing Bumpies.

The following temperature recommendation and timing are for a piece of Kato clay that is the thickness of #1 Atlas or #5 D.R.E.A.M. pasta machine, roughly 1/8" (3.1mm) and must be adjusted according to the manufacturer's recommendations when using other brands and thicknesses.

Condition the clay any way you like. You don't even have to be TOTALLY meticulous about not introducing air into the clay, though it's a good idea.  Place your flat clay item on a piece of regular copy paper sitting on a ceramic tile, ideally cut to size. Place a slightly larger piece of paper on top of the clay item. Using your fingers, gently burnish the paper onto the top surface of the clay. If you rub too hard you risk distorting the shape of the clay. If you rub too little the paper won't totally adhere to the clay. Place in a pre-heated oven at 300 F for 30 minutes. 15 minutes into the curing time remove the paper from the top surface (careful, HOT!) and finish curing for the remaining 15 minutes. Once the piece comes out of the oven release it from the paper on the bottom (careful, HOT!)so that it doesn't curl as it cools.

According to Tony, "What is occurring is the paper is suppressing the ascent of the rising air bubbles and creating a detour. If there's not an outlet for it, it will not rise above the surface. It also mattes down the sheen, but sanding and buffing will provide an excellent gloss." I have found that using laser paper, which has a smoother surface than regular printer/copy paper lessens the matte occurrence and allows more of the characteristic Kato gloss to show without my having to take the time to sand and buff.

Daffodil Cat worn as brooch

Does the Burnishing Curing Method also work to prevent "Moonies", those light colored crescent shaped imperfections that are also caused by trapped air bubbles?  I don't know because I don't seem to get Moonies, but I would think it might. I'd love to hear from any readers who might try it for Moonies.

Readers tell me they enjoy seeing studio photos, so........

here is a photo of some of the various components that go into the making of the Daffodil Cats

EDITED UPDATE: Yesterday as I was "test driving" my new Daffodil Cat necklace by wearing it with a heavy winter sweater I thought, "Wouldn't it be nice if I could make a necklace variation that had a substantial beaded chain?" I had recently received a large order of colorful 8mm smooth round acrylic beads from Pedazos at Etsy and was thrilled to find I had PERFECT color matches already in my stash. I wore it this morning for the first time and I absolutely LOVE these colors together. There's something so optimistic and sunny about French Blue and bright yellow together.

In Celebration of St Patrick's Day, Grandmother Connolly, Shamrocks and Polymer Clay Cat Jewelry

St Patrick's Day Angel Cat hanging ornament sporting his emerald green shamrock

When I was growing up I loved to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. I'd carefully choose my green outfit weeks in advance. I'd decorate the house with shamrocks and Leprechauns, play Irish music with my sister, and wear special St Patrick's Day jewelry that I'd make, myself. I was grateful that I could claim my Irish heritage from my great grandmother Connolly who had immigrated from County Cork.

A lot has changed since those days so long ago, but I still enjoy the celebration and our little town even has a St Patrick's Day parade. As part of my celebration this year I designed two St Patrick's Day additions to my Cat Collection. The first is an Angel Cat hanging ornament of emerald green and white with a shamrock dangling from his collar. The companion piece is a convertible pendant necklace/brooch.  Both are available at MelodyODesigns at Etsy

I always love to see other people's behind the scenes studio photos, so below I'm including two to share:

Kemper Heart Cutters make wonderful shamrocks. I use a syringe to more precisely place tiny appliques.

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.

Angel Cat Christmas Ornament, faux Terracotta and Turquoise with Sedona Red Rock Dirt in Polymer Clay matrix

We're decorating our Christmas tree this year in a "Celebration of Sedona Arizona" theme utilizing Terracotta, Red Rock and Turquoise as the color scheme. I shared the Southwestern disk mini-scenes Christmas ornaments that are on the tree in my recent blog post, but the tree needed an angel on top. At our house that means an angel CAT. This smiling and whimsical newest addition to our Christmas ornaments fits right into the Southwestern color scheme. He's made from polymer clay with a touch of "magical" Sedona Red Rock Dirt included in the matrix. He has a golden halo and wings for a touch of holiday glitz and whiskers made from brush bristles.

Mr Southwestern Angel Cat and some of his matching Red and Green Angel Cat friends are available for sale at MelodyODesigns at Etsy

While we're on the subject of the fast approaching holidays (and  your gift list!), I'd like to remind you about my husband's book called "Life Is a Hammock". This photo-illustrated humorous Cat Book tells the stories of two traveling cats who take adventurous journeys throughout the USA while camping with their adopted parents. Written as a fundraiser for libraries and animal shelters, it is told in the first person by a very endearing cat. It makes for delightful light reading and is the perfect gift for any animal lover.  

  
The book can also be purchased at MelodyODesigns at ArtFire and MelodyODesigns at Etsy. Sy has made the book available on consignment at cost to Humane Societies and animal shelters around the country to use as a fund raiser. For information on this program please click on:  Life is a Hammock  and read down the right side of the home page.

Polymer Clay Cat Images used in Hep Cats CD Cover

I'm thrilled that some images of the colorful and playful polymer clay cats from my Melody O'Beau Designs jewelry collection have been used on the cover of a new CD. My husband, composer Sy Brandon owns Emeritus Recordings, a recording company that specializes in contemporary classical musical which will soon be releasing  a new CD called Hep Cats. It contains music for clarinet and flute performed by  Cassandra Rondinelli Eisenreich and Danielle Woolery of the Ardente Duo. Sy normally does all the artwork for the CD's himself, but this time he decided that he wanted to collaborate with me by incorporating images of some of my polymer clay Crazy Cats. He photographed and then manipulated the various images into a "feline audience". I'm thrilled to say that I really love his collaborative results, so I thought I'd share a photo of the soon to be released CD.

Ardente Duo Hep Cats CD cover utilizing artwork of cat jewelry from Anita at MelodyODesigns.

FYI: The Crazy Cat Jewelry and Ornament Collection is available FOR SALE at: MelodyODesigns at Etsy

To read several older posts about how the cats were constructed and see some pictures of the process:

The Making of the Christmas Cats

Crazy Cats Pendants #2

Anita's ArtFire Blow Out Sale Everything 25-50% off

EDITED: sale price will return to normal January 1, 2012

I'd like to invite you to a Holiday Blowout Sale at my online shop with prices now slashed 25-50% off EVERYTHING in the shop (except my husband's cat book). I will probably not be re-stocking some items, so if there's something you've been wanting, please hurry on over. Many items will now be OOAK (one of a kind), and once sold, will be gone forever. Below is only a small sample of some of the delightful items you will find on sale at
MelodyODesigns at Etsy

 Red Christmas Cat Angel Holiday Ornament

Vintage Bakelite inspired Red Cherry Necklace

Sedona Faux Red Rock Road Runner Pendant Necklace

Monarch Butterfly Autumn Leaf Necklace

 

Sedona Faux Red Rock Necklace with horse, kokopelli, coyote and roadrunner

Sedona Faux Red Rock Earrings with Dragonfly and Cactus

 

Smiling Cat in Garden Necklace with ladybugs

Dangling Hot Chili Peppers with Ladybugs Necklace

Smiling Cat Black and White pendant Necklace 

 Cinco de Mayo Yellow Fiesta Bead with dragonfly, butterfly and ladybug 

 Monarch Butterfly Blue Morning Glory with ladybugs Necklace

 Smiling Blue and Lavender Cat Convertible Pin to Pendant Necklace

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta Bead Necklace with butterflies, dragonflies and ladybugs