Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Meditating on bugs and bassett hounds



If you like beetles and cats and frogs, you might want to meditate on the above image which is one of my pet mandalas.

In the Hindu and Buddhist religious traditions, mandalas are considered sacred art. They may be used for focusing attention and as an aid to meditation and trance induction, helping one to experience a mystical sense of oneness with the universe. Groovy.

Carl Jung saw the mandala as a "representation of the unconscious self." I'm big on Jung and his thinking often informs my work as a psychotherapist. Yes, I am a therapist as well as a pet collage artist!

So, back on the subject of bugs. What does it mean if you dream of one? It could be that something is bugging you. Or that there's a part of you that, like a bug, is something icky or scary you don't want to look at. One thing for sure, you don't want to wind up in the bug house!

You know what bugs really bug me? Those little gnats that fly around your kitchen and in front of your computer screen. Did you know that gnats can come from houseplants where they like to breed in the dirt? And that there are non-biting and biting gnats.

Here's another mandala. It's a bassett hound mandala. All together now - ooohhhmmm.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Pretty bugs

'bugs' by PetCollage



Lampwork Glass Lady...
$2.99

SALE 41 Bug Theme S...
$4.25

bug pin - Bug off -...
$7.50

Spooky Spider Hallo...
$12.50

Bee Ring, Silver Sw...
$28.00

Set of 12 - Miniatu...
$26.95

Labradorite Spider ...
$24.00

PolyPedia E-Book Vo...
$26.00

Franny Firefly the ...
$27.50

Ladybug, Lady bug b...
$4.00

NEW Crocheted Newbo...
$45.00

1 - Raw Brass Art D...
$1.95

Vintage Lady Bug Fa...
$7.99

Wooden Bug Wine Cha...
$15.95

Beetle Optometry Po...
$20.00

LiliBug Halloween S...
$6.50

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.


This is a treasury I did for ETSY that I really like. I don't like bugs but bug jewelry I do like. Bugs as pets? I don't think so.

Bluebird of Happiness Day

Check out my story that's featured today on the EFA blog: 

etsyforanimals.blogspot.com/2011/09/national-bluebird-of-happiness-day.html

EFA stands for Etsy for Animals aka Artists Helping Animals, and is a group of independent artists, craftspeople, vintage suppliers, and art and craft suppliers that combine their efforts to provide charitable relief to animals.

At the helm of this fabulous enterprise is Nicole Brizel.  She describes herself  this way " I am a craftswoman & artist; a mother to the animals that look to me, to the trees & gardens that I’ve planted, and to the land that I am pioneering."

See her artwork at:   http://www.etsy.com/shop/brizel4TheAnimals?ref=pr_shop_more

HERE' ARE MY BLUEBIRDS OF HAPPINESS!!





Sunday, September 25, 2011

Dogs & kids like my collages




Children love my collages....dogs like them too. Just finished up some pet portraits with teenagers in them.  They make a unique gift for kids/teens who are pet people..  I can even custom make a similar portrait that includes photographs of a kid and pet you know.  You just mail me your photos or I can get them off Facebook.  If you live in Chicago, I can come to you and take them.


http://www.etsy.com/listing/82525742/cat-girl-pet-collage-kitten-green-aqua
http://www.etsy.com/listing/82461312/dog-collage-black-lab-girl-child-pet




Monday, September 19, 2011

Squirrels are not pets but I'm desperate

Since  my cat died a few months ago, I yearn for some animals to love.  Here's a few photo portraits of our new friend the squirrel who visits the balcony every day.  He climbs on our screen door and relaxes under the plants.  




Although we love him dearly, he is not our pet.  My understanding is that some people do have squirrels as pets.  What would you do if you found a baby squirrel?  Would you try to raise it?  Not a good idea according to the following article.

http://www.scwc.org/Library/Animals_SquirrelsAreNotPets.pdf

Squirrels can be awfully cute.  They can be destructive pests too.  Without my cat,  I'm a bit more inclined to feel affection for the squirrel.  The pigeons aren't bad either.  HELP - I'm desperate to have an animal in my life!

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Hypoallergenic cats? Do they exist?

"No! There are no hypoallergenic cat breeds."  This according to:catworld.com at http://www.cat-world.com.au/hypoallergenic-cats-do-they-exist.

However, from the same article:
  • Male cats produce more allergen than female cats and neutered males produce less than non-neutered males (but not always).
  • A study of 321 patients with allergies showed that dark-coloured cats where 4 times more likely to cause more sneezing, wheezing and overall allergy-symptom than light-coloured cats did.

 

Why can some people allergic to cats, tolerate rex cats?

There is no simple answer to this question at this time, and more research is required to get the answers needed. One possible hypothesis is that as rex cats have less hair to shed, they simply deposit less allergen-laced hair around the home. But, whatever the reasons some allergic people seem to tolerate them. From personal studies and observations by Margaret Lawrence in the UK, she found that around 10% of people allergic to cats tolerate rex cats. Please, before you race out and look for a rex cat, remember you should always test your allergies by visiting home or catteries that only own rex cats, and test continuously over several weeks or months. As you don't want the poor little kitten to be re-homed if you find out you are allergic to him or her. Don't let your new cat become another statistic at a shelter.

WHAT ABOUT SIBERIAN CATS?
There are claims that these cats are hypoallergenic but I haven't been able to find any solid research.  Anybody else?

According to the above, looks like the best bet for an allergic person who just has to have a cat is to get a white female Rex.

The following photos of a Cornish Rex, a Devon Rex and a Siberian are from http://www.catsofaustralia.com/hypoallergenic-cat-breeds.htm














Cool dog collars & a pitbull puppy from Cali Girl Collars

In my previous post,  I mentioned Cali Girl Collars.   They make beautiful, unique, handmade dog collars and leashes with a California flair.  They are an elclectic group of artisans whose hearts are united in their love and appreciation of the American Pit Bull Terrier.
 
www.caligirlcollars.com


Like them on Facebook at:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Cali-Girl-Collars/150223558331423


The latest adorable addition to the Cali Girl family.


  .
CALI GIRL COLLARS - WHERE ENDURANCE MEETS DESIGN







Before & after - from photograph to pet collage

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Do you love cats? I love cats.


Here's the latest in my "I love" series.  I can custom make a pet portrait like this with an image of your cat and you  (or any other favorite pet or animal).   Just send me photographs.

Check out the details on my ETSY site at :  http://www.etsy.com/listing/81507897/cat-collage-girl-leopard-green-kitten

I love cats.  I grew up with dogs but the very first pet of my own was a cat named Roscoe who inspired my artwork. He's been gone for a few months. Don't know if I will ever have a cat again as I am allergic and my nose and lungs will thank me after all those years with Roscoe (15+ of them).  It's sad to think I may never share my home with a cat again.  Maybe a dog next time.