Addicted to Black Cats

"Black Cats" Pinterest Board by Caroll Nuzzo Gray

I have a big, beautiful, extremely affectionate black cat named Benjamin. He's the third black cat to call my house his home. I gravitate toward black cats because of their playful personalities. So you can understand why when I stumbled upon Caroll Nuzzo Gray's "Black Cats" Pinterest board, I had to check out all 271 of them.

If you are looking for a little black cat Halloween inspiration, this board is a great place to start:
http://pinterest.com/carollgray/black-cats/

Fingerlicious Halloween Fun

I just finished up a couple of orders for witch finger ink pens. Wonder if these are going to be "tricks" or "treats" for the lucky recipients?

Want one of your own? You can get one for $12:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/105478396/ink-pen-halloween-decor-creepy-witch

or handful for $40:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/105479209/5-halloween-pens-witch-zombie-finger

Vintage Style Black Cat

Vintage-Style Black Cat  Halloween Figurine Marie Young Creative @2012

This adorable "Scaredy Cat" got spooked when he went trick-or-treating by the light of a full moon. Vintage Halloween decorations from the 1930s served as my inspiration for this little guy (along with my "not so little" guy, Benjamin, the 17-pound cat below).

"Scaredy Cat" is hand-sculpted and the color comes mainly from the polymer itself. I use very little paint on my projects. I did use alcohol inks and mica powders to add depth and a little shimmer. This cool cat (the polymer one) wants to strut his way into a good home:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/108536926/black-cat-vintage-style-halloween-decor

Buyers Choice: French Decor or Saints Homage

The creative process continues even after a handcrafted item goes up for sale. That is when the creative baton goes to a potential buyer who interprets the work in his/her own style. You can see this process in play in the "favorites" lists on Etsy.

Favorites lists are a great way to see how people interpret what you have made and start to transform your creations into their personal style. Below are examples of how two Etsy shoppers have interpreted my antiqued gold fleur de lis switch plate in very different contexts.

One seems to be going for a sophisticated European decorating style, and the other wants to pay homage to favorite sports team. Amazing how they can each be drawn to the same item. Isn't diversity grand!

Shopper 1: soft, French/European modern style

Shopper 2: fun, festive New Orleans Saints fan

Oh, and just a little sales pitch: this item is made-to-order in different sizes and colors so there is one for everyone!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/106673149/custom-black-and-gold-fleur-de-lis-light

Industrial Chic Distressed Switch Plate Cover

I love polymer clay's ability to play the chameleon. With some experimentation, you can make polymer mimic a variety of other materials. For the latest challenge at the Polymer Clay Artists Guild of Etsy, we explored polymer's ability to mimic metal.

This is my entry: an industrial chic-inspired switch plate. I created the outer frame from individually cut pieces of silver metallic clay. After the clay was baked I added silver alcohol ink and sanded it for a distressed look.

For the glass-like blue center, I used the mokume gane technique which originated with metal working. Thin sheets of blue and translucent clay were layered with silver foil then sliced to reveal the design.

Vote and win!

The PCAGOE challenge is open for public voting through September 7. Vote for your favorites and you could win a prize! http://polymerclayartists.blogspot.com/2012/08/september-challenge-metallic.html

Take it home!
Does industrial chic speak to you? You can add this switch plate to your room design.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/101750480/light-switch-plate-cover-industrial-chic