What if you could order some custom jewelry created just for your organization? I have designed some specialized jewelry gifts for many groups! And now I’m making custom corporate gifts as well, including key chains and other custom jewelry.

My website has a new page, with some examples of the jewelry designs I’ve created for nonprofits and other organizations. Come take a look, and you might get some ideas of your own. I love to work with my clients to create exactly the custom jewelry they are looking for.  And believe me, that really varies from group to group!

Here’s how most organizations find me:

•    Word of Mouth

•    They just happen upon The Magic Zoo while doing a Google search

For example:

Larry McQueen, who preserves and displays vintage movie costumes, contacted me to see if I could recreate a bunny pin worn by Kim Novak in Vertigo. It was a wonderful project, and Larry was so much fun to work with. I made the original in clay, sent him scans, then he would make suggestions and so on.

We went back and forth many times, and finally the piece was finished. I’m happy to say that Larry couldn’t be more pleased! It will be going on display at the Albert and Victoria museum in London this fall, fastened to Ms. Novak’s original costume!

Of course, this sort of project doesn’t happen every day.

Most of my custom jewelry done for organizations is less “famous” projects. But all of them are important to me. I work closely with every organization to make sure their custom jewelry gift is exactly what they’re looking for.

How are the pieces created? Well, I do 2 different types of work.

1.    A custom jewelry design created start to finish from your own artwork. In other words, you provide me the sharp image you want to see in a design, and I create what you need exactly.

This is the least expensive type of custom design, and it can even be done in color to match your logo. Sometimes a lapel pin in color is exactly what you need to promote your group.

2.    The other type of custom jewelry is something you commission me as a jewelry designer to create for you.

If you click on the link near the top of the page, you’ll see some examples of both these options.

I can reproduce any design in pewter or sterling silver, and can make as many as you like. Some organizations only need 25 pieces and some need several hundred. These are a lot of fun, and I work very closely with you to ensure you get exactly what you want.
Made in the USA

All of my designs, whether custom jewelry from start to finish, or logo jewelry done from your artwork are reproduced in the USA. I don’t send any work overseas, so The Magic Zoo does its part in preserving American jobs.

I find many people are supportive of this stand, and I don’t plan to ever change. All of the artisans that cast and finish my work are family owned businesses in the Northeast.

Let me know what I can create for you in a special custom design!

Cat Jewelry for Three Decades!

I can hardly believe that I’ve been creating cat jewelry for so many years. But by now, making cat pins, cat earrings and cat necklaces is a normal part of my life. Way back in 1983, when I first started as an artist, my cat jewelry line was born.

When I was 12 years old, my very first real kitty arrived. It was a bedraggled little tabby orphan, which I adopted instead of the lovely white angora kitten my mother wanted me to have, and had already paid for with a beautiful portrait of one of the breeder’s cats. (My mom was a fine artist)

This seems typical of me. I never did go along with the accepted!

I know Mom’s professionalism as an artist influenced my eventual career, even though our paths were quite different. But I think she would be happy with all the cat jewelry I’ve created since then. Mom was an animal lover as well.

In fact, that little bedraggled tabby cat became Mom’s cat when I moved away at the age of 18. And “Pif” lived for 22 years! Mom thought she was long-lived because of the paint water she drank. (Mom continued to work as an artist for many years, and rinsed her water color brushes out in a big vase of fresh water which Pif loved to lap up.)

Different Kinds of Cat Jewelry

I have so many different kinds of cat jewelry now. Lots of fat cats, but also some tuxedo kitties and other skinny cats. I love how cats are all over the rainbow as far as color and pattern goes. (I just can’t help looking at them as an artist)

Here are some of the playful cat jewelry designs I’ve come up with in recent years:

•    Tuxedo cats
•    Calico cats
•    Purple cats (really!)
•    Brown cats
•    Grey and white cats
•    Solid grey cats
•    Black Cats
•    Pewter cats

The fat cats have a few designs representing them:

•    Topaz colored brown fat cats
•    Multi colored fat cats
•    Pewter fat cats

I wonder if I haven’t gone a little overboard on the dog jewelry at the expense of the cat jewelry. But I think eventually the cats will catch up. Or maybe I’m just dreaming! There are so many more dog breeds than cat breeds. And all the dogs look so completely different from each other.

Do You Consider yourself a dog lover or a cat lover?

Have you noticed that dog lovers often want their breed in a piece of wearable art? Not that I blame them! But cat lovers, on the other hand, seem to enjoy wearing all sorts of cat jewelry. This is good for me, but also kind of interesting.

When I choose which jewelry to put on, I usually go by what outfit I’m wearing that particular day. And since I have so many different designs, I opt for a Magic Zoo piece to wear nine times out of 10. This is a very nice benefit of being a jewelry artist!

By the way, quite often it’s cat jewelry I decide to wear.

Fat Cats or Skinny Cats?

Fat cats are sort of funny, don’t you think? True, they may not be as healthy as their svelte cousins, but they do have a sort of clown-like appeal.

Now skinny cats…I do have a lot more of them. Persian cats don’t count as fat cats or skinny cats, but those I them too.

Which would you like to see more of? Is there a special cat breed that you think would make a nice bit of cat jewelry? I would love to hear from you. After all, I design year round, and you never know when I may take you up on a suggestion!

Handcrafted Artisan Jewelry for People who Love Animals

I bet we have a lot in common. Like you, I have always been fascinated by animals. And combining that love with a love of art goes back a long way as well. I remember sitting around the kitchen table drawing cartoons with my siblings, petting the Dalmatian as he strolled by, and cuddling the tabby cat.

Although it was many years later when I began to create handcrafted artisan jewelry, I still loved to make things as a child. Clover chains to wear around my neck and wrists, handmade earrings for Mom made from acorns, play dough characters that did some play acting. My parents were both artists, so we were surrounded by things of beauty.

Since the age of 6, when I announced that I would be an artist when I grew up, I have been creating. When I discovered my talent in handcrafted artisan jewelry, my life really changed. It has been a joy to make a living as an artist, and I believe most artists who have been this fortunate would agree with me.

By the time I was in my early 30s, the desire to go full time as an artist came to fruition. I had been participating in shows in shopping malls, selling other people’s art. But that all changed in an instant. I completely remember the moment I made that decision; it was a freeing moment to go from salesperson to handmade jewelry artist. And I never looked back, which was the best thing about it!

When Unique Necklaces Changed the Direction of The Magic Zoo

After selling handcrafted pins, earrings and hair clips in art shows for a few years, I realized something was missing. And that something was unique necklaces. They were so easy to add to my handmade jewelry line, that I wondered what took me so long to think of them! I sold out of most of them the first time they were displayed.

For many years everything I made was one at a time, by hand. My poor wrists! But then came another Big Change!

Casting my Handmade Jewelry

Now I was really jazzed. I began casting jewelry in the USA, using a small company in New England. I was actually helping keep Americans working, and they were helping me by freeing me up for additional jewelry design time.

Ahh! Things were going even better.

My new designer jewelry was unique. I had a team helping me with the casting. Every model was still made by hand in my studio, and I could create even more than ever. Things were looking up! There is nothing like being a jewelry artist who has as much time as she wants to make her own creations. Happy days!

If you make a living as an artist, then good for you! It does take a little courage, some talent and lots of determination. Unique, handcrafted artisan jewelry will always be in demand, so if you have a talent in this direction then go for it! Living a life that allows you to create full-time is fun, and why shouldn’t your work be something you enjoy?

I love dogs, plain and simple. And they seem to be attracted to me as well. Last night one of our neighbors was out for a walk with his pit bull puppy, and he wandered past our house where my husband and I were chatting.

This little dog bounded over and before I knew it was licking my toes and wagging his tail like crazy. His embarrassed owner tried to call him back, but by now I was giving him a big rub on the side, and he was in the traditional “C” shape, curled close to my legs, enjoying his newfound friendship in the form of some hearty pats. So creating dog lovers gifts comes naturally to me!

When I was a child, we had a Dalmatian named “El Cid.” He was a beautiful, good natured dog with a cute habit. He smiled (showing teeth) when he was especially proud or especially embarrassed. We 4 kids were all dog lovers back then, and with very good reason!

I’ll never forget that gentle, sweet-natured dog with the grin. It is a childhood memory that still makes me smile.

Making gifts for dog lovers was a natural for me. I don’t know if it’s possible for an artist to make good dog gifts without having a natural affinity for the canine among us. When creating a piece of art, even something so small as a charm or pair of earrings, you invest some of yourself in that. It is actually an outlet to express your natural affinity.

Here are some of the things I look for when designing any dog lovers jewelry:

• Personality. Actually this isn’t so difficult. I don’t even know of a dog that doesn’t have personality!
• Popularity. There are so many breeds. I wish I had the time to create them all right now, boom! But I do what I can, and try to add a few breeds at least every year.
• Precision. I am always improving my designs. There are several dog breeds I’ve made over and over again. I think that’s part of being an artist-not resting on your laurels, but always improving your craft.

And here are some of the reasons I make dog jewelry in the first place!

• I have a lot of friends who are dog lovers. Among them, I count thousands of veterinarians-some of the nicest people in the world.
• Dogs are a blast to design! They are funny, beautiful, loud, obnoxious, sweet. In fact, they are everything that makes them alive and unpredictable. Great for an artist!
• Their history is quite unique. How in the world did man ever domesticate the wolf? And are all modern dogs really progeny of the modern-day type wolf? Or was there a dog-like wolf that is now extinct? (I just made this up, but it makes me wonder!)
• How the heck did we end up with so darned many breeds? I mean, we have the Chihuahua, the Afghan hound, the pit bull. They are all so different visually.

I always read about the dogs I design. Each breed has its own history and beginnings. How about looking at Renaissance paintings to see some early versions of some of the modern dog breeds? Now that is interesting stuff! But even dogs from the beginning of the 20^th century had a different look. Change happens fast!

Dog Lovers Gifts

Need a super unique dog lovers gift? I bet I can help you out! Especially since I can create something special for someone from a photograph of their dog.

I know that good dog lover gifts may be a little tough to find.

As an artist, there’s nothing more rewarding than hearing a great report from a happy customer after they’ve received a custom Magic Zoo pin or pair of earrings in the mail. It means so much when someone takes the time to thank me for something I’ve created for them.

By the way, here are a few of the dog breeds have in my online shop:

• French Bull Dog designs
• Maltese jewelry
• Poodle jewelry
• Rottweilers earrings and pendants
• Bulldog designs
• Boxer jewelry
• Labrador Retriever jewelry
• Shih Tzu designs
• Dachshund designs
• Poodle jewelry

And trust me, there are many more breeds on my site!

To all my dog lovers: let me know what you’re looking for! You can comment on this blog and I’ll answer everyone, with pleasure!

Now the dental profession has its own dental gifts website, with jewelry all by me! Since I’ve had dental profession customers all the way back to the beginning of The Magic Zoo, it just seems to make sense.

These were my reason for creating a website and store just for the dental profession:
•    I felt they needed their own catalog (yes, I have one of those, too!)
•    Since the dental name badges are so popular, I wanted to promote them a bit more.
•    Having dental jewelry under “Animal Jewelry” didn’t quite fit!
•    I love designing logos! How do you like this little tooth fairy design I made?

Everything on this new site is my original designs, and all have something to do with dentists. There are still dog tooth fairies and cat tooth fairies, but that is the only place you’ll see animals here. Need dental gifts for someone special? I think you’ll find some great ones here!

Of course I’m not taking down the dental gifts from my current site. But having another way for dental professionals to find me seemed like a good idea. Dental hygienists and dentists have been wearing my creations for a long time. I thought they deserved their own site!

I also do custom work, as many of my long-time fans can attest to. So of course any dentist who needs something special and one of a kind is welcome to call me any time. Most of my custom work is now done in polymer clay, but I have created new designs in precious metal as well.

Like all professions, the dental one is unique. But unlike all professions, just about all of us require their service on at least a twice yearly basis. So they are in our lives as a part of our normal health care.

So, since dentists and their staffs are such hard-working and dedicated individuals, I figured they deserved some jewelry to reflect their work. In my own style, I have created smiling tooth earrings, tooth fairy charms, name badges and much more.

That about covers it for me!

Oh, one other interesting tidbit of information. My grandmother happened to be one of the first woman dentists in the country. In an old sepia photograph, she is the one female presence amid a sea of serious looking men in their Victorian age wool suites. Mama Hutton, as we called her in our family, is tiny and almost lost in the crowd. But gentle and determined-looking, she posed with her male colleagues. In that long-ago time, a woman was expected to give up her career once she married, so she didn’t practice for that long. But I’m still proud of Dr. Hutton!

It comes down to my interest in the dental profession being personal as well as artistic. Mama Hutton would have loved my dental gifts, and I’m sure my cheeky teeth jewelry and tooth fairies would have lit up her face with a smile.

Polymer clay jewelry returns

My polymer clay jewelry has a new place on my website! With so many new The Magic Zoo designs appearing, I decided to make a place to show off the vintage clay designs. I still have dog, cat and various other polymer clay jewelry animals in stock. So many of my fans have collected my clay jewelry since the 1980s, and I wanted a page on my site to show some of these older designs off.
Have you followed my work as an animal jewelry artist for a number of years? These designs reflect much of my earlier work, just before I stopped making a lot of clay designs. What better way to show them off than by having a 50% off sale on many of the clay designs? So that’s what I’m doing.

I know a lot of artist make things in polymer clay-it is a wonderful material to work with. If I can inspire you to create some of your own gifts in clay, all the better! Of course most all my jewelry has something to do with the animal kingdom, but all sorts of ideas abound. Even Christmas ornaments can be crafted in clay.

Color is a wonderful thing. The polymer clay (fimo, scupey, primo and so on) have some luscious colors in stock. And the wonderful thing is that you can create your own colors. Just try mixing a few of them and see what you come up with. I seldom used the colors right out of the package.

Some like to make polymer clay charms. But I find that silver charms are longer lasting. Not that this material (the clay) doesn’t last a long time, because it really does. But when you are wearing something that gets knocked around a lot I would stay away from the fimo and go for either pewter, gold or silver charms.

Still, here are some tips to create great polymer clay designs:
•    Set up a convection oven to use only for baking polymer clay
•    Always bake your clay jewelry with a test piece to make sure it is done
•    Have fun!

One of these days I promise to write an eBook or maybe a real book on how to make and sell polymer clay jewelry. There are so many tricks of the trade I picked up over all the years of working with polymer clay, that I imagine I do have a book in me. It’s always so much fun to share what you know with other people. And I find that most people are generally appreciative.

But of course if you would rather someone else create the art work you enjoy, that is great too! After all, artists have to have people to support them so they can actually do their art. All of us have a talent in life, and if you lean more toward sewing or making the best chocolate chip cookies in the world, then I think that’s great! And I’m here if you ever decide you need me to make your favorite pet or animal in a unique piece of polymer clay jewelry.

On the other hand, I would LOVE to hear about the polymer objects you have created yourself. You can even send me photographs of your work. Artists are some of the most appreciative people in the world, and generally we like to encourage others to make a living with their art, too. Personally, I think we could use a lot fewer politicians and a lot more artists on this planet. What do you think about that?

Curious as to which animal name badges he requested? If you followed him on Animal Planet’s Emergency Vets, you might have guessed iguanas, and that would be correct! Of course I told him that I could do some other animals, whatever the vet’s favorites were. No, he knew what he wanted, and they all had to be iguanas! So I made them all different species of iguana, for a little diversity!

And that’s how I first met Dr. Fitzgerald.

But I wondered what it would be like to go to Alameda East in person, and learn more about this famous clinic. Ed and I thought about flying out with some gifts for the staff; Magic Zoo name badges for everyone on staff! It was a little daunting, (there are lots of them!) but also it sounded like an incredibly fun and rewarding project.

When I met up with Dr. Fitzgerald again in the early fall of 2005, I spoke with him about flying  out to Alameda East, and told him I was going to bring name badges for the staff as gifts. He said “Sure!” so we made our plans.

When we arrived, Dr. Fitzgerald introduced us to all the staff, and then gave us a tour of this amazing veterinary clinic, which of course is top-notch in every way. It is a large facility, and actually took most of two days to really check it all out. But that initial tour conducted by Dr. Fitzgerald is a memory I treasure. He is a totally nice guy, not in any way stuck on himself. And funny to boot.

He let me pick up one of his favorite little critters, a turtle with especially scratchy little feet. I remember concentrating so I didn’t drop the little guy- he was pretty anxious to get away.

By the way, I don’t know if this was every mentioned on Emergency Vets, but I heard more than one staff member refer to Dr. Fitzgerald as “Fitz.” I don’t think he’d mind if I share that! He is obviously much respected and loved there.

One of my most memorable moments at the clinic was when we were invited back to the treatment room. I was pretty jazzed…it was just like being in a real live episode of Emergency Vets! A large jungle cat of some kind was brought in for dental treatment, as I recall. She (or he?) had been “put under” for the procedure. What a gorgeous animal!

But of course most of the patients were more everyday types. Greyhounds, Chihuahuas and tortoises. All of them were treated with love and respect. What a great bunch of professionals! One thing I’ve noticed about vets as a profession is they are not stuck on themselves like so many of their human doctor “cousins.” And think about it…they have to treat dozens, even hundreds of different species. Not so those human docs!

16 week old male pure-breed Lhasa Apso puppy (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

What is your favorite small dog breed?

If you have a Boston Terrier in the family, I have several of these little guys in my line already. And some of the other short haired small dog breeds I have represented are Jack Russell Terriers, pugs, dachshunds, Chinese crested dogs and dachshunds.

But lately, I have become fascinated with the longer haired small dog breeds. You can see my Shih Tzu and Yorkshire Terriers in my online store, as well as my Maltese, King Charles Cavalier and Maltese.

And Coming soon…a new puppy cut version of the Shih Tzu and a brand new, never before seen (drum roll) Lhasa Apso collection!

They are almost ready; all that is left is fixing the back of each piece (I use a Foredom tool to help me take off some of the extra clay on the back) and signing them with my signature “MZ.”

What does she make her original models in?

I know many artists who create dog designs in silver and gold work in wax as their medium of choice for creating the original dog breed jewelry models. However, I use special clay to make all of my designs before they are cast.

I’ve used it for so many years that I find it an organic and wonderful way to express my creativity. It has a great feel and I love to watch the dog designs emerge under my hands, using the mental and physical picture I have of the dog I am representing.
Then off to the caster they will go! All of my silver and jewelry casting work is done in the USA from my original models by a remarkable man I trust implicitly with my designs. He is a one of a kind caster, and one of the nicest guys you’d ever meet.

So small dog breeds, large dog breeds, cats or guinea pigs-they all end up at one time or another in his New England shop, getting prepared to appear on The Magic Zoo website in all of their completed glory.
Is it just me?

Just as an aside, I have noticed that some of the smaller dog breeds have personalities to equal a canine 4 times their size. Is it just me? I have been more often accosted by a Chihuahua than I have by a Rottweiler or a Pit bull. Maybe it’s the canine version of a tiny human who has to work 4 times as hard to make an impact. What do you think?

Tell me what dog breed jewelry you would like to see! I can even make a one of a kind piece of dog jewelry from polymer clay, from a photograph of your little dog.

The other question I have, is what small dog breeds jewelry are you looking for? There are so many of them, and I don’t propose that I will ever be able to get to all of them. BUT I would love to hear your opinion on this.

All of my designs, believe it or not, are the result of customer’s requests. Of course I am the artist and have ultimate artistic control of how I represent each dog breed jewelry piece, but I do listen to what you have to say.

And what about miniature dog breeds? Well, tell me which ones are most appealing, and if there is really any difference between miniature dog breeds and the small dog breeds. (I’m sure there must be)

Without your input, it is hard for me to be a dog breed selector with real accuracy. I’m pretty sure I can do any of the silver dog breed designs (or gold or pewter) that anyone might desire. When you are an artist, It’s just a matter of getting in there and creating!

Well, that may be or not, but aesthetics is certainly an important part of life. And the more beauty in the world, the better. Everyone can do their part by presenting an artistic image through their clothing and their jewelry. What do I hear the most from my customers, regarding the effect their Magic Zoo jewelry has? “Everytime I put on my (blank) Magic Zoo jewelry, I get comments.” Recently a woman who wore one of my dog earrings and matching pendant swore that she had over 20 complements the few times she put them on. Yes, animal art can be a part of your daily life!

Do you have a favorite animal? And would you wear it if you could find a piece of jewelry or (in the case of both men and women) a key chain to represent that critter? I believe most people would say yes. I have inherited animal art from my mother, who wore a snake pin back when she was a young woman in the 1930s. And of course the Egyptians were big animal jewelry fans. They worshiped that segment of existence in its many forms.

Especially cats! In fact, some of my cat jewelry was inspired by Egyptian animal art. If you click to my cat jewelry page, you will certainly see what I mean.

But far and away the fullest category of animal art jewelry I have involves dogs. This is not prejudice on my part. There are just so darned many dogs! And dog breeds within that group, of course. So I am kept pretty busy by an ongoing stream of requests for more dogs in more breed categories. If you don’t see yours yet, you can be patient or you can nudge me by leaving a comment or even emailing or calling me. Your favorite dog jewelry piece may be in the line up for my spring designing.

Meanwhile, I do have an assortment of dog bone jewelry as well as paw prints. I hope that helps!

What is your favorite animal art? Are you a woman who loves to wear jewelry inspired by your pet? Perhaps you stick to drawings or painting of your favorite animal. Whatever you do in the area of artistic design, I hope it gives you pleasure, and fills you day full of aesthetic thoughts.

But when I say I am interested in your favorites, I do mean that sincerely. Animal art is what I live for in my life, and of course without an audience for my designs, there would be no point in my creating them. I invite you to come to my site and do a little searching yourself!

Here are some of the things I love about clay jewelry:

• Beautiful, vibrant colors
• Lightweight yet super durable
• I can create pieces that look like specific pets and animals

If any of you remember my polymer clay jewelry of old, you know what I’m talking about. I have continued to make custom designs of my customer’s favorite animals and pets throughout the years, but have hesitated to actually advertise it other than word of mouth. Anyway, I m taking the plunge and going back to my roots, starting on September 28th. And if anyone has been aching to have their VERY special kitty, dog, guinea pig or any other pet created as a piece of wearable art, this would be a great time to do it!

All I need is:

1. A clear, fairly close up photograph of the critter in question

2. An email telling me what the eye color is, in case of “red eye” in the photo, for instance

It does take a little bit longer to make the custom designs, but not too long. Sometimes a week or so. But then you will have a pair of earrings, a necklace or a brooch which will be one of a kind!

Anyway, I’m really excited to get back to designing in colorful polymer clay, and judging from my customer’s emails, they are too! Of course I will always carry the sterling silver, gold, enamel and pewter designs. But opening things up just a little more will be fun. Honestly, there is nothing more rewarding than working full time as an artist.

Combining this career with a love of animals really has added a richness to my life. I have always been an animal lover, and once I realized I had a gift for creating their likenesses in clay, things started to really get interesting. Some of my first designs (and still SO much fun to do) are brightly colored exotic birds. Back in the early 1990s I had everything in my line from flamingos to hyacinth macaws. So I’m hoping that some bird lovers are interested in having their favorite species done in the polymer clay jewelry.

But of course I love making dogs, cats and other furry pets, too. One of the best parts is capturing the personality of people’s pets. Like the pin I made of Charli Brown, the cockapoo above. This is one of the cutest pooches I’ve ever seen, and it was a real joy working on this piece. But I have made hundreds of custom designs over my 25 year career, and every one of them is a favorite while I’m working on it.

Do you have somebody special who should be captured in a permanent Magic Zoo clay jewelry piece? I hope so! I’ll be watching for your photographs. Meanwhile, you can get onto my mailing list and get a couple free goodies while you’re waiting for the polymer clay jewelry to show up. Click here, which will take you to my home page. Then you can sign up under the cartoon puppy and kitty. You will get a free necklace when you enter the code with your first order, as well as my silly weekly cartoon!