I have some favorite clay jewelry designs I’ve created over the years. Since polymer clay jewelry is coming back to The Magic Zoo soon, I’ve been wearing my own personal earrings and pins with much pride. And they really do get noticed!
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!
For the past many months, I’d been taking care of a little group of homeless kitties.
I’d gotten pretty fond of them, especially Trick Kitty, as I started to call him. His trick? When I held my hand just a little above his head, he hoisted himself on his hind legs, sometimes toppling over in his enthusiasm for a pet. And I couldn’t walk outside my studio without that ginger boy winding his little striped self between my legs.
I looked forward to watching Trick Kitty, his brother and his little calico sister eat their chow under the oak tree, and frolic around in the back yard, chasing butterflies and lizards. My miniature lion pride.
But something changed. I came back from one of my jewelry shows (in Georgia) and discovered my kitties had been cruising the neighborhood in my absence. Yes, they were still being fed and watered by my daughter-in-law, but they must have missed the human companionship and went searching for pets.
To make a long story short, while I was out of town they ended up at our local animal advocate’s home, who lives a block away. I must say, they have excellent taste in humans!
When I returned, and to my immediate chagrin, she would not release them into my custody. “They need to be inside. Trick Kitty is way too friendly and might be captured by the wrong person. And his sister is so small.”
Sigh…because of cat allergies, my cats must be outdoor kitties. So with as much grace as I could muster, I said goodbye to my cats. I’m happy for them, but still miss my sweet (but insistent) Trick Kitty.
These adorable lambs belong to one of my customers, Linda McLaughlin. She recently sent me this photo of her, her sheep and (of course) her ears wearing a pair of Magic Zoo sheep earrings. She told me it appeared in her local paper!
When my customers let me know a bit about their lives, it always delights me. Linda has a wonderful life, and her excellent blog about country life says it all. I recommend it highly to all who rejoice in their animal friends and in the good life of clean air and country living. It reminds me of the kind of life I will someday have! (Yes it’s true, I’m not wildly in love with the subtropics.) So…take a peek into what she does with her days. Very Nice!
And by the way, send me YOUR photos and stories – they may appear in a future blog post!
-Merry
If you entered my contest, I want you to know that I read and enjoyed every single entry, and I have commented on each one as well. So be sure and check my reply to your entry, and feel free to respond if you like. Also, I will have a special coupon today for EVERYONE who entered. (Check your email later on today)
Thank you so much for letting me know about your wonderful animal companions, and what they (and your Magic Zoo jewelry) mean to you! It has been a humbling experience to read your entries and I really mean that.
And now…
The winners!
First Prize winner is Ruth Johnson. Here is her touching entry:
Ruth and Milo
“My very first piece of Magic Zoo jewelry, and my favorite, was an American Pit Bull necklace with matching earrings. I bought them at a show when my Bully boy, Milo, was home fighting cancer (after having come to the veterinary clinic as an abandoned gunshot victim several years earlier). Milo was a blood donor, therapy dog, sweetest boy and an ambassador for Pit Bulls everywhere. Maybe it’s my favorite jewelry because you just can’t find very many “bully breed” items and it’s beautiful, but also it’s because they look so much like my special boy. Just wearing the set makes me happy and reminds me of one of the greatest loves of my life. Isn’t that exactly what jewelry should do for a girl?” – Ruth Milo
Second Prize goes to Clarence George. His entry made me laugh…I hope you enjoy it too!
Clarence's "One and Only" plus Owen
“My One and Only, impertinent wench that she is, claims that I bear a remarkable resemblance to a rhino! Little choice did I have, then, but to purchase her Merry’s terrifically rendered sterling silver pendant of that benign and burly beast. She named him Owen, and wears him with commendable frequency. Indeed, on a recent trip with her parents to the Holy Land, he was stunning on a black-shirt background. And I have the photos to prove it.” – Clarence George
Third Prize winner is Dr. Dorie Andersohn; her entry is, well, Magical!
“I am a veterinarian, and I love wearing my dachshund necklace to work because I am guaranteed to see at least one weener that day. It can be a month with no dachshunds, then I wear it and they are everywhere. It always works. It’s MAGIC!” – Dr. Dorie Andersohn
I also have 7 honorable mentions:
1. Lisa, who wrote about how her gold barn owl pendant brought her good luck in her search for a new job
2. Jan, whose “Katz” helped her with her entry!
3. Aimee, who wears a charm in honor of a beloved guinea pig…
4. Audrey, who wrote a very clever poem!
5. Suzann, who compared my skunk earrings to the bling of diamonds!
6. Kathy, whose armadillo pin has become a mascot on having a “hard shell” against life’s knocks…
7. Danielle, an animal lover who is especially fond of pigs with personality!
Remember, EVERYONE who entered my contest will get a special coupon just for participating and sharing their funny, touching and creative stories. So watch your email today for that!
I will have another contest sometime, and I hope you enter again.
Have a wonderful week,
Merry
We Raised $601.67 to Help Pet Pal Animal Shelter!
This really shows the power of great people combined with a great cause. We learned a lot over the past couple weeks!
Ed and I want to thank all of you, and remind you that we’ll be working on a way to help everyone’s favorite animal rescue group soon…
And if you missed the sale, don’t worry! Santa may come early this year. (Yes, this is a hint)
Today, Tuesday November 16th, right about 12 noon EST, our 4 day shopping spree to help shelter pets will begin!
So, you can shop now and receive all your free gifts from The Magic Zoo.
Remember, you get to pick out your own free gifts!
Click the link below to be on our mailing list for this event and future sales.
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