Some of you already know my 13 year old cat Ozzy has been having a hard time lately.  He hasn't been eating and really just hasn't felt well at all.  I've been feeding him with a syringe, using either baby food (chicken, lamb, or turkey), or canned cat food with water added and ground up to baby food consistency.  The last couple of days have been particularly bad.  He's been fighting me when I try to feed him, rather than licking the food from the syringe like he was before.  I've shed more than a few tears in his fur.  He was still doing "Ozzy things" though, like sitting in the sun on the couch, and he enjoyed getting his belly and chest scratched, even giving me some nice purrs for my efforts.  Today was different though.  When I offered him the syringe (filled with lamb baby food) he began licking it enthusiastically, then he even licked some out of the bowl by himself.  When I came back inside this afternoon after doing some chores outside he followed me downstairs and asked (very clearly) for some more food.  This time he wanted to lick it off my finger- hey, whatever works!  I was more than happy to oblige.  So I sat on the floor, repeatedly dipping my finger in baby food and letting Oz lick it clean, until he'd had his fill.  Hopefully he'll keep eating, in whatever manner works for him.  When my ferret, Ziggy, became elderly and started having difficulty eating I would spoon feed him several times a day.  Ozzy would sit there and watch, asking why the ferret was getting such special attention.  I told Ozzy that if the day ever came when it was necessary, I would do the same for him.  Unfortunately, that day has come.  But I will do whatever I can to keep my cat going, for as long as he's willing to go.  He's not ready to give up yet, and neither am I.  He's still able to find joy in life.  I believe he'll let me know when he's too tired or too sick to go on.  We haven't reached that point yet, and we're both still fighting.

-Michelle of CreativeCritters

The holidays are fast approaching, and people are beginning to start their holiday shopping.  Of course my motto is (and always has been) "Shop handmade!"  A handcrafted gift just has so much more thought and care behind it.  I've seen so many amazing pieces on ArtFire- the level of talent displayed on this sight just blows my mind!  Today I'd like to showcase some of my items that would make great stocking stuffers.  Be sure to check my studio often, as I'm adding new items on a daily basis.  I'm working on several new creations as we speak.  You can click on the pictures below to go directly to the listing.  Thanks for stopping by!

And don't forget to use coupon code HAPPYHOLIDAYS at checkout to recieve 10% off everything in my shop!  Sale ends December 3!

-Michelle of CreativeCritters

HAPPY HOLIDAY SALE AT CREATIVECRITTERS!!

I'm offering 10% off everything in my shop November 19 through December 3, giving you plenty of time to find some wonderful handcrafted Christmas gifts.  My sale covers Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and then some.  Below is a sample of what can be found in my shop, including Christmas Themed Gifts, Fantasy Sculptures, Polymer Clay Sculptures, Miniature Houses, Pen Sets, Plush World of Warcraft, Animal Sculptures, Cloth Dolls, Knit Toys, Jewelry and Magnets, Catnip Toys, and Erasers and Pencil Toppers.  I've got something for everyone- even the cat!  You can click the links to view the categories, or click on the pictures below to go directly to their listing.  Thanks for stopping by!

- Michelle of CreativeCritters

I just added a new pen, which was inspired by Thanksgiving, to my shop.  My Thanksgiving turkey pen/ sculpture fits right in with the rest of my whimsical pens.  I started making these quite a few years ago when I found a book on sculpting pens in polymer clay.  After creating all the projects in the book (and giving many as presents, much to the delight of the recipient), I started creating my own versions.  I use plastic pen barrels wrapped in clay, and bake them afer removing the ink cartridge.  Surprisingly, you can actually bake the plastic pen barrel at 265 and it doesn't melt.  I make them so the ink cartridge can be replaced, which allows the pens to be used for years.  Most of my pen/ sculptures are silly and whimsical, sometimes causing people to laugh out loud.  Many people are surprised to find the turkey's head and neck are actually a pen.  This is something you can keep on your desk that will give you a smile every time you use it.  And I'm sure you'll get lots of comments from your co-workers!  These are the pens that are curently available, and I have several more ideas I'd like to complete and list before Christmas.  Thanks for stopping by!

-Michelle of CreativeCritters

I've been making plush World of Warcraft Murlocs for some time now, and have several listed in my shop.  They're really funny mosters, and I have a blast making them.  In a recent conversation with Mother (she and my brother play WoW) she was musing if it would be possible to make Murlocs with sound.  If you play the game, I'm sure you know what they sound like.  I recalled seeing recordable buttons in the craft store on my last visit.  I told Mother that if she could find a good Murloc sound wave file and email it to me, I should be able to record it on the button, then sew that into some part of the Murloc.  Mother's been playing the game for years, so she knows a good Murloc sound from a corny reproduction.  She sent me the file, I got the button and recorded the sound, then I tried to figure out where to put the button in the Murloc.  I thought about the mouth, but it wouldn't have fit right, so I settled on placing it in his left thigh.  I kept accidentally pressing the button while sewing the Murloc, scaring myself and the cats- LOL!  Not only is this creation soft and cuddly (yeah, I know, Murlocs aren't usually considered "cuddly"), but he makes those hysterical sounds.  This would be the ultimate Christmas present for any WoW fan.  Once I can get more supplies I'll be buying more of those buttons and making more "talking" Murlocs.  Be sure to make your purchases in time for Christmas- it's creeping up faster than I want to realize!  Check out my entire Plush World of Warcraft  category to see all I have to offer for WoW fans.  Thanks for looking!

OOAK Plush World of Warcraft Murloc with Sound

-Michelle of CreativeCritters