Your Help Requested. What Does Your Cat Like to Play With?

Part of being the owner of a cat toy business (Crazy About Catnip) is research.  Where as I have a Vice President of Product Research, Sweetie the Cat, in my employment, I need idea’s from cat owner’s like you before I develope the next toy for Sweetie to test.  And yes, she actually does test all the toys and products before I add them to my product line.  She’s also rejected quite a few too, so you’ll never see them in my shop.

Here’s the parameters.  First of all, all toys must be able to be hand-made.  I do not sell anything that needs to be manufactured, therefore it needs to be something that I can figure out how to make and add it to my product line.   There also needs to be something to it.  In other words, it can’t be something as simple as a crumpled up piece of paper or a cardboard box.  You don’t need me for that.

The winner will receive not only the suggested toy, signed by me, CEO & President of Crazy About Catnip, (which will be worth millions when the company has its IPO and goes public on the stock exchange), but will also receive a toy of choice from the Crazy About Catnip shop on Etsy.  Yes, I’m including the shipping with that.   Plus a feature of the product with your name (any other information you are willing to make public) on my blog.

Oh, one more thing.  There can be more than one winner!  Yeah!!!!

Send your comments and suggestions.  If there are duplicates, I’ll get to that bridge when I come to it.  (but try not to give the same suggestion as someone who already has.)

Getting Ready for Valentines Day

Now that Christmas is over, it’s time to think of the next holiday.  Oh sure, Valentines day isn’t a national holiday or anything like that, but it is a day set aside to show your appreciation to those you love.  In my case, that would be Sweetie the Cat.

Why not get your cat something special for Valentines day?  You get them Christmas gifts, birthday gifts, etc.  Why not Valentines Day gifts.  I’m working on a few products to add to my shop that would make for a great Valentines gift for your cat.  I’ve got heart shaped tins filled with catnip that I plan to feature in my shop. 

There’s a lot of work to do, such as change listings, before I’m truly ready for Valentines day, and lets face it, I only have a month to go.  So check out my shop, Crazy About Catnip, and get your little one a Valentines gift this year.

Craft Project 2

Scratch Box

 

Sweetie loves her new scratch box

This is a great craft project, and very easy to do.  It cost next to nothing, since you will probably have the materials needed around the house.  And your cat will love you for it.

Materials needed

Materials

• Lid to a gift box or game box
• 2-3 cardboard boxes
• Rotary cutter, box cutter, or heavy duty paper cutter
• Catnip – 1/8 oz
• Straight edge ruler
• Marker

 The size of the box lid will determine the size of the finished project.  In the sample I made, I used a box that was 11.5″ long X 8.5″ wide X 1.5″ deep.

Instructions:

1.  Unfold the cardboard box, and cut along one edge so that it is a single sheet of cardboard.

 2.  Measure the length of the gift box or game box lid.  Using that measurement, cut your cardboard length wise to match.  (In the sample, I cut the cardboard down to 11.5″.)

 

3.  Measure how deep the gift box or game box lid is.  You now want to measure out and mark strips on your cardboard.  (In the sample, I marked each strip every 1.5″ creating a final strip size of 11.5″ X 1.5″)

4.  After you’ve marked the cardboard, cut the strips out and stack them into the box lid. 

5.  Continue to cut a stack the strips until the box lid is full.  If you can turn the box lid up side down without the cardboard falling out, you are done. 

6.  Sprinkle catnip over the top of the cardboard’s, and using your  fingers, lightly push it into the holes of the cardboard.  Don’t worry if you can’t get all of it inside, your cat will take care of the rest.

This is one of Sweetie’s favorite toys.  She’s even been known to sleep on it.  If you want to decorate the box lid, you can.  Use paint, markers, or wrapping paper.  Give it a try and let us know how it turned out.

New Category

Yesterday, I started a new category called Craft Projects.  These projects are simple and inexpensive to do.  I hope to provide you with a different craft project each week, so please keep your eye out for it. 

I would love to hear your feed back.  If you’ve tried one of these crafts, please let us know how it worked out, and if you can send a picture that would be great.

Have fun crafting, and I hope to hear from you.

Simple Craft Project #1

Catnip Filled Pillow Toy

 

This is a quick and easy craft project that you can make for your cat.  The great thing about it is you probably have the materials you need, and if you don’t they don’t cost much to get.

Materials needed:

• 2 Pieces of fabric 3X3
• Matching Thread
• 1/4 oz catnip
• scissors or rotary cutter
• ruler
• Sewing Pins

The  instructions call for 2 pieces of fabric 3 x 3.  This will give you a 2 1/2″ toy.  If you would like a bigger toy, just make the squares bigger. 

1.  Cut to the size you want.  In the case of the sample, cut 2 pieces 3 X 3.

2.  Place fabric right sides together and sew around 3 side using a 1/4″ seam allowance.

3.  Reverse, smoothing out corners, and stuff firmly with catnip.

4.  Using a whip stitch, sew the opening closed.

5.  Cut all the threads.  If your pillow is clumpy, simply flatten it out with your hands.  The catnip will shift, getting rid of any clumps.

As you can see, this is extremely simple to make.  Don’t fool yourself that your cat wont love it because it’s not a mouse or a fish.  Your cat really can’t tell the difference.  It’s a great, cheep way to use up those scraps, and make something useful and fun.