Gaia is still number one, but I will do commissions using cat hair from other kitties. And I got my very first one using the hair of a Maine Coon cat. The cat’s name is Tim and he is the love of his human companion. She, being off to her first year of college, was already missing her beloved cat.

What to do? Bring along a little of kitty as a memento mori in the form of cat hair jewelry!

Here we have the final result: one orb cat hair earrings, spiraled with stainless steel wire.

Earrings made with Tim’s cat hair

A Main Coon cat

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Back in her home, rested and at ease, she still had many questions, that’s OK, they’re just to tease, for the real question that mattered, its answer was simple and sweet: To Play! To Dance! For ME! And for all of Earth to see!

She now glowed with new sunshine, as if sprinkled with starlight, for her heart had its answer and she now felt complete!

The end.

        No.         T  h  e    b  e  g  i  n  n  i  n  g

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Oh kitty cat, wise kitty cat, where have we been? Far off to KNOWwhere and SOMEwhere and then…

Oh kitty cat, playful kitty cat, what did we find? Fireworks! Stardust! and Dancing around!

Oh kitty cat, sleepy kitty cat, where are we now? Back in my bed with you in my arms, and a smell in the air? Yes! Apple waffles, my favorite, coming up from the stairs!

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They would have stayed and played forever and a day, but far away an object caught her eye, seen shining brightly through her spirally haze. It twinkled and itbeckoned, calling her by name, to come hither, not to visit, but to stay. Intrigued by its shape and color, not like her new friends here all sparkly and bright, it stood out of the blackness, a different hue, and what a view, as well as a delight!

This jewel, oh did it shine, enchanting her that night, this light of a different color, a color oh so right. A hunger too familiar, swelled up in her body of light, with an explosion of fire, of desire, and ultimately of life.

She gazed with love and sadness, at her cosmic friends that night, who held her protectively in their swirling arms of starlight. They knew they could not hold her, her mission now complete, and time for her to go, her heart must take that final leap.

With a wink and a purr the two exploded, into a fireball of light, and without a second thought, they shot off, at rocket speeds toward the jewel, and soon were lost from sight.

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Like two swirling, spiral galaxies, the two stars now intertwined, then danced and played, and played and danced, in and out of each other’s spirally arms.

This duo’s pyrotechnic flash and dance, entranced the stars from near and far, drawing them forth to gather round, and see something quite profound. In awe of these unique cosmic leaps of flame, the denizens of heaven showered them with stardust and fame.

The Vortex of Vor, came by and by, and held them both up in her gossamer wings of lacy stardust. She gave them a kiss and offered her bliss: eternal light, and life, and song.

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“A new body, oh wow!” She was pleased to see she liked what she found—a body that shined and glowed in the midnight blackness, while shooting off fireworks like a fourth of July madness!

Then, near the corner of her eye, as tiny as a fly, a star, almost cat-like it seemed, caught her by surprise, with a love bite of all things! It swirled and curled around her, as if it had a tail, then speaking with a slight purr, this gave her quite a stir, for it spoke in a funny way, oh, what could she say! It asked why she came so distant, why so far from home, at first she could not answer, yet from her mouth, without a hesitation she spoke:

 “To Play! To Dance! 

                              For ME! 

                       And for all the sparkling stars to see!”

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In a flutter of a heart beat the motion slowed down. Where was she now? And what did she find? A new place! But how could this be? And safe? I guess she shall see. It was somewhere but nowhere and everywhere it seemed! She felt for her kitty, but kitty was not in her arms! “All alone, oh no! and my kitty she’s gone!” But no, that was not so, there were voices and song, from the outer reaches of space, as well as next to her face, voices calling out to her sweetly, soothing and strong.

In her confusion, without kitty she flung out her arms, grasping for something, anything to latch onto—there was nothing. Nothing at all! No hands! No arms! No body! All, all, gone!

She squeezed her eyes tightly, not wanting to peek, in case she might freak! “Oh please take a peek, you’re in for a treat!” the melodious voices did speak. She tweaked an eye open, just barely a slit, and what did she find? Spirals of stardust, sparkling and shimmering, coiling and spinning, replacing her body, her arms!

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With a boom then a bang, loomed a voice with this command: “Open your eyes silly thing, you came for an answer and answer you’ll find!” spoke The Vortex of Vor, Goddess of Starlight, on this heavenly night.

With a fling and a swing, she opened heaven’s doors, sending forth swirls of bright light, and catching them in their downward flight. Swirling and curling, her fluttering arms, The Vortex of Vor, with a wink and a grin, gave them a spin. “Oh what is this thing and look at those glittering wings,” thought the girl, holding tightly to kitty, for all her dear life! She sighed with relief, a bit tired and wired, but at least not expired!

She held onto sweet kitty, with all of her might, and kitty purring softly, what a delight! Next, The Vortex of Vor spun them round and about, it was all just a blur, of human and fur! She wound them up tightly and spit them both out, with a shout: “here you go,” then flung them far out. As the stars whizzed on by them, at a zippy dip, in her throat was her heart, and a new fear that seemed, oh so near.

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KA-BLAM! Stars splashed across the blackness, at dizzying speeds, first zillions, then godzillions, all at once, it so seemed. To the left they assaulted her, and again to the right! then above! and below! oh, this did not feel right! And now, even closer the stars gathered around, crowding and pushing from all directions, squeezing her so small, so round. And now there she was, all alone with them in this night, no bigger than dust on a pinhead, and so overwhelmed by this sight! Next fear—that dagger, kept carefully hidden in a box—it’s cold fingers reached out, like a sly winter fox, and took hold of her still beating heart! She lost her direction, her desire to dream, and began to free fall, and that was not all, she felt she could soon disappear forever, as quick as a puff! “Oh kitty cat where are you? this all is too much!”

“But kitty! Oh kitty! she’s still in my arms!” She came to the rescue, oh how she did charm, a fear that’s so ancient, and yet not at all then takes a deep breath, no longer alarmed.

“Oh kitty, yes kitty, I melt into you, you helped me let go, to something, and nothing, and you!”

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Off, off to the window with kitty she leaped, flying over dark fields—with nary a peep—earth disappearing below, then heaven in reach, but no! She passed through! into stardust at last! which embraced and enveloped, as warm cosmic gas. Yet higher and higher, and still she kept on, not shielding her eyes, for the stars lead her on. The further she soared, the more she did strain, for what? she was not sure of, not yet, but soon she shall see.

She was on an adventure, a mission, so sure and so true, and with kitty, most precious of friends, how could she fail, how could she lose!  And travel and travel, they kept on through the night, this determined duo, with a desire to know, a desire on fire, a desire so right.

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Oh kitty cat, smart kitty cat, let’s fly through the night, then guide us and find us, The Goddess of Starlight, who will transport us on, from there, then beyond, to the ME in this life!

Oh kitty cat, fearless kitty cat, let’s do it this night, and do it we will without any fright!

Oh kitty cat, adventurous kitty cat, hold on to me tight!

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A young girl, vulnerable and open, is wide-eyed to her world, a world fresh and undiscovered. It is a world that is mysterious, and at times scary, oh yes, with goosebumps crawling on her flesh!

With questions, there were many, some her daddy, he could answer, but not all, and that was where the problem falls, because, the most important question begged an answer, a question no adult could answer, a place no adult could go, because, it was up to her to know.

And to know was so important, but the how, was to allow, a mystery to unfold. Yet, for this young girl, whose imagination was alive, it would only take the blink of an eye, to fly into realms unknown, to understand the why.

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Out of the blue, minding my own business, as the saying goes, this creation popped into my visually thinking mind, and it begged to be concretized.

That’s how I create.

So here is Oberon, made from sheet metal, galvanized steel mesh, stainless steel and yes, cat hair. And special cat hair to boot! Luna’s! She was feeling a little left out, Gaia getting all the attention, so this one was made using only the softest Luna hair, the hair I brushed from her gorgeous white Elizabethan collar.

Then, to compliment her beautiful soft white hair, I choose sheet metal, for its strength and gray color. Also referred to as mild steel, it’s made from carbon and iron, but mostly iron. I love it!  Why?  Because it rusts. This is the part I like, it rusts, adding a patina, or character to the metal’s flat surface. I didn’t keep all the rust, I sanded away most, but its presence is still felt.

Monday afternoon—message on answering machine:

Hi this is a message for Flora. My name is Andrea and I am calling from BBC Coventry/Warwickshire and am interested in talking to Flora on our show tomorrow about her cat hair jewelry. I am hoping to speak to you on our show at 20 past four, UK time or 20 past eight in the morning over there in San Francisco. Love to chat with you on the show! Cheers Flora, Bye!

Radio. Well, this month I was on national television (Animal Planet, Anderson Cooper), no, world wide television! and two times too! But, what can I say, I expected at least a couple of sales! No sales. I mean, come on now, we’re talking about cat hair jewelry! sounds a bit strange, come to think about it, doesn’t it? OK, OK, time to regroup. What to do? . . . Put one of the most profound teachings of the Wise Cat Sage into practice!, and that is: just this, just now. OHMMMMM….

Wise Cat Sage meditating on meaning of  NOW

Part of being here and now is knowing that any process—and that really means this process of living our life—is not linear: it is circular, it is organic, as well as unpredictable. I really do not know what is going to happen next, and that necessarily is not a bad thing! Stay the course, is what I can do. And what is that?: be true to my art, be true to my love. I can also watch for those road signs that will keep my course on track.

Another thing: the new and different is controversial, especially in the beginning. Think: Shock of the New. So, cat hair jewelry is off the radar for most people, for now, but not for long!

>”<

This event occurred last weekend—the day of my birthday!—as I celebrated in a Northern California home—at Sea Ranch, to be precise—a home perched on a bluff overlooking the expansive ocean, and, there was the prerequisite hot tub, at ground level too! affording spectacular views as we soaked: sunsets, crashing surf, and the occasional breaching whale, while sipping on Cointreau. Then, at 8 pm sharp, we sat and watched Must Love Cats, not knowing what to expect—but—this, no matter what, was the best birthday present I even had!

Here we Go: Fur jewelry on Animal Planet’s Must Love Cats! Take a peek! (Click on the blue link to view)

After watching it a godzillian times, I am embarrassed to say, I am pleased with the result!

>”<

Gaia has reached his prime, his most deliciousness, for today, April 16, Gaia is four years old! and, as Ragamuffins go, Mr. kitty kat is all grown up!

Baby Gaia. His eyes not yet open.

Such a awkward and adorable little kitten!

A wild adolescent, and not even four months old!

Gaia’s beauty shot at ten months, and what a big stud tail!

>”<    Now, here he is today, at his full flavor bouquet!    >”<

And, what does Gaia want for his birthday? Dried salmon treats? No. In fact, there is no special food that he would even consider having. He is not into food. What he does want is play. Play, play, and more play, as well as going out into the hall, a very favorite past time, in particular right before we go to bed, as we brush our teeth—this is the time he likes to do the hall thing—one last time for the road! so to speak, right before beddy-bye-time.

* When ice cream is at its most delicious, soft and creamy, after having been left out of the refrigerator, for at least one hour. Haagen dazs would advertise on the container to eat their ice cream in such a way. And so, as with Gaia, after four years of gradual maturing, is at his most deliciousness, and, will only get more delicious as time moves forward!

Tuesday, April 10, 2012 

John Fulton, host of Animal Planet’s “Must Love Cats,” appeared on “Anderson” to talk about “cat jewelry” made of real cat hair — created by Flora Davis, a cat lover from San Francisco.

Anderson explained, “This is balls of hair with wire around it.”

Fulton added, “Yeah, this is all from one cat!”

Anderson turned to the audience and asked if anyone wanted to try on the cat jewelry. Would you wear cat jewelry?

The Vote is IN … Yes. It’s cat-tastic!–54%          No. Me-ouch. –45%

And what does Gaia think about all this? His response? Hey! What’s all the fuss about?

8 pm Saturday night episode 5 of Must Love Cats

. . . Swimming Cats and Cat Fur Jewels . . .

Host and musician John Fulton, travels down the Pacific Coast Highway in search of crazy cat lovers. In Oregon he meets a woman who is on a crusade to teach kitties how to swim.

In San Francisco he visits a woman who designs jewelry out of her cat’s fur.

Thats ME! and Thats GAIA!

Gaia modeling duplicate necklace made with John Fulton.

Don’t miss them ! ! ! On the floor, leading the public on, under the nose and near the toes: white, iridescent, kitty cat paw prints! And where do these meandering paw prints lead the unsuspected visitor? a display of wild and quirky adornments crafted from felted cat hair! Not from any old puss, these bangles of fur, but Gaia, a purebred Ragamuffin cat!

Each spring I open my studio to the public to view metal sculpture and now, fur and steel as well. I will be standing by, showing off my new tattoo: a trail of paw prints walking up my leg, and point out that other trail, incase it was missed.

Gaia at his wildest.

AND . . . FINALLY! coming next Saturday, April 7,  8 pm—me, Gaia, and cat hair jewelry— featured on Animal Planet’s MUST LOVE CATS.

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Received email . . . from Adam at Etsy, URGENT, I’ve been contacted by a producer from Anderson Cooper’s national daytime program, ANDERSON. They asked me to help get in touch with you for a potential story. If you’re interested, please let me know, and contact her ASAP! 

Of course I was interested! But me, I don’t watch much TV or cable? forget about it! And, who is this person anyway, or this show ? I had no idea. After Googling away, OK, I now know more: this IS national TV!

One little, two little, three little cat hair ornaments, off to the Big Apple!

After emails and phone calls back and forth to New York, I found myself FEDXing priority overnight, of all things—set me back $77.00!—2 necklaces and 1 pair of earrings, to be shown on the show.

I normally don’t sweat, but somehow all this was making me a tad nervous and excited at the same time. I won’t physically be on the show—John Fulton of Must Love Cats will be featured—but, as a video clip, along with 3 examples of my cat hair jewelry. Filming is for this Tuesday, air date not set yet.

Caged orbs, cat hair earrings.

Silver Puffs, cat hair necklace.

Out of this world, Zoron, cat hair necklace.

> ” <

This creation started elsewhere, sustained fits and starts, was given up as a lost cause, then, after being put aside, an epiphany — that was so spontaneous and in the moment, and who knows where those thoughts come from anyway —  allowed a rebirth to occur. Yes, the creative process is a funny and magical thing!

And earrings, I had previously made, that go well with the pendant.

>’ ‘<

As Gaia goes into play mode at 3 am — but isn’t he still a kitten? I keep telling my husband, as he lies next to me, wondering when this kitten thing is going to stop, and stop soon, I hope, and yet Gaia doesn’t do this every night — my creative juices get going, out of desperation? or because I can’t sleep? am I in sync with Gaia’s energy? creating is also playing? isn’t it not? And so, this necklace evolved, out of that bleary, spacey, semiconsciousness, where I go, during those sleepless nights, when Gaia is in full play mode, and I, in my creative mode.

And here we have that midnight creation, consisting of 5 little cat hair puffs, fitting snuggly up to each other, that rotate on their own orbit, when manipulated gently, each exposing its own unique orbital face.

Count Down . . . 20 Days . . . then Gaia and Flora’s segment airs on Animal Planet’s Must Love Cats !

>’ ‘<

I could not sleep one night recently because of Gaia. He has this BAD BOY but endearing habit of wanting to play at 3 am, when I should be in REM sleep. This does not happen every night, but this particular night he was more riled up than usual, and there wasn’t even a full moon! Anyway, even after a little play, a bit of food, and excommunicating him from the bedroom, I could not go back to sleep.

What to do? Use the time to visualized cat hair jewelry! My creative juices got going, resulting in this piece as well as a few others.

A most interesting idea came to mind, at this darkest time of night: bend the neck wire in half. Bending, what I normally keep round, would allow the caged cat hair pendant to hang asymmetrically. When I got to the studio, all was going as I envisioned, until I got to the point of caging the cat hair between the two pieces of chicken wire. As I was matting and felting the cat hair, my fingers began to form the hair from a mass into a heart.

A heart of cat hair! Of course! a symbol of pure love from a cat-aholic!

Gaia LUV

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Thats my fur alright!

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First, we start with the cat’s FUR. Thank you Gaia!

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Titian. All steel

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Next is the steel. This is Titian, a sculpture I made by crunching miled steel with my hands and knees. It is hand sanded and has a yellow patina in a few places. Size is 25″ high x 20″ wide and 7″ deep.

Well, I didn’t use the miles steel. Instead I used galvanized steel mesh, otherwise referred to as chicken wire. Each cage is wired shut with stainless steel.

> ‘ ‘ <

> ‘ ‘ <

Count Down . . . 26 Days . . . until my segment on Must Love Cats ! …………………… March 10 at 8 pm second seasons begins.

Caged orbs of fur.

If you have one cat, you have a 50% guarantee that he will be of the throw-up variety. If you have two cats, your odds will be 100% that one will be offering you bi-monthly to weekly piles throughtout the house.

THROW-UP TYPES 

1. The Pile. Contained, solid, with well defined boundaries, and a defined shape.
2. The Spread. A thin, watery veneer spread over a wide swatch of carpet. Also referred to as the invisible slick.
3. The Hairball. No explanations needed.
4. The Multi-layered. Originates where pussy was sleeping, cascades down the side of the couch, then pools on the foor/rug.
5. The stealth. Strategically placed on the path to the bathroom in darkness so you will step into this cold sliminess with bare feet.
6. The mummy. Discovered when the couch is pulled back, usually hard as a rock.
7. The in-n-out. In she come then out she goes into the same dish.
8. The spontaneous. No warning. There she blows!
9. The anticipatory. Some indications, as if getting up the momentum to send off a really good one. This type allows you some time to race to and grab that newspaper you had hidden under the couch or was it the chair?
10. The projectile. Always initiating from a high place with the purpose of creating an artistic splatter below.

HOW TO CLEAN UP: A SUGGESTION THAT REALLY DOES THE JOB ON CARPETS AND FURNITURE!!  Developed by my studio neighbor Margaretha who loves cats and has had ample experience in this matter.

The knife method.  The main tools you will be using is a dull knife, preferably a short chief knife, and Nature’s Miracle Just for Cats, which takes care of the smell as well as de-crusting those month old throw-ups that you never saw until now. STEP ONE Scrap in the direction of the pile of the rug depositing as much of the vomit on the blade as possible. Deposit in onto a handy newspaper. Continue until all is removed. STEP TWO Flood the area stained with Nature’s Miracle. Use the knife to move in back and forth into the rug—this will help dislodge any remaining particles. STEP THREE Repeat as in Step One, removing as much liquid as possible. STEP FOUR Blot the area with paper towels to remove any remaining liquid. Voila! The area is now clean for the next time!

Me? I am the OTHER 50%