Born in Tokyo, Kaori Tsutaya is a cat lover and freelance writer whose writings have been published in magazines and special-interest books. Many of her published works are based on the subject of cats and include articles, photography, and books on crafting.
Her blogs “The Laws of the Cat” (nekono-okite.cocolog-nifty.com) and “The Cat Hair Craft Room” (nekoke.com) are popular in Japan.
Amy Hirschman is a translator, crafter, and pop-culture enthusiast living in California. She studied Japanese for four years at the University of Pittsburgh and has lived in Japan. Though she is not a cat owner, her friends will attest that she is the greatest cat sitter they have ever had. This is her first published translation.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface
CAT-HAIR CRAFTS Q & A
Can I really make crafts with my own cat’s hair?
SUPPLIES: I have a cat. What else do I need to craft with cat hair?
PROJECT 1: Finger Puppets
This is the first step! You can make these finger puppets out of the hair you brush off your cat.
BRUSHING
It is recommended for your cat’s health.
PROJECT 2: Book Covers
Apply cute cats to homemade book covers.
CAT HAIR
The color and texture of your cat’s undercoat is different from its topcoat.
PROJECT 3: Portraits
Remember your pet forever.
FELT
What is the difference between sheep wool and cat hair?
PROJECT 4: Tote Bags
Carry your cat all around town.
ODOR
Cats do not naturally produce any bad smells, and neither does their hair.
PROJECT 5: Coin Purses
Save your pennies in a cute cat coin purse.
PESTS
Take care to prevent pesky bugs from latching onto your cat’s hair and your cat-hair crafts.
PROJECT 6: Knickknack Boxes
Recycle milk cartons and cat hair to make adorable knickknack containers.
ALLERGIES
These crafts are not recommended for people with cat allergies.
PROJECT 7: Pincushions
With an old sweater and some cat hair, you can make crafty cat pincushions.
SHEDDING
The amount of hair that comes off your cat varies with the seasons.
PROJECT 8: Badges
Show the world how much you love kitty crafts.
LONG-TERM BENEFITS
Cats are naturally eco-friendly—and so are cat-hair crafts.
PROJECT 9: Mittens and Gloves
Tuck your mitts inside cozy cat coverings.
CRAFT CARE
Advice on the proper handling of cat-hair crafts.
PROJECT 10: Hats and Scarves
Wrap your head and neck with warm kitty-inspired winterwear.
RESOURCES
Different cat brushes you can buy.
CONTRIBUTORS
Meet the cats who donated their hair for these projects.
AFTERWORD
Make something special with your cat.
