It’s been a long time but I’m back! I’ve been so busy with my cookbook sales and of course Christmas, but now that the dust is starting to settle, I really wanted to update my poor neglected Cat Can Bead site. I promise to update here much more often once again!

My most recent jewellery projects have been custom family necklaces. I’ve now made many of these for my friends, but would love to start making them for everyone. What a beautiful way to carry your loved ones with you everywhere, and just like the families they represent, no two are exactly alike!

The pendants are sterling silver, and the “birthstones” are Swarovski Crystals. I also add charms to personalize them – they really are very beautiful! I wear mine a lot and I always get compliments (and orders too!)

The pendants sell for $15 (which includes 4 family “birthstones” in the colours of your choice) Each extra birthstone charm is $1.00

If you would like to order one, just e-mail me, and I will have it done within a day or two!

I’ve been neglecting my blogs a little bit lately as I prepare my cook book for print! Yup, it’s all coming together and with any luck, it will be available by Halloween! I am getting very excited about it too!

At any rate, I just wanted to post a few pictures of some recent work and commissions I have done! As always, feel free to drop my a line with your beading and jewellery-related questions, or if you’d like to comment, I’d love to hear what you have to say

Feel free to join my Facebook group too, and check out the latest creations! See you at Catherine Robertson Designs!

Well, now that the summer is over, it’s time to get back into the regular routines and fun indoors activities! If you’ve always wanted to learn how to make jewellery, this is your chance!

Once again, I am offering jewellery classes in my home studio, and I’d love it if you’d join in for this fun introduction to jewellery-making!

Jewellery making is a fun and exciting hobby, allowing you to create your very own pieces to compliment your own sense of style! Even if you have *never* made anything before,  you’ll be amazed at what you can do!

I have 15 years of experience making beautiful jewellery, and I can teach you everything you’ll need to know to make your own! Students tell me I am a patient and conscientious teacher, and I’ve taught all ages from children to seniors!

My classes are 2 1/2 – 3 hours in length, and in this time I teach the beginners techniques that will enable you to make everything from necklaces and bracelets to earrings, charms and more! The cost of $45 includes all supplies, use of tools and instruction – and students generally leave with at least two completed projects.

I normally take up to 4 students per class, so that each student can master the techniques, but I can also accommodate larger groups as well.  Feel free to get a group of friends together and book a class for yourselves, or register to meet new beading-buddies!

If you’d like to learn to make jewellery, and are in the Tri-Cities area (K-W, Cambridge, Guelph) feel free to send me an e-mail!

Willow : April 2009 – July 2009

Sadly missed and forever in our hearts, until we meet again…

I brought home a tiny stray kitten a few weeks ago.  She instantly stole our hearts, and even though we had previously had no intentions of getting another cat (we have 3 already) we decided to make her a loving home here with our animal-loving family.

Within a week, the horrible roller-coaster ride had begun, when my husband discovered her in the bathroom, barely breathing.  We rushed her to the vet, who managed to nurse her back to fair health over many days. After a HUGE amount of expense, they sent her home with many medications which we religiously administered multiple times daily.

She seemed to be getting better, beating the 10% odds of survival for kittens with Panleukopenia (distemper) .  She would sit with us and purr, cuddle up for warmth, and was beginning to become a much loved part of our family. Our children eagerly helped to care for her, and were excited at the prospect of her improving health, that would allow her to play with them.

On Thursday morning, I cam home to find her laying lifeless on our bedroom floor. Again, rushing her to the vet, and praying she would be okay, we were given the heart breaking news “the kindest thing you can do for her, is to euthanize her, as her chances of survival are so slim, and she will require much more intensive care and will not likely survive anyways…” It was the hardest decision I have ever had to make…

I brought her tiny body home, and we buried her by our memory pond.  I planted a beautiful Astilbe at her grave. I miss her so much already, and my heart feels empty and hurt.  My little Willow, taken way too soon.  She was not yet 10 weeks old.

I love you little friend, I will keep you forever in my heart, and until we meet again, may God hold you safe…

I finished my most successful show to date a matter of hours ago!  It was amazing, and despite the threat of rain, and the high winds which we were certain would elevate our tent into orbit, we did awesome!

Monsters seemed to be the beads-du-jour today! I think I sold *all* of my monster pendant beads…which means, I get to make more! I LOVE making monster beads, so I am thrilled! They seem to coma alive as I add their eyes, and it’s great fun playing with all the different colours of glass, creating new and amazing creatures each time I torch

Will post pictures as I have them…

In the meantime, feel free to contact me with custom monster bead and jewellery orders! I’m happy to oblige!

I decided to host a big jewellery sale right here at my house on Saturday! If you’re a Guelph local, pop by between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday July 11th for this fun event! I will have items ranging from under $1.00 to $60.00

Hopefully Saturday will be a beautiful day – we’ll be out front! Hope to see you there!