Never rub another man’s Rhubarb

Posted on May 8, 2013 by karen

Photo by Audrey Molina

Playful little Rhubarb is a satisfied customer. Her Severed Leg Catnip Toy is one of her favorite toys. This lovely photo is from Audrey, who gets extra props for having a cat who is named after a very interesting fruit and/or vegetable. Some fun facts about Rhubarb:

  • Rhubarb is usually considered to be a vegetable; however a New York court decided in 1947 that it was to be counted as a fruit for the purposes of regulations and duties
  • Rhubarb leaves contain poisonous substances
  • Rhubarb can be used as a strong laxative
  • Rhubarb is also a “a heated dispute or controversy” according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary
  • Stage actors used to mutter the phrase “rhubarb, rhubarb, rhubarb” during crowd scenes to simulate conversations
  • “Never rub another man’s rhubarb” was said by the Joker in the 1989 movie Batman and is one of my personal favorite movie quotes
Posted in Cats, Satisfied Customers, Severed Leg Catnip Toys | Tagged | Leave a comment

Gnarly to the Max!

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Karen

One could not ask for better weather last Saturday at the Bust Magazine Craftacular! The crowds were thick, the dogs were plentiful and the view of the long lines outide the Mamu Thai Noodle Truck kept us entertained (and thanks for the complimentary Thai Iced Tea, it was delicious!)

A customer asked, after a first hand account of her cat’s love for her Severed Leg Catnip Toy, if I ever got tired of hearing these stories. Absolutely not! In fact, after about 6 other vendors came to me with similar, ahem, product reviews, I realized I had become the “cat leg lady”. But that is all fine with me, so keep the stories coming. In fact, here is one satisfied customer, Max. He’s a ragdoll who lives in Brooklyn. It looks like he’s daring you with those lovely blues to TRY to touch his toy. I think I’d steer clear of the mighty Max!

Photo by Yana

Posted in Brooklyn, Cats, Satisfied Customers, Severed Leg Catnip Toys | Leave a comment

Crafty goodness under the bridge

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Karen

DUMBO, for those of you not familiar with the acronyms of New York City neighborhoods, stands for Down Under The Manhattan Bridge Overpass. And that is exactly where this year’s Bust Magazine Spring Craftacular is happening…some of it literally under the bridge archway. And I may not be a big believer in 10-day weather forecasts, but it’s supposed to be in the 60′s that day, which makes it a perfect day for shopping outside.

Then, you can do yourself the biggest favor in the world and take a short stroll over to Empire–Fulton Ferry Park. One of my most favorite places in NYC, where you can ride the carousel, walk amongst the new greenery or picnic on the rolling lawns. Just try to steer clear of Thong Guy.

Our buddy-shop Ink & Sword will be there! Booth 112 on the south end of the Plaza. Stop by and say howdy!

Posted in Brooklyn, Bust Craftacular, Craft Fairs, Get Your Shop On, Ink and Sword | Leave a comment

Life with monkeys

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Karen

A few observations about our intern, Moo. She can be a little shy, and has a very sweet disposition. She loves to play and has never hissed or clawed at anybody. Ever. She likes to talk to you when you talk to her, but is otherwise very quiet. And lately, she appreciates ANYTHING she perceives as a gift from you to her. Give her a toy, she loves it and keeps it close. She seems sentimental in that way. Recently, she was given some monkey stuffed animals to hang out with, and they have quickly become her buddies. She sleeps on them, under them, with them, and cuddles them when she is watching TV. This was Moo and her monkey buddy last night. Notice the monkey’s arm is AROUND Moo. Apparently, Moo’s affection for her buddies is mutual!

Posted in Feline Staff, Life with Tigers HQ | Leave a comment

Cats, robots and naked ladies: There’s a shop for that!

Posted on March 18, 2013 by Karen

It’s no secret that when I am not sewing legs for cats to chew on or dolls for folks to cuddle with, I am probably on the computer, tinkering. Something I inherited from my father, no doubt, who is an avid tinkerer. Lots of times, unbridled tinkering on the computer can create panic, head scratching, chaos or a trip to the Genius Bar. Other times, tinkering coupled with planning, hard work, late nights, too much coffee and dedication can create something great.

And last night, in the wee hours, we launched that something great out onto the interwebs.

Ink & Sword has officially moved from it’s previous address to the all new inkandsword.com and has evolved from a gallery site into a full fledged art print store! In case you are unfamiliar, Ink & Sword is a collaborative art studio that features our Pet Care Public Service Announcements along with other fabulous art prints, including the award-winning Stellar Science Series. Full disclosure: It is operated by illustrator Jed Dore and myself. Fuller disclosure: It’s still awesome.

Stop on by and take a look, and keep an eye on the section called Ink Tank, where we will be posting all kinds of mega cool things that make the studio tick. And pardon our dust, as we are still tinkering!

Posted in Get Your Shop On, Ink and Sword, On the Internets | Leave a comment

Nimbus and his leg

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Karen

Photo by Lauren Axelrod

Nimbus is a satisfied customer. He keeps his leg close. Very close. This beautiful photo was sent by Lauren, who gets extra props for having a cat who’s name can mean so many things. It could be…

Posted in Satisfied Customers, Severed Leg Catnip Toys | Leave a comment

V-Day Market in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Karen

I have posted about “stuff buying season” before, the time of craziness usually around the holidays or at the height of summer when lots of craft fairs, art fairs, appearances in galleries, online sales and so forth all happen at once. But it can only happen if there is a “stuff making season” beforehand. Luckily, the dreary days of east coast winters provide an excellent opportunity to barricade the doors (with draft stoppers) and get creative with ample supplies of dark roast coffee, yards of fabric and plenty of light bulbs. So when a winter market pops up in the middle of a frigid February, I can be ready with goodies in hand. Behold, that time has come!

Life with Tigers and Ink & Sword will be at the Greenpoint Valentine’s Market this weekend. 45 vendors, gifts, food, raffle, photo booth, the works! Check out the kinds of goodies that will be available.

Here are the details!
Saturday, February 9, 2013
69 West Street (From the Source)
Noon to 6pm

Posted in Brooklyn, Craft Fairs, Get Your Shop On, Ink and Sword | Tagged , | Leave a comment

New meat on the menu!

Posted on February 3, 2013 by Karen

The story goes:
One day while making dolls, a leg went missing. The trail led to a small grey kitty, walking around with the leg in her mouth, like a mountain lion who just overtook a jogger. The idea of the Severed Leg Catnip Toy™ was born.

But what if your cat is more like the king of the jungle instead of a prowling puma? What if people are not on the menu in your kingdom? Well, the pride has gotta eat too, and that is what zebras are for! This is our newest severed leg toy…a tasty zebra leg for your little lion! And they are now available in the Shop!

Here is intern Moo testing a juicy zebra leg catnip toy:

These things are sturdy, and filled with the same stuffing and catnip as our human leg toys. Wickedly cute carnage has now expanded past the human race….and no creature is safe from tiny tiger attacks!

Posted in Etsy Shop, Get Your Shop On, New Items, Severed Leg Catnip Toys | Tagged , | Leave a comment