I make several other gifts for animal lovers that have also been purchased as bereavement gifts. Often I’ll use one image on several different products which can be grouped as a set.
Other Gift Items
Because of my decades of cat rescue and foster, my portfolio tends to be heavy on feline images. I don’t dislike dogs at all, but I found felines visually inspiring long before I was an artist, that’s continued all my life, and I take great joy in creating their image. I also know that there are other artists out there who love dogs and creating dog art as much as I love cats and cat art. I prefer to leave the joy of dogs to them, knowing it gives them the same satisfaction the joy of cats brings to me. That said, a few of my portrait customers have given me permission to work with their dogs’ portraits, or with some of the photos I’ve taken of other dogs, and I do have some dog art planned. Read more about that in About Bernadette.
Great Rescues Day Book
For a feline-lover who may be a serial rescuer or who may have loved and lost a variety of felines in their life, Great Rescues Day Book features commissioned portraits of rescued cats along with their rescue stories and follow-up stories of most human and feline families.
Great Rescues Day Book is an undated month-by-month day book to record the birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and social and personal events including the comings and goings of animal companions. Each month features a portrait of a rescued cat or cats along with their rescue story, plus a few more portraits, health and welfare information about cats, and notepaper patterned with the portraits in the book. It’s spiral-bound and measures 8″ x 10″ to easily fit on a desk or in a purse, briefcase or backpack.
You can purchase it below, or read and see more about the contents on my website dedicated to this book, www.GreatRescuesCalendar.com
If you are an animal professional, please let me know.
Handmade Gift Items
I make each of the items below by hand, and in small quantities. You’ll find links to my e-commerce site for art and gift items on www.PortraitsOfAnimals.net where you’ll find what’s available right now. If it’s not listed, I don’t have one in stock, but most things I replace pretty readily, especially if someone asks about it.
Feline Garden Flags
I have a line of feline garden flags using my artwork, if purchasing a flag that resembles the feline in question is more appropriate, or you’d just like to give a customer a gift. I print them in smaller quantities so that I can maintain a large variety of designs. I try to keep a selection of different coat colors and patterns and styles in stock. To find the above flags and more, visit the Garden Flags page on www.PortraitsOfAnimals.net.
Keepsake Boxes
Above, a recent selection of keepsake boxes made from vintage cigar boxes, mostly fairly new wooden boxes. Each one is unique, and I always make sure I have a big selection of feline artwork because they are popular as “urns” as well as gift boxes.
To find the above keepsake boxes and more, visit the Keepsake Boxes page on www.PortraitsOfAnimals.net.
They also pair nicely with other gift items with the same design, like votive lamps seen at the top of the page, and tiles.
Tiles
Currently my tiles are 4″ x 4″ made with upcycled ceramic wall tiles in a pale yellow. Each tile has the image on the surface and is finished top and sides with a water-resistant finish. I adhere a 4″ x 4″ piece of cork on the bottom. Below are three different sets (they can all be ordered individually) and I have several more than that, themed for style, subject and composition. It just helps me to keep track of them.
To find the above tiles and more, visit the Tiles and Coasters page on www.PortraitsOfAnimals.net.
I’ll note that since I’ve started making this style of tiles several people have asked me for custom tiles for their animal companions, likely because I also have the Custom Pet Memorial gifts in my display at vendor events. I’ve been wanting to do that and this is the best encouragement. I’m working out the best way to make consistent custom tiles that I don’t have to fire in a kiln. I will probably add a link here when I finalize that.
Votive Lamps
The idea came to me years ago to create votives with my artwork using glass jars from sauces, condiments and pickles, some handpainted, some using other means like labels or cut vinyl. I worked my way through materials and techniques to what I use today, and all but a few designs include a battery-operated light string that has a timer feature so you can set it to come on when you want, and it will automatically turn off six hours later.
To find the above tiles and more, visit the Votive Lamps page on www.PortraitsOfAnimals.net.
Suncatchers
Different from the Custom Pet Memorial Suncatchers, these are made with upcycled metal photo frames and the same materials I use for those. I use old jewelry to suspend them.
From non-customized garden flags to decorated and embellished vintage cigar boxes made into keepsake boxes, votives made from upcycled glass jars, jewelry, accessories and artwork, all inspired by animals and nature, I am stocked with gift items to choose from for animal lovers. Visit my Handmade Gifts Gallery on www.PortraitsOfAnimals.net.
All images and text © 2022-2025 Bernadette E. Kazmarski • www.custompetmemorialvotives.com
All images and content are copyrighted and may not be used or reproduced in any way without my written permission. Please contact me if you are interested in using any of my content.