BestFriendsStudios on Rachael Ray today!

Some of you may know that one of my pillows is being featured on the Rachael Ray Show today (visit her site to see video clip). She has been beyond kind to me and in honor of her generosity, I'd like to spread the love a little bit myself. Throughout this past year I've met some amazing artists through places like Etsy, Blogs, and even Flickr. For people like me who work out of their homes, the world wide web is a link to living breathing people and an escape from the isolation that 4 walls and our jobs can create sometimes.

So without further ado, I'd like to introduce you to some of those artists.
First and foremost, my pal and webmate, Ellen, whose stationery is just what every dog lover needs.


Then there is Kelly from GoneDoggie who makes dog-inspired tote bags and really fun collars for our furry friends.


Kari from Mod-Dog who makes the coolest custom necklaces featuring your bestfriend! She also creates modern dog and cat prints which are perfect for those looking for a little decoration for their homes.


Moira over at Dog Art Today has an amazing blog that discusses all things dog art related. She also creates awesome custom dog collages and really cool dog-related gifts.


And these are a few of my Etsy friends who make things for us human types! LookForFiddleheads

TerryGraziano

Elsiee

Stemelina

BkmHattitude

Yes, I am crazy about hats!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!
Mary Ann
BestFriendsStudios

Feeding Your Cat Coconut Oil

Every Saturday morning, I receive the P. Allen Smith e-newsletter (you know the gardening guru guy on TV). Occasionally, he includes an article written by his gardening companion, Marge the cat. Today's piece is on feeding your feline organic virgin coconut oil, which I had no idea contained so many wonderful benefits for cats. From a silkier coat to improved digestion, virgin coconut oil may be a great addition to your cat's diet. Check out all the details (plus a cute video of Marge in the garden) at the P. Allen Smith site. Ellen
BestFriendsStudios

Dog Art Today's Moira McLaughlin

For anyone out there looking for an absolutely unique and fun gift idea, you have to stop by Dog Art Today's Etsy shop. Moira McLaughlin does the most fun & fabulous collages and artwork with photos of our beloved furry companions. And you can find an entire shop full of her designs on Cafepress where she has just about every dog breed available in some whimsical design that you can even have printed on t-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, journals and all other sorts of must have gifts! So if you have a Goldendoodle, Puggle or even a Shorkie, she's got you covered. She also has some specialty Christmas items featuring Long Haired and Wire Haired Dachshunds that are cute as ever! You can have these designs printed on a variety of those items listed above. And if you just want to be kept updated on all things dog art related, please go on over to her blog Dog Art Today. You have to check her out. She's well worth the click!

Mary Ann
BestFriendsStudios

Stocking Stuffers for Dog Lovers (under $25!)

It's not too late to order a unique gift for the dog lover in your life. So if you're looking for great stocking stuffers or gifts for teachers, neighbors, Best Friends Studios has some great options under $25 for all of the dog lovers on your list...

BOOKPLATE LABELS: Inspired by charming vintage images of dogs, these personalized labels are the perfect gift for any teacher with an extensive lending library. Prices start at $11 for a pack of 18 labels.

WOOL FELT APPLIQUÉ DOG ORNAMENTS: What dog lover wouldn't want to hang their favorite breed on the tree this year? We have ornaments for over 23 breeds of dogs and even one cat! Price: $24

NOTE CARDS: Need a unique gift for someone but can't afford to spend a lot this season? For just $10, you can order up a colorful design and customize it with a silhouette of your favorite pooch.

ADDRESS LABELS: Everyone loves cute address labels to spice up their envelopes. Whether you prefer a cool retro look or a classic design, we carry numerous options for address labels. Prices start at $9 for 60 labels.

Happy Holidays! Ellen & Mary Ann
BestFriendsStudios

A Toy for Our Website...New Font Previewer

I have a confession to make...I'm a font junkie. For me, the right typeface makes all the difference, which may explain why I've acquired hundreds of fonts throughout my years as a graphic designer. When we started Best Friends Studios last year, I realized that I regrettably could not offer all of my fonts as choices for personalizing stationery...too many options can make your head spin! But even with a carefully honed list of 30 or so very cool typefaces, customers still have trouble envisioning the final product. So I'm excited to introduce a new tool developed by brother's company—LCM Research—that allows customers to see what their names will look like in each of the fonts we offer. Our Font Previewer is easy to use and makes ordering your personalized dog stationery even more fun. Try it out! Ellen
BestFriendsStudios

Custom Dog Pendant Necklaces

I hope everyone has survived the turkey-fest from last week and are doing their best to start whittling away at their holiday shopping lists. I found a really unique and awesome product that I think pet lovers everywhere could appreciate. Kari from Mod-Dog has just come out with a new line of custom pet photo pendants and they are fantastic! If you still have someone on your list that you would like to grace with a special and tasteful gift, please go check out her necklaces at Mod-Dog. -Mary Ann
BestFriendsStudios