How to Make Decorative Cat Collars

Decorative cat collars can spruce up your cat's wardrobe, especially since cats are less cooperative than dogs about wearing clothes. A collar and a few accessories are all that's needed to create decorative cat collars for holidays, seasons and events.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cat collar, preferably the breakaway type
• Hot-glue gun
• Various beads, bells, sequins, glitters, buttons, rhinestones or puff paints
• Jewelry findings

Decorating a Cat Collar

1. Find a collar at your local pet supply store. Collars come in various colors or patterns, providing a base for your decorative additions.

2. Decide on the theme of your cat's collar. If you are making a Halloween collar, look for black or orange glitter and a bell shaped like a bat. For a summer collar, choose a watermelon-shaped button or red, white and blue glitter. Some companies make buttons shaped like mice, cheese or other cat-related shapes.

3. Apply a thin layer of glue to the collar and sprinkle with glitter or press on small beads, buttons or sequins. Place them where you think they look good. Another option is to paint the collar or splatter it with paint. You could even write the cat's name in puff paint.

4. Allow the glue to dry for at least a day. Use one of the jewelry findings to create a holder for a bell. Thread the bell onto the finding and slide it onto the collar.

5. You may wish to finish your decorative cat collar with a coat of waterproofing spray to ensure the design stays intact.

Tips & Warnings

• Breakaway collars are highly recommended for cats, especially cats that go outdoors. These collars will simply release if they are ensnared in something, which prevents them from strangling the cat.
• Don't put anything on your collar that is toxic for the cat. Make sure you use nontoxic glue and paints.

Resources

• Breakaway collars in dramatic colors
• Rhinestone cat collars

[jillmaria]

on 9/2/2009 Thanks for the ideas, 5 stars!!