Adventures in Wand-erland

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Photos, except for the one of Paris, are courtesy of
Chasity Rader, Ceylon's Wander-Land

I'm sure the title of this post has you wondering. Wonder no more. Ceylon's Wand-erland is the most remarkable assortment of hand-made cat teaser wands I've ever seen. Each is individual and so exquisite that if I didn't have a cat, I would buy several to put in a large vase in the living room as an accent piece. I was looking for a toy that a young cat could play with by herself the would still have the enjoyment of a wand toy. I have a collection of wonderful interactive toys but when my new little Chartreux, Paris, was sent by her breeder, Nancy Dionne, out West, she was 16 months old the first weekend in June. she walked out of her crate full of confidence and more energy that I could have imagined. Because Chartreux don't mature until they are 3 years old, I had a lively kitten in an adult-size body. One person with an interactive toy is not nearly enough to keep her busy. Neither are all of the other interactive toys I have for environmental enrichment. One more toy was needed. I stumbled across Ceylon's Wanderland in my search and found a form of heaven! I immediately set about finding the creator of such amazing toys. When I found Chasity Rader on Facebook, I immediately told her how much I loved my toys, that I had to buy one that could be tied onto something for solo play and would she let me interview her?!  She graciously agreed and sent me samples to test, including the coveted tie-on toy which became an immediate hit with Paris, as you can see.

Photo of Paris by the author

WHEN AND WHY DID YOU START MAKING CAT TOY WANDS? 
I began creating and bringing my designs to life in Feb. 2015, due to my longing of wanting to change my daily life, to reach a dream of mine, and to improve my family's welfare. It began with the simplest goal: to utilize my imagination to make a handful of teaser toys for myself and some friends. I had spent approximately 15 years showing cats, and I had amassed an impressive collection toys over the years. However, they never quite reached my personal expectations. I did not find them to be quality of toys I wanted; I desired durability and beauty that would last. None were ever as refined as I felt they could be. I had developed ideas for designs in my head for years, but I had yet to discover someone who had ever put my imaginative ideas to work. So, I decided to design and create my own toys in MY vision to achieve the happiness and dream I had been wanting. My teaser toys are designed with flair using only the best Swarovski, Swarovski Elements and other fine Austrian Crystals and cruelty free feathers. 

YOUR CREATIVITY IS REMARKABLE – HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN AN ARTIST? 
Yes, actually. I recall a memory of myself being in kindergarten, and I had proudly been drawing my own half-moon with a smile and a I remember my teacher making a really big deal of my artistry and creativity of my moons, because it was unusual for someone of such a young age to have such a mature and beautiful outlook. I have been an artist all my life – I have spent my life drawing, painting, writing poetry. My passion very much lies in creative outlets of expression. I aspire to create an individual masterpiece with a touch of personal flare in each teaser toy. 

HOW DID YOU START? 
I majored in Graphic Design at Purdue University, and that is where my creativity form changed into something not so much physical, but digital. I got hired for my first business card design job while I was still a student in college for a breeder that showed miniature poodles. That was immediately followed by a breeder of English and French Angora rabbits. These incredible opportunities are how I began to work with animal lovers while exercising my love for art and using my individual expression. And it didn't stop there - when I finished college, I became a graphic designer for independent breeders while staying at home to care for my baby daughter. Graphic designing was my world that I adored and dreamed about because of the connection and passion that I share for animals, as well. It gave me the opportunity to meet people also involved in the animal world, and designing for them was the chance of a lifetime. When I designed something for my clients that they fell head-over-heels for, I would become so overwhelmed with pride and joy. I have used my talents for years to bring smiles to my clients and their beloved pets which was what led me into the CFA World, where teaser toys entered my life. 

HOW DID THE BUSINESS ITSELF START? 

I was in the cat show world (CFA) for 15+ years. After spending some time away from the show world and apart from dear friends I had made over the years, it began to make my heart ache. I left the show world due to grief. I had missed it, and every day I grieved over the loss of a very beloved cat of mine. And with each day, I felt a longing for a connection for a part of the world I had been so familiar with. Taking time away and regrouping myself, I was able to tap into my creative spirit once again. It's uncanny how loss of life and temporarily veering off your path can lead to finding yourself once again and giving life new direction. I felt inspired to actually begin to change my life and to give myself new energy, connection, inspiration, and drive. After I created my first designs and sent my gifts out to friends, their feedback began to pour in, and then their friends wanted some. A chain reaction began as more and more strangers wanted a taste of what Ceylon's Wand-erland has to offer.

YOU HAVE MADE THEM INTO LASER LIGHTS, PENS, ETC. WHAT LED YOU TO MAKE THEM INTO SUCH UNUSUAL ITEMS INSTEAD OF SIMPLY TOYS? 
I love to create multipurpose toys the most. Although I truly do love my simple designs, for example my Snow Wand, it only serves one sort of titillation. You are left with only the aesthetic of visual stimulation. So in my more complex designs, I offer more functionality and stimulation for the cats. And really, it is all about bonding and playtime with your cats. A happy home is an owner and their cat expressing their playful nature with one another and loving every moment they spend. I live for the challenge of creativity and innovation. For every successful design that I get to bring my customers, there is a painstaking process as well as a multitude of failures behind them. 

These are the Laser Toys

DO YOU FIND THAT YOUR TOYS LAST LONGER THAN OTHERS? 

Without a doubt! I don't want to create something beautiful that will only last for a short period of time. That defeats one of my main purposes for doing this. I create various designs for all cats and breeds needs and in each stage of their life. Along with the durability that I put into my wands, I keep in mind the health and welfare of the cats themselves. For example, my hand-spun tinsel tops are meant to stretch and snap if a claw is snagged or tangled. It is meant to happen so swiftly and pain-free, your cat will not even know it happened. In addition to my tinsel tops, I use a mylar material that is as thin as a human hair. Therefore, there are no sharp edges in case any strands will be accidentally ingested like Christmas tinsel does. You will have no need to stress over the well being of your cat with the safe materials I use to create my wands. 

YOU’VE STARTED TO BRANCH OUT INTO OTHER ITEMS. COULD YOU PLEASE TELL ME ABOUT THEM? 
My newest venture is called 'Mermaid Thyme.' It's an all natural, Organic bath bomb brand that will be available on Etsy in the near future. I have always been a bathing goddess, myself. I infuse essential oils and other all- natural products for a beautiful, hand-molded rose shape. I love experimenting with new scents and creating a safe product to share with others. 

YOUR WANDS ARE BECOMING THE WORLD’S WORST-KEPT SECRET! WHERE CAN PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE U.S. FIND THEM FOR SALE 

Thank you and that makes me giggle. I have a etsy shop located at https://www.etsy.com/shop/CeylonsWanderland And my web site http://www.wand-erland.com which has the most photos of my created anywhere on the internet. 

My Personal FaceBook Chasiy Rader https://www.facebook.com/chasity.rader.7 

Wand-erland FaceBook Group page https://www.facebook.com/CeylonsWanderland/ 

Aside from my Personal shops, I'm fortunate enough to have a loving team standing beside me with their own personal love for all things Wand-erland. 

1) Adilah Roose is the woman to contact in Asia for your Wand-erland needs. She is also the only source in the world for the Masmera teaser toy. https://www.facebook.com/adilah.roose?fref=ts 

2) Australians have the lovely Wand-erland Australia team of Julie Lawrence & Amanda Herde for your Wand-erland source. https://www.facebook.com/WanderlandAustralia/?fref=ts and their web site http://wanderlandaustralia.wix.com/website Amamda Herde https://www.facebook.com/amanda.herde.1?fref=ts 

3) Julie Lawrence https://www.facebook.com/julie.lawrence.5458498?fref=ts 

4) Wand-erland Europe is home of Mette Lambert. She covers many countries in Europe and is the best contact to order your Wand-erland designer cat teaser toys. Wanderland Europe https://www.facebook.com/wanderlandeurope/?fref=ts with Mette Lambert https://www.facebook.com/mette.lambert.16?fref=ts 

 5)Donna Waskiewicz is your Vending source in the USA. Colorado is her home base and she travels to surrounding areas. Donna Waskiewicz https://www.facebook.com/poshpersian?fref=ts 

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO SAY BUT HAVEN’T BEEN ASKED? 
I love my job. My favorite part about creating my Wand-erland handmade designer cat toys are the photos, videos, and e-mails I receive from the happy families and felines. I am so fortunate to have such strong connections with so many people around the world, and I certainly do not take it for granted. Most businesses out there don't get to see the end results of their creations, and I am fortunate enough to receive such blessings. Feedback is crucial to me. Before I release a design available for purchase, I generally send them to breeder friends, pet-owner friends, donations, and to cat judges. I do this to ensure my toys are thoroughly tested and to see if revisions must be made. I have no shortage of volunteers to test my teaser toys, and I truly love and appreciate them all. I'm forever going to be the lady with glue stuck to my hands, glitter in my hair and cat fuzzies on my cloths. I couldn't be happier to share my polished up cat teaser toys with you.

NOTE: The opinions in this blog post are mine alone. I received no monetary compensation for this blog post. I only received sample items to test. Paris thoroughly approves of them!

Re: What You Should Know About Toys for Dogs and Cats & Contest Winner!

Alana

Who can resist buying toys for their pets? We love our dogs and cats; they're much-loved family members and we want to make them as happy as they make us.

Here's a quick run-down of some of the things you should know before you make that impulse buy.

If you think some toys for pets look like toys for babies there's a good reason: at least one company has hired designers who had previously worked for companies that designed toys for babies.  For some people their pets are child substitutes or one more child in the family so the appeal is understandable.

The industry has no watch-dog group (any pun intended)  unlike the groups that test toys for children. The industry is expected to police itself. What does this mean? It means that you will have to shop carefully to insure the toys you're buying are safe for your pet. Is it sturdy? Are there parts that can easily be removed and swallowed? Eyes sewn onto a toy are one such example.

Does your dog love to chew? Is he really tough on toys? Be sure that the toy is well-made and you may even see on the packaging that it's made for chewers who are hard on their toys. 

Fuzzy

Be careful when choosing what size toy. Many pets will manage to swallow a toy that will need to be removed surgically.

If you're buying a wand toy for your cat, stay away from those with mylar.  That shiny silver might look attractive to you and your cat but did you know that when playing with a wand toy with mylar a cat can get the equivalent of a paper cut on his mouth? If the interactive toy has string, for example a feather toy, put it away between play sessions. Kitty might get tangled in the string or might find a way to chew through and swallow it, necessitating surgery to remove it.  And it's so much more fun when you make those interactive sessions special by announcing that it's time to play and then the game ends with the toy being put away.

Not all cats react to catnip. They have to have the catnip genes which isn't apparent in very young kittens and usually interest fades when cats are elderly. If your cat loves catnip you should know a few things about the toys. Do not buy the cheapest.  If you take those cheap toys apart they either don't have catnip in them or have a teeny amount. Look for a toy that's refillable so you can keep adding fresh catnip. As for the catnip bolster toys and little squares of fabric filled with catnip, as with any catnip, don't leave it out all the time and be sure to put it away before the cat gets too excited. They also don't need to play with it every day; it should remain special. The best way to store these toys between play sessions is in a sealed plastic bag in the freezer so it will remain fresh longer.

Laser toys aren't always safe. If you're going to play with one with your cat or dog, start the game with the light coming from inside your shoe and end it with the light returning to the inside of your shoe. Why?  Because dogs especially can develop behavior problems looking for that red dot. 

One final note: always supervise your pet with a  new toy to be sure of safety.

I hope you and your pets have a lifetime of fun together!

Now for the winner of the contest posted earlier this week.  

The winner of the dog poetry book, Throw the Damn Ball is:

Elaine Faber.

Elaine, please e-mail your address to me via my website: www.darlenearden.com  There's a link to contact me.   Congratulations!!

Cat Amusement

I've been thinking today about feline enrichment and what amuses cats. For their protection, for the safety, we responsible owners keep our pets indoors but that means that we have to find things to amuse them, keep them busy, exercise their minds as well as their bodies.

There are all sorts of toys that we can buy and they are becoming more sophisticated all the time. Just as there are puzzle toys for dogs, there are now food puzzle toys for cats. It makes it more interesting for kitty if he or she can figure out how to get the toy to release those morsels of food, like hunting for food. We love the interactive toys that allow us to play with our feline friends.

They need a scratching post, nice and sturdy to replace the tree outdoors against which they will stretch, which is healthy for them, and scratch off that outside nail that you find at the bottom of the scratching post. A cat tree is always handy for getting away from it all. It's especially nice if it has a closed in type of bed, a nice little hidey-hole for kitty.

How did I get off on this train of thought? I was on a business call today when the thought came into my mind. Well, I really paid attention to it after I hung up the phone. I keep the TV on for "white noise" for me and company for Aimee.  This morning was no different. I had the TV tuned to MeTV, the channel that runs old television shows from the '50s and '60s and '70s, too. Aimee was on my lap with her head turned. She was alert, sitting stock still. It occurred to me that what she was doing was watching The Rockford Files starring James Garner. I realized that it was an action show. Lots of movement, which would appeal to her. She had no intention of stalking the screen but she was giving it her full attention. And then I remember those videos for cats that showed birds flying, etc.  Why should this be any different and why should I be surprised? Especially since I had Yorkshire Terrier who was hooked on soap operas. Really.  

I'm not sure if those kitty vids are still available, if they've been transferred to DVD, but it might be worth a look.  Or maybe your cat will like the old action shows on MeTV, too.