How to Make a Wire Kitty Art Memorial
When it comes to our purr babies, this year has been truly horrible. We lost our Cleo to cancer in March and then 3 weeks later our Jazz crossed over the rainbow bridge too. When Cleo passed over, we had enough saved up to pay for a memorial stone, but when Jazzy left so quickly afterward there was nothing left to give her a good send-off. All I could do was ask the vet to cut some of her beautiful hair for me. I put that little plastic bag of hair inside my handbag and kept it close until I could make this special wire kitty art memorial in her honor.
I’m hoping that if you find yourself in the same boat, that this tutorial will help you make something similar in remembrance of your purr baby.
The wire kitty memorial is budget-friendly and only takes a few minutes (and lots of memory tears) to put together.
Right, before I share the tutorial, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram. And don’t forget to subscribe so you’ll never miss a post!
What you need
- Jewellery wire (12 or 14 gauge works best)
- Frame (I used a 8″ x 10″ frame)
- Super glue
- Kitty fur
- Twine
- Needle-nose pliers
- Wire cutter
- Free kitty wire art template
- Paint (optional)
- Tissues, just in case
How to make a wire kitty art memorial
The wire kitty
Resize and print out the free wire kitty art template. Grab some jewelry wire and cut a piece that’s about 40 cm long.
Find the middle point of the cut wire and place it in between the kitty’s ears.
Bend and shape the wire using either your hands or needle-nose pliers. If this is your first time working with wire, this detailed wire art tutorial will help.
Don’t worry too much if you go outside the lines. The template is there as a general guide.
Once you’ve gone all the way around the template, trim away any excess wire using wire cutters.
Your kitty should look something like this when you’re done.
Creating the art memorial keepsake
To turn the wire kitty into a memorial keepsake, remove the glass and backing board from the frame.
Paint the backing board in a color of your choice. I choose an off-white that matched the frame.
Once the paint dries, place the backing board back in the frame temporarily. Position your wire kitty inside the frame and glue it down.
Remove the backing board again and grab a small bunch of your kitty’s cut hair. Line the hair up as best you can and trim the bottom so it’s straight. Add a line of clear glue along the straight cut edge.
Glue the fur down on either side of the wire kitty. Slowly add more layers until you’re happy with the look and there are no big gaps.
Cut a small piece of twine and glue it along the bottom of the wire kitty and fur.
Adding the twine is optional but it does help neaten things up.
Place the wire kitty memorial art back in the frame and you’re all done.
We put Jazz’s memorial on the mantle with milk-scented candles. She loved her milk sooooo much.
When the missing gets really bad, I’ll light them, but for now, I’ll hold her memory tight inside my heart and on the mantle.
If like the idea of making your own wire kitty art memorial, don’t forget to pin it for later.
Sharing is caring
Oh and if you’re looking for some of the things we used, we’ve got you covered. Disclosure: Clicking on the links below, means we may receive a commission from Amazon. But don’t worry it won’t come out of your pocket, and it helps us make more amazing crafts to share with you 😉
And if you prefer to buy rather than DIY, then maybe these beauties will appeal.
And as always, wishing you a wonderful, crafty week filled with lots of love. Thank you for popping in for a visit.
Sorry for your furbaby losses Michelle, one is hard enough let alone two. What a wonderful memorial keepsake idea, Michelle! I wish I had cut some of our Rexy’s fur after seeing this wonderful idea. Pinned
Awwwwww, yes. I still miss seeing Rexy photobombing your pictures. He was such a lovable purr baby.
What a sweet and creative way to remember your sweet friend. I really like the wire art that is just adorable. I am sorry you lost your animals.
Thank you, Meegan. I appreciate that ❣
This project is just too precious, what a great way to remember our furry friends. You made it look so simple but it is so unique like all your great projects.
Thank you, Anita, our fur babies are a huge part of our family
Such a beautiful memorial for your sweet purr baby.
Thank you
I adore your kitty wire art piece.
Great idea for someone like me who cannot draw.
Hugs,
Kippi
So happy you like it Kippi.
I’m sorry for your losses, my friend. We lost two kitties in short order also and it was hard. We have a memorial statue in the yard, but I love that one of yours in in the house where you can see it often. I’m sure it’s a comfort. Plus, it’s pretty! xo
Oh I’m sorry, Kim and you’re right, it’s really hard. Funny thing, Jazz and Cleo didn’t like each other at all. They got on fine with the boys but would give each other the beady eyeball whenever they were in the same room. Maybe it’s a lady cat thing.
Oh my! Sorry to learn of your fur baby. We need pets to love and keep us company more than ever during Covid. Lovely tribute to your feline and brilliant directions, Michelle!
Thank you, Cat ❤ They always live on in our hearts
What a sweet memorial. xo Laura
Thank you, Laura <3
Such a sweet reminder. Pets are truly a part of the family and missed so much.
They are ❣
Oh that’s so cute. A great way to memorialize your cat ?
THank you, Susan
I’m so sorry for your purr baby losses Michelle; what a wonderful keepsake. I love how you incorporated Jazzy’s fur.
❤ I still miss them so much. Our two boy cats also seem a little lost without the ladies to boss them around
I am sorry sorry for the loss of your furbabies. It’s so hard to lose just one but to lose two. This is such a beautiful way to hold on to those precious memories! ?
Thank you, Linda ❤ It was rough going for a few weeks. I still miss them every day