Marketplace: Custom Pet Memorial Suncatchers in Glass and Acrylic

July 10, 2025 Bernadette

Four sizes and styles of Custom Pet Memorial Suncatchers

I have been making the 5″ beveled circle suncatchers (first suncatcher, above) for the Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation celebration of Pet Memorial Sunday in September for the past two years. As I’ve been expanding and redesigning my Custom Pet Memorial Votives website since I’ve been back online I’ve also added suncatchers for general sale. However, I only had the 5″ beveled circle until just last month when I added the 6″ acrylic (second) and the rectangular and square beveled suncatchers (third and fourth).

And while I do call them “memorial” items they don’t have to be. They just make a nice custom gift for someone who likes to see their pet on things.

So let me introduce them, and start at the beginning.

Ancient History

I began my design ideas for suncatchers the same way I did with many of my handmade gifts, wanting to see my art on gift items I saw in stores. In the early 90s I bought a 3.25″ x 3.25″ square bevel-edge clear suncatcher with a kitten etched in the center, which I not only liked but found inspiring. I had lots of pencil and ink sketches that would work on things like this. I held that idea all these years knowing I’d want my artwork on that beveled glass somehow, someday.

That etched kitten suncatcher from the early 90s is pretty battered by now.

And like most of my memorial gift items, my suncatchers began as personal gifts for friends who’d lost their animal companions. Using the standards I’d set up to create the images on my Custom Pet Memorial Votives I was ready to make good on that suncatcher idea.

I began with thick 5″ glass circles with a deep beveled edge, your animal companion’s image in the center, so that sun could shine through the bevel and refract light into rainbows.

Some customers asked for a less fragile item, and for those I use a 6″ clear acrylic circle with a slightly rounded edge. The extra inch of space, plus the lack of a bevel, allows more space for display and works well for multiple subjects, larger dogs, and even a full cat, not just the face. The acrylic costs less than glass, and shipping is a little less because it’s lighter, so it’s a little less expensive too.

I still wanted the square shape, though, partly to see my original idea, and to offer an alternative shape, and because not all images fit well in a circle.

The company I buy from has 4″ squares which would seem to have less presentation space than the 5″ circle so I debated, then bought some to work with. The outside dimension is smaller but the corners allow the image to be almost as large as the circle. Below is the square, modeled by Buckwheat, whose portrait I painted years ago and whose person encouraged me to use his image.

4" square beveled glass pet memorial suncatcher. — 4″ square beveled glass pet memorial suncatcher.

I had another idea, of course…the company also carried a graceful arch-top rectangle I’d wanted to try but found they wouldn’t be carrying it after current inventory ran out.

I had been looking at their 3″ x 5″ rectangle and also debated because it’s a difficult shape to fit, but when the company suggested that shape as an alternative—all their customer service people use all their products so you get the best real advice—I decided to go with it.

The first time I offered one at the Blessing of the Animals many people found that vertical rectangle very attractive and I had several orders.

The image area on this shape is 2.25″ x 4.25″. This suncatcher is modeled by Pixie, a beloved rescue kitty of a friend in rescue who’s been the recipient of just about all my new ideas; there’s a lot of loss in rescue.

Pixie, a 3″ x 5" beveled rectangle glass suncatcher. — Pixie, a 3″ x 5″ beveled rectangle glass suncatcher.

The rectangle and square are just as popular as the original circle and I’ve also made several 6″ acrylic suncatchers.

I’m glad I took the time to work them out for what I offer, a process that involves ease and cost of purchasing the materials—if they are difficult to get or expensive unless you buy 500, its not something I can offer. But all of these products worked out well on both accounts.

All suncatchers range between $25.00 and $30.00 including shipping.
Adding an extra subject, a special background pattern like a favorite blanket or chair are extra, usually no more than $10 per addition.
Further customization by adding a name or brief text is included in the price.
I can ship a suncatcher to your recipient with a note from you at no extra charge.
Custom suncatchers also make unique customized gifts even when they aren’t in sympathy for a loss.

What recipients have said:

“I have her suncatcher hanging in my kitchen window. I stand there and look at her every morning while I drink my coffee.”

Anonymous recipient, in person

~~~

I want to thank you for the very special, beautiful glass ornament suncatcher …It brought a tear to my eye that day and the day I hung it up in the sunlight. You really have a very special talent.

Anonymous recipient, in a letter

Standard with each suncatcher

As with my Custom Pet Memorial Votives I use my skills as an artist in traditional media and on computer to remove backgrounds, touch up lighting and composition, and add a background color or pattern that complements the subject. Sometimes the original photo has a background you’d prefer.

A sympathy card is also included. The one shown below is available with every suncatcher. If the suncatcher is for you I send you a blank card so you can use it at another time, or if you’re personally giving it to someone you can use the card for your own message. If I am to ship directly to the recipient you can give me a note which I will write inside the card.

The price includes shipping, whether to your practice or drop-shipped to a customer, within the continental US. I have rates for international shipping.

I include a care and use card with each suncatcher. This card has a link to this website.

Little extras

Adding an extra subject, a special background pattern like a favorite blanket or chair are extra, usually no more than $10 per addition. Adding a name or other brief text is optional and is included.

Suncatchers are kept in confidence

I photograph each Suncatcher I make for my records and to keep the details of what it looked like for my reference. I never use a votive in any public venue, whether for display or self-promotion, without permission of both the giver and the recipient.

Price, including shipping, for each suncatcher

1) 5″ Beveled Glass Circle = $30.00

2) 6″ Acrylic Circle = $25.00

3) 3″ x 5″ Beveled Glass Rectangle = $25.00

4) 4″ x 4″ Beveled Glass Square = $25.00

Visit the Suncatchers page on my Custom Pet Memorial Votives website

Marketplace

Take a look at other new merchandise and featured artwork.

Marketplace is a feature on The Creative Cat to share the latest coming out of my studio with my readers. Once a week on Thursday I feature something new in my “shop”.

Read about creating custom items

Find out more about creating custom items for your own home using the images you see here. Visit the “Ordering Custom Art” page to see samples and read bout how to order.

Find out about events and festivals where you can find me and my work.

Sign up for my e-newsletter (below), check the widget on the sidebar on my home page, or sign up to receive posts on Portraits of Animals Marketplace. I plan on plenty of events this coming summer in the Pittsburgh area.

It’s all done under the close and careful supervision of my studio cats!

Copyright

All images and text used on this site are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission, although links to your site are more than welcome and are shared. Please ask if you are interested in using and image or story in a print or internet publication. If you are interested in purchasing a print of an image or a product including it, check my animal and nature website Portraits of Animals to see if I have it available already. If you don’t find it there, visit Ordering Custom Artwork for more information on a custom greeting card, print or other item.