Bold Beds for Pets

If you have a pile of Prime boxes and a forgotten stack of scrapbook papers taking up craft space, this is a great way to use both to create durable fun beds for pets. Since our small town has a wonderful non-kill shelter, we donated our first batch of Bold Beds for their kitties.

Top view of "The Lisa Frank"

Bottom View of "The Lisa Frank"

Supplies:

cardboard boxes

scrapbook paper

ModPodge Glue

scissors

paintbrush

ruler (optional)

gloves (optional)

Scrapbook papers, though often super cute or even gorgeous, often come in packs that end up like Prime boxes - too useful to toss out, too cluttery to justify keeping longterm.

Top View of "Sunny Side Up"

Bottom View of "Sunny Side Up"

I enjoyed sifting through them again to pick themes for each bold bed.

I named each bed on the bottom and added stickers for my website. It's a tiny way to advertise, but it feels more soulful than slaving over algorithm key words.

I like to start by gluing paper over the edges. It doesn't really matter what order you pick for gluing after that. Use pressure to smooth out the paper - it also helps to adhere to the cardboard.

These beds are easy to wipe clean. For the bedding, I picked up towels from Dollar Tree.

We packed the car with 6 bold beds and 9 bags of cans for the shelter. It feels good to have a project that might help our community. My own cats are so attached to their box beds. Hopefully the Bold Beds will make other kitties feel happy, safe, and secure, as well.

Since we do live so far from most stores, I expect it won't be too long before the shelter receives another batch of Bold Beds from our house. Since they also have a thrift store on Bay Street, perhaps they could sell Bold Beds there, too, as another way to raise funds for the shelter.

Whether you choose to try making Bold Beds for your local shelter, or for the kitties in your life, this project is fun for most ages.

Top view of "Baby Milky"

Top View of "Go Bold and Wild" view of my makeshift workshop

Top View of "Bloom" view of my makeshift workshop

Top View of "The Peacock"

SJ Winkler is a writer, illustrator, and mixed media artist in love with nature, fantasy, absurdist humor, and all things unexplained. When she's not creating books, she's curating content for Soul Sushi Magazine, painting murals, reading, studying film, or finding any excuse to visit a hiking trail or zoo. She currently lives in Florence, Oregon, USA.

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