It's gift-giving time and let's face it: you're mildly panicked (if you're anything like me, that is ). You want to find a gift that will surprise and delight and you know your friend/colleague/spouse/relative loves cats--but you have a sneaking suspicion that the cute kitty calendar from the mall just isn't going to cut it. Aren't there any gifts for cat lovers whose tastes run a little off-center, who prefer gifts that, like their cats, are unusual and independent?

Turns out there are--it just requires a little searching. Or a little help from a cat loving artist who got sick of getting the same Cracker-Barrel-style cat figurines every year (hint hint, nudge nudge, wink wink).

All teasing aside, I'm not just writing to promote my own work (but wait, isn't that what the internet is all about?). Okay, sure, I'd love it if you decided something I made was perfect for the cat lover you have in mind, but it may not be, and more than anything I want to erase the notion that all cat-themed gifts are created equal. Just because it has a cat on it doesn't mean a cat lover will like it. Just because most gifts for cat lovers seem cut from the same cutesy cloth doesn't mean there isn't really original stuff hiding in the corners, waiting to be discovered.

So where to find more unusual gifts for cat lovers? A google search for "unique gifts for cat lovers" doesn't help so much (I know, I tried--345,000 results--ack!). I've featured a few of my favorite unusual cat designs in the cafepress modules below--handpicked, not randomly generated, so they really are actual vetted suggestions. Below are a few specific suggestions.

1) Go to etsy.com . This is one of my favorite places on the web because it brings together a huge variety of independent artists and crafters in one place. It's also especially neat because they have a section, called Alchemy, where you can request custom work of just about anything you can imagine and etsy members bid on your requests. (I've used this feature countless times when I didn't know what to give someone; I just listed my ideal price and all the interests I could think of and wonderful ideas came flooding in every time). I've favorited a number of etsians I personally adore, so if you want a more specific place to start go to purrprints.etsy.com and click on the "Favorites" link (not all of these people make cat-themed stuff, but all of them are very cool!).

2)Felinerina.com has some cool stuff for both cats and their owners. Though I prefer getting stuff directly from artisans on etsy whenever possible, Felinerina is a great spot too.

3)Purrprints.com has my own wonderful, marvelous, lovely, original, and [insert wide range of additional compliments here] work (okay, so I had to promote myself a little), plus I'm happy to customize any of my designs to make just what you're looking for.

4) But my biggest tip for gift-giving to cat lovers? Don't grab just anything--find a gift that not only reflects your lucky recipient's love of cats but also his/her distinct personality. Whether this means you look for a funky indie custom stuffed cat (try smoody.etsy.com), a realistic looks-just-like-their-pet felted cat (try featherheart.etsy.com), a hand-made and catnip filled quilt for their kitties (try coloradocatniptoys.etsy.com), a custom indie bag (try katesy.etsy.com), or animal-themed jewelry (try BeadedTail), you'll probably have more fun feeling like you found something special--and they are sure to appreciate your thoughtfulness.