Check out my new Chia Pet design.

Squirrel Chia Pet

Chia Pet Rescue

Free Range Chia Pets

Many people ask me why I chose Chia Pet Rescue. Chia Pets are an amazing part of our pop culture. Many items such as pet rocks have come and gone. But the Chia Pet has stayed with us. It is one of those crazy gifts that has not faded away over the years. So I thought that today I would share some history and fun facts about the Chia Pet.

The Chia Pet originated by the San Francisco, California-based company Joseph Enterprises Inc. It is a clay figurine with groves for the chia sprouts. The chia sprouts resemble hair. Chia sprouts are actually an herb that is claimed to have many benefits. You can find the sprouts or seeds sold for medicinal purposes. I’m not sure how much truth there is to this, but it is very interesting.

Originally, they were an item that was imported from Mexico. But in 1977, Joe Pedott discovered them and began marketing the Chia Pet. During an agency meeting someone pretended to stutter the name “Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia”. That was the beginning of the ad campaign that has stuck.

Original Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia Commercial

The original Chia Pet was a ram and the bull. Since that time, many other characters have been created such as Elmer Fudd, Homer Simpson, and even an Obama Chia Pet. One year I bought a Tasmanian Devil for my son. However, I have read that the ram and bull still remain the favorite. It is said that over 500,000 are sold every year during the holidays.

So the reason for Chia Pet Rescue? Have you ever wondered what happens to all those Chia Pets after the holidays? I know I do.

Chia Pet Rescue

Grandma got run over by a reindeer button

Throughout my project this year of finding a holiday to celebrate every day of the year, I have run across some very odd days. But, Button Day may just take the cake on the most mysterious. I researched for several hours on this day and found a lot of references to it. But everyone seems to have their own take on what it is.

I did find a great site for the National Button Society. You should definitely check this site out.

There seems to be a difference in opinion as to what button day should be. Some suggest that this day is to celebrate the buttons that we use mainly in our clothing. However, MacMillan Dictionary defined this day as a day on which people buy and wear buttons with messages on them to show their support for a group or organization.

With all that said, I have decided to celebrate by wearing one of my Christmas buttons of a reindeer running over grandma. That should get me in the holiday spirit!

Harry Hog and Got Flu?

I probably get asked about this design more than any other. All my friends want to know, why a hog or pig?

Harry Hog was created because of the swine flu and the Wall Street bankers. I thought, what better to represent both than a pig in a suit smoking a cigar. So Harry seems to represent the worst of what has happened to us all over the past year.

I’ve also used Harry Hog in my circus designs and I’m currently trying to incorporate him also into my Chia Pet designs.

Guns don't kill people

Clarence started as a caricature of my brother. He was definitely one of the really fun designs I did. But about half way into creating this character, I kind of took a left turn and Clarence became something very different than I originally planned. Little did I know at the time, that Clarence with the quote “Guns don’t kill people, Dad’s with pretty daughters kill people” would be such a huge hit.

At the time I was working on this, there was a lot of uproar on the news about gun control. I decided to have a little fun and this was the result.

He has also fit well with some of my other designs, such as my circus tent. Clarence will also be making an appearance for Christmas and in one of my Free Range Chia Pets designs.