Bird's Eye Review

I don't know if it's the weather, or what, but this winter I have been spending money like it's going out of style (and maybe it IS going out of style, but I'm definitely doing my part to stimulate the economy!) It's ok though, since our trip to Mexico didn't happen this year, I've been doing nothing but work, work, work. So with my extra little stash o' cash, I have made some great Etsy purchases-- no buyer's remorse on these delightful handmade items:

Martin's Chair Collection
Limited Edition Print by ZukZuk
"This is a picture of Martin the rooster's beloved chair collection. He's the kind of guy who can't drive past a chair on the side of the road without taking it home and fixing it up; well, sometimes fixing it up, a lot of the time they just get added to the ever growing brokeny tree forest in the garage. Miriam the hen finds this all very vexing."

I fell in love with this drawing the moment I saw it! It was the perfect Xmas gift for the BF because 1) We have chickens, and 2) He is always complaining that I bring too many chairs into the house! Plus I found a perfectly fitting frame for it at the thrift store, complete with matting.

Vivid colors and whimsical characters with endearing stories are a constant theme in ZukZuk's work of digitally colored pen and ink drawings. She currently lives in Canada, but her upbringing in New Zealand is a definite influence in her work, especially with the types of birds she features. My second favorite piece is "Birdland". Having visited the famous jazz club in NYC last fall, it was a close second choice...maybe a future purchase.... I highly recommend ZukZuk's shop--not only is she a very talented artist, she is also super friendly and a proud member of Etsy Veg. Unfortunately (for buyers) she is on vacation right now, so she is not taking any orders. But you can check out her work in the "sold" section, and please bookmark her shop for the future!

Swallow in Flight Necklace
by SilentLotus Creations

"A beautifully-detailed brass swallow in flight is suspended from elegant brass chain interspersed with smooth and faceted aqua-green Amazonite. All pieces have a vintaged, honey-toned patina for an aged look. The brass has been purchased from wonderful Etsy sellers and is solid, unplated, and nickel-free. Necklace clasps with a handfabricated hook clasp "

I'm not a huge jewelry wearer or purchaser, but decided it was time to accessorize when I saw how beautiful and well-crafted this necklace is! Kylie, the gal behind SilentLotus has a wonderfully artistic eye for combining naturally beautiful gems and minerals with sterling silver and pure brass to create a unique selection of necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings. If you're looking for a little pizazz for yourself, or for a gift, I'm sure you'll find something you love from SilentLotus. But wait... that's not all!! She is also a talented painter, and offers several of her Chinese Brush Paintings in her shop as well.

Although SilentLotus is an Etsy seller, I actually purchased this necklace through 1000 Markets, a newer online shopping site for handmade items. (So I justified this purchase as "market research" to test out the shopping cart & procedure of the new site, to make sure it is user friendly for buyers....It is!) Kylie is also super friendly, and a member/leader of Etsy Veg (I'm starting to see a pattern here), so please check out her shop(s)!

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Name that Bird Contest #2

This month's contest is a little different, and another multi-parter, but should be pretty easy (and fun!) for everyone. Pictured below are five photos of six famous Cartoon Birds (one of them is a pair). To enter this contest, you'll have to name all six birds, and tell me what kind of bird they are supposed to be. (Cartoon birds don't always do justice to what they look like in real life, although some of them are awfully cute!)

The prize for this contest will be a 4 Pack of Photo Greeting Cards of your choice! You can choose from over 100 different cards, now on display in my new Snail Mail Greetings Gallery. The winner will be selected at random from all correct entries. Contest ends at midnight, Feb. 28, 2009.

Please email (aguavino@gmail.com) your entries with the subject "Cartoon Birds".

Good Luck!
























(Click on image for a larger view)

Spread the Love

This month I started a new donation program through my various crafty marketplaces. From now on I will be featuring selected items as "Donation Items", which means that 50% of the profits from those products will be donated to an animal rescue sanctuary. Currently I am donating to Pigs Peace Sanctuary in Stanwood, WA, a non-profit organization that takes in animals that have come from abusive or neglectful situations. Among the many pot bellied pigs residing at the farm are also rescued llamas, horses, chickens, dogs, cats, turkeys, and sheep.

This is a group that I have been volunteering with and supporting for many years, and am happy to be able to continue that support through my creative endeavors.

I am launching this new program appropriately with my new Valentine greeting cards: Llama Love and Valentine Piggy are both made with photos taken at the sanctuary, and can be purchased online through Etsy, ArtFire, or 1000 Markets. So, spread the love-- give a card to your special valentine, and help animals at the same time!

Also, if you live in the Seattle area, you can now purchase my greeting cards at Sidecar for Pigs Peace, Washington state's only totally vegan grocery store and boutique! There are cards for every occasion (well, maybe not EVERY, but a lot): Birthday, Bird Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Thinking of You, Wish You Were Here, Thank You, I'm Sorry, New Home/Address, Congratulations, Valentine, Easter, Spring, etc., plus lots of blank ones; all featuring my wildlife/bird/nature photos. Another way to spread the love!


Sidecar for Pigs Peace
5270 B University Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105