They Work So Hard...

Since there is a little "lull in the action" for the Beagles team, I thought I'd share some news from our county Animal Welfare League, which is my "charity of choice." The Trumbull Co. (Ohio) AWL was founded 40 years ago, and their non-kill animal shelter has been helping unwanted and homeless animals for 25 years. So many of these animals have found happy homes through the efforts of the AWL's volunteers. The AWL is totally a volunteer-run, non-profit organization, and this year they have plans to build a new, modern, eco-friendly Animal Welfare Care and Education Center. The TrumCoAWL (AWLTC) has recently opened a big new thrift shop, The Menagerie, and people donate unwanted items to the store. All sales directly benefit the shelter and its inhabitants! :0)
I love the thrift store, and shop there frequently! Don't be surprised if many of my necklaces contain components bought at The Menagerie. I also do my part by donating necklaces to the AWL's fundraisers for the Chinese auctions held at the events. All my sold team challenge entries also have a percentage of the sale donated to the AWL. In these tough economic times, I wish I could do more, but the AWL ladies I've dealt with have been very appreciative. In other words, every little bit helps!
When I received the latest AWL newsletter, I was surprised by the statistics. Bear in mind, Trumbull County, Ohio is not a huge metropolitan area. Even so, the numbers were staggering. I'm sure many people have no idea, as I did not, how many man/woman-hours are involved with running the shelter. I hope my AWL doesn't mind if I share a condensed version of their 2008 statistics that were published in the "Paw Prints, Fall 2009" newsletter: Shelter received 7,016 calls. 1,399 animals were taken into shelter. There were 846 adoptions through the shelter. 83 animals were returned to their owner (BTW, the AWL offers micro-chipping for your pet). 28 animals were released to rescue, and 2 squirrels were released to the wild. Working Hr. emergencies included 129 calls re: 168 animals. These calls required 115 hrs., 55 min. of time and 2,028 miles. After Hour emergencies included 233 calls re: 304 animals. These calls required 321 hrs., 39 min., and 5,874 miles. The shelter Volunteers Hours were 6,277. These volunteers were able to help 4,089 animals and 3,358 people. The AWLTC also had 668 calls for Cruelty/Neglect Investigations for 2,218 animals. The calls required 699 hrs. and 11,557 miles. The top two reasons for the calls were animals with no shelter and/or no food.
These wonderful volunteers are very busy people with incredibly unselfish and caring hearts! Huge "Paws Up" to all of them, and best wishes for success with the new shelter and thrift shop! You can visit the AWLTC website for more information, ways to help, and animals up for adoption. Thanks to all the caring people who give their time and open their homes and hearts to animals!

We Have A Winner!

The Etsy Beagle Street team would like to thank all 18 people who voted in our Bark to School team challenge blog giveaway! The following link shows how we choose the winner in our giveaways. It's not a high-tech method, but it is so very beagle! The "judge" is Flash, who owns MsAnomaly, and is sort of our team mascot. I'm sorry I had to use photos and video together, but controlling the hound made a continuous video a little difficult! Here is my flickr set with the photos and video. They are in order in the set, and I hope you enjoy seeing Flash in action! Congratulations to QuirkynBerkeley! Please contact Kerrie at Cody's Creations to claim your prize. Remember, you get to choose the collar of your choice from Kerrie's shop. You lucky dog! :0)

EBST's Bark To School Team Challenge Giveaway!

Want to win a fabulous prize from Cody'sCreations? Then enter to win the Etsy Beagles Team challenge giveaway contest!

Check out our awesome entries:





Here are the links to the entries above (as shown in picture left to right; top to bottom):

Codyscreations: The Pocket
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30824843

2RavenChicks: Hey Diddle, Diddle Charm Necklace
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30266003

creativecomforts07: Bark to School Pooch Poncho
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30237181

CodysCloset : Bark to School Dog Coat with Pockets
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30822290

MsAnomaly: Beaded Linked Necklace with Dog Brooch Pendant
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30111382

BeagleBeads: Rainbow Bracelet
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29559051

FrumsGlassMenagerie: Waiting Beagle Hand
Painted Fused Glass Pendant/Necklace
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30404258


Here's how to enter:

First, visit the entries from the shops linked above for a close-up view of our Bark to School challenge entries. Then, come back here and post to tell us your favorite challenge item and/or shop (the item doesn't have to be from your favorite shop and vice versa). And that's it! You're entered.

*One entry per person. Sorry, only those in the U.S. are eligible to win. Contest begins Wed., 9/16, and ends on Sat., 9/19 at 11:59 PM, EST. Winner will be chosen randomly from all entries on Sunday, 9/20.

*We'll announce the winner here on our blog, so make sure you check back to claim your prize! The winner will receive a dog collar of his/her choice from Cody's Creations. If you're the winner, contact Kerrie at Cody's Creations via her Etsy shop.

*Winner will have until Wed., Sept. 23rd to contact Kerrie to claim their prize. If winner doesn't claim prize before that date, we'll select an alternate winner, who will then have until Sun., Sept. 27th to claim their prize.

*Sorry, Beagles Team members, you aren't eligible to enter this contest.

Thanks for checking out our latest team challenge! MsAnomaly and the Etsy Beagle Street Team

Shine A Light on "Gertie Gear ... an end to throwaway pet beds."

Hello beagle lovers. I'd be grateful for a couple minutes of your time and your "vote" by SEPT 13TH... double that if a few others you know can help too. ;-)

Gertie Gear has been nominated in Amex sponsored Shine A Light on small biz contest for a chance to win up to $100,000 in grants and marketing support.

Each "voter" needs to REGISTER and provide their contact info to prove they are a human -- then vote (endorse) just once. No spam, they just want to hinder "ballot stuffing".

The top three finalists, chosen by judges each receive a $10,000 grant.
Then the winner will be chosen by popular vote an receive a $50,000 grant plus $50,000 in marketing support.

Link to my endorsement "story": http://shinealight.ivillage.com/sbo-profile/?ProfileID=3496

TO VOTE/ENDORSE (first round deadline is SEPT 13)
1) you have to "register" (there's a word only link on the top right of the page).
2) then either link back to my page or search the nominees for "Gertie Gear".
3) finally, click the "Support this story ENDORSE NOW" button on the top left side.
The button text should change to indicate your choice was recorded.








Thank you SO much for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Julie and GERTIE, CSB (Chief Senior Beagle @ www.GertieGear.com)

Team Spotlight! interview with The Ginger Card Company

MsAnomaly's interview with gingercardco:

1. When did you open your Etsy store and begin selling?
December 07, I think.

2. How did you select your shop's name?
Ginger is my first dog's name. I've been making cards for my parents with the GingerCardCo "copyright" on them since I got Ginger from the Humane Society 8 years ago.

3. What do you create and sell in your Etsy shop?
A 'zine called Peace to All Creatures that I designed and edited with a friend I met through the Etsy for Animals Team. I make necklaces, notecards and notebooks with dog illustrations. I also have some felt (spun from reycled plastic bottles) accessories, and jewelry with city maps.

4. How did you become involved in your craft?
I've made handmade cards for my parents since I was a kid.

5. Explain your favorite part of the creative process.
When the glaze is dry and I don't have to worry about ruining it! Also, I'm on the computer all day for work, so it's nice to sit at the craft table and NOT look at the computer!

6. Do you sell in another Etsy store or anywhere outside of Etsy? If so, where?
I also sell at a local art co-op in Orlando.

7. So far, what project are you most proud of?
The zine, for sure. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26606237

8. What advice can you give to someone who would like to learn your craft?
hummm... making jewelry takes patience - I always ruin it by checking to see if the glaze is dry - and it's not!

9. What motivated you to join the Etsy Beagle Street Team?
I have a beagle, Buddy, that I adopted from Orange County Animal Control when he was 5 - he's 9 now. I volunteer at the local dogpark, and I bring my other dog Kyanne, (who is not a beagle) to Beagle MeetUps there - Buddy can't handle a bunch of big strange dogs at one time, so he can't go to the dogpark. My friend who runs the MeetUp group has adopted 4 beagles and has 2 foster beagles, so Buddy goes to her house for playdates. I volunteer on Sundays at Pet Rescue by Judy's shelter. I'm on the Handmade4Hounds management team, and I'm about to join the Vegan Etsy Team, since I have recently become vegan. Teams are GREAT places to meet like-minded people. I recently met in person for the first time the friend I do the 'zine with - we went to an animal rights conference in L.A.

10. Any other places we might find you (Flickr, blog, MySpace, etc.)?
I don't keep up my blog very well, but I'd like to... www.loveginger.blogspot.com/
Flickr, where there are some really cute pictures of Buddy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/24627761@N02/

Team Spotlight! Interview with Studio Lara

MsAnomaly's interview with Studiolara316

1. When did you open your Etsy store and begin selling?
Although I had set up my store awhile back, I didn't actually begin selling until May of this year.

2. How did you select your shop's name?
I actually came up with my store and website name 'Studio Lara' after coming across the work of another artist, Chris Stott...his store and site name is Studio Stott and I thought it had a nice ring to it!

3. What do you create and sell in your Etsy shop?
I paint pet portraits, still life paintings, and I thoroughly enjoy doing Master portrait studies!

4. How did you become involved in your craft?
I actually taught 3rd grade for over 6 years, but in 2006 I married an Aussie, moved to Australia, and was finally able to follow my other passion in life, being art! (We have since moved back to my home state of Michigan)

5. Explain your favorite part of the creative process.
There are so many parts I enjoy, but I suppose with pet portraits, I love when I complete the eyes...I spend the most time painting the eyes, after I do an initial sketch of the entire composition...to me the eyes are the most important part of any portrait. I know it is so cliche, but the eyes truly are the windows to the soul!

6. Do you sell in another Etsy store or anywhere outside of Etsy? If so, where?
I have sold on eBay for the past 3 years, then closed my store, and only recently re-opened it to list an occasional item here or there, but I would eventually like etsy to be my permanent home! I also have sold commissions through my personal website and blog which is always a plus!

7. So far, what project are you most proud of?
I would have to say the project I am most proud of is my Painting a Pup a Day project, although it has turned into more of a Painting a Pup every few days or so...I find it difficult to paint an entire painting each and everyday, unless the painting is very small. I don't know how some artists are able to paint so fast. I guess with my portraits, I know how special people's pets are to them, so I feel I owe it to each and every customer to take my time making a piece they can cherish for years to come! I donate 10% of each portrait I do to one of the many dog rescue groups I work with and I have been involved in a number of charity auctions to support rescue as well. I am also a member of Art for Critters, a group of artists who donate a portion of the proceeds of our work to various animal charities. I am currently offering a special in my store on pet portraits: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27811746

8. What advice can you give to someone who would like to learn your craft?
Well, I would tell them what Chris Stott, an incredible still life artist from Canada, told me awhile back...he said to look at many different artists' work, to really look at it and study their work...obviously do not copy it, but look at how they handle certain subject matter, what sort of brush strokes and colors they use...and ask questions. Many artists are very willing to share ideas and techniques that have worked for them.

9. What motivated you to join the Etsy Beagle Street Team?
I do not own a Beagle, but I own 2 pups who were both rescued off the streets of Cairns in Australia by my husband. You can check them out on their blog: http://www.aussiedogsupandover.blogspot.com/
Dogs have always held a special place in my heart as I was quite a shy child growing up and always felt a deep connection to the dogs we had. With my Painting a Pup a Day project and Art for Critters, I am able to help support dog rescue, which is the best feeling in the world. Every little bit does really help them out, and there are so many dogs in need of forever homes!

10. Any other places we might find you (Flickr, blog, MySpace, etc.)?
I am on Flickr, Twitter, Facebook, and I have a number of blogs that I try to update on a daily or weekly basis.
http://www.paintingapupaday.blogspot.com/
http://www.avintagetouch.blogspot.com/
http://www.aussiedogsupandover.blogspot.com/

Team Spotlight! Interview with DesignedByLucinda

MsAnomaly's interview with DesignedByLucinda:

1. When did you open your Etsy store and begin selling?
I shut my brick and mortar shop in May 2007 and sulked for a few months. I sell on Etsy because I had a store full of inventory and more made daily and I needed a place to sell them so I didn't drown my cats and dogs in bead boxes :) I then stocked my Etsy shop in October 2007.

2. How did you select your shop’s name?
Cindy is a nickname of Lucinda, which is my real name. DesignedByLucinda sounded a bit better to my ear than Cindy's Silver (and DBL was the name I used for the brick and mortar spot so I hoped old clients could find me online that way).

3. What do you create and sell in your Etsy shop?
I create Jewelry and Fashion Accessories out of stones and Sterling silver, mostly with Swarovski crystals as highlights. Stones and crystals can marry up nicely in a lot of ways and not too many people seem to mix those mediums, so I like to find ways to bring out the best of the stone and the glass through the other material.

4. How did you become involved in your craft?
In 7th grade (all those decades ago) I was kicked out of Art Drawing class and moved into Jewelry Design and it was love at first buffer. Also, I liked saws and torches although I do very little with those today. Later, in High School, I worked after school in a Jewelry shop and learned the rest of the trade there. I dabbled over the years but ended up deciding I wanted to own a jewelry shop and I saved up to start DBL in the brick and mortar space. Then the shop landlords didn't pay the bills with the rent and I ended up a bit broker and here on Etsy :)

5. Explain your favorite part of the creative process.
I create because I am, just like I breathe because I am. I couldn't stop creating if I tried. My favorite part is when I receive a box of new supplies and I have endless opportunities and avenues to explore. It sounds hokey, but I love looking through the box and looking over each bead until I know which pack I want to start with, what glimmer of an idea I have to start using it for, and then tweaking the whole process until I end with a piece that makes me smile and sit down for a cup of coffee; I can take weeks trying to find just the right combination.

6. Do you sell in another Etsy store or anywhere outside of Etsy? If so, where?
I sell in my local area at shows and parties. I also have unstocked shops on Artfire, Craft.Ca, Handmade Fuzion and I go back and forth on HyenaCart.

7. So far, what project are you most proud of?
I am proud of them all, but my favorite would be this 3 piece custom order that I had 4 days to find the stones, create the piece, and ship it out. It was a bit of a pressure cooker! http://www.flickr.com/photos/designedbylucinda/2215198812/

8. What advice can you give to someone who would like to learn your craft?
Have patience. You won't have tiny knots in one month. You'll break some stones and lose others, so make your pricing formula cover a bit for loss like that. A killer deal on pearls isn't really worth buying 80 strands unless you are SURE you can move those pearls quicker than in 3 years. Yes, they keep - - but that tied up $$ could have gone for more variety over those 3 years and 80 strands of pearls is quite a bit if you aren't catering to the wedding market. Just follow your Muse and you'll be happy :)

9. What motivated you to join the Etsy Beagle Street Team?
Most of my dawgs are mixed. Technically, they are mixed with a Harrier but that is a kissing cousin to a Beagle and they do the arrr-wooooooooooooooo just as loudly. I also took in a stray last year who looks like she is part Beagle (NOT Harrier). Meet Ginger - - Her adoptive home fell through so she is still with me (and I LOVE her silly being!). http://www.flickr.com/photos/designedbylucinda/2342462496/ I make her work for her kibble: this picture is the one I use for Custom Order Listings. Exploiting the pooch...

10. Any other places we might find you (Flickr, blog, MySpace, etc.)?
I am also on Flickr, MySpace, Facebook, Twitter and a super sorry blog with 4 posts but I am most consistently on Etsy. Feel free to email me anytime at http://us.mc810.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=cboard4488@aol.com and talk dawgs or beads or stones or just comment on the weather :)