Sunday, November 30, 2008

New Shops!

Some existing members have added a second shop. Check them out!

Michelle of Bees Knees Jewelleries has opened Sticks In Stones.
Silvana and Brian of Forest Nymphs and Brisil Handmade Bath & Body have opened Art By Funk.

Please give them all a warm welcome by checking out their shops and hearting them!

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Review- For The Animals

I wear a necklace almost every single day and have several that say "vegan" on them that I wear quite often. It's a nice, positive way to show the world that you're vegan and it also generates some discussion. So, naturally, I was thrilled when I found For The Animals.
The best part about purchasing from For The Animals is that all proceeds go to their sanctuary, For The Animals Sanctuary and the anti-fur group that Debbie runs, Caring Activists Against Fur. Here is some information about the sanctuary that Debbie wrote-

My dream was to save a cow and her baby (son) from being exploited and murdered. I met my Vegan husband who also felt the same desires. We saved our $$ bought a house and built a barn and waited. Then we saw Herbie on the news (one week before Xmas) running for his life in Brooklyn. I cried. I called all the sanctuaries to see if he was being saved. Thankfully WFAS was rescuing him but they didn't have the room so we stepped in. At the same time Kevina was born in a dairy farm. The farmers thought she was a boy and they were drowning all the boys. Lucky for Kevina a girl that worked there brought her to WFAS. I named her Kevin (thinking she was a boy) now she is Kevina. Herbie and Kevina just got married on May 31 2008. We had about 65 guests and tons of Vegan food.

Our sanctuary is 8 acres. We are small guys but we do a lot for the Animals!! We just rescued 8 goats. 3 of the goats were really sick needing critical care treatment i.e. blood transfusions, injections and forced oral meds and were separated for 4 weeks from the rest of the goat sisters. They were scouring (massive diarrhea). They are all better now YUPPIE. Our goal for 2009 is to rescue some chickens and focus on Vegan outreach. We have an abolitionist approach to Veganism.

FTA has no volunteers. My husband and I do all the work around the farm. We both work full time in order to keep it running. I am a critical care nurse and my husband works in NYC (5 hour commute every day). We also rescue 11th hour dogs and cats. We lost 6 dogs and one cat over the past year due to health reasons (all old dogs that were going to be euthanized in a shelter). We currently have a 5 dogs one of which is blind. We recently had to put my old boy Corki (blind and had massive cardiac issues) down. That was and still is devastating I miss him so much. We have 8 cats 4 of which live out in the barn. I also run an anti fur group called Caring Activists Against Fur (caaf) www.caafgroup.com . We protest fur in NYC/NJ.

We received our 5013c in July 2008. This will make it much easier to fundraise. Our focus for 2009 will be on fundraising and finding volunteers to help us out on the farm. Its very very hard to find reliable animal loving people. Its also hard to compete with the larger sanctuaries. We try and make it fun to come over i.e. Vegan potlucks with themes like the wedding we had a baby shower when they arrived.....If anyone has ides please share. The more donations we get the more we can do out here in NJ farm land. The awesome thing is i am a nurse in the local hospital. I do Vegan outreach every day I am at work. I wear my jewelry and it get the conversation started. Its awesome.

As you can see, Debbie and her husband are wonderful, compassionate people! If you'd like to make a donation to their sanctuary, please do so through their site. You can also watch some videos of Herbie & Kevina here.

I have now purchased three beautiful necklaces from her shop and will proudly wear each one every chance that I get. The first one that I purchased was a sterling silver drop pendant with a heart-
Nature is as important to me as animals, so I loved that it has a little flower on it, too. The heart brings my two loves all together in one gorgeous little package! Her shop is a regular one I stop by to see what's new, and recently she listed some that I fell in love with, so I just purchased these a few days ago-


I'll be wearing both of these a lot! She also has bracelets, buttons and rings in her shop, all in a variety of designs. There's something for every compassionate vegan out there!

Friday, November 28, 2008

Review- Vegan Dish

The following was written by Roni of Daisy Wares and Daisy's Destash.

Have you ever seen anything so beautiful? And I'm not just talking about the cranberries.

One of my most favorite vegans made this for me. Jeanette of Vegan Dish! It actually came from her other shop, Vessels and Wares and she modified it for me by adding, "vegan" and adding the stars. Not that it wasn't perfect without it, it just added that extra umpf!


It's called the Aqua-licious berry bowl. Here is Jeanettes stock picture so you can see the drain holes under it.


This bowl is going to get a lot of use in my house. It is so well made, very professional and will even stand the dishwasher. Jeanette is so very talented. She packs it so well too. You never have to worry about it breaking in the mail.

Now I'm off to boil up these cranberries to add to my Vegan Thanksliving dinner! For Thanksliving I am very thankful that Jeanette has come up with this wonderful idea of vegan dishes so all of our food can taste just that much better.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Team Treasury!

Thank you to Michelle of My Zoetrope for creating such a beautiful team treasury! Please show it some love by clicking on all featured items and leaving a comment here.


Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Recipe- Tofu Scramble

The following recipe was written and submitted by Heather of Holistically Heather, For The Love Of Vegan and Recycled Cycle.

Tonight we are having breakfast for dinner, I used to love those nights when I was a kid. Cereal for dinner was the best as a little kid, you feel like you are breaking some sort of rules, but in reality its mandated by your parents...its the best! We are having tofu scramble and rye toast!

Tofu scramble is sooo easy
chop half a medium onion and about 4 cloves of garlic ( i use more, use what you want!)
put a little bit of oil or margarine in your cast iron, and heat it up a bit
Throw the onions and garlic in there to saute
while that is happening chop up a bunch of kale leaves, about 8 button mushrooms and squeeze the water out of your tofu
After the onions and garlic are sauted add the tofu and mash and scramble it
add some tumeric to give it a nice orange glow and a little flava....this is when I add some Braggs and nutritional yeast for the cheesey flavor.

Let it simmer a while then add the kale and shrooms, add some pepper, garlic powder, onion powder...more tumeric, more nutritional yeast...you name it you can add it just make it how you like

Monday, November 24, 2008

Member News!

KM Stitchery is having an END OF NOVEMBER SALE: Buy 2 items and get the 3rd item (of equal or lesser value) HALF OFF! This offer lasts until the end of the month.

Also, congratulations to Silvana of Forest Nymphs & Brisil Bath and Body! Her products were featured on VegNews blog, This Just In!

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Welcome to new member!

We have one new member to welcome to the team this week. Please give Gothcupcake Creations a warm welcome by checking out her shop and hearting her! She also has a second shop, Kala-Atita, so make sure to check both shops out!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Message Board Events

Members, the message board is hopping with all kinds of exciting team activities!

For those of you participating in the holiday exchange, there is now a "secret santa" thread where you can log into the board using the Secret Santa username to ask your recipient questions. Make sure to check out the thread every now and then to see if you have any questions to answer!

If you haven't already, please vote in the poll to determine what we will spend our team money on first. We have some items for sale in the team shop right now and sampler packs should be listed again sometime in the next few weeks, so we should end up having enough money to do at least a few of the things on the poll.

The deadline to enter the November Challenge is fast approaching! If you'd like to enter an item in the challenge, you will need to do so by this Monday, November 24. The winner will get to pick a prize from several member's shops and their entry will be posted about on our blog!

Roni of Daisy Wares and Daisy's Destash has started a business card exchange. This is a great way to help fellow members get more exposure as well as receive exposure for your shop.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

New Team Graphic!

Seb of Sebastien Ettinger Photography (the same awesome person who made our banner) made this lovely new graphic for our team. Isn't it great? Make sure to check out the fine print below and use it if you would like on your sites or listings! Thanks so much, Seb!!


Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Tips for Shop Owners

A Vegan Etsy Team Member Compilation Of Handy Shop Tips For Etsy Shop Owners and a list of places to advertise you shop ♥

Tips:

Load your shop. Having a large number of items in your shop will be your #1 traffic driver.

Keep your shop announcement short and sweet, people want to see photos load as soon as they click your site

Having sections in your shop, keeps it neat and easy to navigate. No one wants to go through 392 pair of earrings to find the necklace they want etc.

In your profile make the shoppers feel at home, make them feel like they are getting to know you. But don't get too personal, there is a happy medium..

List store policies payments accepted, shipping methods, return policies. The more detailed your policies are the better. Have them outlined in an easy to read forum and give enough information that buyers will be comfortable with purchasing from you.

Make sure your photos are crisp and clear, do your best anyway

Don't take photos on the floor, some people have allergies and that will turn them away immediately

No clutter in the background, keep it neat and clean looking!

Show the texture of hand knit items and get really close using macro setting for jewelry too

Most people don't like to see earrings in real ears before they buy them

Mention in your shop if you have critters in your house, some shoppers have pet allergies.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE mention if you smoke, or there are smokers in your house, it is really upsetting to get something that smells like an ashtray

Make sure to list measurements in the listing if there are measurements

Make a nice little description, give some background, maybe a fun story of a small and sweet poem in each description

Use all 14 of your tags!
describe your items as well as possible. Mention all aspects of it correctly, colors, content and even size. The more the merrier, but be sure they are all accurate as misleading tags can really turn off some buyers. Here is an Etsy tutorial on using tags:
http://www.etsy.com/storque/how-to/guidelines-tips-tagging-on-etsy-281/

If you ship internationally mention that in your shop announcement, tag international or worldwide shipping, and make sure you have your shipping options set up so people don't have to wait for an email in order to buy if they are from a different country

Make sure you list your state and country, this gives people an idea of shipping times

Send a thank you email when someone orders, that little courtesy goes a long way and makes people feel appreciated

Include business cards in your packaging, and maybe small gifts

Email people to check to see they liked the item if they still haven't left feedback after a while, it usually gets them to remember to leave feedback

Start a blog, do giveaways, twitter, myspace, check out and participate in forums and chat

If you do trades, customization and reserves, mention that!

Create Social network profiles that are established *just* for your etsy shop. Pick or create a layout for these sites that is very elegant and stylish. You want the profiles to represent in reflection your style. Add people to your friends list that are like minded in crafting and style.

Create a flickr account to upload your product pictures to. Find picture groups that are like minded with work and love.

An attractive avatar. When you heart another shop your avatar is visible to anyone that looks into "who hearts this shop". An attractive and eye catching avatar will provide more trace-backs to your shop for exploration.

Renew items. This brings your shop name to the top of the list in seller searches, your items to the top of ALL item searches.

A list of places you can advertise:
FREE:
http://www.myspace.com/etsymall
http://promoblogforetsy.blogspot.com/
http://etsymini.blogspot.com/
http://www.kaboodle.com/

Paid Advertisements:
http://www.weloveetsy.com/
http://cafehandmade.blogspot.com/
http://www.indiesmiles.com/
http://www.projectwonderful.com/
http://www.craftcult.com/adinfo.php
http://www.compassionatecooks.com/
http://www.everythingetsy.com/?page_id=198
http://craftopolis.com/index.php?com=ad

Sampler Sites
http://www.vegancraftsamples.com - run by VeganEtsy Team Member holisticallyheather

http://www.mommysamplebox.com - Mother & Child Related Items Only
http://www.lemmingcentral.com/sampler_boxes.html - Bath and body and Candles Only
http://www.outoftheboxsampler.com
http://www.thelittleblackboxes.com
http://www.homeofthesampler.com/
http://snowberrycreek.com/


Advertising Tips Sites
http://www.ehow.com/how_2099651_advertise-etsy-store.html
http://almostfrugal.com/2009/01/02/how-to-market-your-etsy-shop/
http://etsymarketing.org/

Monday, November 17, 2008

The Team Shop Has Listed Items

Stop in and check out the new items that are listed in the team shop! We should have more team sampler packs listed in the next few weeks, too. Check back often!

Members- if you would like to donate an item to the shop or contribute to the team sampler packs, please contact me for details.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Welcome to new member & new shop!

We have one new member this week. Please give them a warm welcome and don't forget to heart their shop!

Deviant

Also, Susmitha of Art by Susmitha has opened a second shop, Veganosaurus.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Items Listed in Team Shop!

The Vegan Etsy team shop is once again open for business! There are just a few things listed right now, but stay tuned for more items and another round of sampler packs!

Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary Update

For those interested, here is an update on the post about Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary.

Dear friend of Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary,

We're so close...but we still need more help to make it to the finish line!

We've been working feverishly behind the scenes on acquiring this property for several months now.

Thanks to your overwhelming response and generosity, we were able to make another cash offer for $97,000.00. Having consulted with, and been working, with Realtors and financial professionals, we had every reason to expect that offer to be accepted.

However, the property is owned by Fannie May and we are dealing with a hugely dysfunctional bureaucracy. They have countered our offer with an asking price of $115,000.00.

Although donations are still coming in, we need to raise another $15,000.00 ASAP.

If you use JustGive, as soon as your donation is recorded, we can show Fannie May that PPS has the funds. We won't need to pay the sale price until the closing date of Dec. 17th, at which time, JustGive will have dispersed the funds.

Credit card donations can also be made through PayPal from our home page. http://www.peacefulprairie.org/help.html#donateButton

Thanks to so many of you, we've come amazingly close to making this sanctuary expansion and new education center a reality for generations to come!

Please spread the word and we'll get there TOGETHER!

Thank You!

Michele Alley-Grubb
Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary

P.S. This property was originally listed at $255,000.00. Due to the market crash, the price has gradually been dropped to the final asking price of $119,000.00. If PPS can purchase it for $115,000.00 (even though we had hoped to get it for 100k), it will still be an unbeatable bargain and once in a lifetime opportunity!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Urgent help is needed!

I received the following email from Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary today. They only have until the end of the week to raise the money they need for this, but if everyone pulls together, we can make this happen!! Please help the animals by helping this wonderful sanctuary see this through. To donate, please visit their site or go here.

Dear Friend of Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary,

We have an incredible opportunity to expand the sanctuary by 35 acres and to acquire a 4000 square foot home that will be converted into an Education Center and volunteer / intern housing and B&B for sanctuary visitors.

This kind of capital improvement to the sanctuary is 10 years overdue -- but we now have the opportunity to purchase the property for $100,000.00.

Thanks to one VERY generous benefactor, we've already raised $70,000.00!!!

We need to raise the other $30,000.00 before the end of the week in order to make a cash offer on the property.

Another family has placed an offer and, due to the Agricultural zoning, they will have to use the land to enslave and exploit animals.

Please help us stop it before it starts, while simultaneously expanding the sanctuary and our ability to care for and advocate for countless more victims of the egg, dairy, flesh producers and consumers.

Time is of the essence - if you are able to contribute to this, please let me know right away.

Thank You!
Michele Alley-Grubb
Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Welcome to new member!

We have one new member this week who I would like to welcome to the team! Please give them a warm welcome by taking a peek at their shop & hearting them!!

Blushky Designs

Welcome to you all!

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Member Sale!

Brisil Handmade Bath and Body is running a special for the rest of the year!

****** HOLIDAYS SHIPPING SPECIAL!!! ******ALL SHIPPING IS $5.00! - United States & Canada Only (November 1st 2008 thru December 31st 2008)

Check out her shop for some lovely gift items!

Members- if anyone else is having a sale, please let me know & I'll post it here!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Recipe- Raw Vegan Organic Chocolate Pudding

The following was submitted by Heather of Holistically Heather, For The Love Of Vegan and Recycled Cycle.

Yeah thats right, its not too good to be true. Homemade raw vegan organic chocolate pudding!
Since Jessi cant eat solid food for 2 weeks after her surgery, I decided I would make her very favorite sweet treat....raw pudding!
All you need
2 bananas
2 avocados
1/4 c. organic fair trade cocoa powder

Blend it up, and viola, its a delicious snack, and its healthy!
If you like your pudding a bit sweeter, add some organic agave nectar! Get creative, and enjoy!

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Thank you, Farm Sanctuary!

Farm Sanctuary mentioned us in an article about online animal advocacy in their Fall 2008 newsletter. Just click on the images to enlarge them-


Monday, November 3, 2008

Review- Starrlight Jewelry

The following was written by Heather of Holistically Heather, For The Love Of Vegan and Recycled Cycle.

Trade cookies for jewels hah

I hadnt done a trade in a while so when Starrlight Jewelry contacted me about one I was stoked. We decided to trade 2 different batches of my cookies, for 3 of her beautiful necklaces. As always the photos on the internet never do artsy items justice. The necklaces I received are gorgeous, and were nicely shipped in a little jewelry box and tied with a ribbon.
The first necklace is called "Amber and Honey" and as soon as I opened it my grandmothers eyes lit up...she simply loved it. Her birthday is in November and I guess it is her birth stone color, so I tried to play it off like I knew that, and she is a happy little old lady with a beautiful necklace now.
"Moonlight" When I saw this necklace I knew that I had to have it,and I knew exactly who it was meant for! My sister that just had her first child is a very classic beauty, really into old actresses and movies. She even named my niece after Audrey Hepurn. Her birthday is also in November, its crazy how these things all fall into place!
"Purple Passion Heart" Last but definately not least is this gorgeous somewhat gothic looking necklace that I knew would be perfect for Jessi, my model, best friend, and closest companion. Jessi wears a lot of meaningful jewelry, and I thought I could add a beautiful piece like this to the collection for her! These are some really beautiful pieces handcrafted by a fellow vegan etsian!