Bats are SO freaking cruelly shot down, fogged and poisoned to death so they can be boiled (sometimes while still alive) so 'jewelry designers' can snatch their skulls and other bones to make jewelry out of them. SAY NO TO ANIMAL CRUELTY
and only buy your jewelry/accessories from fellow vegans and cruelty free business owners!
OCTOBER SHELTER OF THE MONTH: Bat World Sanctuary
> www.batworld.org <
for the month of October, 50% of all sales placed through www.StarrlightJewelry.com will be donated to bat world.
- all of the 25% items from our 'bat world' shop section are automatically bumped to 50%.
~* if you cannot purchase or donate to help the fur babies,
please like and share in hopes it reaches people who can.
~* I will be closing up shop for a few months starting in November,
Dear Vegan Etsy Harvest Home Animal Sanctuary’s mission is to provide
life-long care for our rescued animals, and to educate the public about
humane animal care and practices. We rehabilitate, both physically and
psychologically, mistreated animals and, if possible, we find
appropriate homes for them. In an effort to prevent further cruelty to
these animals, we educate the public on caring for companion animals as
well as on issues concerning farmed animals. Nestled in fertile farmland
in California’s San Joaquin Valley, our two-acre rescue and
rehabilitation sanctuary is home to 200+ animals representing thirteen
animal species. Our non-profit tax ID# is 56-2515797.
Our fourth annual Toast to the Turkeys will feature:
*Special Guest Speaker: Jonathan Balcombe
*Self-guided tours of our sanctuary
*Seasonal vegan fare
*Toast to the Turkeys Ceremony
*Silent Auction
*Vegetarian food drive
*Turkey sponsorship opportunities
We would love to feature your donation, and we
will be promoting the donors on our blog, on the online ticket-sales
webpage, and our facebook page - we have 3,500+ animal-loving followers
on facebook! Also, we will be printing program books which will contain
advertising space, if you would be interested.
Please contact me
if you have any questions regarding the event or Harvest Home Animal
Sanctuary. I can be reached at roni@harvesthomeanimal.org
Free stuff is great, but free VEGAN stuff, MADE BY A VEGAN is even better!
Starrlight Jewelry is hosting a give-away on her fanpage for a box stuffed with vegan goodies.
Win A Starrlight Jewelry Prize Box http://www.starrlightjewelry.com/whatsinthebox.htm
We will pick 2 winners at the end of September!
boxes can include but are not limited to soap, incense, candles, bath
salts, necklace, bracelets, chokers, lanyards, trinket boxes, anklets,
rings, earrings, sun catchers and much more.
*BOXES WILL SHIP INTERNATIONAL*
If you are a crafter, artist or small business owner looking for advertisement opportunity, Starrlight Jewelry is also welcoming other sellers to submit -vegan- promotional items to be passed out with her box give-away contests and sale. Just check out
Those of you who are regular readers will remember the three bulls who we saved from slaughter a few months back. The boys were headed for a terrible demise - except, of course, that they were under the watchful eye of friend and team mate Jodi. With the help of many friends Jodi managed to collect the funds necessary to rescue the animals, and has been sheltering them on her land ever since.
But oh life, it is full of surprises. Jodi and her partner, proprietors of This is It! Creations, have recently learned that they must move by the end of May. On top of all of the normal woes a couple faces upon moving, they also have the care of the bulls to consider.
But it seems that where a heart is willing, an answer will appear sooner or later. Hooves and Paws Animal Rescue in California has agreed to take in the bulls! However, there are issues of transportation to consider, and the rescue also needs funds for a permanent shelter for the animals.
So once again, the fundraising is on! Drop by the ChipIn site and remember, everything helps. As Jodi says, "Fingers crossed that we'll raise enough to get these 3 to a wonderful forever home... I am forever grateful to you all. Because of you, we saved 3 lives - and I know we can get them to a great home where they can live out their lives in peace." And she's offering a Spotty Friend note pad to anyone who donates $25 or more through the site. Win win? I think so.
For those of you who have been following the story of the three bulls who were to be sold to slaughter, we've got some good news for you: The money was raised, and Pooka Cow, Spotty Friend, and Less Spotty Friend are now safe in the care of Jodi and her husband! The three bulls were able to spend Valentine's Day out to pasture where they belong, rather than en route to a slaughterhouse.
Jodi has informed us that, all told, over 100 people donated in one way or another to make it happen. It's a significant sum to raise in just under two weeks, and just goes to show how many of us truly value the life of each and every creature. She'll be keeping us all up to date on the cows' progress and wellbeing on her This Is It! Creations blog.
This past Saturday was indeed a joyous day for that now somewhat larger family. The new cow parents have dived headfirst into a crash course on bovine care. Says Jodi: "If you had asked us a few weeks ago whether we would be cow parents today, I would've just laughed. You never know what turns life will take, that's for sure!"
Feeding and care of the three bulls is a significant investment, so the couple is grateful to continue to receive any donations through the established ChipIn widget or site. As usual, Jodi's sentiments sum it up best:
We are now the proud parents of these sweet boys, and we are thrilled that they will be able to live out their lives... I promise that I will keep you all updated - for now we are just going to focus on taking care of them and trying to raise enough money to make sure they have everything they need.
This week's Vegan Etsy Team Member of the Week is Heather of Holistically Heather and Aunt Flo's Pads. Heather is a constant advocate for animals, and regularly donates portions of her shop proceeds to various sanctuaries and other animal causes. Most recently, for example, Heather is generously donating 100% of the profits from both of the above shops to save three bulls from slaughter. Possibly her most focused animal action effort is through the only all-vegan sample bag on the market, Heather's brainchild Vegan Craft Samples. Today Heather talks to us about this ambitious and creative way to promote vegan crafters and products while simultaneously supporting animal rescue efforts.
How did you choose the name of your shop? I chose the name Vegan Craft Samples because I thought it best explained the idea of the project.
What inspired you to begin Vegan Craft Samples? Vegan Craft Samples came upon me when I realized that there were no sample bags currently running that were vegan/animal friendly. So we started our own, and decided to give profits back to animals that need them! So you donate to animal organizations through your shop? 100% of the profits from each bag sold goes to an animal sanctuary. Each new edition of the bag goes to a different sanctuary, which is voted for on our blog, It's all in the Blog. Our Valentine's Day sample bags are on sale now, and 100% of profits are going to Pigs Peace Sanctuary. Bags are available in three sizes, and can be purchased in our etsy shop or on our website. They make great gifts!
What are some of your favorite things about Etsy? I love that you can find pretty much anything your mind dreams up, and it is totally handmade!
Do you sell your items outside of Etsy, either online or in retail shops? Not quite yet other than the website, but we did recently donate a couple of our bags to raffles and fundraisers for animals!
Have you been featured anywhere? We have been interviewed for Veg News Magazine, reviewed on their "This Just In" blog, reviewed by Sarah Kramer, and have appeared on various other blogs.
How long have you been vegan, and what made you go vegan? I have been vegan almost 15 years. I grew up in a family who loved animals, yet didn't respect them. It made no sense to me, and after I found out that they were lying and saying the chicken wasn't real chicken that I was eating... I stopped eating meat. Shortly after, I began reading about dairy and other animal products and it was a no brainer for me. My partner Jessi has been vegan about 3 years now; she was vegetarian when we started hanging out but quickly turned vegan after learning how easy it was to cook (and learning more about dairy production).
What are your favorite foods? Daiya cheese on everything and anything, stuffed shells, raw tabbouleh, salad, coconut milk ice cream...
Do you have any favorite vegan things, like books, websites, stores, etc.? I recently read Obligate Carnivore, and I highly recommend it to vegans and non vegans alike... it's a great book. I also recommend "It's A Vegan Dog's Life" by our fellow team member of eponymous shop name. It is priceless for anyone who has fur babies in their lives, full of information and recipes pups will beg and steal for!
What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have? I recently started out on the local roller derby team! I am blogging about life as a vegan roller derby girl - the blog is called Vegan Derby Girl. It is awesome and all of the women are so supportive and helpful! I also enjoy riding bikes, hiking, canoing, swimming and traveling. Do you have any animal companions? Penney is the little princess of our house, who hates when it rains and would much rather hold her potty until it is sunny and warm out! We were told she is a black lab chow, but she's definitely a whippet terrier of some sort. We had a new addition to our family last year, Carmel, who had a miserable past and is improving mentally and physically every day. He is a yellow lab What is the vegan community like in your area? The vegan community in Utica, NY is small but hopefully growing. I know there are vegans around this city, we are just trying to find them. We recently started hosting a monthly vegan potluck at our house. The first one was in January and we had about 10 people...it was awesome!
Why do you think it's important to buy handmade? I think it's important to buy handmade because that is the closest option to my ideal at this point. Ultimately I would love to trade 100% of the time: trade for things I need, make things for people that they need....this is a very disposable world we live in with way too many useless possessions that become obsessions. Do you have any future plans for your shop or other endeavors? Jessi and I plan to start an animal sanctuary in the future, and hopefully use the sample bags as a way to raise money to help as many animals as we can! We also will be transitioning all of our Etsy shops to benefit our sanctuary 100%... oh to dream, but it is becoming more and more real. Is there anything else you would like to add or share? Please join us online - we love new friends! facebook - http://www.facebook.com/vegancraftsamples twitter - http://www.twitter.com/fortheloveofveg Ning - http://www.vegancraftsamples.ning.com Myspace - http://www.myspace.com/vegancraftsamples
Enjoy this lovely video featuring the Valentine's Day bag samples!
Valentine's Day doesn't have to mean tons of processed sugars and dairy - it can mean compassion and love! This Valentine's Day you can order a Vegan Craft Sample bag for your love, and know that it is all vegan and all compassion!
Vegan Craft Samples receives samples of handmade items from Etsy shops around the world, puts them into reusable hand stenciled tote bags and sells them. Everything in these bags is vegan and cruelty free and 100% of profits from each bag goes to a different sanctuary each time. Valentine's Day 2010 sample bag profits go to Pigs Peace Sanctuary The bags come in 3 different sizes now, they used to only offer the regular sized bags, but now they offer small and large bags as well!
The next round of bags after our Valentine's Day bags are our Earth Day bags, we are always looking for new handmade shops to contribute samples. When you contribute samples you promote a compassionate lifestyle, raise money for animals, and promote your craft! Please sign up under "get in the bag" on our website!
Animal lovers everywhere, here is a story you won't want to miss.
Jodi of the amazing VET shop This Is It! Creations made a terrible discovery over the weekend: that these three bulls who graze on her property were to be sold for slaughter in short order. Being a person of high ideals, naturally Jodi immediately started looking for an answer - that is, a way to keep these three gorgeous animals from such a brutal and unnecessary death. The solution? Buy them! But cows don't come cheap; their freedom can indeed be purchased, but it will come to the tune of about $3600. Not only that, but the payment must be made by the end of next week!
And so, friends, we ask for your help. Chip in to save Pooka Cow, Spotty Friend, and Less Spotty Friend!
Important note: though the ChipIn widget here says that the final date to donate is March 13, in reality it is February 13!
Just a few dollars from each of us can make a big difference. These lives matter! Help Jodi to help her friends. What's their alternative to a terrifying slaughterhouse? Says Jodi:
"We've been asked where the cows will go if we do raise enough money to save them - they will stay here, at least for the short term. We have 11 acres of land, a barn, and a stream. We are planning to create a line of products where all of the profits will go toward their care (hay, vet bills, fence mending, etc.) If we can find a loving family with enough land to adopt them, we are definitely open to that as well."
Country idyll or the abattoir - three lives are on the line. So, wanna buy a journal? :)
It's that time again, time to celebrate the New Year with compassion and love for all creatures of the earth.
New Years Vegan Craft Sample bags are now on sale and 100% profits will go to Pigs Peace Sanctuary
Meet Bubba and Charlie, two old time piggies at Pigs Peace Sanctuary
We have a limited supply of sample bags this round, so please dont hesitate to order if you want to be sure to get yours! Check out all of the great contributors here
Interested in contributing to our sample bags? Helping animals AND promoting your handmade items? Please sign up on our website under "get in the bag"
You can order your sample bags in our etsy shop or on our website
You dont have to be a member of Vegan Etsy to contribute or buy a bag....but being a member of Vegan Etsy is pretty awesome!
I recently started a job at Macys, a cleaning job, I work for an outside company that cleans. Why am I telling readers this? Because it has really given me perspective on the holiday season.
I have never been one for consumption, over consumption, or holiday consumption...it just flat out isnt my style. But since starting my job at Macys and seeing people fight over possesions, spend $150 on a childs dress and not even look me in the eye because I am a lowly cleaner...I have made a choice. A choice that isnt far off from how things usually go, usually I get something small for Jessi and something small for my grandmother....well, no more!
This year instead of adding to the consumeristic hysteria of mass produced sweat shop items, I will be sponsoring rescued animals at Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary for my family and Jessi.
Instead of getting someone something that might just end up in their junk drawer anyway, why not give the gift of life. When you sponsor an animal you insure that animal has food and shelter and necessities for a year of its life, you will also receive a picture and bio of the animal you are sponsoring.
Hopefully someday we can make it out to Colorado to meet all of the animals they have saved, and show love to them all! Happy Holidays! I hope some of you will choose to make your holiday season cruelty free.
Due to a large response we are having 2 different sized bags this time, a regular and a large. The large contains 25+ samples and the regular contains the usual 17-20.
You can get your bag in the following places
There is an easy checkout cart in our artfire (for the large bags) Click the order link on our website Or finally, go to our Etsy where you can also buy either size!
It's true - I baked approximately eight dozen cookies in the span of... eighteen hours? But contrary to appearances, I am not actually squirreled away in my apartment, shoving cookie after cookie into my chocolate-smeared crumb-rimmed mouth. Nope. Sure, I've eaten some cookies in the past few days. Too many, even. I think yesterday I had eight. At least I know exactly what was in them!
But I've been baking cookies for a reason. A good reason, even. Some would even say, for a cause. Fo realz! And what's my big "why?" Because Farm Sanctuary asked me to!
OK, fine, not me specifically. We're not all BFF like that. But on Wednesday, Advocacy Organizer David Benzaquen raised the call for baked goods to be donated to a bake sale, to occur on Saturday. And I said, I can do that! As a matter of fact, it sounded like one of the best reasons I'd ever heard to bake way, way too many cookies. Major bonus: that I wouldn't just eat them all myself for once!
In case you're not familiar with them, Farm Sanctuary is one of those wonderful nonprofit organizations that gives homes to animals who, for the most part, began their lives as "products" within the industrial food production system. Through various modes of rescue, these creatures have been brought to FS and are now able to live as animals should, healthy and happy as they can be, and not destined for anyone's plate. I'm so sad that I haven't gotten to visit yet! I don't make it to upstate New York much, and I haven't made it to California at all. But some day...
And so. On Saturday morning I finished baking the chocolate chip cookies, packed up those and the Earl Greys, and headed on down to Tompkins Square Park in the East Village. This has long been a gathering spot for revolutionary thinkers and holders of progressive views and lifestyles. On Sunday it would be the location of the NYC Veg Fest, but on Saturday it was home to Harvest Rebellion, a small but rockin' music festival at which Farm Sanctuary was asked to come and table. No selling was to be allowed at the Veg Fest, so FS held the bake sale on Saturday.
We came to drop off the goods early - always good to be set up before things really get going. As usual FS had a beautiful display set up with info about the farm, as well as other educational materials about factory farming and veg alternatives. At the moment their champion campaign is Adopt-a-Turkey - a really fantastic program and a great way to start a new thanksgiving tradition in your family. Not only are you not contributing to the death of these beautiful animals by refusing to bring them to your dinner table; by sponsoring one, you are contributing to the happy and prosperous life of the FS turkey of your choosing! Totally rad, says I.
Jonathan and I spent a happy hour or so chatting with David, intern Molly, and other FS volunteers and passersby. And of course we couldn't help ourselves from purchasing and sampling some of the other donated bakesale goodies! Just take a look - all vegan of course! Totally delish - the animal cookies and apple muffins made by a splendid girl named Calla were an utter delight.
Alas, we couldn't stick around all day - big things afoot in wedding land that day. But it was clear that the event was a success. +1 for Farm Sanctuary, +1 for the animals and for awesome vegan baked goods! Thanks to the good people of FS for making it happen every day! Woot.
Look out! Here it comes! You may have already seen them... Soon grocery store shelves everywhere will be covered with an array of "Humanely produced" eggs, dairy, and meat.
Sadly, there is no such thing. The animal exploiting industries and retailers think they have struck gold with this new deceptive advertising and labeling strategy. Sadly they are deceiving consumers who consider themselves “animal lovers”. Most people want to believe that there is a “humane” way to produce animal products, but the truth is that is impossible – basic economics and biology are the two most irrefutable reasons why.
Basic Economics For any product to be mass produced whether it’s labeled “organic, Free Range, Cage Free, etc. The animals are still bred by the billions, separated from their family members, and eventually loaded into trucks and are brutally slaughtered including all Dairy cows and hens. Free-range & Organic animal products are highly profitable because they can charge a lot more for the 'product', and consumers are willing to pay that price in order to fell guilt free without eliminating the animal products. This allows the animal exploiters to put even more money back into advertising which increases sales which ultimately increases the number of animals bred, abused, and killed.
Basic Biology Cows still must be impregnated, their babies are still stolen from them and either slaughtered or kept separately to REPLACE their spent and slaughtered mothers.
For any and all types of egg production, including backyard operations, ALL baby roosters are still killed at the hatcheries, the hens are often still de-beaked, force molted and slaughtered at 1 •to 4 years old when their battered and overworked bodies can no-longer lay enough eggs to be “economically productive”.
The pigs, chickens, and cattle killed for their flesh are still taken from their mothers, still forced to endure a terrifying trip to the slaughterhouse and, of course, violently murdered.
These meats, eggs and dairy products are the bodies and bodily secretions of sentient beings who are enslaved and killed. If it were dogs or cats forced to endure the same circumstances to satisfy people's appetites, there is no way the public would believe these products could be promoted or labeled as “humane”.
Please don’t be fooled by the deceptive and manipulative marketing ploys of the bloody handed producers. The blood of the animals is not only on the hands of the producers, but also on the hands of the consumers who pay them to abuse, kill and neatly package the body parts.
The fact that each and every one of us has full and immediate access to the most effective way of reducing the greatest amount of suffering in the world is cause for celebration.
Choosing vegan products has never been easier and has always been the only truly humane and compassionate choice.
We have sold all but 5 of our vegan craft sample bags, raising over $100 for For The Animals Sanctuary! If you havnt ordered your bag, now is the time, we only have a few left.
Now it is time to start getting crafters/artists together who would like to be in the second bag! The second round of vegan craft samples will go on sale August 16th, and all samples are due to me by July 30th. If you are interested in being in the next bag, please email me at ecosampler@yahoo.com. Many people who dont have small items, or items they can make into sample sizes send in business cards and coupons or gift certificates as well. If you need help coming up with ideas for samples, I am sure we can brainstorm!
Voting has begun for the next sanctuary to receive our donation, please check out our blog and vote!
We recently added a project wonderful ad section to our blog, if you are interested in advertising on the vegan samples blog, it is cheap and easy! We are always willing to trade ad space with people as well, as long as your blog or website is vegan oriented!
A big huge vegan thank you to all of the vegan etsy members who sent in items, blogged about us, spread the word, and helped us raise money for animals!
Starrlight Jewelry -&- Sanctuary says:
