Vegan Craft Samples for the Holidays!

The Vegan Craft Samples holiday bag is here! The bags have just been unveiled, and they're going fast, so you probably want to order yours today! What's in the bag? Any number of vegan samples from crafters and artisans all over the world. Of course many team members contribute to the bags, as well as a large number of other vendors. The only way to really know what it's all about is to get one of your very own and discover it for yourself!

Bags are available in small ($15), regular ($25), and large ($25) sizes. You can also purchase a "subscription" for 2011 and receive every bag that comes out throughout year.

Importantly - and as always - 100% of profits from the sale of the bags will go directly to support animals in need. Funds from this round of holiday bags are going to Joey's Feline Friends!

To find out more, stop by the Vegan Craft Samples website or facebook page!

Vegan Craft Samples' Holiday 2010 Bag

The time is here: we are collecting samples for the Holiday 2010 Vegan Craft Sample bags! 100% of profits from each bag goes to an animal sanctuary voted for on the vegan samples blog.

Vegan Samples is back in full swing, with many goals for our future bags! Last year's holiday bag raised over $700 for Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary and we hope to beat that with this year's holiday bags! We are still accepting contributors and can accept samples as late as November 11th. Please sign up on the website.

Vegan Craft Samples is run by Heather from Holistically Heather and her partner in crime, Jessi, all out of their living room.

Photos from last years holiday sample bag assembly line!!

There is a blog and a facebook page as well:
http://www.vegansamples.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/vegancraftsamples
and of course their website
http://www.vegancraftsamples.com/

Vegan craft samples has been mentioned in VegNews magazine, reviewed on numerous blogs including Sarah Kramer's (go vegan calendar, how it all vegan cookbook trio). In order to continue raising funds for animals, vegan craft samples really needs more contributors and people who have a love for both animals and handmade. This is also a great way to advertise your shop!

Earth Day Celebration!

Happy Earth Day 2010, now I am a firm believer that doing things everyday for the earth is much better than just one day. But what better way to do a little something extra than on Earth Day!
To celebrate Earth Day 2010, Vegan Craft Samples latest bag was released this month on World Rat Day, 100% profits from this round of bags will go to Carolina Pet Rescue!

Vegan Etsy Team has a great way of celebrating our Earth everyday, we are all vegan!!! Veganism is a great way to show your love and support toward a happy harmonious existence on earth. Take it a step further and we have some awesome shops offering eco friendly items:

Eco Friendly Sun Journal from This Is It

Lemon-Lavender Soy Candle from Kenny Coop

Recycled Vinyl Cuff from Jak Random Art

Eco Chick from Ladies Blend

Organic Hemp Reusable Menstrual Pad from Aunt Flos Pads

Continuing with a review of the Vegan Craft Sample Bags

A fabulous pendant from MVegan5 is the next item out of the wonderful Vegan Craft Sample Bag

Michele is a very special Etsy member, as she founded Etsy for Animals which has done amazing work raising funds for animal charities worldwide. I admire Michele's dedication and drive in helping animals, she is truly an inspiration.
Her shop sells gorgeous, funky, Jewellery, cards, prints and lots more.

10% of everything sold at Mvegan5 is donated to an animal cause, and Michele also donated items to http://heartsforhaiti.etsy.com/ , http://handmade4hounds.etsy.com/ and http://brynnalex.etsy.com/.Indeed a very busy, generous, caring person, and I'm so delighted to have received one of her pendants.

I excitiedly dipped into my Vegan Sample Bag to find this adorable card by Pandabunny:
Just in time for Valentine's day, and such a cute card. Pandabunny sells original artwork, prints, cards and more. A very talented artist, with everso cute designs.

Kittyanydots is the designer of the lovely bag that the Vegan Craft Samples arrives in. Their shop sells cute kawaii cat and animal cards, prints, mirrors and other cute and delightful things. An adorably cute selection of birds, bunnies, cats and other animals, all very beautifully designed by Kittyanydots. A real Etsy treasure of a shop!

I absolutely adore this Pink Piggy Keychain/Zipper Pull from Ladies Blend Design Studio. As well as her own website, Ladies Blend has an etsy shop, selling imaginative Jewellery, many with hand stamped messages of inspiration.

The next item out was this sweet little mini lavender sachet from Brynnalex. I love the smell of lavender. This little lavender sachet is going in my sock drawer, to keep them smelling lovely. The shop Brynnalex at etsy .
was set up as a memorial to Brynn who tragically lost her life in a traffic accident at the age of 12. There is a site dedicated to Brynn, and shares her hopes and dreams, with photos and words. Elaine, Brynn's mother has set up a memorial fund, to grant a bursary to help one student annually, who is excelling in the arts, fashion design or journalism, just as Brynn would have been. A wonderful way to remember a precious child, who was tragically taken away from her family.

The next sample I picked out was this lovely pot of cosmetic mineral eye shadow powder from PURE natural minerals. Wonderful Iced Mocha colour, an easy colour which will go with most things. The list of eye shadow mineral make up is fantastic, with a colour for every occassion. The etsy shop sells eye shadows, concealers, foundations, all in natural minerals.

Then there is this adorable handmade card by Scrappy Rat Designs - Your Animal friendly stationer.
Scrappy Rat Designs Esty shop, is filled with the most gorgeous cards for every occassion. Scrappy Rat Designs will even design collage cards with your own pet and it's personality reflected on them.

Next is a fabulous Peace (CND) pin, in bright pink and black from Teeny Tiny Tantrums. Their Etsy shop has a whole range of pins with funky, fashionable sayings and images. A fabulous accessory with a message.

This wonderful card from Vegan Dogs Life has a sooper-dooper recipe for dogs biscuits on the back. Although I've not got around to trying them yet, they're on my list of things to do, and I'll let you know how well they go down when I make them. I will, of course, try them myself too! Vegan Dogs Life has a fabulous, interesting Blog, with all sorts on interesting and unusual articles. Check it out for a good read.

Here is an adorable Scrabble Tile Pendant from YumYum Pendants. If the idea was to give it to someone you love on Valentine's Day, it didn't work, it was so cute I just had to keep it myself (oops!). Well made, sturdy yet delicate. their shop has so many Scrabble Tile Pendants, at a reasonable cost, it would be hard to chose just one, and you'll be tempted to buy several. Theres one for everyone and every occassion. With cute pictures, quotes, and patterns, who could resist. I want them all!

And finally, my personal favourite, a sample mini zine from Uber Duper Creations. and GingerCardCo. The zine is packed with articles, information, artwork and more. It's trendy, it's interesting, and not just because I have contributed to it! I love reading it, and the artwork is always fabulous. The Zine focuses on a different topic each issue, so all the articles etc are based on a theme.The next one being 'Civil Rights', and I've already submitted my written piece. Can't wait for it to come out, it's gonna be a good one.


So, the end of my Vegan Craft Samples Bag, a wonderful bags of fabulous surprises. And all helping animals. A chance to treat youself and do some good at the same time, guilt free shopping is the best! Next bag out soon, check out the website for further info.

Vegan Craft Sample Bags

Having just received my Vegan Craft Sample Bag, I wanted to blog about it. However, instead of posting a few photos and a general write up, as I have done previously, I decided to review each item from a Vegan Etsy Team members shop that are in the bag. A bit of a mammoth task, since the bag is full of many lovely goodies, so I'm going to write about it in stages. Starting with a photo of the bag itself and a couple of photos of the items swished accross it.

As you can see, a fab mix of vegan goodies. Wanna see them close up? So did I. I had so much fun looking through my bag, and more fun photographing the individual items, cos I could them look at them all again!
In no particular order:

I wanted to photograph the label as much as the incense sticks from Mrs Tattooed Geek.
The label is funky and very intriguing. the incense sticks have a strong smell, that will scent my room nicely. they are dusted with glitter, a very nice effect. The gorgeous Etsy shop sells such wonderful items as air fresheners, jewellery, candles, and lots of other fabulous delights.

This funky card comes from Late to the Revolution. A novel card, showing vegan love in a unique way. I love it. Their shop sells imaginative items such as handmade headphones, paper goods, beanies and lots more.

This sweet magnet, displaying a pretty pattern inspired from Japanese Temari balls from CraftyPanties.
Their shop has the most adorable Temari Balls and Fabric Balls, in wonderful colours and patterns. For those that don't know what Temari Balls are, check out Crafty Panties, and prepare to be amazed.

Crye's Creations was adorable little envelopes, the right size for business cards, I know I'll be using them soon! also cute little note books for those very inportant messages. love the pretty paper used. Her shop is full of lovely creative goodness such as art doll kits and mini envelopes.


How's that for starters, lots more samples and reviews to come, keep checking back, as I sample the samples, and am delighted at the delights!
Vegan Craft Samples can be bought HERE, and check out the blog for further information.
And I forgot to mention the important bit- as well as receiving a bag full of fantastic vegan items, 100% profits from the sale of the bags go to help animal charities - a perfect chance to treat yourself without the guilt of spending - it's all good!

Valentine's Day the Cruelty Free Way! Vegan Craft Sample Bags

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!

Small bags come with 8-10 samples and are $15

Regular bags come with 17-20 samples and are $25

Large bags come with 23-25 samples and are $35

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!

Vegan Craft Samples New Years 2010 Bags

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!

Win a Vegan Craft Sample Bag- 2 ways to win! Giveaway on vegan etsy

Just posted a new giveaway on our facebook page this morning, all you have to do is tell us what your favorite vegan food is!
Yep its that simple, favorite vegan food and you are entered to win a vegan craft sample bag!

Only a couple of days left to enter our other giveaway for a free vegan craft sample bag, we need a design for our bags, yep thats right...check out our blog for details!

Heck, if you dont feel like trying your chances with a giveaway, swing on over to our etsy shop lickety split to grab one of the few sample bags left!

ON SALE NOW! Vegan Craft Sample Holiday Bags

100% profits to Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary!

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 All In The Bag- Holiday Promotion at It's Finest

The sample bags are quickly filling and looking AMAZING for this holiday season. We are still taking handmade artisans for our holiday bag, and would love to have more Vegan Etsy Team Members!

What is It's All In The Bag?

We help promote handmade artisans by collecting samples of their work and placing them into handmade reusable totes and selling them worldwide. 100% of the profits from these bags go to an animal sanctuary, which I am still decided whether to have a vote on, or just go with Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary again. (all ideas will be considered!)

It's All In The Bag- Vegan Craft Samples

Our Blog, where we review many of the contributors and other etsy shops!

Our Etsy

Our Facebook, please be our fan, we love fans, we are pretty much rockstars!

Our Myspace

It's All In The Bag- on sale now!

The day has finally come, August 16th, and our latest indie handmade sample bags go on sale! So exciting, these bags are awesome!

makeup, lotion, scrubs, lip balms, papercrafts, jewelry, keychains, face creams, cat toys, recipe cards

Each order comes in a handmade reusable bag and includes 17-20 crafty samples!

Get yours while you can, the last bag sold out in a matter of a few days!
100% profits from each bag go to Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary

Want to promote your handmade goodies in our HOLIDAY bag? Check out our website and sign up!


Interested in buying a bag? You can go to our website, or purchase a bag in our blog!

Support indie handmade and help animals!

So much to do, so little time! It's All In The Bag is ready for release!

Things around my neck of the woods have been CRAZY! From hiking, biking, swimming, and playing with the dogs to sewing to preparing for the release of our August It's All In The Bag!

What is
"It's All In The Bag"?

We take vegan handmade samples from people around the world, put them into handmade market totes and sell them on our website. This is a great way to promote your shop and help animals!

Wait, how does this help animals?

100% of profits from each bag are donated to Peaceful Prairie Animal Sanctuary, which is awesome because not only are you promoting your shop and exposing people around the world to your items, you are helping animals!

Our upcoming bag goes on sale August 16th, and its proving to be AMAZING! I was in awe with every package that I opened this round, every sample I pulled out of the packages I wanted one for myself!

How can I see who is in this round of bags?

Swing on over to our Current Contributors section of our website, and you can get a sneak preview of all the fabulous shops involved!

We have already started looking for people to be in our Holiday 2009 sample bag, which is going to be the biggest ever! We are aiming for 200 bags and have an anonymous donor willing to match whatever we raise for the animals! Pretty awesome, if you ask me!

How do I sign up to be in the Holiday bag?

Easy peasey, just go on over to our sign up page, right on our website!

When you sign up to be in the bags you will have your ad on our blog and website, along with a nice photo of your samples on our site to entice folks to check out your shop!

Not sure what to send? Not sure if you have any items small enough to use as samples?

Some people who have bigger items in their shops, that cant really scale them down send in business cards, with magnets or pins, and a coupon code. Everyone gets super creative with their packaging and draws attention without having to send a full sized quilt or something!

Get in the bag! Help your shop and help animals!

Posted by:

Holistically Heather

Interview-Threaded Smiles

Todays interview is with Carla of Threaded Smiles

What is the name of your shop and where did it come from?

This name came from a few sources. I am not a big smiley person, I use thread for a lot of my work, and my boyfriend said some lyrics to an old song and together, while hanging out working on stuff and listening to some music, Threaded Smiles was born. I have been on Etsy for about 2 years, but didn’t start selling right away. My friend and I started as something fun to do and Etsy had this upcycling contest that we entered.

What kinds of items do you sell in your shop and what inspired you to start
creating them?


Well I am in the miscellaneous category. I started working with a friend on hoodies, patches, and cuffs for inspring people as a way of saying thanks. We ventured down different paths and I have worked on stationary, cards, clothing, and accessories for all sorts of people and companies. I started taking art classes when I was 5. I now switched my paintbrush for a needle and thread. I dream about things and write them down and out comes a design.

Do you donate to any charities?


I donate a portion of sales to Serenity Springs Animal Sanctuary and have donated to Spindletop American Pit Bull Terrier / American Staffordshire Terrier refuge in Houston, Texas.

What are some of your favorite things about etsy?


I like the fact that Etsy allows so many artists to join together and create subcommunities like all of us Vegan Etsians.


Do you sell your items outside of etsy, either online or in retail shops?



I do a lot of craft shows but mostly do screen printing work for bands, companies, and schools. I love having the creative freedom to do whatever and customers are totally into it.

Have you been featured anywhere?

I have been featured on Funky Finds, the 360 Magazine, and will soon be featured in a review for Latinos and Religious Art at Arizona State University.

Do you have any future plans for your shop?



I hope to introduce a children’s line and further push the wedding and special events products that I make such as invitations, tablecloths, and ties.

What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have?

I love art and music. I love being busy and always doing something. I enjoy going to local shows, hanging out with my kids, and spending time with the hunny. My family is a huge inspiration in my life.



Do you have any animal companions?



Oh yes, we have 4 rescued pups. Wag, our black lab, Gunnar and Quint our American Pit Bull Terriers, and Buttercup, our bulldog/boxer mix. We have a cat that hangs out name Buttercat and Boss the crab that wandered up to my front door one day.

Do you have any websites besides your shop that you would like to tell us
about?



Well of course every shop that a member of VET has is a must visit. Also, Spiral Diner is the BEST eatery in Fort Worth/Dallas. So if you ever come out here, you HAVE to go there. And if you haven't heard of it yet vegancraftsamples.com

How long have you been vegan and what made you go vegan?


I have been Vegan for 10 years. I was vegetarian for 4 years prior to that, but decided, I love the animals and what is the point of doing things halfway? I decided that I wanted to live my life clean and pure and raise my kids the same. I wouldn’t change my lifestyle for anything; I think Veganism shows compassion, power, and intelligence all at the same time.

Do you have any favorite vegan things, like books, websites, stores, etc.?

SerenitySpringsSanctuary.org

I love the Vegetarian Meat and Potatoes cook book because all recipes are created Vegan and are to die for!



What are your favorite foods?


I love spinach and hummus and kiwi and lots of fruit! Oh and Jeremy makes the best vegan birthday cakes!


Is there anything else you would like to add or share?

I love all things vegan and all things handmade, so thanks for having Vegan Etsy!

Peaceful Prairie will receive 100% of sales

Peaceful prairie has been voted for on our blog to receive 100% of profits from the vegan craft sample bags coming out in August!! We decided to donate 100% of profits instead of the original 10%.

We have also chosen our new name and the person who came up with that name will receive a free vegan craft sample bag!

The winner is one of our very own Vegan Etsy Team Members....
Midnight Rabbits
The new name is "It's all in the bag" and the new blog name is "It's all in the blog"
thanks to everyone who entered!

Here are some upcoming events, if you are interested in signing up please get in touch!

Vegan Craft Sample Bags-August bags- 100% of profits to Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary
we are still looking for vegan crafts for our new bag, your entire shop doesnt have to be vegan but your samples do! Many people send in small samples of their craft, along with a coupon to entice buyers to their shop! You can check us out and sign up on our website Vegan Craft Samples

Syracuse Veg Fest 2009- is coming up in September
I will be tabling at this event, selling the craft sample bags, and also I am putting together little vegan etsy team promotion bags, free to everyone who comes to our table.
Please if you want to be in these little bags, I am looking for business cards, small small samples, and Vegan Etsy Team promotional items.

You can get in touch if you have questions about either of these things by emailing me at ecosampler@yahoo.com

Compassionate Crafting Treasury

Thank you to Heather of Holistically Heather, Vegan Craft Samples and For The Love Of Vegan for snagging this treasury. Please show it some love!

Vegan Sushi

Recipe by: Heather from

Holistically Heather

For The LOVE Of Vegan

Vegan Samples

Vegan sushi, thats right, you heard me right, vegans can eat sushi too! Enough to make about 16 sushi rolls, which is for about 4 people, if you need less, just cut the recipe in half!

What you will need:

Sushi rolling mat (if you dont have one a cloth napkin will work too, just not as well)

4 cups of sushi rice

rice vinegar

3 carrots, cut into matchsticks

2 celery stalks cut into matchsticks

6 big button mushrooms cut into small strips

3 avocados cut into small strips

16 pieces of asparagus with the bottom (non flowery) ends cut off

16 sheets of nori

sesame oil

garlic powder

1 c. vegenaise

hot sauce(we prefer hot cock)

Braggs (soy sauce)

First thing is first, get those mushrooms cut up first, and cut the bottoms off of the asparagus (set bottoms aside, steam them the next day for a nice little snack). Then I put the mushrooms and asparagus in a marinade, you can really make any marinade you like, I use some sesame oil, rice vinegar and garlic powder. It is up to you.

While that is marinating I get the sushi rice started, which can be tricky, so make sure you follow the directions! Take 5 cups of water, 5 T. of rice vinegar, and 1 T. sugar and get it boiling, really boiling, once it starts boiling add the sushi rice, keep it boiling on high for 2-3 minutes, stiring often. Next, turn the head down to the lowest setting (if your stove is electric take it off of the heat until it cools down) put a lid on your rice and let it simmer on low for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. When most of the water is evaporated pull from head, and let the rice sit for 15-20 minutes with the lid on. While the rice is cooking is usually when I chop up all of the veggies. When the rice is done, spread it out in a non metal pan for it to cool, its easier to work with when it cools down!

Now that your rice is cooled, your veggies are chopped....you are ready to roll, literally! Place your first nori sheet down on your rolling mat, or cloth napkin, cover your nori with rice, a very thin layer of rice, evenly, leaving one quarter along the side rice free (this is where you wet the nori to seal the roll)

In the middle of the roll place a thin line of each veggies, you will see what I mean in the photos!

Then start from the end with rice on it, roll over the veggies,

roll again, wet the naked nori and roll it closed. Use your mat, wrapped around the nori, to tighten the roll, just roll it up in the mat or napkin really tight.

Cutting your sushi kind of have a science to it, unless you have a fancy sushi knife, I would honestly use a serrated knife. Get the knife wet with warm water, and slice your sushi about 8 pieces from each roll.

Hot Sauce

You will need about 1 cup of vegenaise, and squirt in hot sauce, stir, and taste until its a flavor you like...everyone is different with how much spicy they like!

Now it is time to enjoy your sushi, gather a small bowl of soy sauce, a small bowl of wasabi, and a small bowl of hot sauce and mayo mixture, and your chopsticks....Enjoy!