More New Members!

We've got two more new members to introduce to you this week: Chirp Cards and JF Illustrations. So much color in these shops - I love it! Stop by to check out the whimsical designs and animal themes - I know you'll be hooked! (And of course, don't forget to make them your "favorite" shops!)

Night Owls card
by Chirp Cards

Go Vegan Rooster
by JF Illustrations

Happy October!

Happy October, did September fly by for you as well? To celebrate a new month, here are some very Autumnal picks from the Vegan Etsy Team!

It's Pumpkin Time by 3 AM Art Productions:

Pumpkin Earrings from Starrlight Jewelry:

Raven Tee from Sick on Sin:

Halloween Mischief Notebook from my shop, Vegancraftastic:

-Kala (vegancraftastic)

Perfect for fall: Vegan Carrot Cake!

Check out this awesome recipe for vegan carrot cake, AND a delicious vegan cream cheese frosting to boot, from VET member Rachel of Soapwalla. Perfect for Thanksgiving dessert? Mmm... yes!

Illustrations from My Zoetrope

Carrot Cake

Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 cups shredded carrot
• 2 cups flour (i generally use spelt)
• 1 cup raw vegan sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
• pinch salt
• 1/2 cup coconut milk or other nondairy milk (I generally squeeze in the juice of 1/2 a lemon in to make it a little brighter tasting)
• 3/4 cup sunflower, grapeseed or other light oil
• a big handful raisins
• a handful slivered almonds

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350. Grease 9 x 13 pan. Mix all dry ingredients thoroughly. Fold in carrots, making sure to coat carrots with flour mixture. Add oil and mix. Add milk and mix. Fold in raisins, almonds, and pour into cake pan. Even out the top (will be pretty thick), then cook 40-45 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting (recipe below).

Cream Cheese frosting

Ingredients:

• 1 tub Tofutti cream cheese, softened
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) earth balance, softened
• 3/4 to 1 cup organic powdered sugar, to taste
• zest of 1/2 lemon
• 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

Directions:

Whip cream cheese and earth balance until light and fully mixed. Add powdered sugar and mix. Taste, and add more sugar if necessary. Whip in lemon juice and zest, then place in fridge until you are ready to frost. Just before frosting, re-whip, then try not to eat the entire bowl before you get to the cake!

When the cake is fully frosted, I recommend placing in the freezer until you are ready to serve.

Feed Your Skin.

Rachel Winard, Soapwalla Chef

First new members for Fall!

We are happy to welcome two new members to the Vegan Etsy Team this week: Cornflower Blue Studio and Viva la Vegan! You're going to want to check these shops out, because I have a feeling they'll be two of your new favorites. ;) As it happens, both of these members happen to have awesome websites, so make sure to check these out too: the Cornflower Blue Studio blog and VivaLaVegan.net!

Coin Collection Embroidery from Cornflower Blue Studio

Upcycled Recipe Card Set from Viva la Vegan

Accessorize For Fall!

Looking for cute accessories to spruce up your Fall wardrobe? Look no further than the Vegan Etsy Team! Here are just a few things that the team has to offer:

Pinwheel Brooch from Monkey and Squirrel:

Tangerina Carnelian Earrings from Art by Susmitha:

Songbird Bamboo Tile Necklace from This Is It:

Night Owl Pin from my shop, Vegancraftastic:

-kala (vegancraftastic)

Happy Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Silly holidays are the best, so be sure to celebrate Talk like a Pirate Day!  So slap on an eye patch, dig out your finest peg leg and check out these pirate themed goodies from the Vegan Etsy Team:

Let's Parrrrty Cards from Merry Blues Art:

Red Corduroy Pirate Monster Plush from Panda With Cookie:

Crafty Pirate Magnet from my shop, Vegancraftastic:

-kala (Vegancraftastic)

Welcome Autumn!

It's just about Fall time (in the US at least) and I'm looking forward to crisp weather, apple cider, and pumpkin carving!  Here are some fun Fall picks from the Vegan Etsy Team:

Autumn Romance necklace from Art by Susmitha:

Chocolate Brown slouchy hat from Knits by Nat:

Changing of the Seasons painting by My Zoetrope:

Candy Corn Pin from my shop, Vegancraftastic:

-kala (Vegancraftastic)

Happy Patriot Day, U.S.A. (and world).

Today we acknowledge everything and everyone lost in an act of directed violence and hate nine years ago. To those of you who lost someone close, my heart goes out to you.

It's true what they say: freedom is not free. But we must all understand that the answer is not to respond in kind - with more violence and hatred. We must have tolerance for the beliefs of others, no matter how strongly we disagree with them or how little we understand them. And if their behavior becomes so intolerable that we are moved to action, we can and must respond without inflicting death and destruction.

Of course, when it comes to international decisions, you and I don't make these choices. Our responsibility in this realm is to choose leaders who will act wisely and, hopefully, make the decisions we would have made ourselves if given the opportunity.

We do, though, have the choice and the responsibility to treat each other with compassion and understanding. In many ways, people are formed through the manner in which they are treated by others. So let us constantly strive to treat each other with dignity and respect. Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me? Perhaps.

hearts,
melissa bastian