Saturday Shopping

Saturday Shopping: Vegan On A budget!
This great treasury was curated by Kala of Vegan Craftastic and features a wonderful array of vegan gifts $10 and under!

Happy Mother's Day from the Vegan Etsy Team!

Post by Katie Rose of Luna's Apawthecary - the perfect place to find gifts for the cat lover in your life!

Mother's Day is May 13th, and the Vegan Etsy team is here to help you find the perfect gift for mom! This beautiful collection from our team of compassionate creators promises to help mom unwind, express your gratitude, and to let her know how deeply she is loved.

Vegan Etsy Team Members Give Back

As the holiday season rolls around, a number of Vegan Etsy team members are donating a portion of sales to charities again.

Katie at Luna's Apawthecary is donating 20% of all sales to C & W Rustic Hollow Shelter for cats in Iowa. Check out her shop for fluffy cat beds for that special kitty.

Rachel from The Feathered Snail is donating 10% of sales to Mobilization for Animals pet store and educational outreach. She has you covered for all your jewelry nest needs.

Panda With Cookie is donating 10% of all zine and personalized cat and dog ornament sales to Brother Wolf Animal Rescue. Check out the Tofu Pirate Comic Adventure and get an ornament made to look like your kitty.

Gifts Under $10!

If you're looking for beautiful handmade gifts that are also budget friendly, look no further than the Vegan Etsy Team!  A quick search on Etsy for items from our team $9.50 and under yields 1,117 results!  Here are just a few of my favorites:

Gothic Purple Rose Ring from Starrlight Jewelry:

Utopia All-Over Lotion from Twig and Leaf Botanicals:

Lavender Sweet Orange Soap from Daisy Wares:

Woodland Deer Pin Set from my shop, Vegancraftastic:

-kala (vegancraftastic)

Turn Black Friday into Green Friday with the Vegan Etsy Team!

Here in the states, this Friday after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday. Why? Maybe because businesses expect to get enough sales to put them "in the black". Or maybe because for those who work in retail, it's the most nightmarish day of the year! Any way about it, it's expected to be a day of shopping frenzy! Christmas is coming! Buy those presents!!! (And since you're out, why not slip in a few goodies for yourself?) But, where is all that money going?

Here at the VET, we think it's important to think not just about what you "support" when you're talking amongst your friends and associates, but what you literally support when you pull out those bills or lay down that card. If you'll be shopping you today, we encourage you to give as much of that support as possible to small businesses run by real people - and especially vegan ones! And to also think of all the animals who need our help - not only at this time of year, but all year round.

As you probably already know, one of the best ways to find small vegan businesses is to shop with the Vegan Etsy Team! Our team is made up of individual sellers - real live people! - all of whom are vegan, running all-vegan shops. The majority of us give a portion of our profits to animal causes, and sometimes that portion is 100%! So you can feel good about shopping with us on many levels. Not to mention that our shops represent an incredible variety of wares!

To find us, just go to Etsy.com and search our team tag, "veganetsy team". If you'd like to narrow it down, just add another parameter:

• veganetsy team cookies
• veganetsy team chocolate
• veganetsy team jewelry
• veganetsy team red
• veganetsy team scarf
• veganetsy team bath

And so on, and on, and on...Whatever it is you're searching for, we've probably got it!

And so, happy Green Friday, and happy shopping!

Two vegans, two years, one wedding - The Saga, part 5.May I have the ring, please?

This is the fifth installment of an as of yet unknown quantity of posts about Melissa Bastian's wedding nonsense, to be posted on the first Monday of each month.

Engagement. The guy asks the girl, and there's only one way to do it. He gets down on one knee, opens up a box that holds a ridiculously huge diamond ring, and "pops the question."

Right? Wrong! And thank goodness. Maybe for some couples this is the ideal scene, and if it works for them, fabulous. But for many of us this might as well be straight out of science fiction. (Guy and girl? One knee? Diamond?!!) Where did this little piece of drama get whipped up from anyway?

Timeless tradition like your mama (and the television and all the magazine industry) says? 'Fraid not. While the exchange of rings may be multicultural as a symbol of friendship, love, and yes, engagement, the diamond engagement ring thing is actually the product of advertising. I know you'll be just shocked to hear it, but the campaign was trying to sell - *gasp!* - diamonds! Yes, that's right. The DeBeers "Diamonds are Forever" ad campaign, which started in 1938, is the only reason that we so staunchly believe that diamond = engagement.

Yup, 1938. Tradition? That's not even a hundred years! But it's long enough that pretty much anyone who actually got married before it started has probably passed on, and as a species we have awfully short memories. While I enjoy the idea and symbolism of exchanging rings with the one you love, I distinctly do *not* appreciate the whole diamond engagement ring shtick. First of all, in case you're not aware, the diamond industry is absolutely rife with human rights and ecological atrocities. I'm not going to go into depth here, but seriously, look it up. (To scratch the surface, I'm just going to give you two words: child soldiers.) It is possible to source "conflict-free" diamonds, but in general only independent artisans tend to do so. (Like some of the fine craftspeople on Etsy, for example.)

There are also some real socioeconomic implications here. For example: what, only people who can afford a diamond solitaire are worthy of the rite of marriage? Talk about your elitist nonsense. This concept is only heightened by yet another ad campaign, also started by good old DeBeers (don't you love these guys?), stating that an engagement ring should cost two months' worth of the asker's salary. To which I say, are you effing kidding me?! Artist Lee Gainer recently explored this absurdity in her eponymous series, which depicts what types of rings this might mean to hopefuls of various employments.

Besides these major shortcomings, there's just something very exclusionary about the whole diamond ring thing - even beyond monetary considerations. It assumes so many things. Such as that 1) the asker is always a man, 2) he is always asking a woman, and 3) she's always a woman who will just swoon at the thought of wearing a giant diamond. If that's what you want, this system works just fine for you. But what if it isn't?

I'd say that there are plenty of us who want something different. I'd say it's well past time to forge new ground. (And of course, many people already have.)

I have to say, if Jonathan had even suggested spending two months of his salary on a piece of freaking jewelry, I would have asked him if he had gone completely out of his mind. Of course, he never would have. He's too practical for that, and knows me better than to think I would want it. Yeah, I did want a nice sparkly engagement ring. I admit it, and I'm not ashamed. But we have some serious ethics when it comes to what we consume, so deciding how to go about choosing an engagement ring was no small task.

Our first thought was to go vintage. Great! No new materials used, nothing being wasted, no risk of purchasing a conflict diamond or other unethically obtained gemstones, right? I wish. Vintage rings are really, really popular these days, and unfortunately when a market becomes popular it often also becomes tainted. First off, you have to be terribly careful to make sure you're getting a ring that's actually old and not one that's just a remake of an old design. Second, sometimes it's an old setting with a new stone - and then you're into conflict diamond territory. Third, even among jewelers who sell genuine vintage and antique pieces, they generally also sell new things. So while you may not personally be buying a gem of dubious origin, you're still supporting a business that is working in that market. Basically, it's a mine field, and in short time our vintage plan was scrapped.

Fortunately, we came upon GreenKarat. Based out of Texas, this company deals only in lab-created stones and recycled precious metals. Purchasing from them, we knew that we wouldn't be supporting anything that we were ethically opposed to. Plus, their rings are gorgeous! My ring does have two diamonds in it, plus one sapphire. But since all the stones are lab-created, not only are they worry-free but they're also cool colors! The diamonds are light blue and the sapphire is only slightly darker. The stones are set in recycled white gold, so no mining there either. We're happy with our choice, and I love my ring.

Photo Credit: J. Matthew Turner

Somehow, though, through this whole process I never realized how many great engagement ring choices are right under my nose on Etsy! I guess when we first started talking about getting engaged I hadn't become a full-fledged Etsy addict yet. But poppets. I've been checking it out lately, and man are there some fantastic options! Let's explore, shall we?

{Note: for the sake of simplicity I have sometimes used male pronouns for the giver of a ring and female pronouns for the receiver in the following section. But let me make utterly clear that I wholeheartedly support the right of all couples regardless of orientation to celebrate their love with the bond of marriage (legally if they so choose, darnit!), and also have the utmost respect for the bolder-than-me ladies who propose to their men. Celebrate your love, peoples! And send pictures! Wedding pictures always make me cry, in a good way.}

So. OK, I get it. You're a classic kind of couple, and you like the look of a white diamond. But you also have ethical concerns about diamond mining, and don't want to break the bank before you even start planning the wedding! So how about this shining, elegant ring from Silverwoods? Featuring a sparkling white sapphire in a lightly hammered sterling silver setting, this solitaire is sure to please and will never become boring.

Did the two of you fall in love during your endless summer nights together, lying on the beach perhaps or strolling through fields of grass, and staring up at the moon? Let her know you'll never forget those precious times by proposing with The Jewelry Pitt's Rainbow Moonstone Ring. Moonstone is such an awesome stone, and one believed to impart protection. What better to give to the one you love best?

So maybe you like the idea of a solitaire, but want something a little bolder? Maybe you share a mutual love for the color blue. Either way, this giant "London Blue" topaz will probably do the trick. The seller, One Garnet Girl, makes sure to mention that the photos of the ring haven't been edited for color - that's all the rock. Which is probably why she has named this ring "Rock Love". Appropriate name? As a girl with a minor in geology, I vote yes. (Geology rocks!)

Want to tell mom you're getting hitched but don't know how to break the news? If you've got this on your finger, it's pretty likely that she's going to take notice. And so will everyone else! This stone is actually a lab-created sapphire in a little-seen orange-amber color called Padparadscaha. Thank you, Doug Peterson Jewelers, for showing up with such a showy number. So saturated! So saucy! This ring is definitely a showstopper, and is sparked off nicely by being set in gold. And anyway, why be shy? You're getting married honey! You're in love! Flaunt that thing, and be happy!

Well, maybe a huge flashy stone just isn't your thing at all. Maybe you want something subtle, but intricate and elaborate. Something that reflects all of the beautiful delicacies of the relationship you share with your partner. No problem, says I. Etsy and I have you covered too. How perfect is this Lilac Branch ring from Sarah Hood Jewelry? The word stunning comes to mind. Difficult to wear alongside a wedding band, maybe, but then who's to say that it can't be your wedding band? Nobody, that's who.

Looking for a ring with a central feature that isn't a stone? If you want something extraordinary and delicate and fascinating, you can't beat the metal crochet work of Hilary Koster. I don't know about you, but I've never seen anything like it! A piece from this shop could be a particularly good choice if your partner is one of the many who have recently realized that activities like knitting, crochet work, and needlepoint are actually pretty rad. She'll know you've been paying attention. (You'll know he's been paying attention!)

What about something that looks like a stone, but isn't one? There are a couple of Etsy shops making really amazing rock-like pieces that I simply can't get over. My two big favorites are Macha Jewelry out of London making sort of rough cut numbers in her "Rockwell" line, and the ultra-polished "Modern Rock" line coming out of Metalicious. These are very similar concepts with very, very different executions, and I personally think both takes are brilliant. An acquaintance of mine recently received one of the Macha Rocwells, actually - along with a proposal from the love of her life, awww - and believe me when I tell you that she is more than happy with her partner's choice of ring. (Naturally she would have been thrilled to be proposed to by him regardless of whether he'd offered her a piece of tin foil instead. But hey, who doesn't enjoy a pretty ring attached to a wonderful sentiment?)

Here is a truly interesting number for someone like me who is obsessed with symmetry and line. Unique in the truest sense of the word, the seller tells us that she has never made and will never make another one! As she puts it, "It's a little bit geeky and a little bit retro and is completely unisex." Fabulous! It's a tiny size 5 at the moment, but if you need it bigger (or smaller, for someone with very tiny hands?) she's willing to size it free of charge. And you can feel particularly good about purchasing from Apache Moon, as she donates 100% of every sale to animal rescue and sanctuary. Talk about good karma - the perfect way to start off the lifetime bond with the one you love.

Let's get beyond the idea that an engagement ring even needs to have a central stone or focus piece. Why not a solid band to represent your solid bond? (Sorry, these things just come to me. I can't help it.) How about this stunning and unique piece from Gretchen von Eberstein? If your lover is a creative artsy type or just has a inclination toward interesting shapes, how can she not love this ring - and you (even more) for giving her something so special?

I'm in love with a shop, and it's called singleB: beautiful. She makes what's beautiful! Her rings are just, I dunno, spiffy. Like, for instance, check out these Twin Stars Bands. How cool are these? (Bonus: if you're anywhere near of my generation, you're probably thinking about those goofy cartoon icons right now. Hee.) Propose to each other why don't ya? Then use the rings as your wedding bands. Who says you need two different rings anyway? His and hers? His and his? Hers and hers? Pretty much regardless of the setup, it just works. Star crossed lovers? Hardly. More like a match made in heaven.

The aptly named Union Ring by Naturaleza makes a bold statement. You love each other. You're dedicated to each other. And now you're getting married. Yes. Yes. Yes. Clean and sleek, this ring can be ordered in any ring size and is hand carved "from the rich black coyol seed" and then inlaid with silver. A seed from which a great tree can grow? Go ahead. Make the analogy. You know you want to. This seller is quite dedicated to sustainability and environmentalism - just like you and your partner, right?

Believe it or not, even with these dozen gorgeous choices I've only just begun to scratch the surface of all the great engagement ring alternatives that Etsy has to offer. Go have a look for yourself! Enjoy! Remember that this is about you and your partner - NOT about what DeBeers or your mom or your office mates or even your best friends think an engagement ring "should" be. Find something that you love, something that reflects the values you hold as a couple. Once you let go of the notions which were forced upon you without you even noticing, finding the right symbol of your love isn't actually as hard as you think.

Don't want to go it alone? Lots of couples pick out rings together these days. Why not use this adorable Pink Rose ring from Starrlight Jewelery to pop The Question, and then look for the ring together? I promise that when a proposal of a lifetime together is made with sincerity, no one will be disappointed.

Until next Monday,

hearts,
Melissa Bastian

In Bloom.

April showers are supposed to bring May flowers. Well, in my neck of the woods at least, they've just brought May showers! The flowers that have managed not to drown are a good bit worse for wear, battered as they are from all that drip-dropping. As is so often the case, I turn to the Vegan Etsy team for a little beauty. And unsurprisingly, they come through for me like the brilliant yellow blossoms of forsythia that burst forth from a bare branch.

Flowers can be beautifully incorporated into a wide range of items in all sorts of materials. Eat Your Greens proves it, with her rainbow of crocheted flower earrings! The care and love that go into each pair of these darling danglers is apparent. How cute would these be with any simple summer sun dress? So cute! In my youth I attempted to crochet potholders, but they always came out as distinctly trapezoidal; how she creates something this delicate and lovely I'll never know.

Like the idea of a crocheted flower? No problem - we've got you totally covered. Go full blown and decorate the whole crib with the floral stylings of AmiVegan. With her adorable crocheted flowers you can have a beautiful garden any old place you like, with or without southern exposure - this could be the perfect answer to my windowless office! This flower is actuallythe spitting image of my cyber-flower. Her name is Melbee, and I love her.

Starrlight Jewelry's Fuchsia Rose ring in Silver will add a nice pop to any outfit - it would be a great accent to an all-black ensemble! And of course you could mix it up with funky colors for a fun summer look as well. My grandmother grew "wild" roses in the backyard of the house that she and my grandfather shared, and they still bloom there every summer; there is something truly magical about roses. This piece is simultaneously classic and sassy. And anyway, didn't I hear somewhere that pink is the new black? Or was it that silver is the new black? Or maybe black is the new black. Aw, forget it all - I vote that vegan is the new black!

The ever interesting shop Art by Susmitha gives us even more blooming adornments, including this straightforward and classic pair called "La Bourgogne". Stunning! Now, tell the truth. Did you miss mom's (or sister's or best friend's or - heaven forbid! - girlfriend's) birthday? First of all, shame on you! Second, get these beauties (or any of the lovely bobbles in this shop) shipped out right this minute!

The same proprietor, if you can believe it, has a second shop called Veganosaurus which is one of my favorite shops on all of Etsy due to it's sheer amazingcutewonderfulness. Seriously, go peek around. You can't help but be a fan of these amazing and adorable miniature sculpture creations. Rosy Bee, you sweet thing, you break my heart! Of course, I'm probably biased here, as I do have a thing for bees. How could I not? My name is Melissa (two points if you get the reference!).

Flowers make everything better - even knitting! Just ask Kala of Vegan Craftastic. She'll show you these gorgeous Red Flower Knitting Stitch Markers, and you'll be a believer. Once her gorgeous stitch markers have convinced you to take up knitting as your favorite pastime, make sure to peruse her shop some more for great totes to keep your yarn in, and for other goodies too! Hey, and once you get good at your new craft, knit me a flower wouldja?

My Zoetrope puts it all in context with this funky image entitled "Morning Stroll". You can have yourself your very own print of it, as well as many other images by this creative and imaginative artist. Out of all of her wonderful creations though, this one really may be my favorite. Mr. BlueBird, that's a mighty fine earthworm you done raised yourself! And I'm sure he makes a fine companion, too. Hey Michelle... you think you maybe wanna hoof it from Brooklyn on up to Queens and come paint this on my wall? :)

You little girls out there can look stunning, ethical, and freshly blossomed thanks to Earth Groovz's creations; this one is called the Full Moon Flower Prairie Dress. This cut has been specially designed for both cuteness and comfort. And really, how many all vegan organic-focused children's clothing companies are out there? I'm thinking not many. This shop is unique, and so adorable! When I was a kid, you could get me into a dress (but it took some doing), but there was no way you were going to keep shoes on my feet or keep me out of a tree that looked good for climbing. Well little ladies, pull on this dress, climb a tree, and enjoy everything that nature has to offer!

When it comes to flowers, what could be better than the real thing? Maybe it's not better, but pictures of the real thing can be pretty darn good - and they never wilt! This Purple Crocus print by 3AM Art is just breathtaking - all the beauty and color of those first precious glimmers of color and life and light after the thaw of winter, wrapped up in one simple photographic statement. The first time I came to see my new apartment, one solitary crocus had forced its way up through the soil and bloomed in the tiny little plot in front of the duplex. Seeing it filled me with hope and happiness, and I knew it was a good omen. Sure enough, this turned out to be the perfect apartment for my fiance and I. Coincidence? You decide.

Art You Dream About takes the idea of flower-as-image one step further, giving us a beautiful print of daises in a field and combining it with a superfunctional journal. Don't worry though - the print has been protected via lamination, so you can go ahead and toss this baby right into your shoulder bag. Beauty and function - the best of both worlds! I'm deeply into this kind of object that is both aesthetically pleasing as well as useful. (Keep this in mind if you're ever trying to buy me presents - I'm a Capricorn, hint hint.)

The inspired Rachel Anderson of Two Silver Stars brings us to the brink of the fantastical with her lovely fairies, who inhabit a world of snails and dewdrops, spiderwebs and mushrooms, toadstools and butterflies, and of course perpetually blossoming buds. This Lily of the Valley print is one of the more striking to me, perhaps because I'm so in love with this flower. The first time I saw one in person, when I was 12 or 13, all the beauty of weddings and Alice in Wonderland and, indeed, Fairy lands came crashing together in my head, and for a minute there I decided it was the most perfect flower ever. So while this one stirs up something special for me, in truth each of Rachel's fairy portraits is captivating in its own way. Her images invite us all into a dreamland - and who among us doesn't need to take a moment now and then to dream?

It's no secret that I've got a paper thing. Combine that with a flower thing and what do you get? These beautiful recycled Lotus Flower gift tags from This Is It. So not only can you enjoy this simple but lovely floral image, but you can also impart it as a gift! Awesome right? If you're a major paper fan like me, you seriously have to check this shop out. It's run by a lovely husband and wife team who also have a supply shop that is definitely worth the time of all crafters. Not only do they genuinely appreciate your business and love their work, but they also donate a percentage of sales to animal welfare organizations - as do so many Vegan Etsy team members.

It can't rain all the time, isn't that what they say? Supposedly it has to stop eventually. Well, I'll believe it when I see it... assuming that my bosses let me out of the office for long enough to know it's happening anyway. Until that glorious day, I'll cruise the Vegan Etsy listings when I can snatch the time, and bask in all of their floral beauty - thankfully, there's plenty of it.

Until next Monday...

Hearts,
Melissa Bastian.

Home Sweet (Vegan) Home.

I'm moving! Again. I've moved about a hundred times, and as usual, it's exciting, stressful, and traumatic all rolled into one. Obviously, this calls for some retail (or, should I say, Etsy) therapy! The funnest part about having a new space is making that space feel cozy and welcoming, and making it look beautiful. Where better to find objects to accomplish just that than among those fashioned by the Vegan Etsy Team?

Vessels and Wares (can I call you Jeanette?), you slay me! Nothing in the world is more comforting than a nice cup of tea, and it appears that you've gone and created the perfect, well, vessel! As Jeanette says, "Rad + awesome = this teapot." I couldn't agree more! And once the oolong is brewed, I'd of course need one of your gorgeous mugs to pour it into - how cute is this tumbler with the cherry blossom? It reminds me of the tiny flowers that are starting to burst forth from trees all over the neighborhood. (See? It really is spring!) The new pad has this awesome sort of built-in mini china cabinet in the hall; both of these objects would look just fantastically classic nestled there when not in use.

One thing that I have always loved to have in the house is plants. I've even gotten good at keeping them alive - I've had my two money trees for three and a half years now, thank you very much. The new place has a long narrow room across the front with basically wall to wall picture windows, and I plan to fill it with green! Thanks to the hilarious Allison of Monkeys Always Look, now I can populate all of our windowsills - and man do we have some windowsills - with gorgeous succulents in one-of-a-kind plantings! I've already gotten one pointy lil' guy in a beautiful white Waterford teacup (Maurice). I was so thrilled with him that I immediately ordered a second, a "topsy turvey" in a baby blue dessert cup who I named Topsy. He I got him Friday - he's magnificent! That evening I decided that three's company, and ordered a third in a black espresso mug who is on its way - I'll name him when I meet him. Allison is a sheer pleasure to do business with, and I couldn't be more pleased with my little planty friends. And I'm certainly nowhere near finished ordering from her! I've especially got my eye on a couple of the string-of-pearls numbers; they're just too amazing, and they make me think of something my grandmother the brilliant gardener would have loved. (By the bye, Allison, you've inspired me - I've planted my funky lil' cactus in an old mug that I got on a road trip through South of the Border! Pictures are forthcoming... his name is Pedro. :)

Is it possible to have a big grin on my face the minute I get to the apartment and flip the light switch? Could it ever be so simple to feel happy and comfortable in a new home? Well, I believe it just might be with this squirrelly little number from AguaVino! After all, Mrs. Squirrel (in her stylish plaid apron) is already cooking me up a nice acorn stew. And Mr. Squirrel is ready to entertain us through the whole meal with his wild tales of the forest floor! It's the perfect combination of nature and nurture. These two would cheer up any room in the house, but what better to grace a new kitchen with? (I could say they're just plain nutty, but Jonathan-the-fiance says that puns aren't funny. But I disagree! And I already said it! Ha!)

Now, about the new bathroom. It's, well, bright yellow! Yellow tiling on the walls, odd yellow-olive tiling on the floor... very, very different from the all-white that I'm moving out of. So, what's the best way to break in a new bathroom? Delicious new soaps of course! I'm very particular about my scents, and I like to have a variety, so the pick-three option from Tami's Soapworks really sounds like the ticket. Hmm, let me see: vanilla sandalwood, vanilla raspberry, and green tea honeysuckle? Am I picking soap or making smoothies?! Sunbath has a wonderful selection of handmade soaps as well; I highly suggest the brown sugar and vanilla - which incidentally would make a fabulous Mother's Day present. (Don't forget your moms, y'all! Mother's day is just around the corner, and moms do like to be pampered.) With all these delicious scents, I'll just sink into the luxury and soon enough all that yellow tile will be a beacon of my new happyplace.

After a nice bath in our big new bathtub - and did I mention it's got a shower curtain that curves around the back?! - I might need to moisturize a lil bit. My skin is just that way, always has been. No worries, Daisy Wares has me covered with her whipped shea body butter. Roni, the shop proprietor, has specified that even though this "butter" looks good enough to eat, don't! It does look completely edible, and the temptation will be particularly terrible because I plan to order it in Vanilla flavor - er, I mean, scent. After a long day of unpacking, a girl just needs this kind of pampering. Hell, what day doesn't a girl need this kind of pampering? And after the winter we just went through in NYC, my skin is dying for some TLC anyway!


So, once we're settled in and the place looks spectacular, we'll want to have the nearest and dearest over to show off, right? I think so. And when that happens, I'll want to serve scrumptious vegan food - that's just a given. But how ever will I serve it? Why, on a gorgeous platter from Vegan Dish - how else? (In case you're wondering, yes that IS the handiwork of our talented Jeanette once again!) So, how much do I love the stars stamped into the attachment points of the handles? SO MUCH! It's these careful details that really make her lines of pottery shine. This piece could be perfect for Jonathan's signature seitan satay skewers. Or even my vegan red velvet cupcakes - gotta love the semi-complimentary tones of pink icing on this striking blue dish. My omni friends may just be so awe-struck at the beauty of our vegan delicacies on this amazing piece of art that they turn to the green side on the spot. Ya think? Hey, anything is possible.

What makes a house a home? For the most part, the love and happiness that are shared there. But accoutrements that make it pleasant and inviting sure don't hurt! Making a move is a trial for body and spirit, and a few beautiful and comforting objects can certainly help to soften the blow. I'm chomping at the bit to buy each and every one of these delightful treats - but not until we figure out how to pay May's rent! (And for that matter, June's.) And so you might just beat me to a few of them. But that's alright. As long as there's a Vegan Etsy Team, I know there will be an endless supply of just-the-right-thing whenever I'm ready for it.

Hearts,
Melissa Bastian

Cats and Cat Lovers prepare to be delighted!

The following was posted by Kim of Midnightrabbits and Veganessa.

Veganetsy Team is full of very talented artists and crafters, so when it came to looking for gifts for a cat and a cat loving friend, I was spoilt for choice. To my delight I came across a wonderful assortment that will keep both Cat and cat Lovers very happy. Here are the shops and their fabulous goods that make up a part of this marvellous team:



Jane Diamond
Jane’s shop introduction is very welcoming, and gives a fantastic feel of the wonderful products. She lists Cool catnip toys and cat sachets, which are filled with catnip, and very pretty. I hope the cats appreciate the adorable fabric as much as the buyer will.
Jane also provides lots of delightful gifts for cat lovers- jewellery, paintings and ACEO’s all with beautiful cat pictures on them, in an assortment of colours and price ranges, there’s something for everyone. Jane also has a charity section, for anyone wanting to buy a gift that gives. Her shop is a delight to look at, and will make any day seem brighter.

UberDuperCreations

UberDuper Creations is well known for their fabulous Beastie Biscuits.

which I have tried (yes, I have tried – as they’re vegan) and can personally recommend them. My dogs loved them too!
Not forgetting our feline friends, UberDuper Creations has some wonderful catnip toys Cat-Nipper Beastie Cats, which I’m sure every cat would be thrilled to receive. Here’s a picture of our cat Pinkie playing with one of UberDuper Creations catnip toys. You can see the look of pleasure on here face, a definite hit!


Along with fabulous catnip toys are wonderful Cat-Nip Planter Kits. Everything you need to grow your own catnip in a gorgeous hand painted pot. Something for both you and your cat to enjoy.

Sierra Pelona Crochet
This wonderful Etsy shop has a sweet selection of catnip toys for your favourite kitty, well all of them, if you have more than one! And the most delightful angel cats that I have ever seen. "But what is an angel cat?" I hear you say. It’s a pretty crocheted cat with angel wings, which is lightly scented with organic lavender – heavenly (excuse the pun!).

Have you ever seen such a cute angel cat?



SickOnSin
Here is an enchanting shop selling a range of cute, cheeky and fun items including mirrors, women’s underwear, magnets, t-shirts, and totes. Some have endearing pictures of cats on them, which would make a wonderful surprise for any cat lover.

Who can resist such an appealing little cat design!

MVegan5
If you’re looking for some artwork for a cat loving friend, then MVegan5 has the answer. The shop has painting, cards and prints, featuring cats and other animals.
10% of all sales go to animal rescues/charities. A perfect way to give a delightful gift and help animals in the process.
Any friend would appreciate a custom animal portrait by this talented artist.

VesselsAndWares
Although not strictly for cats or cat lovers, I liked this dish so much, I just had to include it – And as the description says it can be filled with cat biscuits if chosen!


ThisIsIt

Another idea for a gift for a cat lover is a journal, photo album, greeting card or gift tags from This Is It. The cat designs are elegant and this is a description taken from This Is It’s shop:

‘The journal is made using eco friendly Nepalese lokta paper. It measures 6x6 and comes with 20 pages of textured lokta inside. The greeting card is made using 100% recycled (post-consumer content) cardstock. It comes with a matching envelope. Both come wrapped in resealable sleeves (10% recycled).’
Eco friendly and stylish, a superb gift for anyone.

StarrlightJewelry

Starrlight Jewelry has a wonderful assortment of Gothic/Victorian inspired jewelry.
Some of this includes clip on charms that could be added to your mobile and include a cat theme
Or could be worn by your cat, if you want to add something unique to their collar and give the birds a tinkle of a warning if your cat is on the prowl


Sparklynn-
Cute kitty necklace and other animal shaped jewelry, that would make delightful gifts for a fun loving young at heart animal lover.

PinkBubble – Adorable bracelet and necklace depicting cats and other wonderful jewelry and supplies.


There are many other shops that have cat themed items for sale, but as they are only one or two items, I've listed some of them here, without pictures, but well worth a look!

AimeeDars – Aimee Dars sells divine jewelry, some of which are adorned with cats. All very elegant and would make wonderful presents.

Finally my own shops MidnightRabbits and Veganessa which have cat pictures on coin purses, card holders and bags. I am of course a cat lover as well as an animal lover. I actually share a house with 5 cats and 3 dogs – never a dull moment (or should that be quiet!) .

This list has finally come to an end. Shops change items frequently, so it’s always worth doing an Etsy search for Veganetsy and Cats in the title, description and tags, you may come across even more wonderfully talented VeganEtsy members that have wonderful items for Cats and Cat Lovers everywhere.