It's Back: The Great Vegan Etsy Giveaway!

This giveaway is now CLOSED!! Thanks so much to everyone who participated, and keep your eyes peeled for the next one!

***It's the Great Vegan Etsy Giveaway!***

Hello friends! In this season of thanks and giving, we here at the Vegan Etsy Team would like to do some giving of our own... with The Great Vegan Etsy Giveaway! You'll enter by telling us about some of your favorite Vegan Etsy Team shops. If you win, you'll receive a Vegan Etsy Team prize pack full of items hand-crafted by our members! It's been a while since we've done one, and we have some terrific new items from amazing new team members in the prize pack.

So how do you enter? It's as easy as 1, 2, 3...

In a comment to this blog post, please:

1. Name a Vegan Etsy Team shop which donates a percentage of its proceeds to an animal cause, and tell us about your favorite item in that shop;

2. Name a Vegan Etsy Team shop which makes items that help you proudly proclaim your veganity to the world, and describe your favorite item in that shop; and

3. Name a Vegan Etsy Team shop which you think has great gifts, and describe an item in that shop that you would like to give (or recieve!).

And now, the fine print...

*You must complete ALL THREE STEPS to qualify for entry!

*Please INCLUDE LINKS to the items that you choose.

*Please make sure we know how to get in touch with you! You can't win if we can't find you. ;)

*You can find Vegan Etsy Team shops by checking out our Etsy Teams Page of Active Members!

*Winners will be chosen by random drawing.

*The giveaway starts NOW and ends at Midnight, Eastern Time, on Sunday December 11th. The winner will be announced on Monday, December 12th right here on this blog!

*As always, blog followers get double entry!

***Good luck, have fun, and Happy Holidays!***

* * * * * *

Example Entry:

1. Melissa Bastian's shop Melissa Bastian donates 10% of proceeds to Imaginary Animal Sanctuary. I love her painting of bunny rabbits because I have bunnies too! http://www.etsy.com/listing/74566476/september-hares-a-tale-of-three-rabbits
2. Melissa Bastian's shop Bright Design would help me show off my veganness with these cute "vegan" pins: http://www.etsy.com/listing/20700819/vegan-pins-show-your-veganity
3. I think Melissa Bastian's shop Libellule is the best gift shop ever, and I would love to receive this sparkly blue necklace: http://www.etsy.com/listing/74586654/on-the-town-some-enchanted-evening-a

Happy Thanksgiving - and Happy Turkey Day!

Happy Thanksgiving to all here in the U.S., and to all of our readers around the world. This is a great day to give thanks and to celebrate animals. And who better to revere than the amazing Turkey? Fantastic senior team member Pippi Howard of Vegan Bliss shared this great video with the team, a PBS special called My Life as a Turkey. It is a perfect way to begin to appreciate the depth of these creatures. While wild turkeys are in fact very different from those being "raised for food", domesticated turkeys are just as complex and wonderful - as anyone at farm animal sanctuaries around the world can tell you. Enjoy!

Watch My Life as a Turkey on PBS. See more from NATURE.

Vegan Muffins on the Move

Tami Noyes and Celine Steen (of Vegan Appetite and Have Cake Will Travel, respectively) have launched a new project and blog this month. Vegan Muffins on the Move will have a new muffin recipe posted every month and they invite people to bake a batch of them or their own recipe and take them to the local library, yoga class, your mechanic, your job or any other place you frequent but might not usually take your baked goods. Spread the word of veganism through tasty, tasty muffins.

This month the cinnacrunch muffin recipe from American Vegan Kitchen is posted. I baked these last weekend and they are a huge hit. So go ahead, bake it up this weekend and surprise your Quidditch team with some delectable vegan baked goods. Then head over to their new blog and post about joining in the fun.

Support Vegan Businesses This Holiday Season!

In the vegan community, it's important to support each other - not only in word and in spirit, but also in action. We know all too well that money talks. So let's make it speak out for what we believe in this holiday season!

The amazing Herbivore Clothing Company recently posted these great images that will help us all remember why it's so important to support each other, now and always. Remember, buy vegan from vegans!

Celebrate Life by Celebrating Thanksgiving with Ching Farm Animal Rescue and Sanctuary!

On Saturday, November 12, Ching Farm Animal Rescue in Riverton, Utah will host its 13th annual Vegan Thanksgiving Dinner! The event features a silent auction, and raises funds to help the sanctuary operate throughout the year.

Of course there are many other ways to support Ching Sanctuary! Donations can easily be made through their website, and it's easy to see where the money goes:

• $30.00 will feed 3 Ostriches for 1 WEEK
• $25.00 will feed 20 cats for 1 WEEK
• $25.00 will feed 50 goats and sheep for 1 DAY
• $50.00 will feed the horses and cows for 1 DAY
• $17.00 will feed 1 potbellied pig for 1 MONTH
• $18.00 will feed 130 fowl and 12 emus for 1 DAY
• $70.00 will provide the older horses with the senior food they need, for 1 WEEK

You can also sponsor an animal for just $20 a month - you can choose to sponsor a turkey for Thanksgiving, but if you so choose you can also sponsor an emu, a llama, or a pot bellied pig!

Vegan Craftivism

By Julia Feliz, longtime Vegan Etsy Team member and owner of J.F. Illustrations

Last year, a fellow Etsy teamie posted a link to a story with one of the most adorable pictures I had ever seen: a rescued hen wearing a knitted sweater. The news story highlighted the need for sweaters to keep featherless and beaten hens warm while they recuperated from barricaded lives inside abusive battery and “free-range” egg farms. At that moment, learning to knit got added to my bucket list. A few months ago I finally made that goal a reality.

I learned to knit, and a few weeks ago, made my first sweater for a hen. Knitting one sweater may not mean much or immediately change all those important issues that we, as vegans, strive to speak up against. But to the individual hen that gets my warm and cozy sweater, it will make all the difference in the world. I’ve realized that knitting (crocheting, sewing, etc.) can be quite empowering when it comes to changing the world, through the simple action of creation. As humans that strive to create change and stand up for those forgotten and without a voice, we can continue to create change on our own terms through our own hands and creation. While some may be able to donate money to causes, we crafters may be better able to help those less fortunate through making and donating items like handmade hen sweaters.

Sometimes we may feel like there’s so much wrong going on that we can’t fix at this moment, or may be daunted with the fact that there are so many animals that need help. We may even be the only vegan in a town and feel like we can’t do much for non-humans on our own, or feel that certain forms of activism are not our thing. Well, there’s another novel form of activism that you can take part in called “craftivism.” Through craftivism, we can take a stand to make a difference in our own communities (and in foreign ones), and reach out to individuals in the here and now by using our craft.

Although as a vegan I am passionate about non-human animals, I of course also take an interest in helping the human animals that could use a bit of warmth and cheer in their lives. I can’t help but think, “what if that was me?” As compassionate individuals, we should aspire to help all those in need. Our journey doesn’t just stop at what we eat, wear, or bathe with.

On my blog, Project Craftivism, I write about my own path through vegan craftivism with a goal to help both humans and non-humans. At the moment, I am knitting and collecting warm items (knitted, crocheted, or sewed) for a local homeless shelter that expects about 34 people on Christmas Eve. If you would like to help me with this project, have suggestions for future projects, or would like to share a story about your own craftivism or charity project, do get in touch!

Why not celebrate World Vegan Month by pledging to create for a non-human or human in need?

Celebrate Life: Adopt a Turkey!

In our house, turkey is still a major part of our Thanksgiving celebration. Or should I say, Turkeys!

Each year, we "adopt" two Turkeys from Farm Sanctuary through their Adopt-A-Turkey Project. Funds raised each fall help to house and care for the Sanctuary's current residents, and to advocate and educate. It's a wonderful way to simultaneously celebrate Thanksgiving and World Vegan Month.

And for you big wigs (or those conveniently located), you can even party with Farm Sanctuary at their annual Celebration For the Turkeys - feasts are provided for human and Turkey guests alike!

We display our Turkey Adoption Certificates proudly throughout the holiday season, and in the past have even used them as a centerpiece to our Thanksgiving table. So, who will you adopt? If you haven't already, make this your new holiday tradition!

Happy World Vegan Day!!

Don't forget, World Vegan Day is the kickoff for World Vegan Month, throughout the month of November! Stay tuned... and Go Vegans! :D

Goodbye VeganMoFo! We'll miss you... until next year!

Farewell, VeganMoFo 2010. It's been a wonderful month of amazing blog posts from a crazy large number of amazing vegan bloggers. We're proud to say that a fair number of those bloggers are our teamies! We're also proud to say that we've posted every day - though, admittedly, not usually about food. Ah, well, such is the life of a vegan - it's not just about the food!

And so we bid VeganMoFo adieu. Thanks for everything, VeganMoFo! Get back home safe! And don't forget to write!! :D

Vegan Etsy Holiday Market at the V Spot Vegan Cafe!

As promised, here are some more details on the VET holiday market in Brooklyn, which will feature a number of VET artisans! We're very excited to be hosted by V Spot, an excellent vegan restaurant in the shopping district of Park Slope. If you're in the NYC area, we hope you can stop by and join us this Friday evening for the launch party! And if not, we're sure you'll enjoy perusing the wares any time during the holiday season - and sitting down for a bite and a nice sip of something as well! One tip: the breakfast empanadas during brunch are TO DIE FOR!! :D

Vegan Baadusha Recipe

Baadusha is a deep fried South India dessert which is made on special occasions like festivals. We've been making these babies for Diwali in the recent years. One of the quickest desserts to make! The only 'work' involved is the deep frying and even that can be easy with a partner.



2 C maida/all purpose flour (I do intend to try these out with whole wheat flour at some point though)
1/2 C cold coconut oil + more for deep frying
2 C sugar
2 C water + more for the dough
A generous pinch of baking soda
Tiny pinch of salt
Chopped nuts - pista, almond, cashew

Fry the chopped nuts in a bit of coconut oil until lightly brown, strain and keep aside.

Pour this strained oil plus the remainder of the 1/2 C oil into the flour along with the salt and rub everything together until crumbs form.

Sprinkle the soda on top, add a little bit of water and knead into a soft dough.

Cover with a moist cloth and keep aside for about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare a slightly thick sugar syrup with the sugar and water by boiling them together.

While the syrup is still warm, heat the oil for deep frying.

Shape the dough into little balls, flatten them and press your thumb (or index or whichever finger you like) down in the middle to form a crater in each one.

In batches, deep fry them in the hot oil on a medium flame until golden brown and transfer them directly into the warm sugar syrup.

Let them soak for about 10 minutes.

Using a slotted spoon, transfer them onto a plate and place the nuts in the craters.

After they cool slightly, the sugar syrup will harden a bit and form a layer on top.

At this point the Baadushas are ready to munch on. :)

Hanukkah, here we come!

Hanukkah falls quite early this year, beginning at sundown on December 1st. Hanukkah is the celebration of light, or more specifically the triumph of light over darkness. As (a terribly simplified version of) the history goes: after reclaiming Jerusalem and the holy temple from the Greeks, a single day's portion of oil miraculously burned for the Maccabees for eight days during the temple's rededication. This is why a menorah is kept burning for eight days during the modern celebration.

Although the holiday generally falls close to Christmas, and traditions have now come to include gift-giving, it is clearly a very different celebration. Unique from most Christian celebrations, many important days in the Jewish calendar acknowledge the triumphs and tribulations endured by the Jewish people throughout their history.

Well, I'm all for lighting candles, but what I enjoy even more are potato latkes and dark chocolate gelt! Like the celebrations in cultures found throughout the world, part of the Hanukkah celebration involves eating special (and delicious) foods. Especially those that are fried! This is another way to commemorate the oil that lasted eight days. Does anyone have favorite vegan Hanukkah recipes or treats they'd like to share with us? (Also, who can tell us how to play spin the dreidel??) The comments section awaits you!

Just a few days left...

to enter our current Great Vegan Etsy Giveaway! Get those last-minute entries in folks!

Exciting Announcement: Vegan Etsy Holiday Marketat V Spot, Brooklyn!

Hello world! This morning we are excited to tell you that the Vegan Etsy Team sellers have been invited to participate in a Holiday Market at the V Spot vegan restaurant in Brooklyn, NYC! The official launch party of the Market will be held on the evening of December 3rd. More details will be released as they become available; for now, just get ready to head to Brooklyn and get your shop on!

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!

Happy Thanksgiving! (Happy Save A Turkey Day!!)

You simply must check out these two beautiful treasuries from Neva, both in the spirit of the holiday! I hope you are all having a wonderful and compassionate Thanksgiving - please fee free to share pics with us here or on Twitter! :D

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!

Caramel Appel Pie from Apryl Knight!

Just in time for Thanksgiving! Check out this amazing recipe from VET member Apryl:

April's Caramel Apple Pie
(With acknowledgment to "Katia and Granny's Perfect Apple Pie", "Brandi's Famous Caramel Apple Pie!", and all of the VegWeb recipes for vegan pie crusts.)

Ingredients for pie crust
* 2 3/4 cups whole grain pastry flour
* 3/4 cup Earth Balance or oil (or a combination of the two?) (one small stick of Earth Balance plus 4 tablespoons)
* 1 teaspoon sucanat
* 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
* 1/2 teaspoon powdered ginger
* 1 teaspoon cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 8-9 tablespoons cold soy milk

Ingredients for pie filling
* 3-4 apples, unpeeled and cored, then sliced or chopped
* 2 Tablespoons Earth Balance
* 1/4 cup brown sugar
* 1 teaspoon cinnamon
* 1 teaspoon cardamom

Ingredients for caramel sauce
* 1 cup of brown sugar
* 1/2 cup Earth Balance
* 1/3 cup MimicCreme
* 2 1/2 - 3 tablespoons flour


***Directions

Heat oven to 400 degrees F.


***Preparing Pie Crusts
In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, and salt. Combine Earth Balance/oil and soy milk with flour (food processor, hand mixer, or fork) until crumbly. Add vanilla extract. Divide dough in half. Place one half in between two sheets of waxed paper or aluminum foil and roll with a rolling pin until it fits the pie pan.

Bake bottom pie crust halfway (10 minutes or so). While it is baking, roll out the other half of the dough and slice into strips for a lattice top. Set aside.


*** Preparing the Filling
Chop or slice the apples. Saute the apples in Earth Balance for about 5 minutes. Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, and cardamom. Cook for a few more minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.


***Preparing Caramel Sauce
Put Earth Balance into a saucepan on medium high heat until melted, add sugar and flour, stir to mix, and bring to a boil. Wisk constantly to incorporate. Once the Earth Balance has melted and mixture is smooth, take the pan off the heat. Slowly add the MimiCreme to the pan and continue to whisk to incorporate. Whisk until caramel sauce is smooth. Let cool in the pan for a few minutes.


***Putting It All Together
Remove pie crust from oven. Fill with apple mixture and pour caramel sauce over the top. Make a lattice from the top crust strips on pie.

Bake for 15 minutes uncovered, then cover with foil and continue to cook at 350 degrees F for another 35-45 minutes.

Unfortunately, I've misplaced the pictures I took of this pie the last time I made it, but as soon as I find them, I'll post them here

Recipe by Apryl Knight of Knightime Creations

Are you following us on twitter yet?

If by some chance you've missed it, the Vegan Etsy Team is on twitter!! We've got a very active stream with lots of vegan and AR news, and of course lots of updates about member shops and activities. So what are you waiting for? Follow us today!

Holiday treasury happytimes from Vegancraftastic!

Neva began a wee bit of treasury fever among the teamies, and now Kala of Vegancraftastic has created this super fun holiday treasury of team wares! Click the pic and enjoy!