GIVEAWAY: BraveMouse Books

BraveMouse Books is a small book publisher that creates magical books that children AND adults will love! These terrific readers are all available in English, with some available in Spanish, French, Arabic, German, Hindi, Italian, Mandarin, and Portugese. It is fascinating to see how the lovable creatures featured in the books are created by hand. The video below shows how children's book author & illustrator Molly Coxe creates a character & then shoots photos of miniature sets as she works on Wet Hen: A Short Vowel Adventure.

I am in awe of Molly's talent in creating these stories & characters, including Benjamin Middlemouse, Sir Pouncealot, and Posie Pantrymouse. These fun adventures are sure to hold the attention of the little ones while entertaining the ones reading the stories to them. Another great thing about these early readers is that the phonics focus is designed to help beginning readers build skills & confidence. Rat Attack highlights the “short a” sound and Princess Pig is filled with “short i’s”.

One of the missions of BraveMouse Books is to encourage children to see themselves as creators, and to help them share that creativity with others. This is so perfectly in line with what we at Funky Finds believe that it's as if a partnership between us was inevitable! The BraveMouse Books website includes a blog full of great information, as well as a great project showing how to make your own mouse. This page features a printable and video instructions for creating mouse heroes (or villains) using simple household items.

*** GIVEAWAY - Closed - Congrats Judy Hunting! ***

PRIZE: One lucky winner will receive copies of the two new Short Vowel Adventures, Rat Attack and Princess Pig, as well as Benjamin and Bumper to the Rescue, a hardcover picture book that won the Nautilus Award and is full of handmade mice & one handmade cat.

TO ENTER: Like BraveMouse Books on Facebook and leave a comment noting you have done so.

ADDITIONAL ENTRY: Share this giveaway on Facebook or another social media site, then leave a comment noting that you shared.

ADDITIONAL ENTRY: Leave a comment noting why you would love to win these fabulous books!

Giveaway ends at 6pm CST, Wednesday, November 19th, 2014.

Upcoming Event: Woolfest

Woolfest, the UK's biggest celebration of natural fibers, will be held June 22nd and 23rd at Mitchell's Lakeland Livestock Centre near Cockermouth, Cumbria. The event will feature a variety of demonstrations & workshops, as well as rare-breed sheep showing the story of fleece to garment. In addition, a wide variety of crafters & designers will be set up selling their wares. One of the stallholders is Victoria Baker of Little Wren Pottery. She will be displaying her full collection of yarn bowls. Little Wren Pottery has been producing hand-thrown ceramics in the city of Sunderland since 2009. The studio focuses on producing everyday objects which are both elegant & functional. You will find all the details regarding Woolfest on the event website, as well as Facebook. (Photo from Woolfest Gallery)

Shelly Burden - Portrait Artist

Texas-based portrait artist Shelly Burden says, "Portraits evoke strong emotions; it’s what makes them challenging for artists to render but it’s what gives them their charm, makes them appealing to view. With that in mind, I paint realistic yet creative watercolor pet & animal portraits, as well as people in timeless tones of graphite; all of which show a close cropped 'all about the expression' image." I have had the pleasure of viewing Shelly's work in person & can tell you firsthand that it is fantastic! According to Shelly, her style pushes the watercolor medium past traditional flowing methods by encompassing sweeping & dry brush techniques, helping to achieve a true likeness of her subject.

If you are looking for a unique & thoughtful gift, Shelly accepts commissions of furry and non-furry subjects. Look through her online gallery & you will see that Shelly's detailed & captivating work truly stands apart from other artists. Even if you are not in the market to commission an original piece, Shelly has several products available that display her talents. I especially love the Quiet Times print (pictured above), as well as the art card featuring the parrot named Max. (pictured: O-Line)

When not painting portraits for clients, attending juried art shows & earning award placements, or selling her original works & printed products, Shelly can be found at local pet events booking pet portrait orders of which she donates a percentage to animal rescue. Through her summer art journaling camps & ongoing art classes, Shelly is pleased to be teaching artists of all ages the joy of artistic creativity. Being a self taught artist, with a career background in photo advertising, Shelly truly believes learning & attitude helps dictate our talents. Contact Shelly at shelly@shellyburden.com for information regarding classes & commissions. Mention you saw Shelly’s work on the Funky Finds blog and receive 10% off your order! (pictured: Commissioned Ornaments)

greennessalanteRn

Vanessa Lerma of greennessalanteRn creates humorous decor for people with a sentimental sense of humor. I'm not typically one to decorate with mounted animals, but Vanessa puts a funky spin on taxidermy. Her mounted plush animals are the perfect alternative for those looking for animal-friendly decor. The mounted deer head with white hair & a white collar is adorable! And I love the little Indian deer head (pictured) complete with fringe collar & feather head band. If you're not so much in the market for a mounted plush deer head, perhaps you will be enticed by a plush Magic Moustache pillow!? One of those will most certainly start a conversation or two!

Valentina Ramos, Artist

Valentina Ramos has been working as a graphic designer since 1994. She says that during her spare time she used to try almost any sort of artistic expression, such as doing craft works, painting, or drawing. But, over time, she's been switching from being a graphic & web designer to make a living out of what she most enjoys doing...making art. Her original artwork section is filled with stunning pieces that are so detailed it's unbelievable! I am an avid animal lover, so I love that Valentina's subjects are so often various animals. Some of her artwork is also available in the form of home decor items and fabrics. I would love to have a pink owl pillow! Visit Valentina's blog for more information & inspiration. (pictured: Aaron the elephant print)

Recap: 3rd Annual Funky Finds Spring Fling

It's hard to recap the 3rd Annual Funky Finds Spring Fling in one post! When you've planned an event for many months & spent all your energy planning an event, it's hard to summarize it once over.

Several artists that we know well participated, as well as many that I was pleased to meet for the first time in person. If I had a dollar for every time I heard "I know you from Facebook" I would be rich! Seeing everyone's unique booth displays & hand-crafted items is always a wonderful experience. I will be highlighting groups of vendors over the coming weeks & a complete list of participants can be found here. If you were unable to attend, you can view the event booklet & photos on the homepage.

Funky Finds events are family AND pet-friendly & it's always so much fun to see families & pet owners out & about. I saw chihuahuas in a stroller (left), a Standard Poodle that jumped in the air each time he saw another canine, and several Great Pyrenees that are beautiful gentle giants.

Thanks to all the business owners that donated raffle items & those who bought tickets, we raised $1,272.00 to be shared equally by CASA of Tarrant County & the Humane Society of North Texas. Also, 12 dogs and 1 kitten were adopted at the event!

A huge thank you goes out to all event participants, sponsors, attendees and volunteers! Would you like Funky Finds to host an event in your area? Tell us about!

Funky Gift Guide: Pets

1. Doggy Soap by Sweet Harvest Farms

2. Pet Tees by Humorous Hounds

3. Dog Collar by lizziebees

4. Treats by Pawty Time Treats

5. Placemats by The Muttley Crew

6. Holiday Collar by Crazy for Collars

7. Strawberry Bed by Prima Dog

8. Make your own Homemade Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits

9. Make a Pet Bed with an Old Suitcase

10. Ellie Mae's Doggy Soap by Weeds & Wildflowers

Wild Life Prints

Jeff Friesen is an award-winning photographer that has been published in a variety of magazines. He says that, along with everything else, his work has changed since the arrival of his daughter. Last winter, he began photographing little dioramas made from his daughter's toys and leftover bits of various home renovation projects. He then used the resulting prints to decorate their apartment. With much encouragement, he decided to open an Etsy shop, Wild Life Prints, featuring affordable prints. I love the brightly-colored Dirty Duck image that would look great displayed in one's bathroom. The Cultured Cow is one of my personal favorites, because Bessy is obviously at home around nice artwork. And, it's always nice to see a woodland creature, such as a raccoon, tidying up their living space! Learn more about Jeff and his work on his main website.

* GIVEAWAY - Closed - Congrats misscaseylee! Jeff is giving away three 8"x10" prints (winner's choice - a $60 value). To enter, simply visit Wild Life Prints & leave a comment on this post noting your favorite image. Giveaway ends at 9pm EST, Sunday, September 12.

The Dog Coat Lady

It is great to see so many artisans using their talent to raise money for important causes ranging from Breast Cancer Awareness to Animal Rights. The Dog Coat Lady donates a portion of her profits to various animal rescue groups. Her focus has been on spreading positive propaganda to the masses with animal rights and shelter pet-themed buttons and magnets. Humans are the only voice animals have and we all need to speak for those who can't. As a Chihuahua lover myself, I could definitely use an I Love My Chihuahua pin! Many of the pieces of flair are humorous while raising awareness for important causes. Animal lovers, you do not want to miss the unique earrings. And Bob Barker would be very proud of the Spay & Neuter button!!!

Butterscotch Lane

Butterscotch Lane features Wendy Idele's photographic prints, many of them mounted on wood, as well as a collage series made using vintage wallpaper. All of her art is about Wendy's love of animals and nature. Dreamland is an interesting print depicting a girl and a deer in the woods. What makes these scenarios so alluring is that they are created using small plastic figurines or toys. Of course, I'm always going to be a sucker for anything monkey, such as the Red Monkey Print. I especially like the photographs that are mounted on wooden blocks. Deer with Sparkles is a whimsical piece that would be a fun addition to a child's room or a creative space. And you don't want to miss the adorable collage prints like Meowzers The Cat! Receive a 15% discount when you mention FUNKY509 in the special instructions area when placing your order. Discount will be given in the form of a Paypal refund after purchse is completed. Valid through May 2009.

Squid Ink Kollective

Squid Ink Kollective is an awesome Texas-based screen print shop run by dynamic duo Lynnea Edwards & Brian Maclaskey. Squid Ink is all about cute animals, funky colors and handmade goodness - all my favorite things! Their hand-drawn images showcase whimsical creatures, including narwhals, which I happen to be rather fascinated with at the moment. Narwhal Rides Again is a fun design that I recently purchased & think is fantastic! I also love the Pod of Narwhals design that is available on bamboo/organic cotton blend shirts. And I am very interested in learning how I can get my hands on a Squid Ink purse covered in narwhals! Meet Brian & Lynnea in person at the upcoming Funky Finds Spring Fling on April 25.

TsuruBride

TsuruBride is a fun shop featuring unique handbags and pouches. I love the pink whale card holder that is made of metallic pink leather. The panda change purse and eager beaver are equally clever designs. And, having saved the best for last, the puppy purses are fabulous!! Made of metallic antique champagne leather these pieces will bring a smile to anyone's face and some shine to any outfit! Cat lovers will appreciate the pink Persian clutch, too. Quit taking life so seriously and add a little whimsy to your ensemble.

Crayon Monster

Crystal Smith of Crayon Monster has a very unique project she calls Shoe Animals. You guessed it...they are animals made out of shoes. Kid's shoes to be exact. The Pink Rabbit is made out of a child's pink shoe and lots of pink fur salvaged from a pink rabbit costume. Crystal's second project is her animal assemblage pieces that include small plastic animals and a host of other items. Some other pieces I really like are The Long Goodbye, an original digital painting, & the circus carnival notebook journal comprised of unique odds & ends.

Bestiary Ink

Blair Lambert is an artist and designer from the mountains of northern Pennsylvania. Among other items, she recently began making & selling handmade cards featuring her original watercolor illustrations. Bestiary Ink showcases Blair's original works, as well as prints. I love the card set Mice Like featuring cute little mice in silly situations. These adorable cards are perfect for those who like a serving of the whimsical, light and sweet. The Mid-Century Cat cards are also lovely. Animal lovers may be interested in commissioning this artist to create a custom portrait of their pet. Have a look at her sister shop for unique tote bags & purses. I *need* a Platypus tote!

Missy Ballance

Missy Ballance is one of the founding crafters behind Pimp Stitch, a new site featuring funky, original embroidery patterns. Her blog, Crafty Carnival, showcases all of Missy's latest & greatest projects along with tutorials and patterns. She recently released a trio of e-patterns so you too can create adorable rag dolls. Mohair Circus is yet another one of Missy's ventures. This site focuses on the stunning mohair animals she hand crafts. All of the animals are absolutely adorable & I would love to adopt each & every one of them! Missy is one talented woman who obviously balances quite a lot. Check out all her sites for more information.

Crafty Carnival

Missy Ballance of Crafty Carnival has designed the cutest rubber stamps. I love her doodles, especially the mushroom. And the teddy bear is precious! You'll also find adorable handmade sticky note holders & wonderful mohair bears. See more of Missy's projects on Flickr.

ETA: See more of Missy's fabulous softies on her website Mohair Circus.

Crafters for Critters

Crafters for Critters has raised close to $20,000 for animal rescue over the past few years by selling handmade goods created by various indie artists & crafters. Help this wonderful organization continue raising funds for animal rescue by shopping their wonderful site. You'll find fabulous gifts for friends, family & yourself. The best part is all proceeds go directly to the organizations working to give animals in need a better life. Check out all the newly listed items here.

Wiggle Waggle Walk for Animals

Jessica Gary of Insurgent Muse & her Chihuahua Fidel are participating in the 9th Annual Wiggle Waggle Walk for Animals to benefit the Pasadena Humane Society. They are walking as part of Team Chi WOW WOW, headed by Elvis & Carolyn, founders of Chi WOW WOW clothing line.

The walk will take place Sunday, September 30, at 9:00 AM at the Pasadena Rose Bowl. You don't have to have a dog to participate in the walk, and you don't have to be a Chihuahua to be part of Team Chi WOW WOW! As an added bonus, Carolyn has offered to donate a free, stylin' Chi WOW WOW tee to any dogs who join their team (sorry, sizes are limited to dogs 30 lbs and under!).

If you'd like to register for the walk you can do so here. Remember to sign up under Team Chi WOW WOW, team leader: Carolyn Paxton.

Tamar Assaf

Tamar Assaf is an emerging artist residing in California. According to her bio, she combines her travel experience with her observation and fascination with animal concepts, investigating our acquired perception of animals in comparison to reality. Tamar's paintings are very different from the typical works of art I've seen depicting animals. You can also purchase greeting cards with reproductions of her artwork. I absolutely adore the giraffe & zebra depictions. Have a look at all of Tamar's fascinating work.