Bird and Poppies Won the EPE Challenge!

I'm happy to report this morning that my piano key scrimshaw pendant won the weekly EPE challenge with the theme of Recycling! Talk about good news! Each winner gets to come up with the next theme and then choose the winner from the entries. I chose Rebirth and Renewal, which seems to me to be wide open for all kinds of work. I know we'll get some fabulous entries... can't wait to see them.

If you haven't checked out the EPE blog yet, you really should. There are some wonderful weekly contributors, some extremely talented members, and it's a beautiful blog. Take the time to do it; you'll be glad you did. And of course... it's all about supporting those who struggle with cancer, so the cause is a good one as this dreadful disease affects so very many of us in one way or another.

And by the way, the prop in the photo of my pendant? It's a gorgeous little felted wool envelope made by GinnyHuber, an EPE team member. Her work is fabulous, and this is such a cool item that can hold jewelry when traveling, business cards, cash and credit card if you want to travel light, lipstick or other small makeup items, favorite buttons, anything really.

Bright Sunshiny Day: Tuesday's Treasures

Well, tomorrow maybe. Today is cloudy, grey, and rainy... but I can dream of the sun, can't I? And there are other ways to make the day brighter! You can be a volunteer in your community, donating your time and energy to improving the outlook and life of someone else. You can donate money to a cause close to your heart, like Haitian relief for children, cancer research, animal welfare, literacy efforts, or so many others. You can simply offer thoughts, meditations, and prayers for those who suffer or for the world at large.

My little glass pin of a happy redheaded girl is offered in my Etsy shop and a portion of the sale is donated to the American Cancer Society. The artists included here are also active in donating to various causes, in an effort to bring a bit of happiness and sunshine to the world around them!

Sweet little fish pins by fionamacneil... donating to Haitian Children's Relief


Softcover journals, many covers and colors available by thisisit... donating to animal welfare groups and who is also working to raise $3600 to save three bulls from the slaughterhouse

A necklace to make you feel happy by LaViejaTunTun... donating to Etsy for Animals monthly charity


Bright and cheery coat rack by veggiecrocker... donating to Breast Cancer Research


Lovely little felted nesting bowls by maddyandme... donating to Haitian Relief


Sunny day mittens by LamaWorks... donating to the American Cancer Society


Beautiful Trembling Citrus earrings by ErikaPrice... who always donates 100% of profits, split between the American Cancer Society and her 14th century parish church


A gorgeous bird photo collage by allieart4children... donating to a children's charity


An Orange Cat Enjoying the Sun by LissaLushHelpingCats... donating to an Ohio shelter for Cats


And to wrap it up, who could possibly resist this face by carolscanvas... donating to Mostly Mutts Rescue in Atlanta


There are so many others out there in Etsy who give of their money, time, art, and energy to make the world a brighter, better place. You can simply do a search on the site for Charity, for teamepe, for Team EFA, for Etsyveg team, for Haitian Relief, for Etsy for Autism, or any other issue that is important to you, and you will find hundreds of sellers who participate in these variety of causes.