Snow CAN be a Good Thing...Sometimes

If you run your own Etsy shop etc, you probably know how important pictures are. Many times, they are the determining factor on whether or not someone even chooses to view your item. So they must be of decent quality at least.

Some people prefer white backgrounds (honestly, I think they are boring). I do agree that they make it easier to see right away what the product is that you are offering. And so I gave in, and decided to work on my product photos this week. I put them on white backgrounds (the snow, because I kill all light boxes haha). I suppose that is one good thing about snow. I left my funner backgrounds in the extra photos, the ones that don't show up as the first photo. I love the way natural lighting adds to my photos. Here are some samples of what I worked on this week.

Learn more HERE

View the listing HERE

Check him out HERE

What have you been up to this week?

Second Hand Goddess GIVEAWAY

Whew! What an awesome giveaway! The Owner of the Etsy shop, SecondHandGoddess, has put together a huge giveaway for her fans! Enter to win below for your chance to win an item from Second Hand Goddess. The best part? You get to choose! Also, there will be not one, but TWO lucky winners!

SecondHand Goddess Giveaway (2 Winners)

Good luck to all who Enter!

Multi Vendor GIVEAWAY Extraordinaire

Over ten winners!! I am holding this giveaway to help raise awareness for Shasta Sanctuary - a cat and dog rescue that needs our help after a fire destroyed their facility last month.

Visit Shasta Sanctuary HERE

Check out the giveaway album HERE

If you are a crafter and would like to participate in future giveaways/auctions, join my group HERE

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dragons in the Garden

This week I have been working a lot with polymer clay - making miniature dragons. They have glass eyes and fit in the palm of your hand!

Purchase Casper HERE

Purchase Midnight HERE

Purchase Sonny HERE

What have you created this week?

Getting Ready for a Craft Show!

I have spent all week getting ready for my craft show Saturday - it is going to be so much fun!

I have homemade soap, infinity scarves, ornaments, jewelry, and more! What items would you like to see me make next?

Time to Sew

This past week JoAnn had a mega sale!! I went back 3 times for fabric! And patterns ;) I am hoping to get more into sewing - I love trying new crafts!! What kinds of crafts have you done lately?

Multi-Vendor Video Game Auction!

I have organized a video game themed auction on my Facebook page Raeosunshine Pets. There are over 50 items in this auction - all handmade by various artists. 

There are several Pokemon themed items - a favorite of mine! That Pikachu jewelry set was made by me, and I nearly kept it for myself haha!

Several Legend of Zelda inspired items also - although I have never played the games, I still appreciate all this adorableness!!

And now on to Mario...by far the most popular topic in the auction! Even I added a Mario themed set.

Which video game is your favorite?

These are not all of the items in the auction - there are several Harry Potter, Pacman, and even Disney items, etc. Please visit the auction album HERE - bidders pay via Paypal. Ends Thursday night! Get your bids in before it is too late

Guess that Disney Character!

Today I am having a guessing game! Guess which two characters I am thinking of (you only need to get one right) and you will win a $5 credit to my Etsy shop! 5 guesses per person. Ends in 24 hours. If interested, please participate on my Facebook page HERE

Which Disney character is your favorite?

Snoopy!

"These are the times that make me want to go out and accomplish big things...tomorrow." and "Happiness is a thoughtful friend!"

Recently, I did a giveaway for one of my shadow box magnets. I make Peanuts, Vintage Coca-Cola, and Pokemon inspired ones. This led to a custom order :)

I love custom requests! This lady asked for two Snoopy inspired magnets, and here they are. Unfortunately I had trouble getting a better pic of them - they just weren't working with my light box. But I expect eventually I will figure out a better way.

Who is your favorite Peanuts character? Mine is Schroeder :)

*Interested in one but can't find them in my shop? Don't worry - I just haven't gotten around to listing them yet, but you can still have one! They are $10 including shipping & an additional $8 each if you order more than one.*

Whiscraft on Etsy - Fun for You AND Your Furry Friends!

Artemis wants me to tell you all about his great new toys from Whiscraft!

I must tell you about these great finds from Whiscraft on Etsy! Whiscraft rocks - it is now my new favorite shop on Etsy (after my own of course, haha). Their products are high quality and they have great customer service! Josie, the owner is the nicest and most down to earth person you will ever meet. Because they are shipped from Indonesia and I live in the USA, they take about a month or more to arrive, but this is understandable and these items are totally worth the wait!! And the best part is that all proceeds go to The Whiskers' Syndicate - the only cat sanctuary in Bandung, Indonesia. When you purchase from Whiscraft, you not only get some great items, but you also make a difference in these kitties' lives!

Buy the carrots HERE
Buy the mice HERE
Buy the turkey HERE

Check out these ADORABLE cat toys from Whiscraft. According to Josie, "All of our items are made entirely from scrap fabric from unsold or excess product from textile mills or unused portions from garment manufacturers." This is great - and better for the environment! All of these items are hand sewn and contain organic catnip. My personal favorite is the carrot toy, but my cats LOVE all of them!! As I mentioned in one of my previous posts, most cat toys I purchase are loved by my cats for a week or less and then discarded in a corner, but I have had the turkeys for over a month now and they are still being played with daily! 

Buy potholders like this HERE

What is awesome about Whiscraft is that there is something in that shop for EVERYONE! In fact, I plan on doing some of my Christmas shopping there this year. I purchased these cute little cat potholders for myself, and I could not be happier with them! They are absolutely perfect.

Please visit Whiscraft on Etsy HERE

Like her Facebook page HERE

Read her blog HERE

RaeosunshinePets Giveaway Extravaganza

Visit my Facebook page HERE to learn more and to see more photos

In celebration of my Facebook page reaching 1,000 likes, I am hosting a multi-vendor giveaway! There are 14 unique prizes - the majority are handmade. There will be 14 winners! TONS of chances to win!! Enter via the Rafflecopter below and let the fun begin!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Shelly

"Shelly" a Pet Portrait made for a winner from my Facebook giveaway.

I am so proud of this! I know I am not an amazing painter or anything like that, but this is my first "large" watercolor (9x12 as opposed to my usual 4x6) and I feel like I totally rocked it! Large blank pieces of paper frighten me. Haha! What do you think? Is this something I should offer in my shop?

Only a few days left to enter to win a 4x6 pet watercolor on my Facebook page! To enter, go HERE

An Anniversary Gift

Check out my little dragon Merida! She was recently part of a trade I made on Etsy. I love trading with other artists! Merida is needle felted, with felt wings and a Merino wool braid for hair. She is too cute!

Made by Certified Gemologist, Sandy Martinez

It was my parent's anniversary recently, so I was happy when I was able to trade for this classy birthstone necklace from GriffinsNestJewelry on Etsy - as a gift for my mom. This is a great gift - the seller was very helpful and it arrived quickly. I could tell from first glance that it was a high quality item! The stones are gorgeous and sparkly. They are set well, not loose or crooked. Absolutely perfect. And my mom loved it too! This is something she can where all the time - great for everyday wear and special occasions. It is very classy and not so gaudy that she is unable to wear it to her job. I give this piece of jewelry two thumbs up!

Even the little box it came in was perfect!

Check out our shops on Etsy:
My shop HERE
Her shop HERE

Woodland Creatures

Looking through my stock today, I realized I needed to have a "woodland creatures" photo shoot with these three little guys! And so I did.

All three are needle felted miniatures, finished with glass eyes and plastic noses. I made the little fox for a trade, so he is already spoken for. BUT the little rabbit and brown bear are still up for grabs! All proceeds from both of them go to animal rescues. What do you think of them?

View the bear on Etsy HERE

View the rabbit on Etsy HERE

What Does the Fox Say?

Check out my little Foxie Loxie!! Needle felted for a trade on Etsy :)

This little fox was so fun to make! For this project I used a more coarse wool for the body (I prefer coarser fibers - from my experiences, they seem to felt faster) and for the tail and sideburns I used a more fine wool. The face was finished with a plastic nose and a pair of glass eyes. I love using glass eyes - they make my miniatures come alive!

We have an enormous maple tree in the backyard and that is where I chose to pose this little guy for a photo shoot. Before I send this mini out, it will be attached to a ribbon. My miniatures look great sitting in a display case, but they also are wonderful hanging from your rear view mirror or even from your Christmas tree! And you know, Christmas in July is coming up here soon ;)

Find this in the Etsy shop SleepingFoxBitchery

This "Little Sh*t Pet Silhouette Hand-embroidered wall art" is what I will be receiving in return. Well, not the exact one in the pic, but a customized one for my tuxedo kitty Artemis! When I saw this item, I knew I HAD to have it. Because, well...Arty is a "little sh*t!" Haha! I am so excited to see how this turns out and I will post about it again later, when I receive mine.

In the meantime, check out our shops on Etsy!

My Etsy Shop

SleepingFoxBitchery

WIN this Plush Kitty

This adorable kitten plush was donated to the raffle for the kitties by Rossane from Ecofroggy Craftworks.

Please show her our appreciation by sending a "like" over to her FB page here: 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ecofroggy-craftworks/185830551431204
or by visiting her shop here: 
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ecofroggy?ref=pr_shop_more

you are entered to win if you do any of the following:

1) Donate funds
2) purchase charity listings from my shop (https://www.etsy.com/shop/RaeosunshinePets?section_id=14458956&ref=shopsection_leftnav_1), 15% donated from non-charity listings
3) Purchase something from their Cafepress shop (http://www.cafepress.com/catshelterfelix)
4) send me donations for a care package (i.e. toys, blankets, treats, food bowls, etc.)

You can send money to their bank account here (please let me know if you donate):

Bank Account Number
Felix - Felinolosko drustvo
SWIFT/BIC: VBUBRS22 (Vojvodjanska banka a.d. Novi Sad)
IBAN: RS35355000320003120311

or send money with Paypal or credit card etc through youcaring.com: http://www.youcaring.com/pet-expenses/help-the-feline-residents-of-cat-shelter-felix/161828

Trecac Needs You!!!

Photo Credit: Cat Shelter Felix - Learn more about Trecac HERE

Wow - such a gorgeous tabby cat!! Trecac is a resident at Cat Shelter Felix/ Azil za mačke Felix, our rescue of the month. Cat Shelter Felix is a cat sanctuary located in Serbia. All of these kitties are ex-strays and will live out the rest of their lives in this one of a kind cage-free haven. Please visit their website HERE to learn more about Cat Shelter Felix and its residents. When you support these cats, you not only become a hero to them, but you also are entered to win some great prizes! To help, do any of the following:

1) Donate funds here:  www.youcaring.com or via Paypal to savage1@shaw.ca
2) purchase charity listings from my shop here: RaeosunshinePets on Etsy
*15% donated from non-charity listings
3) Purchase something from their Cafepress shop here: Cat Shelter Felix on Cafepress
4) send me donations for a care package (i.e. toys, blankets, treats, food bowls, etc.)

**Please let me know if you make a donation or purchase from their shop**

Here are just a couple of the prizes you could win:

Grumpy Cat inspired hand-painted seashell magnet

A handmade cat plush created & donated by Ecofroggy Craftworks

Visit my Facebook page here to learn more about this fundraiser & see more prizes!

Pet Portrait Giveaway

YOU could WIN a custom watercolor pet portrait!! Visit my Facebook page to see the original post and all the rules etc.

Here are just a few ways you can enter:

☆Following my shop on Instagram @raeosunshinepets

☆Following my shop on Twitter

☆Following my blog on Tumblr

☆Favoriting my shop on Etsy

☆Donating funds or purchasing a charity listing in my shop

This month proceeds from the fundraiser will be donated to Cat Shelter Felix/ Azil za mačke Felix - a cat sanctuary in Serbia.

Please visit their website HERE

Great Prizes to WIN!

Just look at those eyes! So adorable. Juhu-hu is a resident at Cat Shelter Felix/ Azil za mačke Felix, our rescue of the month. When you support these cats, you not only become a hero to them, you also are entered to win some great prizes! To help, do any of the following:

1) Make a donation at www.youcaring.com or directly to the paypal email savage1@shaw.ca
2) purchase charity listings from my shop here: RaeosunshinePets on Etsy
*15% donated from non-charity listings
3) Purchase something from their Cafepress shop here: Cat Shelter Felix on Cafepress
4) send me donations for a care package (i.e. toys, blankets, treats, food bowls, etc.)

**Please let me know if you make a donation or purchase from their shop**


Visit my Facebook page here to see all the great prizes up for grabs

photo credit: Cat Shelter Felix
Visit this link to learn more about Juhu-hu: Cat Shelter Felix's Blog

My first infinity scarf!

Here it is...my very first infinity scarf. Look for these in my Etsy shop soon :)

What kinds of prints do you like best?