Search results (tags) for: "dogs"

Etsy Finds: China and Hong Kong

Sat, 09 Aug 2008 15:27:00 -0000

Recently, I posted some athletic-inpired items in honor of the Olympics. We're all hearing so much about China in the news these days, so I decided to take a look for an interesting seller from that part of the world.

pinkpandamary, who is based out of Hong Kong, caught my eye. Her Crazy Panda button screams out "handmade!" — I love her twist on the iconic, Chinese animal.

She also makes pug magnets and brooches, great for the smooshed-faced-pets fans out there!

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Etsy Find: Beware of Dogs!

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:10:00 -0000

Pets are a bone of contention for my family. My son, age 4, wants a dog TODAY. (A Rottweiler, to be exact — preferably one named Manny that sleeps under his bed.) My daughter, age 2, is very afraid of dogs. In fact, she’s still talking about the only time she worked up the courage to pet a dog.

So what pet did I find for my kids? This awesome rock star by HoneydewStudio. It's extinct, and therefore less scary for my daughter. It has flames on his skin, so it's cool enough for my son. Best of all, I don't have to get up early to walk Iggy.

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Etsy Finds: Mint Polka Dotted Dog Dress

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:11:00 -0000

The more absurd your pet looks, the more likely she (and therefore you) are to be remembered. (Or at least that's what a good friend once told me.) Ironically, his dog was very boring, so I don't remember either of their names. Regardless, if you've noticed your pup is looking bleak and you've been considering spicing up her wardrobe, I suggest taking a look at some of the beautifully bizarre dog attire in furbabiesboutique's shop. This particular polka dotted formal dress is a feathery heap of insanity, sure to leave any passersby lost in its minty glow. It is the age of elaborate dog adornment; jump on the fancy bandwagon and buy your pooch a ball gown already!

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Workin' Like a Dog

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:43:00 -0000

One of my favorite shows on the National Geographic Channel has always been Dogs with Jobs, a show that profiles canines with working jobs. It's got something to do with the idea of a dog having a higher purpose than just a household pet. Don't get me wrong, I think that all pets have a purpose, but it's those truly extraordinary pets who fascinate me. It was this fascination that led me to the Forums in search of people who would want to share their pets' stories with me. I got a lot of really great responses to my request, but below you will find the stories of three different Etsy members and their dogs, who prove that they are more than just man's best friend.

[Photograph by fluffnflowers]

Our first extraordinary pet belongs to fluffnflowers and is trained as a Seizure/Motion Disorder dog. The dog, an Airedale named Ellie, assists people who are prone to seizures by alerting them of upcoming episodes. Extensive training to get her used to the public has aided in Ellie's success. Along with regular obedience and aptitude training, Ellie has also been trained to pull a card from her service vest which states: "Stand Back! Call 911 — my partner is having a seizure!" Ellie is not just a working dog though, she also enjoys spending time in the garden, chasing bumblebees and helping her Mom cultivate her gorgeous plants and flowers.

[Photograph by ShoeTheLittleFilly]

Jasper, who raced under the name Atomic Bear, is a retired racing Greyhound who resides in Australia and belongs to ShoeTheLittleFilly. Jasper is a pet therapy dog who visits nursing homes and elderly-resident hostels, to help the residents who are often having a hard time transitioning between their lives at home, and their lives in the new facilities in which they reside. Due to the gentle nature and stature of Greyhounds, Jasper has been a welcome addition to the Pet Therapy program. Training for this program required acclimating Jasper to things like motorized scooters, walking through a crowd, and people who may have unpredictable movements. When Jasper isn't working, he enjoys sleeping, being the head taste tester for his mom's baking, and encouraging his mom to buy new embroidery hoops, by eating her old ones.

[Photograph by MVKnits]

Fettucini, Biscotti, and Sabine are all Maremma, which are livestock guardian dogs, who live on Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts with their mom, MVKnits. Maremma are raised to protect flocks of sheep and goats from predators like coyote and domestic dogs. Above being good natured and playful, these dogs are fiercely loyal and will lay down their own lives to protect their flock. Maremma have guarding instincts that don't require any formal training, and while they do have basic obedience training, they will ignore any command you give them if they think it puts the flock in danger. Without these dogs, the flock may be in danger, and MVKnits wouldn't be able to offer her gorgeous fiber for sale on Etsy. Interesting Fact: More sheep are killed by domestic dogs than coyotes or wolves each year.

Further Resources:
Paws with a Cause
Adopt a Greyhound
Maremma

Etsy Finds: Sandstone Dog Bowl

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 13:08:00 -0000

I am always looking for something to get my sister – a gift for her dog always works the best. Made from a gorgeous slab of polished sandstone, this unique dog bowl is shaped like a dog bone and fits into any natural décor. A great gift for the friend or dog that has everything or a classic addition to the inside or outside of your home. Made by StoneyCreekDogBowl who lives in the heart of the North Cascade Range at the foot of Sauk Mountain, and who came up with this idea as a way to help pay for the care of his aging lab. He even does engraving!

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Etsy Finds: Cat Skirt

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 14:22:00 -0000

While I was browsing around Etsy in search of something that would fit into this lovely Pet series, I found this Cat Skirt by kachingdesign! The image handprinted on this skirt is such a sweet representation of a kitty. The colors and the style of the skirt are wonderfully cozy and also a bit modern. I love how the description says: "Wise kitty cat will keep you company wherever you go." I personally would love this cat looking up at me, as I go through my day.

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Etsy Finds: Woof, Dog Beds, Woof!

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 16:12:00 -0000

So, my woofer, Signahl aka Sidgeemon aka SidgitalDigital aka Sidgee wanted me to tell you all about how older dogs need comfier habitats!!

Our first adventure in the Pacific Ocean here in San Francisco:

She's almost 10 years old now (I cry, sniff! both photos taken within the last year) and she has mild arthritis, even though she loves running on the beach and playing in the water. She says that, even though she sleeps in bed with Mommy, it's not ALL the time, and the couch works, but she also needs a place that is ALL her own.

Here's the couch sleepytime, while Mommy does QA for Etsy:

So, in the search for comfort for my lovely child dog, I found this bed from Chubby Trubby so awesome and perfect for dogs like Signahl! This bed has an extra added feature: You can cuddle with your puppy on it as well, but unfortunately, it cannot be made big enough for adult humans!

Additionally, this bed can be made from pieces of your old jeans if desired, and it COMES WITH the tie dyed pillow! How perfect for my now resident San Franciscan dog!

Enjoy these other pet beds, below. Thanks, Storque Readers!

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Etsy Finds: Pup Tent (or Kitten Tent)

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:31:00 -0000

My kitty, Stella, is a little blue-eyed princess and I love her with all of my heart. We play fetch together and she knows her name, but I never have to call her because she follows me everywhere. She's also a fan of belly rubs...it's possible she may think she's a dog. It sounds strange to some, but I know she loves me too. That's why I would do anything for my Stella Bean.

I had never thought about getting her a special bed, because she has her chair that she prefers. It's the one she sat on while eating the fins off my beta fish. Maybe it's time for Stella to get her own digs! =^..^=

Here's a goldfish kitty/pup tent by Seapets.

Etsy Finds: Sassy Bassets

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:16:00 -0000

When I thought about doing a pet related Etsy Find, I knew that my find would inevitably be about dogs. As anyone who knows me well can attest, I live for dogs. Yeah, yeah — cats are cute, bunnies are nice, but dogs rule my world! It doesn't matter the breed, the attitude or the age: be it puppy or old timer, I've got big love for my canine friends.

Thus, I came upon the sassy basset hound illustrated above. The modern Mondrian artist by basset hound caricaturist houndtracks (yes, she has a whole shop of these wonders!) is truly something to marvel at. According to her profile,

"royal plant (aka houndtracks) creates a calendar annually which features her basset hounds in caricature...her love of her hounds, since 1970, is evident in all her works..."

I'd say so! For more of houndtracks' signature basset hound stylings (which include basset hounds driving sports cars, cooking, playing soccer — all while wearing John Lennon style specs!), check out her shop! Basset hounds are where it's at!

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Gotta Travel On: A Dog's Life in Greece

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:49:00 -0000

In the coming weeks, the Storque will be posting content about pets and animals. aegeansea offered the story of her Greek pooch DeeDee as a transition from the Gotta Travel On series to the Etsy Pets series. She included some of her surrealist pet collages too. Enjoy!

Born in a Greek village in the south of Greece, my dog DeeDee was gifted to me, and I moved her to northern Greece, where I now live. She now calls Panorama, near Thessaloniki, her winter home. She summers in Gerakini, our beach home located on the beautiful coastline of the Aegean Sea. DeeDee quickly adjusted to the northern lifestyle and became fluent in both Greek and English. Without a doubt, since she is a Griffon, I’m sure that her skills in French would be more than adequate, given a little exposure to it.

Living in a bi-cultural family, she is surrounded by English, my native language, and Greek, the language of her home-country and of my husband and sons. Like many bi-cultural offspring, she has the opportunity to live and travel in two countries, and the advantages of both. Recently, DeeDee had a great adventure visiting Texas. She had a blast hanging out with the cowboys and horses (got a little dusty!), sampling spicy bbq (licked her paws!) and, of course, doing country western dancing! Her new red kickers (boots) were the envy of every gal on the dance floor. The day we spent in Canton, Texas, the largest open-air trade and craft fair in the world, was a highlight. More handcrafts and artwork than one could ever hope for, in one location. We had our share of lemonade and sausage links that day.

Home in Greece, DeeDee is happy to be back in the "cradle" of civilization, and the "spring from which creativity sprung." Since ancient times until today, Greeks have continued to create some of the world's most beautiful pottery, paintings, jewelry, woven fabrics, needlework, architecture, and the list goes on. Creativity knows no borders or language barriers. Any world traveler knows hand-crafted artworks are as important as history, scenery and cuisine. Even without a common language, we can understand the wonders of a culture through its distinctive ethnic creations.

When you visit Greece, a world filled with antiquities, art, farmlands, mountains and Aegean Blue seas and sky, take every opportunity to see as much as you can. Visit the markets, the villages and the gift boutiques, where DeeDee promises you will find the greatest of Greek Treasures, the handcrafted works and arts of this richly creative land. You never know where you'll bump into DeeDee. She's known to frequent the little shops with homemade marmalades and sweets. Each is a work of art. Or, maybe you’ll see her on the beach.
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Don’t forget your sunscreen and sun glasses. You’ll need them in sunny Greece. In the evening when it cools down, be sure to take a stroll and you’ll find the perfect handcrafted souvenir to remind you always of this beautiful country. The nights in Greece are indescribable! Stop by at one of the tavernas (local restaurants) and enjoy a delicious Greek salad with grilled fish or meat and a glass of your favorite wine, ouzo or lemonade.

As for me, aegeansea, I was born in the USA, near the Gulf Coast of Texas. I have always loved the sand, surf and sun. After marrying my Greek husband, we moved to the Aegean Coast of Greece. It wasn't long before I realized my new homeland was a natural delight for my spirit. Watching my energetic doggy run along the shoreline, I chased her and picked up as many seashells as I could along the way. I could say DeeDee inspired me to begin my Aegean Sea coastal creations that opened the door for my Etsy shop. She is my greatest encourager and sits beside me as I design and create. Coastal shell chimes are her favorites, but we’re both excited about the doggy scrapbooks and collages. The possibilities abound when surrounded by such a wealth of inspiration.

Yassas (so long), until we meet somewhere in Greece.

Gotta Travel On | Etsy World Tour |Etsy Pets | Special Pets Showcase

Etsy Finds: A True American Summer

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 11:35:00 -0000

If there is one thing the summer is good for, it's barbecues, and good 'ol American Freedom.

Like I always say, what better way to bring these together than with two bastions of America, the hot dog and honest Abe, though littlegreenroosters sums it up much better than me:

"What's more American than ol' honest Abe and a chicken/pork slurry encased in intestine and injected with Red Dye #40? Nothing my friend, nothing."

I've assembled the best Etsy has to offer that gives thanks to our forefathers, as well as the hot dog and everything between.

Neapolitan Abe

talkingpaintings offers a great mashup of Abe Lincoln and Neapolitan ice cream, another great summer favorite. Pick up a copy today for $15.

Hot Dog Soap

Finally, a hot dog I can clean up with. MollycoddleSoap offers a stunning blend of chemistry, toiletry, and ingenuity. Stock up for $8.25.

Now get out there and get that summer started!

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A Vintage Dinner Party with Kate Moss (The Dog)

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 00:30:00 -0000

Last week we had a chance to interview Kate Moss (the dog) about a dinner party she was planning. It turns out that she loves to search the Vintage section of Etsy to find fabulous items. In this video she shows some of the items she's thinking about buying and then gives a short video tutorial to help you shop for Etsy Vintage.

MP4 | Youtube | Blip.tv | HD | Subscribe in iTunes

In the video, she checks out books from uncommoneye's shop, a carafe from domestikate's shop, placemats from michellebrusegaard's shop, and an apron from solanah's shop. Then she does a search for a vintage dress using Etsy vintage search.

This is the second video that focuses on the styles of our furry friends. The first one was with Dottie. Feel free to leave a comment and tell us what you think!

Want to watch all the Etsy videos? Subscribe in iTunes and get them downloaded automatically when they come out! - Link

Etsy Pets: Handmade4Hounds

Wed, 07 May 2008 16:13:00 -0000

Handmade4Hounds is a team full of creative energy dedicated to inviting people to open up their hearts and homes to retired greyhounds and other sighthound breeds, such as whippets and Italian greyhounds, in need of rescue and adoption.

Greyhounds are sighthounds, which means they possess characteristics such as long legs, small heads, and a lean, streamlined body structure unique to this special family of dogs. All sighthounds possess the ability to track their prey with exceptional sight and extreme speed. Greyhounds can run up to 45 mph, reaching speed in 1.5 seconds or 3 strides! This speed is what launched greyhounds into the long-lived world of track racing dating back to the 1920’s.

“I remember when the Simpsons welcomed Santa’s Little Helper, the abandoned greyhound racer, into their home. That was my first introduction to the breed, and although the antics played out on the show were often ridiculous, one thing is true: so many greyhounds need homes (hopefully better than the Simpson household). Please consider adopting this gentle breed into your family!”
- Ellen (classichound)

About 10,000 greyhounds retire from racing each year, typically between three and five years of age. Many flunk out of racing or are forced into early retirement as a result injuries. Others retire after a successful career on the tracks, but every greyhound that retires from track life desperately needs a new home.

Despite being one of the fastest animals on land, greyhounds are known as the 45-mile-an-hour couch potato by those who know them well. Most greyhounds are gentle, quiet, and extremely laid back. With short and easy to maintain coats (which are easy on the allergies!), notable patience, and gentle acceptance of other pets and young children, this friendly breed may be the perfect companion pet!

Greyhounds are unique dogs with unique needs. The absence of an undercoat that reduces shedding and allergic reactions also means this lean athlete requires a coat to keep warm during the colder months. Sighthounds are inside only dogs — which really means more companionship for you! And remember that high-prey drive instinct to run 45 mph towards small moving objects? That includes squirrels, so a leash is required out for walks. And their smaller heads need strong cinching martingale-type collars so that they can’t slip away from their owner.

Greyhounds are strong, graceful, and striking creatures who get a lot of attention for their good looks. People love to see them depicted in beautiful art. Handmade4Hounds is happy to serve all the special needs of this special breed with crocheted sweaters and snoods, collars and leashes, comfy dog beds, and gorgeous paintings, sculptures, and jewelry that captures the elegance and charm of these well deserving hounds.

Our members support a wide variety of greyhound adoption programs in the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia and Ireland. We have two primary goals: promoting the support of independent artists and to raise money to support greyhound adoption. Many programs are in desperate need of funds in order to continue serving retired racers. These programs perform medical procedures and injury repair, keep these dogs fed and housed properly, and work endlessly to find thousands of homes for these gorgeous animals.

All of the products in our Etsy shop are donated by Etsy sellers from the Handmade4Hounds Street Team. The proceeds from every purchase supports greyhound adoption groups and various whippet, saluki, and Italian greyhound rescue programs. The individual members of the Handmade4Hounds Team support Greyhound Adoption in several different ways including:

• Donating a portion of the sales of their individual Etsy shops
• Creating handmade items to be used in auctions and raffles at Greyhound Fundraising Events and Reunion Picnics
• Adopting and Fostering Greyhounds
• Attending Meet & Greet and Adoption Awareness Events
• Maintaining a Handmade4Hounds Etsy Shop where 100% of the proceeds goes to the hounds

“In 1995, I called the Greyhound Pets of America 800 number for the nearest Greyhound adoption group. I drove a ten hour’s drive to meet Sterling, a fawn-colored male who had flunked off the track before he turned two years old. Sterling graciously served as the model for many of the art works I created while earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Minnesota State University - Moorhead. It was this amazing breed with the sensitive and gentle nature that captured my imagination.”
- Sarah (greyhoundart)

Please join us in our efforts to both celebrate hounds and help these "greyt" companions find new homes all over the world! Every month a new adoption group is highlighted and selected by our members to receive the proceeds from our sales. Every donation and purchase helps! Items in the Handmade4Hounds Etsy shop need not be hound related, all donations welcome!

Further Resources:
More info on greyhounds:
www.greyhoundgang.org/adopt.php
www.snips.8m.com/pages/greyhound%20adoption.htm

Info on how and where to adopt greyhounds:
www.greyhoundpets.org
www.adopt-a-greyhound.org/directory/list.cfm

More info on h4h:
www.handmade4hounds.com
www.handmade4hounds.blogspot.com

Yahoo Group - groups.yahoo.com/group/handmade4hounds

To join, contact:
Ellen at contact@classichound.com
Lenora at amazinggreys@msn.com

To Shop, visit:
handmade4hounds.etsy.com

Etsy Pets: Euthanasia to Etsy – Mulligans Story

Sun, 04 May 2008 20:15:00 -0000

Mulligan is my 3 legged golden retriever rescue puppy. She was born the runt of the litter, with a deformed front leg. Her birth mom rejected her, and her breeder didn’t think she'd live or have much of a life so he brought her to the animal hospital to be put down at two days old.

Lucky for Mulligan (and for me) the girls at the hospital and one very kind veterinarian thought the puppy deserved a chance to live and offered to take her in to see if they could nurse her back to health.

Mulligan struggled at first as she was half the size of her littermates. But over time she became stronger and stronger. She was fostered by her veterinarian at night and she spent her days at the clinic socializing and playing with all the pups and people there.

At 9 weeks old she was strong enough to handle the surgery of having her front right leg amputated. The next day she was hopping around chasing the big dogs. Two weeks later she was ready to come home.

I adopted her sight unseen. My sister was one of the girls at the Animal Hospital who saved her. She emailed me that day, "We have a tiny little golden puppy, I don’t know if she'll make it though"... I followed her story; I had just gone through a divorce and lost a dog. I knew what it felt like to be thrown away. My other dog Morgan was missing her pal. We needed Mully as much as she needed us.

We were in two different states, but that didn’t stop us. Mulligan flew from Buffalo, NY to Nashville, TN by herself. The airline treated her like royalty — last one on, first one off. I was told the pilot announced over the loud speaker that they were flying with a very special passenger. He told a little about her rescue story and surgery and all the passengers clapped for her!

I named her Mulligan, it means second chance.

Mulligan is now 4 years old, a happy healthy little golden retriever, full of life, ball crazy with a heart of gold. Mulligan taught me about unconditional love and being proud of who you are no matter what your flaws may be. Sometimes I wonder who rescued who.

My Etsy shop (art4milkbones) is dog themed, I add photos of my dogs to my Etsy listings when I have an extra spot or it's golden related. I get so many sweet comments about Mully & Morgan from my customers or sometimes strangers just convo me and say "Mully makes me smile!" or they want to tell me about their dog. I have met some wonderful dog people through Etsy.

If you're thinking about adding a canine companion to your family please consider adopting a handicapped or special needs pet. All dogs deserve a great home.

... and sometimes it's the things that aren't perfect.. that turn out to be the most perfect of all!

Etsy Finds: Gifts for The Brussels

Sun, 04 May 2008 16:50:00 -0000

There sure are a lot of Brussels Griffons running around the Etsy Office. With the addition of six new Support people, there was bound to be some puppy action brewing! Other Brussels Griffon owners on Etsy include chainchainchained and MetalSugar. Go brussels!

Daniellexo: I am a dog person. I can't let a pooch pass me by on the street without a quick meeting. "Hello little pup! What's your name? I LOVE YOU!" (Yes, I'm a little crazy.) I have my own little monster (a 4 year old Brussels Griffon) at home (and sometimes at work) which some of you may know. His name is Rudy aka Rude Dude, see why below.

ProjectMattNYC: Here is Kate Moss. She is my new lil' girl. Kate is a sassy puppy from Missouri that likes to eat and have her food on her face. When not eating, you can find her sniffing the Veev (the cat) or running on the roof deck like a total spazz. Look at that face! I have spoken to Kate and together with Rudy and Daniellexo, we have chosen some of our Etsy top picks!

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The Dog Made Me Do It!

Sat, 03 May 2008 19:39:00 -0000

That’s what I tell people when they ask me how I came to the wonderful land of Etsy. Now granted, I wasn’t tied and held at paw point, but without my two canine companions, I wouldn’t be here.

In 2003, I had the wonderful experience of becoming a doggie mom to my Siberian Husky mix, Anakin. As a first time puppy parent, I wanted to make sure that not only would he have a loving and nurturing home, but a healthy, plentiful source of nutrition. With all of the kibble and treat options filling the grocery store shelves, I was confused and overwhelmed with what would be the most beneficial choice for my little guy’s diet. I took my query to the internet and what I saw was disturbing. The bags of commercially produced of kibble I inquired about promised “whole chunks of chicken and fresh garden vegetables.” Digging deeper into the translations of “chicken meal” and “lamb by-products,” I found synthetic vitamins, beaks, hooves, chemical preservatives and other not-so-appetizing ingredients littering my pup's choices for dinner. With no readily available alternatives to this problem, I began my quest to provide my dog with a healthy alternative to processed dog food and dog treats.

I researched the ins and outs of canine nutrition and found what ingredients were beneficial to the growth and overall wellness of my pup such as omega three fatty acids, Vitamin A, Vitamin B complex, and Vitamins D, E, and K, which are crucial for growth, appetite, gastrointestinal regulation, and skin and coat health. I also kept close eye on what ingredients I needed to steer clear from, such as theobromine, grapes, raisins, and onions.

As a wholehearted supporter of organic farming, I wanted to incorporate a mission for chemical free diet as well. Specifically, organic refers to the way food is grown, as well as the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to preserve the environment for years to come. Organic products such as meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that have not and will not be given antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. Foods can be labeled organic only after a government-approved USDA inspector inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is compliant with each and every rule necessary to meet USDA organic standards.

In experimentation with ingredients, I conjured my own recipes, and before long, I had created a healthy and tasty diet that not only my own dog enjoyed, but the dogs of my neighbors and friends. I began to sell my dog treats in small volume, but after several years, I decided that it was time for me to share my wholesome healthy goodness with a larger market. I stumbled upon Etsy during the summer of 2007 and have been here spreading the good word since! Etsy has been key in my ongoing quest to reach and teach as many doggie parents as I can. I’m a proud member of the Dog Mafia Team, where a fabulous group of Etsians meet to discuss and promote all things dog.

I run my Etsy shop Organidog with the help of Anakin and the newest four-legged addition my household, my adopted Siberian Husky, Vader. Running shop can be quite tedious with eight paws in charge of quality control. They taste test a sample from each and every batch to ensure it is 100% deelish.

While what each doggie parent chooses to feed their pup is a personal decision — raw versus cooked diets, what is best for their breed, advice from their veterinarian, and personal convictions — all of these factors weigh heavily on what we feed our furry companions. Etsy has a multitude of dog treat sellers to satisfy the most persnickety of pup parents.

While I am all about the dogs, we can’t forget our other four-legged pals, the kitties. From freeze dried salmon treats to kitty collars and catnip lovies, our feline friends make their mark on Etsy as well with a plethora of shops offering fabulous items to choose from! My fellow Dog Mafia Team members LuckyFiona and BentleysBones have catered to this calling. While Lucky Fiona makes small-scale collars for our kitty companions, Bentleys Bones creates a catnip toy in the shape of fortune cookies. With over 6,200 pet items for sale here at Etsy, it is clear that we value our furry, scaly, fluffy, and slimy friends.

The Very First Alchemy Request

Fri, 02 May 2008 18:45:00 -0000

While Etsy engineer Jorge Lopez coded Alchemy, he was daydreaming of the his ultimate Alchemy request. As soon as we released the new site feature on Etsy, he was the first one to post a request! He ended up choosing artist Emily Balivet's bid and getting the most amazing painting. Watch the video to learn more...

MP4 | Youtube | Blip.tv | iTunes

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Etsy Finds: Must Love Dogs

Fri, 02 May 2008 16:36:00 -0000

It's pet week here at the Storque! Keep tabs on the Etsy Pets featured column for all the cute pet stuff you can handle. Pets, ahoy!

Picture this: you (insert name) get an eight week old puppy on the day you turn 74 years old. You've been alone ever since your wife died ten years earlier and haven't been able to live through your loss as easily as anticipated. Instead, you have decided to increase your already excessive drinking and smoking habits, in the hopes that your once-sharp memory will fade in a brutal fight for a second chance. Well...your second chance just ended and your new puppy has been tied up to your bed post while still in potty training mode and watches your body decompose throughout a lonely, quiet and cold week of no visitors or family to discovery your corpse. Yes, you died and your puppy is hungry!

This unfortunate story is how I found my loyal companion "Soda-Pop." Soda's first owner was an elderly man whose family had all passed away: needless to say, no one was calling or checking up on his condition, the elderly man died in his sleep and a week later the mailman found him.

I soon got a phone call from a friend of mine who said she had a puppy that needed a home. It turns out that she happened to be the granddaughter of the man in question. Soda was born in South Central, Los Angeles and was just nine weeks old when I rescued him. He was very spontaneous, full of energy, and his coat was a deep reddish-brownish-blackish color...hence the name, Soda Pop. He looks like a Coca-Cola.

Soda was very friendly with other dogs and people, and he just loved to go to the dog park to play with his furry four-legged friends. After being slightly disappointed with my life while living in Los Angeles, I decided to move to New York to solve my greener-grass blues. At the time, Soda was not much of a back-seat barker, and he willingly took his first coast-to-coast road trip with me without any worries. Good boy, Soda! Whoo hoo! Ha.

Once in NYC, Soda was greeted with the pleasure of sharing a roof with another dog, Hailey. Hailey was an older, wiser, and larger dog than Soda happened to be. But this didn't stop him from holding his own ground. They became instant friends and took care of each other like family. It was interesting to watch from my perspective...my little puppy is growing up. Aww.

Now Soda is two years old, and thankfully the only scar he wears from his tragic younger years is that he does NOT want to be on a leash. However, where I live, he NEEDS to be on a leash at all times because of his breed and hyper-zoomies (short for his overly-hyperactive-I-need-to-run-run) tendencies. It's not like he doesn't want to be on a leash, he just becomes afraid and barks at everything and everyone. Thus, I am in the market to find a leash that Soda will feel both comfortable and handsome wearing. The first place to find such an item? Etsy, of course.

Today I searched for dog leashes and found some wonderful dog leash/collar designers such as FidosFashionCollars, who has a full shop arranged beautifully with interesting and durable dog collars. Take this custom dog collar, for example: at such an affordable price, I often wonder why I would ever shop at any big box pet stores at all these days.

Another great dog collar that Soda would love is (my personal favorite) the Lucky 13 Dog Collar from VintageNouveau, made with guitar picks! How cool is that!?

For comfort, I believe this Eco-Friendly Dog Harness would suit Soda Pop really well. He may not like the color or pattern of this particular dog harness, although anniessweatshop has plenty of other color and design options to choose from.

Hopefully I am not the only one who has an animal rescue story in the Etsy Community. If you have a pet rescue story that you would like to share, I would LOVE to hear it in the comments below.

Thanks for listening to Soda Pop's story; maybe you'll meet him someday in the Etsy Labs.

Love.eric

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Etsy Find: Pocket-Sized Pooch

Thu, 01 May 2008 17:21:00 -0000

Living in New York City has many benefits: great art, fantastic restaurants, Etsy headquarters...but it also has its drawbacks. For many urban animal lovers, one of the biggest is trying to squeeze a large — or even a medium-sized — dog into a small apartment (and a busy social calendar).

While I don't have an answer for the small apartment dilemma, I can offer a pint of a pup that you never have to rush home to walk or feed. This sporty "Leisure Suit Lap Dog" by allmyown would fit nicely just about anywhere. (What an amazing use of recycled polyester, no?) You could even tuck this little fellow into your purse for an on-the-go adventure. Check out a few more friends for small spaces below.

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Etsy Pets: Dog Mafia is Makin' a Handmade Offer Ya Can't Refuse

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 22:50:00 -0000

We put out a call for articles for our Etsy Pets series, and who else do you turn to but the Dog Mafia Team? This group of Etsy sellers mean business. Baddabing.

The Etsy Dog Mafia Team is a group of artists and Etsy sellers who specialize in handmade items for dogs and the people who love them. In the mob, dogs aren’t just pets — they’re family!

The Dog Mafia is only a pup: it was started a little less than a year ago by art4milkbones. “I wanted a team with a common bond to network and support each other. A place where the crazy dog people could go to talk about their dogs, Etsy, marketing and all that.”

Mob members span from Florida to Alaska — that's a lot of neighborhoods going to the dogs!

In March the team challenged each other to create an irregular dog (aka a not so perfect dog) for their shop. Mob members have a soft spot for rescue dogs and they used this challenge to donate part of their sales to their favorite dog charities and rescues. “Our team challenges are a fun way to promote Etsy and our team," said Dog Mafia member FrumsGlassMenagerie. "The Irregular Dogs challenge recognized the imperfections and disabilities of many dogs. Our Dog Mafia creations touched the heart of anyone who has adopted a dog.”

In April, the Mafia’s members banded together to donate money to the ASPCA through sales in Etsy shops. For one day many shops gave $1.00 per sale to the organization.

The Dog Mafia is a violence free group, the kind that leaves the gun and takes the, um, biscuit. In some cases, that biscuit is shaped like a rock lobster: just ask member Organidog.

You would be hard pressed to find something the Dog Mafia doesn’t sell. They have members who make jewelry, home decorations, portraits, eco-friendly products, treats and the list goes on.

Does your dog need a party dress? The mob's got it. Does he need a place to hang his leash? Got that, too. A handmade super cool new toy? Yup, you guessed it. They got your back.

As a cuteness bonus, many shops feature their own pets as models, and some dogs have become quite PUPular and are actually getting fan mail. LuckyFiona, an English setter, went from being a rescue dog to having a successful business named after her.

The Dog Mafia is always looking for new members to join the family in its efforts to make the world a more dog friendly place. You can check out our team page or blog for more information.

It has been said that in a perfect world every dog has a home and every home has a dog. We at the Mafia stand behind that 100%! Now get off your computer and go play with the dog who loves you!

For more "mug shots," check out the Dog Mafia's flickr pool and blog.

Etsy Finds: Amazing Dog Art

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 18:30:00 -0000

It's pet week here at the Storque! Keep tabs on the Etsy Pets featured column for all the cute pet stuff you can handle. Pets, ahoy!

My very best friend in all the world is a Boston Terrier named Satchel. We've had so many fun times together, and the amazing dog art of Brian Rubenacker reminds me of all the laughs we've shared throughout the years. Check out his etsy shop at rubenacker.etsy.com. He paints all dogs, but is partial to Boston Terriers, and his work captures the personality of the breed so perfectly.

Here is a picture of my good buddy, Satchel, relaxing after a long day of chasing squirrels in the backyard.

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Sloganathon: The Votes Have Been Tallied!

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 23:23:00 -0000

Over the course of the last two weeks, the Etsy Labs put out a call on the forums requesting Etsy slogan ideas from the super clever Etsy community for our new line of dog and baby merchandise. We chose our favorite suggestions, posted them in a Storque article and asked the community to vote for their favorites. We must say that we were blown away by the cleverness of our beloved Etsy members!

The Etsy Labs just finished running the votes through our special vote tallying machine and are excited to announce the new slogans that will adorn Etsy dogs and babies everywhere!

Congratulations to bamboobaby! Her 'Etsy Mini' slogan received the most votes from the Etsy community and will now be featured on a baby romper and reversible bib.

JenniferRydinDesigns' slogan, 'Shop at Etsy or I'll make a wEtsy' came in second place, and the Etsy Labs will be printing a line of rompers with her slogan as well.

We will also be featuring MissCourageous' 'Just Listed' slogan on a line of reversible bibs along with 'Etsy Mini' since it was a favorite among Etsy Admin.

The dog slogan, 'My human sells on Etsy' suggested by Studio1212 received the most votes and will be printed on a line of adorable dog t-shirts in a full range of sizes.

Now you can use your dog or baby to start conversations with random strangers on the street about your Etsy shop. There's nothing wrong with a little shameless self promotion if it's stands for a good cause, right? Get your Etsy goodies at EtsyLabs.etsy.com, and help spread the handmade love! xoxo

Sloganathon: And The Nominees Are...

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 22:53:00 -0000

Update: We have winners!

The Etsy Labs is excited to introduce a new line of Etsy merchandise in the Labs shop including baby rompers, baby bibs and doggy t-shirts!

Last week we posted three forum threads requesting slogan ideas from the super clever Etsy community and after many hours of hysterical laughter, we finally managed to compose ourselves enough to pick the best of the best! Now we need you to cast your vote for your favorite slogan from each category. The clever masterminds behind the chosen slogans will be highlighted in another Storque article, and their slogans will be credited within the item description when we sell the merchandise in the Etsy Labs shop.

Out of the 900+ slogan suggestions, here are our top ten favorites from each category… (Many slogans were suggested more than once. In this instance we credited the person who was the first to post it in the forums.)

Baby Slogans:

a. Mommy’s Little Treasury (posted by foxaz)

b. Shop at Etsy or I’ll make a wEtsy (posted by jenniferrydindesigns)

c. Etsy Mini (posted by bamboobaby)

d. OOAK (posted by blackstar)

e. My first word was Etsy (posted by karmarox)

f. Just Listed (posted by misscourageous)

g. Look what the Storque dragged in (posted by copperleafstudios)

h. Tag Abuser (posted by copperleafstudios)

i. Crawls with Scissors (posted by secondtimearound)

j. Future Etsian (posted by wakeleahlady)

k. I’m an Etsy Find (posted by stitchandtell)

l. Etsy…because it’s time for a change (posted by unaodd)

Dog Slogans:

a. Bark if you buy handmade (posted by reindeergirl)

b. Etsy has me by the tail (posted by craftsfromtheheart)

c. Fetching Handmade Since 2005 (posted by sagittariusgallery)

d. I’m just too doggone crafty (posted by windysdesigns)

e. All my bitches get handmade (posted by recoverybabe)

f. I Chews Etsy.com (posted by boutikihut)

g. I feel as ridiculous as I look (posted by spleenboy)

h. My human sells on Etsy (posted by studio1212)

i. Sniff me or Convo! (reindeergirl)

To cast your vote, just copy and paste the following format into the comment section below and fill in the blank with the letter that corresponds with your favorite slogan…Please only vote once.

Baby Slogan: (_)

Dog Slogan: (_)

Next week we will tally up the votes and announce which slogans reigned supreme!

Who's Got The Best Etsy Slogan?

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 21:15:00 -0000

The Etsy Labs is excited to introduce a new line of Etsy merchandise in the Labs shop including baby rompers, baby bibs, and doggy t-shirts!

We wanted to get ideas from you, our beloved community, to give you a chance to participate and come up with the most clever Etsy slogans for the new line! This is sorta like the Bumper Sticker Challenge. Here’s how it will work: we have started three different slogan suggestion forum threads with a different merchandise theme in each one:

1. Baby rompers

2. Baby bibs

3. Doggy t-shirts

Suggest all your Etsy-related slogans that you think might be a good fit for that piece of merchandise in the appropriate thread! We will be looking for clever, unique, and catchy slogans in each of the threads to print onto our new line of Etsy merchandise.

Legal Note: Keep in mind that by posting your suggestion, you are giving Etsy all rights to use your suggestion in any way Etsy chooses and remember, you need to follow Etsy's Terms of Use.

Gift Ideas: For Your Pets (and you)

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:57:00 -0000

I love my Brussels Griffon, Rudy. Last year I spoiled him with a giant stocking full of bones. It blew his mind. This year I'm thinking about going all out - handmade style. Here are some great gifts for you and your pet I found while searching for things to put under my tree. Oh and the photo above is of Rudy, my inspiration for this guide.

Honor your furry beast with a custom portrait or custom needle felted likeness from one of these talented artists:

lizzelizzel erinkejo AmeliaMakesArt

Rudy would love all these handmade toys. Even the ones for cats. He's a weirdo.

Yule Log Squeek Toy Stuffed Squirrel Catnip Maki Sushi Rolls

Let's accessorize our little devils for our own amusement. They hate it but we love it.

Custom Dog Tag Red and White Striped Dog Harness Holly Collar

Cat Tie Gingerbread Cat Collar Diamond Cat Collar

That's enough for the pets, here's some fresh finds for pet lovers!

Boston Terrier Pillow Custom Pet Mat Chihuahua Sweatshirt

Peeping Cat Pendant Kittens Shirt Bailey Print

Hope you like these finds and happy handmade gifting to you and your furry monsters!

Find more pet goodies (like treats, more custom tags, and even pet shampoo!) in the new Pet Gift Guide.

Etsy Pets: iheartmoustaches' Pooch

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 17:33:00 -0000

Satchel has contributed to the Etsy Labs by being a joy, but also by posing in this photo for the BuyHandmade.org Pledge. He belongs to Christine aka iheartmoustaches.

Etsy Gossip #2!

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 22:41:00 -0000

Etsy gossip, hot and fresh! Here's what's been kickin' at the Etsy Labs recently.

- While giving a tour of the Etsy Labs, bethela stumbled upon some Brawdville performers (doing their show in the above photo) getting changed "backstage" in the engineering room. (Also known as "the engineer hole.") Awk-ward!

- On Monday, Kelly (aka kfarrell) found a piece of poo stinking up the engineering room. Retribution from Brawdville, or this furry culprit (aka Christine's dog Satchel)?

- Rumors of sexy doings inside Magestica's paper mache narwhal head continue to spin out of control. (Ed. note: NOT A RUMOR.)

- Equally thrilling, though even more based in fantasy, screenshots of a dummy admin panel were posted off-site, much to the "excitement" of some Etsians.

- Scandal! It was recently announced that the Etsy Labs has been drinking (gasp!) mere tap water in place of the bottled goodness we normally consume. The Poland Spring dispenser was surruptitiously filled with tap water, and since no one noticed the change, we're putting our future H20 consumption to a vote.

- We had visitors to the Labs! magnoliastreet and her boyfriend Andres came by from Chicago and were joined by Narchi.

- CAT FIGHT! Admins Mary and Danielle had a "Blythe off," competing to see who had the better Blythe Treasury. Both Treasuries were pretty good, so no winner was crowned.

- After discovering that Vanessa's computer had a 2001: Space Odyssey robot voice and would dictate anything typed, many hours were spent making it say curse words. Good times!

- On a semi-political note, Matt sat next to Al Gore's daughter at a wedding.

- Pete finally made Anda an honest woman and they were officially married on November 7th, 2007.

- Etsy admin TeenAngster, HeyMichelle and MaryMary are P ainfully Hip. (Scroll down to find us. We love our Wardrobe Remix!)

...And that's the round up from this week! Check back again soon!

Caring Crafters Event: Cage Comforters for Homeless Animals

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 19:31:00 -0000

On Saturday, November 17, 2-6pm at the Etsy Labs, we'll be hosting a special craftivism event.

Join Jen (aka dillonDesigns), Rational Animal, and the Mayor's Alliance for Animals at Etsy Labs to create cage comforters for New York City's homeless animals. All materials will be provided. Help us reach our goal of making 100 comforters by sewing, stuffing and sending a little love their way.

Cage comforters greatly increase a shelter animal's chance for adoption and makes their cage a more comfortable place to be as the winter chill kicks in.

Enjoy gingerbread, animal crackers, spiced cider and the company of other compassionate Etsians to make a difference in the lives of animals this winter. You don't need to be an Etsy seller to attend. All are welcome!

ps
Check out The Etsy For Animals piece for more connections to Etsians who strive to make the world a better place for animals.

pps
Big shout-out to my sister, who adopts shelter pets and had to put down her beloved dog today. She was an adoption that no one else would take. She kept on ticking (even in old lady diapers) well beyond her expected years — because she was a tough old junkyard dog and because of my sister's love and care. If you love animals, get involved!

Etsy Teams Digest: What's New for this Week?

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 15:19:00 -0000

The Etsy Teams have been ramping up for big holiday success, with lots of events, contests and challenges. The Etsy Teams are an amazing asset to Etsy because they're constantly coming up with innovative ways to become involved in their communities, and creatively encourage people to shop the site and buy handmade.

Marie from Marimello is working in several ways to provide some relief for those affected by the fires in Southern California. With help from the area Etsy Teams, she is drumming up donations and relief for victims of the fires in SoCal. She hopes these actions will not only provide relief, but also inspire other ways to use Etsy for the greater good. The new blog for these current events is witch-fire.blogspot.com and since she knows others have used Etsy for good causes in the past, she plans to highlight other Etsy shops that are doing craftivism. The disaster hits close to home for Marimello, as her parents have been evacuated and 15 other family members have also been evacuated from seven of their homes since the fires began.

The Etsy Mud Team's Autumn Challenge is now over, and this week is "Mud in the Trees" — participating members of the Etsy Mud Team are creating Christmas Ornaments for sale on Etsy.

The Visual Artists Street Team has a challenge going on for November! The challenge is open to anyone who'd like to create a small art work (less than 14" in any one direction), with the theme of "Greening Up Together." The art work could be created with recycled materials, could be your representation of how we humans can help to green up the world around us. The work must be created and listed on Etsy in your shop during the month of November and tagged "GREENINGUPTOGETHER" as one word. If the listed item sells before the end of the contest, please convo dmriceart to make sure your work is on her list. At the end of the month, all entries will be placed in a hat, and a winner will be chosen! The prize for is an artbook and a few other surprises, worth over $20.00!

For November and the beginning of December, the DoG MAFiA HoliDOG Raffle is Something To Bark About! The DoG MAFiA is excited to announce their Holidog Raffle starting November 1st and running thru December 10th. You could win over $200 worth of DOGtastic goodies donated by mafia members just for shopping with the mob. Every purchase you make of a DOG related item from a participating mafia member shop gets you 1 ticket per item. There is no limit how many tickets a person can have... so the more you shop the better your chances of winning! Buyers will automatically be entered w/each purchase. See all the wonderful donations on Flickr. For details, see the Etsy Dog Mafia's blog.

The Etsy Glass Artists have created a special shopping website for the Holiday season. It'll be updated often by the members of the Etsy Glass Artists team to reflect new items in their shops. It's a really elegant way to find glass gifts for all your family and friends this season, be sure to check it out. When you sign up for their newsletter, you're automatically entered in a monthly give-away.

Is your Etsy Team doing something newsworthy? Tell us about it! We're looking for events that the whole Etsy community can get excited about — things that are happening online or making a difference in the world somehow. The pitch form can be located through the link in the left-hand column of The Storque. Also, if you're on an Etsy Team, please consider signing up for the Etsy Teams Mini-Mailing. It's the best way to keep up with all the things you'll need to know this holiday season.

Etsy Pets: Happy Halloween

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 03:24:00 -0000

Happy Halloween, Etsy Pets!

Hope your costumes are not too annoying to wear, but us humans appreciate the opportunity to take a few cute pictures before you wiggle out of your costumes!

Friendly reminder: keep an eye on your pets that are outdoors on Halloween night! Spooks and goblins will be running the streets!