Just send a simple email + save animals.

Man (on left) with tears tightly hugs his rescued pet dog. On right, Sendai city firefighter. Japanese caption translation provided by: Kirsten Ernst for Global Animal.

Here's a message I saw in the Regretsy forums and I took immediate action. You can, too, with a simple copy+paste+send:

The Japanese government have placed a 20km No Go zone around the worst effected nuclear plant. Unfortunately there are still tens of thousands of domestic animals stranded in this zone. Before this, rescue groups and local citizens were managing to go and at least put food down for these animals, and were gradually catching them as well to help reunite them with their owners.


Rescue groups already have in place a system for quarantining and treating any radiation issues these pets and farm animals may have. And the humans are also taking their pills and only going in for short times, but they're willing to put themselves on the line to prevent as much suffering as possible. Unfortunately, the 20km No Go zone is making this impossible, and they're worried many of these animals are going to starve to death.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVeUhXQq3yU - here's a video, but it is sad. (I COULDN'T WATCH IT)

So how can you help? All you need to do is send a politely worded request to the Japanese government basically saying something like this (copy and paste this!):

Dear Prime Minister,

There are many thousands of domestic animals and pets in the 20km exclusion zone around the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. While it is understandable that you are trying to protect your citizens from harm, there are many animal rescue groups who are prepared and who have measures in place to deal with potential radiation poisoning and quarantining animals they catch. In addition, there are many they cannot catch who need feeding, including the farm animals who have been left in their stalls and barns. Please consider allowing animal rescue groups to enter this zone and continue their valuable work.

Thank you, the bravery and compassion of the Japanese people are an inspiration to all.

Sincerely,
FIRST NAME, LAST NAME
CITY, STATE, COUNTRY

Click here to go directly to the Prime Minister's contact page. It's so easy and costs nothing. Please do this now: https://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/forms/comment_ssl.html

DONATE NOW (click here and scroll down for a list of charities accepting donations to help animal victims of the earthquake and tsunami):
http://www.globalanimal.org/2011/03/22/how-to-help-japan-pets/32243/

Kitteh!

Special thanks to my gal Kim for helping solve this Blogger mishap. Notice the right sidebar is empty? Blogger has foresaken me and Kim has offered to look into it and fix if she can.

But this is my Goliath to battle. In the meantime, check out Kim's beautiful photography. My favorites (surprise, surprise) are the funny black kitty photos. Check out the stark details on this yawning kitty. Meee-ow!

photography by Kim Ulrick

Tefi Loves: Giraffes

I'm still unsure how I feel about zoos. As a rule, I am against caging animals. But there is something wonderful about having real, live animals available to the public. These creatures are genteel ambassadors for their species, bringing interest and understanding of their existence. With this philosophy in mind, Jason and I took Ian on his first zoo visit to check out the new African exhibit that boasts huge rolling spaces for giraffes, gorillas, cheetahs, and much more. I went bonkers at the giraffe exhibit. With my mouth agape in awe of these graceful creatures, I snapped these:

And then, of course, it's a compulsion for me to find beautiful handmade goods on Etsy: 1) art print by talchen 2) sculpture by ALittleCharacter, 3) napkins by ohlittlerabbit 1) wall decal by WowWall, 2) t-shirt by darkcycleclothing, 3) knit pattern by AmyGaines

Celebrate Urban Birds

In my office building parking lot, I've been spotting the most beautiful birds. They are about the size and shape of a standard sparrow, but with bright yellow tails and a shocking splotch of red on the end of their tails. Gorgeous! In my backyard we have a family of cardinals who swoop about over our deck and garden. They even built a nest in a tall holly bush that abuts our sunroom. I think they decided it was too human-accessible (I can reach out and grab it), so they seem to have abandoned it. On a recent trip to the zoo, we spotted a crane from our dear Trinity River who had inserted itself into the pelican exhibit to chow on free zoo grub. There were also local wild ducks in several exhibits, as well (not the crocodile spaces, luckily). For more info on Dallas' awesome Trinity River basin, visit our very own Audubon Center. Feel like celebrating urban birds in your neck of the woods? Check out the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's web site for all sorts of info and resources, and download your very own Celebrate Urban Birds Kit for free!

Lookie what I got you for April Fools Day.

Tefi Loves: Animal Portraits

Enna: enna.etsy.com

Chet Art: chetart.etsy.com

fellow Etsy Dallas member and Bash artist

Berkley Illustration: berkleyillustration.etsy.com fellow Renegade Austin artist

Jewelry Spotlight: Cardinal Necklace

These days it's all about the owl. Or the peacock. Don't get me wrong, I'm just as guiltly as the next designer, but I thought it was time to give a little fauna love to another bird: the cardinal. There's a female who lives in our yard and likes to fight with herself in my driver-side mirror. She flaps her wings and caws at herself, then flits away to perch on the top of the mirror, then starts the dance all over again. I love to watch the theater unfold from my spot on the bed. Here's to you, dear red-feathered friend! Price: $25 Materials: pressed Czech glass, vintage cabochon, toggle clasp Size: approximately 17"L One-of-a-Kind Available in my Etsy shop Other birdy necklaces by Tefi, starring the ever-trendy owl and peacock:

Tefi Hates: Houseflies

My house has become infested with giant houseflies. It's a regular Amityville horror at the Catherine Street abode. Jason and I have the blood of at least 50 flies on our hands from the last four days. These buggers are coming from the attic where, undoubtedly, something cute and furry died. It's gross, I know. So I'm looking toward the artsy and crafty to lighten my mood. *swat!* 1) Photograph by livingwithart, 2) Messenger bag by SlipstitchDesigns, 3) Letterpress notecards by PressaRussa, 4) Watercolor print by Sckraps, 5) Jeff Goldblum, the original fly, 6) Art tile by lulunjay And then of course there's this timeless classic.

Tefi Loves: Groundhogs

Who knows whether Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow or not? I can handle 6 more weeks of winter - Texas winter, that is. Here in Dallas it's brisk and sunny. I'll take it! In the meantime, enjoy this collection of groundhogs I found on Etsy: 1) feltidermy by girlsavage, 2) print by Amber Alexander, 3) mug by Rough and Perfect, 4) embroidery pattern by Sara Chung, 5) cabinet knobs by Peg and Awl, and 6) wood doll by mamaroots

Tefi Loves: Nuts II

Clockwise from top left: Acorn gift tags by BuncoBettys, Acorn necklace by Crave, Aw, Nuts necklace by Tefi, Acorn rubber stamp by Corrabelle, Oh Nuts gift tags by SunshineandRavioli, Bustin' a Nut vinyl sticker by vinylville, Beginning VI watercolor painting by GollyBard, Golden Peanut pocket knife necklace by contrary, Acorns stationery by TheBeehivePress. Clockwise from top left: Nut-Busting Squirrel magnet by CrowBiz, Porcelain mixed nuts by kgrandey, Nutter earrings by urbanlegend, Nuts for Acorns necklace by secretjewellz, Coconut Pom-Poms by PomLove, Timothy Peanut plushie by MadeByMarta

I've Been Stalked!

Whoo-hoo! I woke up this morning to the glorious honor of being stalked, and I'm not talking in a "boil your bunny" kind of way. The always-entertaining blog Etsy Stalker picked my This Little Piggy fabric necklace (only $10!), and even gave a shout out to my gal Cut Out & Collect (a.k.a. my fabric scrap dealer). Holla! The best part about the write-up is Etsy Stalker's appreciation for my product description: "He cried wee-wee-wee all the way home. Man, what a wuss." The blog post also features some other great pig-tastic handmade items. I am in good company! My favorite is A Cagey Bee's A Tiny Pig original painting. Wish it were in my budget b/c this guy needs to be in my studio. Etsy Stalker's reason for posting this amazing group of piggies is because her little one is sick at home with the swine flu. Bless her heart! Here's wishing her a speedy recovery.

Tefi Loves: Motley Mutton

While I enjoy making jewelry and crafts using several mediums, nothing is as fun or rewarding as needlefelting. I not only enjoy making my Balls, I also love to see what other, more experienced needlefelters create. Today, thanks to the Etsy front page, I have the cutest, most adorable family of needlefelted critters. Ever. Seriously, look at these and tell me they don't make you smile: Nancy Bevin is the woman behind Motley Mutton, a sweet collection of needlefelted animal sculptures made from wool raised on her West Virginia farm. So charming! Shop: http://www.motleymutton.etsy.com/ Web Site: http://www.motleymutton.com/ Location: West Virginia

Tefi Loves: Kitty Meow Meows

Oh, happy day! I found out that my cat George's recent and costly intestinal woes do not lead to the Big C. The little guy, who has been with me since I rescued him from a thunderstorm in Austin back in 1994, has the Little C: colitis. This is treatable, and most importantly he is not in pain. Whoo-hoo! So in homage to my sweet kitty meow-meow, I bring you some of my favorite handmade cat goods (all in support of animal rescue efforts - hint hint ADOPT!):

Charity Cat plushie Shop: http://www.TwoStrayCats.etsy.com/ Location: Alberta, Canada
Kitty Kat Love pendant Shop: http://www.leandogpottery.etsy.com/ Location: San Luis Obispo, California
Adopt a Rescue Cat doll Shop: http://www.wishwithme.etsy.com/ Location: Pawtucket, Rhode Island
The Rescue art print Shop: http://www.heidishaulis.etsy.com/ Location: Corinth, Vermont
Deal with Gus button Shop: http://www.thedogcoatlady.etsy.com/ Location: Jacksonville, Florida
I love you George, forever and ever.

Chicken Boy

Here is the stuffed knitted chicken my mom just finished for Ian. I bought her this how-to book about knitted toys and this was her first project. Cute cute!

Pixies, Peacocks and Dragonflies

New Designs for Spring
The past two months have been all about my newborn, Ian. But somehow I've managed to make a few exclusive necklaces and earrings. They are all One-of-a-Kind and available in my Etsy shop.

Never shopped on Etsy before? It is the marketplace for all things handmade. It's just like any other shopping site (Amazon, eBay, Anthropologie) where you will need to create a login and password. Sweet and simple!

Tefi Loves: The Brass Menagerie

The Brass Menagerie is a collaboration between Bria and Marco, two part-time jewelry designers living and working in Singapore. Their shop features sweet animal rings and laser-cut pendants in the form of long delicate leaves and peacock feathers. Our favorite is the birdy silhouette ring, pictured left. Also available in the shop is a large cocktail ring featuring a bling-bling diamond design.

The store name was adapted from Bria's favorite play, The Glass Menagerie, and Marco takes pride in their shop avatar featuring his sweet squirrel ring. Their jewelry-making relationship is a compromise, and according to the artists: So far, so good!

Shop: http://www.thebrassmenagerie.etsy.com/ Location: Singapore

Tefi Loves: Grasshoppers

Ah, Grasshopper. You have much to see. Just take a look at these beautiful Friday Finds starring our hoppy little friends!

Green Grasshopper hoody Shop: http://www.inkyspider.etsy.com/ Location: British Columbia, Canada

Grasshopper pull toy Shop: http://www.mccoytoys.etsy.com/ Location: Asheboro, North Carolina Patience Grasshopper bracelet Shop: http://www.edithandlulu.etsy.com/ Location: Portland, Oregon Bugs in the Yard art print Shop: http://www.tamaragarvey.etsy.com/ Location: Savannah, Georgia Grasshopper hand-dyed Merino wool Shop: http://www.maisydayhandspun.etsy.com/ Location: a farm in Oregon

Leafing Out art print Shop: http://www.corid.etsy.com/ Location: Pullman, Washington

Tefi Loves: Peacocks

Strut your stuff with these gorgeous peacock-inspired accessories and designs.

A perfect silk clutch for casual or elegant occasions. Shop: http://www.redrubyrose.etsy.com/ Location: Bristol, UK BUY IT!

Send some ostentatious greetings with this set of three notecards. Shop: http://www.mvegan5.etsy.com/ Location: Be'er Sheva, Israel BUY IT!

Dress up your locks with this colorful collection of peacock feathers. Shop: http://www.viemoderne.etsy.com/ Location: Pasadena, CA BUY IT! Brilliantly colorful upcycled pendant made with a Scrabble tile game piece. Shop: http://www.homestudio.etsy.com/ Location: Palm Desert, CA BUY IT! Make your own beautiful necklace with this lampwork glass pendant. Shop: http://www.tefi.etsy.com/ Location: Dallas, TX BUY IT!