BESTeam Feature Blog for February - a little late!

The Boosting Etsy Shops Team's goal is to offer support
and promotion of one another's Etsy shops primarily through our
personal Blogs, and also through our Twitter Accounts and Facebook Fanpages.
Commitment to this common goal is what makes our team the BEST! 

  

Better late than never, Team mates, but I've really been trying hard to master the art of linking your blogs to what I post about - at Debbi's behest - but no matter how I try to fathom her explanation(s), the links to YouTube that she gave me - dumb fool that I am, I'm still not there.  Don't want to let any more time lapse, before I have another try to feature some of you, will attempt to do what I think I've been told to do - and who knows, it might just work!  Here goes, anyway.  If it doesn't, well I'll just have to get my computer doctor to give me a lesson in blogging/linking, and whatever else is required to successfully participate on this team.  I've been bitten by the bug!!

Looking through the shops this afternoon, I decided on a Far Eastern theme (viewed, as it were, from where I'm located in the UK).  First of all, there was the photo of some lovely Japanese pottery that attracted my attention -  from Redemption Art, a shop full of exciting vintage and re-cycled curiosities collected by Connie Haskill, based in Hawaii. 

Pair of Botsudan Vases from Japan

Connie can be contacted at her shop - www.etsy.com/chop/redemptionart:  she's also on Twitter  - http:://twitter.com#!islandbuzzy and on Facebook as well.

Still remaining in Japan, there is this lovely, soothing picture of a statue of the Budda,seen through the branches of a cherry tree, I think,  to be found in The Vintage Daisy, the shop owned and operated by Jeanette Griebel - a relatively new member of the BESTeam.  One of Jeanette's lifetime achievements - apart from the collection of beautiful items in her shop - is her successful battle with childhood Leukemia.  The picture is a very evocative, peaceful one and I could well see this on a bedroom wall in any future home of mine.

 

You can see what else Jeannette has to offer at her Etsy shop, www.etsy.com/shop/VintageDaisyStudio.  I was unable to find any other links, but I've had no difficulty accessing her at this link, so all you computer literate folks should be well away.

Next, just moving somewhat southwards in the Pacific Ocean, I alighted in the shop operated by Lesley Boretto from Sydney, Australia, who is another recent recruit to the BESTeam.  Presently living through an English winter - dominated as it can be by gloomy grey skies (occasionally broken by the occasional glimpse of blue sky (note in the singular, not plural!) and sun, this acrylic painting of an Australian beach cheered me up no end.  Do hope my readers are similarly stimulated.

Lesley's contact details are www.Etsy.com/shop/BorettoArt, and her paintings can be seen on her website www.borettoart.com.

Now, hope this effort works - it's taken me just about double the time it normally takes me to post about my Cuddlies.  I've loved the visits - so hope you are satisfied with my purile efforts here!  All the best to you all!   Good night and God Bless!  Isobel


As part of my BESTeam commitment, throughout the coming months (provided they accept me as a full time member) I hope to  be posting short features of each of the fabulous shops and talented craftspersons representing the team.  What is BESTeam?  It's The Boosting Etsy Shops Team and our goal is to give support to each other and to help promote each others' Etsy shops through blogging, Facebook and other social networks.  If you are an Etsy shopowner and are interested in learning more about BESTeam, please visit the team page on Etsy or have a look at the BESTeam blog.

Following the February departures

Following on from Isobel's post yesterday, I'm (this is Cy Bear, of course!)  going to tell you about my other Friends from www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com who are off to their new Forever Home this month, and updating you on another one who left us in January.

Isobel told you all about my friend Hairy Bear losing his head - such an embarassing episode for both of us Bears, but one that has ended well.  I can confirm that Hairy is now on his way Sequals, Italy - Isobel posted him from Warminster this morning - and that he will probably be there before all the rest of the Italian Mob, as we've just discovered that Mr.RFE is still in the UK, with the Jaguar as well!

Also departing from Heytesbury this morning was Panda Bear.  He is supposed to get to Neosho, Missouri to meet Mr. JY and his wife, Mrs.VY, in five working days from the date of leaving Warminster Post Office.  Now that can happen:  but often doesn't.  It all depends on how well Royal Mail (in the UK) and US Mail on the other side of the Atlantic happen to be working at the time of any journey.  Isobel has had stuff mailed from the West Coast reach us just over a week-end:  on the other hand, some of my Friends going the other way have taken weeks to get to their Forever Homes, although Golden Bear Plush Glove Puppet got to Liberty Township, Ohio in just 5 days!

Here is the message Isobel recently received from Mr. JS, Golden Bear's new Best Friend confirming his safe arrival:

"Hello Isobel.

Wanted to let you know Golden Bear arrived safely at the end of the week, so both postal services exceeded expectations. I had not had a chance to message you until now. He is even cuter in person than online. I have misplaced my camera at the moment, but when I find it I'll send you a photo. We'll be going on a trip around Easter that i can send you some photos from as well. My travel friend is a puppeteer and he thinks it's awesome that Golden Bear is a one of a kind. Many thanks, and well wishes "

Mr. JS had earlier told Isobel that he spent a lot of time travelling round the States, and it was his intention to take Golden Bear with him - Isobel asked if pictures of him in the various locations could be sent, so that we can all share in his exciting trips!  We will post them here if and when any arrive!

Just to remind you of whom we have been writing!

Since his departure, when indeed, it looked as though he would be a "one and only", Isobel's younger daughter, Clare, has luckily run to earth a supply of the Golden Plush fabric for which we had been searching for a long time.  As even that supply looked as though it was running out, she purchased three metres (1 metre apparently is 39" in Imperial measurements - whatever that may mean!), so there may well be more Golden Bear Glove Puppets on offer later on, once everything else Isobel has planned gets done!

Now for some final farewell pictures for the February departures from www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com) - now due to take place on Monday, February 13.  These are of  Auntie Brenda Brown Rabbit, together with two Brown Baby Rabbits and two Grey Baby Rabbits.  Here are some pictures of the impending travellers,  with me beside them - in our usual official farewell ceremonies:

Auntie Brenda and me - on our own!

The whole bunch and me - only two each of the babies are due to go, though

Mrs.SP the Rabbits' new Forever Friend selected the two Brown and two Grey Rabbits from the Beauty Parade and let Isobel know her choice.  But, due to the time difference between the UK and the USA, all the packing materials (which involves Isobel getting up and down steps to get the tissue paper and bubble wrap down from their hiding places in the flat) had been put away by the time the decision was relayed to us.  As we only get to a Post Office capable of handling international parcels twice a week, and Mrs.SP's order is an early Easter one, delaying the departure by a couple of days was not a problem.

Right that's all from me this time around.  Isobel is now quivering with anticipation as she has been told that two more pattern books, containing several animal patterns she's been looking for, and many that she has not, are on the way.  One arrived yesterday, and Isobel is "over the moon" with the contents.  She has decided on at least three or maybe four new additions to the Cuddlies Family - once the patients waiting for their treatments in the Soft Toy Clinic (Etsy Listing #79124185) have been attended to.  I am given to understand that Madame Lapin's therapy is due to begin this very evening!  Doubtless, we'll be keeping you posted on how it is done and the eventual result!

Until then, this is  Cy Bear signing off!  Good bye!