WELCOME MICKY

With the publishing of our most recent post (a challenge entry by brizel4theanimals) Micky of AldanaMica joins the EFA's Challenge of the Month editorial staff. Micky is an artist currently lives in Brazil. I asked Micky to tell us something about her beautiful and unique shop:

"My shop offers one of a kind crochet pieces, accessories and clothing for both women and teenage girls. What makes my product different is the technique I use, I like to call it finger-crochet because it requires no needles, I crochet using only my fingers. I taught this to myself during a design class about 10 yrs ago, we had yarn but no needles so I just played around with my fingers and from then on I barely use needles."

Welcome Micky, your help with the challenge is much appreciated.

LOVE iS THE KEY charming message necklace by brizel4theanimals

LOVE iS THE KEY, or at least it is for me...this charming message necklace spells out this sentiment very nicely and is likely to open the hearts of all whose gaze falls upon it. It is made of silver plated wire, white ceramic alphabet cube beads, tagua nut beads, an eco-friendly petrified wood from the rainforest which is known to have & to hold receptive healing qualities, and a key charm pendant. Variety of colors available.

This is a FUNDRAISER FOR DINGO who is now approximately 17 yrs old. I rescued her from a lifetime of being kept on a chain guarding someone's property. Dingo is in need of a ramp to assist her going up steps, getting unto the bed & into the mini van.

L is for Love - Share Your Heart by thebeadedhound

A 4 inch silver plated chain is filled with LOVE-glass hearts, metal hearts, arrows, metal padlocks, 2 dangling mood beads and the letters L,O,V,E. The chain is connected on one side to 3 open metal hearts that each contain a little round mood . On the other side is a metal oval connector with the words share your heart. All are connected with a round metal toggle. The red heart hanging off the V is swarovski crystal.

I work with The American Black and Tan Coonhound Rescue as a full time foster and TheBeadedHound donates a portion of each purchase to the rescue.

B is for Back to School Stash Bag by chicadolly

This versatile bag has ample space and can be used for keeping pens and pencils safe, organizing flash cards, or for toting a snack, just about anything your prize student has in mind..

It is constructed with a denim look light weight cotton fabric and lined with a recyled woven water proof barrier that I saved from a big bird seed sack, so it can be wiped out if it gets crumbs inside. This is also a hand wash and air dryable item.The top has a velcro closure. There are no exposed seams. Measures approx 6.5" by 9"

I made this item for the EFA September Challenge which was "Alphabet Bonanza" and 10% of the profits from it's sale will go to the September Charity of the Month; Dachshund Rescue of North America; http://drna.org This rescue group was chosen by http://rendachs.etsy.com/

D is for Dachshund Lovers treat Bag and Dachshund Lovers Towel Set by faeriegood

Wanting to support the EFA September Charity of the Month: Dachshund Rescue of North America?

I made these 2 items: an embroidered OOAK Treat Bag and an adorable set of cup or guest towels and will donate 10% of my sales profit to the afore mentioned rescue

V is for Vegan by veganessa

This is a unique handmade bag. It is made of a luxurious red and gold brocade. And has a Super Bat design on the front. The super Bat print is outlined with red and gold ribbong, and red and gold beads, with a large red bling heart at the centre botton. the strap is made of a mix if jute, twine, soya yarn and bamboo yearn. Plaited with beads. The is a gorgeous, glamorous yet funky bag, with a message.What does the bat signify? V , is that vegan, veggie, or any other words you wish to say. Spread the 'V' word. and look good doing it.

100% of every item sold in veganessa's other etsy shop, http://midnightrabbits.etsy.com/ , goes to EFA's charity of the month.

It's Priceless and Evdokia - "you never know which letter will fit!" by dragonhouseofyuen

Priceless had seen an engagement ring so big that he knew would be perfect for Evdokia. One of life’s little luxuries, the type of ring you Want To Keep! So they went to the ring maker to get Evdokia’s size. Priceless sat inside the P but Oh dear! Evdokia got stuck in Size O. and no! she didn’t want to be ‘soaped up’, nor fast for a week. However the ring was very, very beautiful and just perfect for her.

I donate a percentage of some of my sales to help different rabbit rescues and animal charities.In Easter 2009 I donated an Arabella Bag to the Buckeye House Rabbit Society to raise funds for their rescued rabbits. A total of $362 was raised!!!

S is for Silly Vintage Plastic Idaho Potato Souvenir Stud Pin from thefaeriecupboard

This pin measures 1 1/4" long and is in nice vintage condition.

Favorite charities:

Patriot Siberian Husky Rescue http://www.pshr.org/

Defenders of Wildlife http://www.defenders.org/take_action/

Habitat for Cats http://habitatforcats.org/

P is for Prince by mvegan5

Beautiful, unique painting of your pet(s) or favorite animal(s). $75 is for an 9x12" painting, different sizes and prices available, any type of animal is welcome! I have painted chickens, kitties, dogs, rhinos, horses... anything! My love of animals shines through my paintings, and I hope to be able to show the beauty of your animal friend(s).

10% goes to the EFA Charity of the Month; FieldHaven Feline Rescue http://fieldhaven.org

F is for Fritz Greeting Cards with Envelopes Included bu artbymarilyn

This is "Snicklefritz" shortened to "Fritzie". He was a pedigreed Pekinese and well loved not only by his family but whomever came in contact with the "little" guy. He had such an air about him and so independent and secure in our love. He lived to be 19 years old. I have written a book about him. I hope you want to purchase it and read it. He was a pleasure to paint.

C is for CAT - original mixed media collage by WindandHoney

This original mixed media collage was created on 6"x 6" artist canvas. It is a creative collaboration between paper, found objects, ink, vintage lace, a tassel strangely resembling a tail, and vintage book pages. They have all joined forces to celebrate the CAT. She offers no other explanation simply that she is a cat.That should be enough.She is the perfect cat - a few scrapes, a frayed edge, and maybe a nick here and there.

A donation will be made to either Shambala Animal Preserve or to the Pets and People Humane Society in Oklahoma. .

1x1 inch squares by digitaldownload

This downloadable collage sheet consists of a jpg file with 48 1x1 / inches / inchies images. They may be used for scrabble tile pendants, scrapbooking, cardmaking, collages, ACEOs/ATCs, decoupage, altered art and more. Designs are light pink hearts on bright pink with words and phrases for all the girls in your life! Words and phrases include love, hugs not drugs, dream big, faith hope love, sweet, mom, grandma, sister and besties.

In my kittyanydots shop, I give 10% from cards and 20% from prints to animal charity.

For the month of September, I will offer my animal friends digital printable sheet of 1x1 inch squares for pendants to EFA members for the cost of 30 cents to cover my fees. To get the freebie, put it in your cart but do not pay yet. Let me know you are an EFA member in the notes to seller. I will send you a revised invoice for 30 cents and email you the images upon payment

T is for Ti Amo - I love You - Words At Play - Original Mixed Media Collage by folkartvision

In keeping with the FolkArtVision philosophy, we are giving the ubiquitous laminate samples fresh purpose and intention by enhancing and embracing their natural shape and colour.

This original collage with a red hot heart is one of a kind, spontaneous and bold. Ever heard of " It's the thought that counts", well, think no more, now you can turn your thought into a lasting gift by sending your loved one this diminutive yet powerful piece. Now you can say it in Italian! A perfect message for all seasons.

Over the last few month's folkartvision has made donations from their sales to help care for a neighborhood dog who has bone cancer.

S is for Shalom by LolaLynn

Shalom, Dove of Peace, spelled out in Hebrew. The second in my peace series. I overpaint all of my ACEOs and prints so that they are an unique variation or OOAK. This listing is for an ACEO but the image is also available as a 5x7 inch print.

As a member of EFA, I donate 10% of my shop's sales to EFA's charity of the month. Locally, I have donated jewelry to Courageous Cats on Long Island to raffle or sell at street fairs. Courageous Cats is where we adopted our cute little kitty, Dubi.

Naughty Mouse Watercolour and Embroidery Original Artwork by mimilove

Original one off, hand painted, watercolour painting with hand embroidery on stretched canvas.

A free loose style painting of a naughty mouse! I've kept the painting free style to keep the colours fresh and bright, sketchy pencil marks are also visible. Colours are shades of blues, browns and lavender with vibrant orangey/yellow and pink detailing.

The main charity I support is my local Cat's Protection centrehttp://www.tamcats.co.uk/I give a percentage of any sales I make and also donate artworks and jewellery for fund raising events etc.

F is for - Free Spirit by LonesomeRoadStudio

I just started adding keychains in my Etsy shop, this will be the first of several. It's durable and lightweight polymer clay with mica pigments and protective glazes.

10% of the purchase price of "Free Spirit" will be donated to the EFA Artists Helping Animals charity of the month.

I still have plans in the works for polymer clay pet tags in the future; I'm still working on ideas for that project with proceeds to be donated to local organizations as well as Team EFA charities. I'm also participating in an event sponsored by another Etsy shop for December/Holiday No-Kill Animal Shelter Giveaways to help raise awareness and money for No-Kill Animal Shelters during the holiday season.

B is for Boy - Quilled Bear 8 x 8 Scrapbook Page by EnsorcelledMinds

I decided to try something new with this challenge: a pre-made page. I doubled my alphabet fun by making it for Boys and showing a quilled Bear on it! Wouldn't it be fabulous to have a whole alphabet scrapbook album for your cutie? If only I had the time!

I teach cardmaking classes for a local animal rescue where half the proceeds from the class fee go to the charity and also a portion of kit sales. The charity is Southern Ontario Animal Rescue (SOAR) which is currently focused on canines, since it is entirely run by foster volunteers and space is severely limited. While my shop sales are small dollar items, at least they, along with the classes, pay for a couple microchips and bags of food for an animal in need!