The March Challenge Treasury

Thanks and congratulations to the first 12 entrants in EFA's March Challenge. Your entries have been collected into the March Media Mix-up Treasury. It always amazes me how beautifully the treasuries pull together. I think its because the artists are linked in a common cause: helping animals.


Its time to enter the April Challenge, "Buds and Blossoms". Once again, the first 12 to enter will be in a treasury sometime in the month of April. If we get 24 entries, there will be 2 treasuries.

Check out "Themes-at-a-glance" and "How to Enter an EFA Challenge" for the details.

ORIGINAL ART PAINTING THE BELLY DANCER RECYLED ART ACRYLIC DANCER JEWELRY GLASS BEADS by Johnniebelinda's Shopa

THE BELLY DANCER 36"x24" ORIGINAL ACRYLIC ON STRETCHED CANVAS, with recyled items found in the artist's jewelry box and silver trim left overs. Her turquoise outfit is adorned with glass beads, shimmers at every angle. Sides are painted therefore it does not need to be framed, ready to hang. Colors teal, red, orange, brown and gold.

20% goes to Best Friends.

Mixed Media Bookmarks by Heathrock's Shop

These mixed media bookmarks include paint, paper, and scrapbook materials hence the name. They are handmade water colour with some added "pop out" effects...

The artists volunteers at a local humane society and donates money when it's possible. She hopes to sell more art so she can donate more.

Got Green - His and Hers Irish Guest Towels for St. Patrick's Day by Faeriegood's shop

Just in time for St. Patrick's, two guest towels made of linen like cotton homespun fabric. Used a winged needle and a decorative stitch for the generous hemmed edge trim. They each measure approx. 15"X20" and have a neat rolled hem on the remaining edges.

5% of the proceeds of this sale will go to the EFA Charity of the month for March which is : Best Friends Animal Society http:/bestfriends.org, chosen by Carmen of http://bananamiranda.etsy.com.

Fun Fleece Cat Wand Toys by Snacknsnooze's Shop

The fleece cat wand toys are flower-like with bright colors just like the spring flowers. Cats and kittens will be friskier with the spring weather and these toys will keep them playing even more! The artist was one of the original co-founders of Shiba Rescue GTA http://www.shibarescuegta.com Shiba Rescue GTA is the only known Shiba Inu rescue in Canada, and is located in Ontario. They are a small rescue, so any donations are always helpful. Visit their website to make a donation.

Mixed Media Horse Stamp by Thefrogbag's Shop

This stamp is from Canada and features a Shetland pony. It's embroidered onto soft blue felt and enhanced with glass seed beads. It has gone from disposable ephemera to wearable art! The shop donates 20% of every purchase to the Tapir Preservation Fund.

Horse Applique with Buttons and Ribbon on Tweed Fabric Brooch by Dragonhouseofyuen's Shop

The horse has a halter on and is waiting for his next adventure - where are we going? This is a beautiful brooch of a printed fabric horse on a cream upholstery material that has been padded slightly and machine stitched. Adornments have been added - 2 buttons and metal cap of sorts (recycled from something). They are stitched on top of a ribbon from the Australian jewellers store Hardy Brothers (nearly 20 years old!) and came from one of the artist's purchases there. Donates a percentage of some of sales to help different rabbit rescues and animal charities.

Moon Gazing Hare, Original mixed media by kraftikats' Shop

The hare was sacred to the Goddess Eostre and this is where the word Easter and the Easter bunny/Easter egg came from. The Moon-gazing Hare represented ancient Pagan beliefs about new beginings, re-birth, abundance and good fortune and the spiral represents the endless cycle of life and death.

Last year Kraftikats took in and neutered an already pregnant again mother and her 5 kittens from the previous litter and they already had 3 cats and a dog and were ( are ) feeding 3 more who live out. A percentage of any sales will go to the charity of the month chosen by EFA.

BOOKMARK-'GREEN LEOPARD' by haberheartwork's shop

Unique, hand-crafted bookmark that is durable and fun to use. Cotton fabric completely covers and is securely attached to stiffened felt-Firm, but not TOO thick-still flexible. Beaded tassels run through a metal eyelet. Measures approximately 7-7 1/2" X 1 1/4-1 1/2" excluding beading.

The shop contributes monthly to the Humane Society and periodically to Best Friends, ASPCA and a few other animal organizations. They have rescued several dogs but have just one left at the moment.

Red Bird ring - paper clay wood and sterling silver - adjustable or sized by apachemoon's Shop

This little ring is made from sterling silver and the little bird from paper, clay, bark and some kind of grass seeds for eyes (don't plant him please.) He is painted and his beak is lacquered.

ApacheMoon has 43 rescued animals. They rescue critters, have them spayed/neutered, health checks, shots, and then try to adopt them out. They mainly get ones who are injured or otherwise damaged. When they are not adoptable because of chronic ailments or such, they keep them... and that's how they now have 43 animals. They do this out of their own pocket. The artist sells jewelry on Etsy to supplement for meds and vet bills. They do love the critters!

Studio Button SHY WOLF IN HIDING Mixed Media by theanimalsmagicshop's shop

This button is made of wood with a hand painted ceramic wolf set in the center and words written around the entire outside of the button in ink. The words read: "I'm hiding Vacancy - no one lives here Just keep walking Ignore that face in the doorway It's just a statue No tresspassing Keep out Beware of lions, tigers, and bears Stop Halt I would run away if I were you". The button is vintage, the bead is new, it's been coated with a protective finish but cannot be laundered.

25% of this and all items in this shop go to the EFA charity of the month, 25% goes to Patriot Siberian Husky Rescue. This shop is a partnership between the artist and her husky, Sky, to help animals in need.

Starry Starry Night...Gorgeous Green Cat Brooch / Pin with Lots of Love by midnightrabbits' Shop

Cute handmade, handstitched, green cat brooch / pin. Made of green acylic felts. this green cat brooch is decorated with tiny star buttons, in shades of grey, and a big button that glints in the light. The cat is wearing a charm saying 'love'. The cat is mounted on a dark green heart. Show your love of animals with this adorable green cat brooch, which, like everything here at MidnightRabbits is 100percent donated to the EtsyForAnimlas charity of the month. The brooch is lightly padded for depth, and has a secure brooch pin on the back. Size approx: 3 x 3 inches (7.5 x 7.5 cm).

Cute Little Carolina Wren, Original Mixed Media Folk Art Spring Bird on Ceramic Tile by Kimbascritters' Shop

This pretty, delicate looking collage is on a painted ceramic tile, 4x4 inches. The piece features a hand-painted Carolina Wren (acrylic on heavy watercolor paper), art papers, mulberry paper, and other bits of ephemera, the edges are painted in an antique gold and it has been varnished for protection and shine. This collage tile has a very vintage feel and shabby chic style. 10% of all the sales are donated to Blind Cats Rescue and Sanctuary Inc.

8.5 x 11 Kitty Prince Print by Mvegan5's Shop

8.5 x 11" signed print on heavy matte paper, a border is left around the image. The original is a collage made with a photograph, vintage plastic, glass, and acrylic paint on canvas. This piece has been made to celebrate the Etsy for Animals Shop's first birthday! 50% of the sale of these prints will go to the Etsy for Animals Charity of the Month, see shop intro for more information. The artist can also create smaller print sizes or greeting cards, please convo her.

apple wood BRiZEL BRiGiT CROSS house blessing FUNDRAiSER FOR TWiLiGHT by Brizel4theanimals' Shop

Brizel Brigit Crosses are a very unique adaptation of a Brigit Cross, made of apple wood which Brizel grows and prunes herself, and is perfect for your home or as a housewarming gift ! These crosses are solar symbols, equal armed and stretching in four directions, which symbolically encourages the strength of the Sun through our front doors and into our homes. The wood is carefully sewn together with colored hemp string... purple in the center and an elemental / directional color for each of the arms of the cross. There is a loop at the back for it to hang from. The artist owns some 20 acres up in the mountains of no. Cal where she has planted orchards and floral gardens. Funds will be put towards helping to sustain this habitat which attracts birds, bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, bats... and it is also a mating ground for dragonflies ! Brizel, aka Nicole, works to provide a safe loving home for her animal pack (3 canines, 1 feline- all rescues); participates in EFA's COTM program; and volunteers for EFA'S MONTHLY CHALLENGE.

Pugsy the Pug King of Rock and Roll by Nanjodogz's Shop

Meet Pugsy, the King of Rock and Roll. As you can see this little Pug loves rock and roll and Elvis is his all time fav! He tries to emulate him as much as he can with his beautiful studded cape. The mixed media piece is created with polymer clay, micro beads, crystals, rhinestones and charms.

The artist's favorite charities are for the Dobermans including the Illinois Doberman Rescue Organization. 10% of sale from this item will go to EFA Charity of the month.

Faux Purple Fur Pom Pom Pendant Necklace by PurpleandLime's Shop

Mixed media- gold lock chain and fake purple shag fur. The contrast between the shiny smoothness of the chain and the purple jumprings and purple fake fur is really fun! The artist's chosen charity is Fundacion MONA (www.mona-uk.org), they are an amazing organization that saves chimps from the entertainment industry in Europe. Jane Goodall is a big fan of MONA as it very naturally recreates wild surroundings and social groups. 50% from the sale of this necklace will go to help the chimps at MONA!

Adrift - Fairytale Print by ThoseParasolDays' Shop

This was originally made for Illustration Friday's prompt "Adrift" and the inspiration for it was Jon Blund(Swedish), or The Sandman as he's known to the English-speaking world; the story goes that he carries two umbrellas - an ordinary "empty" one for the naughty children and one for the good ones that's filled with wondrous images on the inside. He induces sleep by dripping warm milk into their eyes. I work with the feral colonies in La Mata, Spain, entered the recent To Happy Vegans Tombola and hope to participate in upcoming Vegan Craftsamples!