Monthly Challenge Competition: In the Deep Blue

'Team EFA's July Monthly Challenge: In the Deep Blue' by brizel4TheAnimals

Here are sixteen of Team EFA, Etsy for Animals, Monthly Challenge entries for the month of July... our theme was In the Deep Blue !

Scroll down to the bottom of this blog page to cast your vote... which do you think is the best depiction of "In The Deep Blue" ?

Nuno felted shawl in shades ... BlindSquirrel $110.00	Fine Silver Sailboat Pendant... blindwolfspiri... $55.00
Original Watercolour Orca Br... BrazenDesignSt... $255.00	Hawaiian Coastal Sunset Beac... terikor $75.00
Glistening 8x10 WoodsEdge $25.00	July SALE Plush MerMew Pillo... catcalls $34.39
Blue Baby Leather Whale Moks... scandeez $30.00	Beachcomber - Starfish on a ... cocoNme $150.00
Matthew and Me Turtle Painti... LolaLynn $10.00	Original OOAK Mixed Media Vi... QueenBe $48.00
Dog Jacket Hand Knit Dog Par... jenya2 $28.00	Meduse Bleue - OOAK Hand Sew... ursusarctosana $30.00
Original 5 by 7 inches Shell... SharonFosterAr... $15.00	Regina Case "Evening Ri... ArtHelpsthePla... $20.00
original scrimshaw art - One... KneeDeepOrigin... $42.00	One Fish. Blue Fish. Vintage... EllaQuaint $9.50

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

One Fish, Blue Fish Vintage from EllaQuaint

This vintage fish bowl from EllaQuaint is a beautiful cool ocean blue color and fits right in the In the Deep monthly challenge.

I'm enjoying the summer with my 4 cats, dog and canary. I am still caring for my feral cats outside.

In the fall, I will be volunteering at a large pet adoption event and hope to find many good homes.

Beachcomber Necklace by cocoNme

Shells and starfish are found on the beach and in the ocean. They are a beautiful part of the deep blue sea that are represented in this necklace by cocoNme.

I've been involved in Art since childhood and have been making jewelry since 2004. My golden retrievers, both shelter dogs, inspired me to combine my jewelry-making with my love for animals. Since 2005, I've donated a percentage of my sales to the ASPCA, HSUS, Habitat for Humanity, SCGR Rescue, GRCGLA Rescue, and the NCCF (canine cancer - which both my dogs died of). I've also donated some finished jewelry to several animal rescues for fund-raising auctions.

Blue Baby Whale Moks by scandeeze

This pair of moks by scandeeze has a whale on the bottom - perfect for the ocean challenge!

I donate a portion of my total sales to my feeding of feral cats in my city. I personally take care of 2 colonies.

I also donate 100% of my pawprint moks sales to SNIPSA.org here in San Antonio. They are a nonprofit charity that is working extra hard to take care of the exploding dog population on the South side of San Antonio. They walk the neighborhoods looking for dogs that need to be sterilized and then they do that for free and either give the dog back to it's owner or if it is homeless then it enters the foster program for adoption. They also take animals that are hurt and help them heal. Either from the streets or from other agencies nearby. Such wonderful people that I can't not help them!

Silver Sailboat Pendant by blindwolfspirit

This silver sailboat pendant by blindwolfspirit fits with the "In The Deep Blue" theme because it contains a sailboat that hangs upon a blue silk necklace.

My shop donates money to various animal charities which include: JEARS (Japan Earthquak Animal Rescue and Support), Best Friends Animal Society, Urban Animal Alliance, and EFA charities of the month.

Glistening Print by WoodsEdge

Not only is this 8x10 Glistening print by WoodsEdge oceanic ... it's also very very deep blue!

I donate 10% from all my sales to EFA's COTM. I also volunteer and write about animal welfare/rights issues.

Matthew and Me Turtle Painting by LolaLynn

Even as a child LolaLynn loved turtles. While snorkeling in Hawaii I witnessed the presence of sea turtles swimming by under me in the ocean. I'll never forget that site and our "Matthew and Me" work reminds me of that experience. Interesting enough the Hawaiian word for turtle is "honu" which sounds like the first part of our last name. The turtle motif is one I use often with my signature.

I became a member of EFA in 2007. Since that time I have supported the COTM with donations from the sales in my shop. My grandson and I have created a whole series of the turtle paintings that we sell online. 50% of the sale price is then donated to organizations that are involved in sea turtle rehabilitation.

Orca Beach Painting by BrazenDesignStudios

"Orca Breach" is an original watercolour painting by BrazenDesignStudio. With its rich blue hues and depiction of ocean life, it is the perfect piece to celebrate the deep blue sea.

Over fishing and entanglement in fishing nets and other debris is a threat to Orcas. Not many people are aware that boat noise interrupts foraging, navigating, rest and communication and that pollution such as PCBs and dioxins affect immune and reproductive systems, causing BC Orcas to have the highest levels of toxins of all animals worldwide. (source - Lifeforce Foundation
of Orca Conservation)

I donate 15% from the sale of my paintings to various animal shelters, charities and causes. 100% of the proceeds from my Weimaraner print "Arwen" benefit Weimaraner rescues of North America as well as the Draft Horse print of "Shay" goes directly to Frog Pond Farm - a Draft Horse Rescue located in Ohio.

Cute as a Button Neck Warmer by jessicalynneart

This charming neck warmer by jessicalynneart is made with aqua and bright blue yarns and is embellished with a little dog button. These blue hues are remniscent of the colors of the ocean and sky, which reflect one another on clear summer days and create rich landscapes. The neck warmer is a great year-round accessory for dogs that allows them to have a bit of style without making them too warm or constricted.

I am the challenge blog volunteer for Team EFA who receives all of the wonderful entries that you send in each month. I also donate at least $1 from every sale to the Pug Rescue of New England or the MSPCA and avidly share my vegan lifestyle with others in order to promote awareness of the the treatment of animals and the importance of protecting their rights.

Dog Park Diva Hand Knit Jacket by jenya2

This dog sweater jacket by jenya2 has a nautical feel to it. The colors of the ocean on the bottom, the calmshell pocket, and then the colors of the sunset sky over the ocean at the top make this a beachy item that reflects July's theme.

I help at my local Humane Society Shelter in Warwick Valley. I also donate food and dog sweaters so that the little ones will look dapper when they go to their forever homes. This is the charity that I will be donating to this Summer.

Sunset in Paradise Watercolor by terikor

When I think of the theme “In the Deep Blue”, I think of the wonderful colors that the ocean waters can display from reflections of the light at different times of the day. terikor chose "Sunset in Paradise" for July's theme because the sea in Hawaii is the most colorful and the Hawaiian sunset creates an even more beautiful array of colors that have exudes both a romantic quality as well as inspirational.

Sunset In Paradise was created while I was on vacation in Kauai and shows how relaxed and loose I was with both my subject matter and colors.

I let my individual pieces of art dictate which charity should be represented. In the case of Sunset in Paradise it is the California Wildlife Center because they assist Marine animals and birds. Although they are not located in Hawaii they do assist coastal animals and are located in the beach community of Malibu, California. I also like to support animal charities in California, my home state.

Plush Mermew by catcalls

MerMew is a cat's perspective on the wonders of the fantastical things of the sea! A mermew, however, is not much of a guardian. She is a lover of fish - that is to EAT! MerMew is an original drawing made into the pillow from cotton fabrics and felt by catcalls.

I am mainly involved in helping animals through donations (although I do have 5 guinea pigs, 4 of which are rescues). I try to accommodate all requests for rescue fundraisers by donating from my shops. I do tweet as the holder of the @Etsy4Animals twitter account. I am also a big fan of the Feral Cat Rescue in Oregon sustained by one devoted woman. This is where my donations will go for the month of July.

Evening River Print by ArtHelpsthePlanet

The color in this print by ArtHelpsthePlanet fits the July challenge with its rich blues, and although it's a river painting, the ocean is just around the far corner!

Art Helps the Planet collects money through art, card, and print sales for Save the Tiger Fund and Sequoia Humane Society. Between local and Etsy sales, we've made $300 to donate since opening our Etsy shop at the end of April.

Shells Watercolor Painting by sharonfosterart

Shells, such as those in this original watercolor 5x7 by sharonfosterart, make homes for sea creatures and when the critter gets too big for the shell, then new smaller critters can move in.

I support EFA with donations to designated animal charities on specific listings. One of my sweet customers recently bought a print of a cat print and I added $10.00 so the charity received $13.50.

Nuno Felted Shawl by Blind Squirrel

The colors and wavy motif remind me of ocean water. The texture is rather like waves, also. The shawl is nuno felted and created by BlindSquirrel

If you haven’t seen something nuno felted before, you’re in for a treat! Photographs don’t capture how lightweight it is, but it is as light as a feather. I make mine very thin, and wispy so that you can see though it in places, and so that it drapes nicely.

The process involves laying out fabric, then spreading thin layers of un-spun wool on top. It is then manually manipulated anywhere from 1-3 hours until the wool migrates literally THROUGH the fabric and adheres to it. It is then shrunk so that the wool shrinks and scrunches up the fabric along with it. The random textures and bumps make the surface a lovely piece of wearable art.

My way of helping animals is donating sales of my pet loss DVD, The Rainbow Bridge, to the SPCA. A free version of the video is always available here.

My role for the EFA is Website Administrator, and member since 2009. I have two Dachshunds, Babs and Mitzi.

Narwhal and Babe Original ACEO Card by thebluewindmill

This original ACEO card by thebluewindmill depicts sea creatures swimming in the ocean. A perfect fit for our July theme!

I volunteer for EFA, I tweet for homeless animals, and participate in the charity of the month program.

Frolicking Dolphin Silk Tapestry Box by brizel4TheAnimals

Brizel Handcrafts presents, Frolicking Dolphin, a unique handmade round Silk Tapestry Box, made of vegan banana silk & rayon silk yarn, perfect for storing a special memory trinket !

Frolicking Dolphin is a beautiful soft fiber arts container featuring an aquamarine banana silk yarn paired up with a variegated violet to rust orange rayon silk yarn. Both these yarns are vegan.

It has a lid of its own which is embellished with a silver metal dolphin button. Dolphin has been frolicking the clear ocean waters... the colors of the coral reef below are reflected on its surface. She just loves swimming in the Big Blue !

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I own some 20 acres up in the mountains where I have planted orchards and floral gardens. Personal funds are put towards helping to sustain this habitat which attracts birds, butterflies, bees, bats, hummingbirds... and it is also a seasonal mating ground for dragonflies ! Twilight is part of a 2,000 acre ranch out in the chaparral wilderness where wild animals still roam.

I provide a home for my animal rescues, create & maintain habitat for wildlife to prosper, support animal welfare through petition & animal advocacy work, donate 10% of my Silk Tapestry Box sales to EFA's Charity of the Month, and promote & support Team EFA members through Etsy Treasuries & the EFA blog. I am also Team Leader, Membership Leader, COTM Leader & Blog Admin for Team EFA !

OOAK Recycled Sweater Tote by ursusarctosana

The Meduse Bleue purse fits the July monthly challenge theme "In the Deep Blue" with its jellyfish that swims in the ocean and the wonderful blue shade of the purse. This hand sewn tote by ursusarctosana is one of a kind!

For the month of June I've donated to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Suncoast Seabirds, and Carolina Waterfowl Rescue. I was able to donate part of every sale. Furthermore, I care for a flock of ducks/geese and we remodeled their housing/play area. We also lost one, after hundreds in veterinary care, to a ruptured intestine (he'd eaten some sort of root). And I have two rescue dogs who are now seniors. I keep a blog at www.kingofdoodles.blogspot.com where I compile information to assist other waterfowl owners in keeping their pets safe and sound.

One Fish Two Fish Bookmark by KneeDeepOriginals

From a vintage ivory piano key comes a lovely little bookmark by KneeDeepOriginals, a perfect gift for any reader, but especially for one who loves the ocean and the water. I have etched an under-the-sea ocean scene of fish, seaweed, bubbles, starfish and waves using the traditional scrimshaw method.

A portion of my sales is donated to animal charities. I am also a strong advocate for spaying and neutering in my rural area because there are so many neglected and wandering animals who die from lack of care, starvation, or injuries sustained from being hit on roadways.

Mixed Media Mermaid Nautical Display by QueenBe

Even though Mermaids are a mythological creature, I think it still sends the message that waters must be protected for all creatures alike. This nautical blue and white shadowbox by QueenBe is everything vintage and lovely. Layers upon layers of vintage lace, seashells, starfish, rich metal embellishments, printed muslin, and printed words complete this one of a kind display.

I am currently donating 10 percent of my shop to the ASPCA, as well as occasionally donating to National Wildlife Federation, and a local animal charity here in Michigan