New Eco Jewelry Collection at PJ Publications and Gifts

We have added an Eco Jewelry Collection to our website, stocked with necklaces that help you profess your love for the earth.

Included in the collection are necklaces with the following designs: Tree Hugger, Close to My Heart (pictured to the left), Nurture Nature, and Celebrate Life.

All the necklaces from our eco jewelry collection are from Far Fetched, member of the Fair Trade Federation.

Espe Cat and Dog Bags Back in Stock

Great News! We received the Espe cat and dog tote bags today and they are now back in stock.

We also have added 2 more Espe wallets: The monkey wallet, featuring a tutu-wearing Chimpanzee, and the short dog wallet in black.

If there is a particular Espe design you like that we don't carry, just let us know and we will try to special order it for you.

Just added - Wild Bryde Animal Jewelry

We've just added new Wild Bryde jewelry to our animal lovers collection of jewelry and accessories - including a Panda Bear necklace, Panda Bear earrings, Squirrel earrings, and Baby Deer with Wildflowers earrings.

I think you'll love our Wild Bryde collection as much as we do! Each piece is meticulously hammered with a special tool that creates subtle light-reflecting facets. They are finished in either 14k gold plate or rhodium (a silver alloy). The earwires are 14k goldfill or sterling.

Wild Bryde has been creating animal and nature-themed jewelry since 1980 and is made in the USA. They have an enormous collection of jewelry, and as always, if you like something you don't see in our store, we will be happy to special order it for you.

Special orders on gifts for animal lovers

Is there an accessory or item you want that you don't see on our website? We do special orders and will do everything we can to get you that item. Sometimes this is not possible if the manufacturer has discontinued the item or it's out of stock. But chances are, we can accommodate your request.

There is no additional charge for this service and no need to prepay unless it's a huge order.

We carry merchandise from a variety of top-notch designers, including Far Fetched, Zarah, Sienna Sky, Laurel Burch, Wild Bryde, Espe, Yak Pak and more.

We are ready to help. Just ask!

Hope for the parrots of Bonaire?

In the current issue of Audubon Magazine is an article - which is available to read online - about the Yellow Shouldered Amazon Parrot of Bonaire, an island in the Caribbean. The article goes into depth about the challenges this parrot species faces, namely the politics of poaching and the love-hate relationship islanders have with the birds.

Bonaire's economy is based largely on water-based ecotourism - it's a big scuba diving and snorkeling destination - which gives islanders strong incentives to conserve their water-based resources. The hope is that this philosophy can be transferred to mainland-based ecotourism, with an emphasis on bird watching.

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species categorizes the Yellow Shouldered Amazon Parrot as Vulnerable, a classification which falls between threatened and endangered.

If you are looking for an eco-adventure and want to travel to Bonaire, the article provides some informational links.

The article is lengthy, but worthwhile reading.

Update on Espe Cat and Dog Tote Bags

I got word that the Espe handbags will be shipping again at the end of this month/early September. Please check the PJ Publications and Gifts website for availability, or better yet, reserve your bag now. These bags are fun, functional, and the designs are limited editions - replaced each year with new designs. When they're sold out, they're gone for good.

We also have the matching wallets. The long cat Whiskers wallet in black is pictured to the left.

Pale Male and Other Awesome Nature Photos

While perusing Marie Winn's website, I found a link to PaleMale, a website run by photographer Lincoln Karin. Pale Male is the name of one of the Red-Tailed hawks upon which Red-Tails in Love is based.

The photos on Lincoln's site are breathtaking. Updated just yesterday, there are photos - in amazing detail - of pollinating bees, a butterfly and a dragonfly. Photos of the beloved Red-Tails - including several of the hawks in flight - are available for your viewing pleasure too.

Central Park in the Dark book

Today I picked up a copy of Central Park in the Dark by Marie Winn. If it's even half as good as Marie's Red-Tails in Love, then this will be money well spent. The author has a website devoted to her books, as well as a blog and links to other nature-centered sites.

Wesley the Owl is Now in Paperback

I read Wesley the Owl months ago when it was in hardcover. It is without a doubt one of the best books I've had the pleasure of owning - yes, I'm keeping my copy - even among the hundreds of non-animal themed books I've read over the years. Looks like I'm not alone in this either. The book has garnered kudos from reviewers, including other authors and scientists, and readers alike. It's a New York Times Bestseller, LA Times Bestseller, and was chosen as Editor's Choice for Audubon Magazine.

For those of you who are not familiar with the premise, Wesley the Owl is the memoir of biologist Stacey O'Brien and her longstanding relationship with a barn own named Wesley. Part love story, part educational, part entertaining - you'll learn some very interesting stuff about barn owls - and an absolute page turner.

Stacey has a Wesley the Owl website, which includes a blog, photos and a store stocked with Wesley gifts. It's worth checking out.

Buy Bananas for Sanctuary Monkeys

At the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary about 500 monkeys - including Macaques, Vervets and Baboons - consume 200 cases of bananas each month. That's a lot of bananas, and a lot of expense for the Sanctuary. Born Free/API has come up with some creative ways to help raise money for the monkeys' bananas.

Dubbed Banana-A-Peel, the folks at BFUSA have planted a virtual banana tree on their website. Each time someone donates $25 for a case of a bananas, a new banana will be placed on the tree. Last time I checked, there were 26 bananas on the tree.

There are other ways to help feed the Sanctuary monkeys. Called Go Nuts! Go Bananas! BFUSA will send a card to your chosen gift recipient when you donate to this special project. Your gift can be used to purchase either a 50 pound bag of peanuts or a carton of bananas - your choice.

Follow BFUSA on Twitter for updates.

Animal Lover Merchandise on Sale

We have new merchandise on sale for all you animal lovers - including crystal sea-themed jewelry, fan pulls and more.

While you're checking out our sale, be sure to also visit our Outlet Section. This is where you can find animal lover merchandise that is priced very, very, low. These are items that are on closeout, so supplies are very limited.

Some proverbs and quotes may resonate with you more than others. Todays quote, from my Planet Earth day calendar, is one that stuck with me:

A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in. -- Greek Proverb

What is one of your favorite quotes?

New Animal Themed Earrings from Sienna Sky

Sienna Sky recently introduced new designs to its already-fabulous selection of jewelry - and we are pleased to offer many of them to you. Some of the new Sienna Sky earrings you'll find at PJ Publications and Gifts include a Hedgehog, Manatee, a sweater-wearing Dachshund, and Moose with a Cardinal.

We love Sienna Sky jewelry, designed by nature and animal lover Barbara MacCambridge. Their whimiscal pieces, many depicting animals, are made using nickel silver, brass and copper. The earwires are sterling or gold-filled and the surgical steel posts are hypoallergenic. The earrings are lightweight, yet durable.



Sienna Sky's jewelry is handmade right here in the United States. And we price them just right, so you can indulge without breaking the bank. Check out our entire animal lover jewelry collection at PJ Publications and Gifts.

Just In - New Handbags and Wallets by Espe

Espe has outdone itself again. This season's designs are magnificent - and we are excited to carry them.

For a company that has been around such a short time - they debuted in 2005 - Espe has managed to develop a line that is trendy, fun and functional. And best of all, their products are cruelty-free. They produce their accessories using polyurethane, a synthetic "leather" that is durable and soft to the touch.

Espe's designs change every year and they don't carry over. They also have a tendency to sell out quickly. When I recently tried to place an order, most of the animal-themed designs we carry were sold out.

If you're looking for a handbag or wallet with an animal theme - that is fun, functional and fashionable, you will love Espe.

Check out PJ Publications and Gifts to see our new merchandise. Some of the Espe designs we currently carry include handbags and wallets with a dog and cat theme.

Truth in Fur Labeling

You buy a coat or handbag, thinking the lining is faux fur. What consumers may not know is that because of a loophole in labeling law, the product they are buying may be made with real fur. Some garments made with animal fur are exempt from labeling - provided the value is less than $150.00.

The Humane Society of the United States is asking consumers to support the Truth in Fur Labeling Act of 2009, by calling, then emailing, their US Senators and Representative. which would require all garments made with any animal fur to state so on the label.

Consumers have a right to full disclosure. Don't you agree?