Real Bats are in Trouble

With Halloween just weeks away, images of bats are starting to proliferate. In reality, bat populations are in trouble, namely those located in northeastern states. A deadly virus called white nose syndrome is responsible for the death of an estimated one million bats.

You can learn more about this crisis, about bats, and about the work of an important organization called Bat Conservation International. You can even adopt a bat for just $15 and receive some goodies in return.

Halloween Treats for Animal Lovers

Animal Lovers: Our Halloween themed jewelry is sweet, but is guaranteed not to put on any pounds.

We have Halloween cats, like the pair of Sienna Sky Witch Cat earrings shown here, as well as bats, like this Bat with Onyx necklace by Wild Bryde.



Why not give yourself a treat that will last for Halloweens to come?

Improvements to the PJ Publications and Gifts Website

We've made it even easier to shop for your favorite animal lover gifts and accessories. Now when you go to the PJ Publications and Gifts website, you will see a more streamlined category section on the right side of the page. You can search by Animal, Special Collections, or Sales and Outlet.

If you click on Bird Themed Gifts under Gifts and Accessories by Animal, for example, you will be directed to a page where you can look at Bird-themed handbags, jewelry, socks, home decor items, or DVDs and CDs.

I hope you enjoy this new feature and welcome your comments.

New Animal Themed Merchandise on Sale

Look for new animal themed items on sale, including our penguin backpack, animal totes, jewelry, and fan pulls. In case you haven't seen it, we also have a clearance section where these items are on closeout and offered at rock-bottom prices. Supplies are limited on these items.

Humane Society Offers 25% Discount on Classes

If you've ever considered a career advocating for animals, you may be interested in groundbreaking education programs now being offered by Humane Society University, an arm of the Humane Society of the United States. You can earn an undergraduate degree or graduate certificate in various disciplines, including animal studies and animals policy and advocacy. Courses are offered both online and on site.

HSU is offering a 25% discount on tuition for all class for its Fall Term II, which starts October 24, 2009.

The Laurel Burch 2010 Handbag Collection is Here!

Attention Laurel Burch fans! The 2010 handbag collection has been unveiled and we have many of the new styles right here.

This collection offers many more designs than those in the past. The bags are are awesome, and many have wonderful features that were missing in previous years.

One of these is the inspirational pattern that lines several of the new bags.

While many of the bags have retained their canvas feel, others have new and softer textures.

These bags are made of cotton and are a fantastic value. I think you will be pleased.

Coupons for Online Shopping

If you love to shop, you may want to take a look at RetailMeNot, a clearinghouse of thousands and thousands of coupons. You can access coupons for all kinds of merchandise, including clothing and jewelry. The site also has a section for printable coupons, an active online community of coupon clippers, and a newsletter.

I found out about this site through ECMTA, a professional ecommerce organization I belong to. Several of my fellow members have coupons on RMN - as do I.

I am not getting paid anything to tell you about RMN. Just wanted to pass it on. Enjoy!

Labor Day and Fair Trade Accessories

Finding affordable, well-made jewelry, handbags and other accessories that are made in the United States is tougher than it used to be. Yet some of the companies we are proud to work with, manufacturer their work right here - companies like Sienna Sky, Wild Bryde, and some Kirks Folly.

It's important to us that the US-based companies we work with, who do part or all of their manufacturing overseas, use fair labor practices. Some of these companies, like Far Fetched, are members of the Fair Trade Federation, an organization working towards equitable trading partnerships.

I hope you're enjoying your Labor Day!