National Bird Day Posters

National Bird Day is just 5 days away - but there is still time to participate. One way is to download one of the beautiful posters provided free from the National Bird Day website, and place them wherever your heart desires.

You can try asking local store owners, grocers, humane societies, book stores and public libraries.

My local public libraries and Dane County Humane Society have agreed to put up these posters. And this week I will be asking other local businesses.

The posters are pretty and colorful and are sure to grab people's attention. And that's what we want: as many people as possible to appreciate, and understand the plight of, birds.

New Items on Sale

Our Bungalow 360 Fox Messenger Bag is one of the items we've recently marked down. Check our our Sale Page for other discounted merchandise. These items are on sale for a limited time.

We also have fan pulls on sale. We will be closing out our collection of pulls, so if you've been thinking about purchasing some, now is a great time.

National Bird Day News

I loved getting this in the mail today: a Mayoral Proclamation from Mayor Paul Soglin declaring January 5, 2012, as National Bird Day in Madison, Wisconsin.

Why not try getting a Bird Day Proclamation for your city? Just go to the National Bird Day How do I Get Involved page and go to Recognize. You will find a sample letter (and proclamation) that you can edit, then send to your mayor.

You will also find other ways on the page to participate.

Getting Your Order in Time for the Holidays

There is still time to receive your gift in time for the holidays, but the days are getting shorter. Please order as soon as possible, no later than Monday, to ensure holiday delivery.

We ship via US Postal Service, using First Class Mail and Priority Mail. First Class Mail takes on average between 2 to 5 days to arrive, and Priority Mail, on average, between 2 to 3 days. Please keep in mind that delivery times can take longer, depending on your location, and especially during this time of year.

We offer Express Mail upon request, but please note that this service is very expensive, in the range of $20.00 or more, and charges will apply. If you would like Express, please let us know. The Post Office does not guarantee overnight delivery, and sometimes packages arrive in two days.

Still Time to Shop for the Holidays

We're getting down to the wire, but there's still time to shop for the animal lover on your list, and receive your gift in time for the holidays. We ship orders either same or next day.

We ship fast, within one day of receiving payment, often the same day.

Visit us online at PJ Publications and Gifts to shop a fantastic selection of animal lover gifts and accessories. We have hundreds of animal items - including those with a bird, cat, dog, horse, farm animal, reptile and amphibian, sea animal and wildlife theme. Our merchandise is cruelty-free; and we work hard to source products that are made in the USA or in a fair-trade setting. : )

National Bird Day Almost Here

It's our busiest time of year, but I haven't forgotten about National Bird Day, which occurs on January 5th of each year. This time I was determined to become more involved in the 2012 celebration. So far I have been successful with our public library system and humane society, who are eager to post National Bird Day posters. I have some other projects in mind, too, which I'm currently working on.

Are you doing anything special to celebrate National Bird Day? Born Free USA and Avian Welfare Coalition have some great ideas on how to participate - some which don't really take that much time at all. A little effort by all of us can make a big impact. : )

Save 20% on ENTIRE Order - Last Day, 11/28/11

Your chance to save 20% off your ENTIRE order ends today, 11/28/11. Click here for your coupon, and to start saving on amazing animal lover merchandise.

Why Shop With Us?

Why not save precious time and do your holiday shopping with PJ Publications and Gifts? We have hundreds of gift and accessory items that are bound to appeal to that animal lover on your list - whether they love birds, cats, dogs, farm animals, horses, reptiles and amphibians, sea animals, small animals or wildlife. Or treat yourself.

Some other reasons to shop with us:

• We ship fast! Most orders ship within the same or next business day.
  
  
• Shipping is free with purchases of at least $50. A REAL shipping promotion that lets you save money. For purchases under $50, the most our US-based customers will pay for shipping is $5.00.
  
  
• We ship our merchandise in attractive packaging that is at least partially recycled using post-consumer waste. Some of our packaging is 100% recycled.
  
  
• Your satisfaction is guaranteed! We offer a 30-day return policy.
  
  
• We care about animals, so our products are cruelty free. We also seek out brands that are made in the USA, environmentally friendly, or fair trade.
  
  
• Our prices are affordable.
  
  
• We provide great customer service. A friendly, live person will reply to your call or email.
  

Happy shopping! : )

Preparing for National Bird Day

The annual National Bird Day, project of Born Free USA and Avian Welfare Coalition, is approaching on January 5th. It a special opportunity to help educate the public on the issues affecting our captive birds.

Now is a great time to start thinking how you'd like to participate. I know, it's a busy time of year. But fortunately, your contribution can be as small - or large - as you'd like it to be. The National Bird Day website has lots of ideas for partaking in the activities - from sending ecards and donating, to placing posters in your favorite stores and hosting educational displays . Every contribution makes a difference.

I am determined to become more involved this time around, and have already started making plans. Please join me in making this a fabulous National Bird Day. : )

Remembering Those Who Served

A big thank you on this Veteran's Day to all those - both two- and four-legged - who have served our country. We salute you!

Born Free USA Auction Starts Monday

The Born Free fur free and ecofffabulous Auction starts tomorrow and runs for five days. They have some fabulous prizes, including cruelty-free designer fashions from their recent fashion show, a Pangea Organics skincare kit, gift baskets, and more - including some items from our store.

A great opportunity to win some amazing prizes, and all for a great, great cause. Good luck and happy bidding. : )

Wild Bird Trust

Bird lovers: Have you heard of an organization called Wild Bird Trust? They are dedicated to keeping wild birds safe, with a focus on endangered African species - including the Cape Parrot,
Africa's most endangered parrot species.

If you follow Wild Bird Trust on Facebook, you will not only receive updates about their important work, but also be treated to stunning bird photography. I am amazed at the incredible detail of the bird photos they regularly post, and if you're a bird lover, I think you will be, too. : )

A Real Halloween Scare

Halloween costumes, pranks and movies are at least make-believe. A recent article in USAToday titled Lions, tigers, big cats may face extinction in 20 years sends more shivers down my spine than any Halloween scare can. The dwindling numbers of African big cats is real.

The article does offer hope. I like the idea of opening up "corridors" between nature reserves in Africa. This would allow the cats to mingle, thereby preserving genetic diversity.

What do you think?

Standing Up for Exotic Animals

The Ohio incident, in which dozens of captive wild animals were released, then subsequently killed by law enforcement officers, is tragic. The only positive thing to come from this story was that the exploitation of exotic animals has come to the forefront in the media.

Born Free USA appeared on various media, including CNN, to discuss this issue. We love and support Born Free and encourage you to read about the media coverage, the issues of keeping exotic animals as "pets" then contact your US senators to pass the Captive Primate Safety Act. This information can all be found in the link above.

All New!

We have added dozens of items to our store this past week, including some old favorites.

Dog Oilcloth Tote Bags. A modern update to an old favorite, these canvas oil cloth tote bags are coated with a special polymer coating. They feature reinforced stitching and a top snap closure. And they are made in the USA.

We have the Chihuahua tote (pictured here), Dachshund tote, Bulldog tote, Pug tote and Yorkie dog tote.

Cat Socks. We have socks featuring cats, cats and more cats. Treat your feet to something special.

Bird Jewelry. We've also added even more bird jewelry. These new pieces are hand-enameled and gold plated. They include Cardinal necklace, Chickadee pin, Chickadee earrings and Goldfinch earrings.

Enjoy shopping with us!

Far Fetched Back in Stock

We added two new Far Fetched styles to our animal lover collection - owl earrings (pictured here); and bee with beehive earrings.

We love Far Fetched not only for their whimsical jewelry, but also because they are made in a fair trade setting by Taxco, Mexico artisans. If you aren't already familiar with fair trade, I encourage you to read about it on the Fair Trade Federation website.

The pieces are .925 sterling silver, and many also include copper and brass. And because of the care that goes into creating each piece, no two are exactly alike.

New Animal Socks

With the colder weather, you'll may be needing new socks. We have new animal socks that are stylish, comfortable - and like our Endangered Lowland Gorilla socks pictured here, make a statement.

Other new animal socks we've added to our store this season include Owl socks, Sea Turtle socks, loving Horse pair socks and colorful Chihuahua socks.

We have an assortment of bird socks, cat socks, dog socks, and wildlife socks, including socks by Laurel Burch.

Why not treat your feet to something special this season!

Oprah and Animals

Oprah Winfrey's O Magazine is on a good roll with regards to animal welfare. In the October issue, O readers learned about Oprah's personal choice not to wear fur - and the magazine's stand against fur. Since inception, the magazine has not featured fur fashion.

I was equally thrilled to see that the November issue has an article called Flight Tracker. It's about biologist Juliana Machado Ferreira and her efforts to rescue birds from the wild bird trade. She uses genetic profiling to ensure that the birds are returned to their proper homes; this is implemented to reduce outbreeding.

There is also a longer article about Lynn Henning's fight against factory farming in her area. I've only skimmed the article so far, and although it seems to focus on the consequences of factory farming on human health, there is also mention of animal suffering. I just picked up the magazine yesterday, but will be reading this article carefully.

O magazine has a history of including pro-animal articles in its pages. I recall reading pieces on Farm Sanctuary, Sheltering Animals of Abuse Victims, as well as stories about women who in some form have a positive impact on animals.

Animal welfare in the mainstream, especially by someone as influential as Oprah. This is a good thing.

Lavishy Environmentally Friendly Wallets

We now offer Lavishy wallets! There is so much to love about them. Aside from being stylish - vibrant, colorful, with embroidery - they are also completely vegan and environmentally friendly.

Made of a custom-made polyurethane, these wallets biodegrade in ten years, which means less stress on the Earth. They have the look of tooled leather, but are completely cruelty free.

We are currently offering three Lavishy designs: Peacock wallet (pictured here), Owl Wallet and Bird Wallet.

Another thing to love about our Lavishy wallets? The price. At $21.95 each, they are a tremendous value, and we believe you will love these as much as we do.

Celebrate National Coffee Day

Today is National Coffee Day! Read about how your choice of coffee makes a difference to the rainforest, its inhabitants and the people who live there. To celebrate, Caribou Coffee has a "Buy One Get One" promo, happening today.

New Items Celebrating Animals

We've added new animal lover jewelry to our store , and are sure you will love these pieces as much as we do. Designs are by Sienna Sky, Wild Bryde and Zarah.

They include Cardinal Earrings (pictured here), Chickadee Earrings, Tall Giraffe Necklace, Cat at Window Earrings, Giraffe Earrings, Reindeer Earrings, Zebra and Giraffe Earrings and Jaguar earrings.

Enjoy!

Anti Fur Stance in O Magazine

While perusing the October issue of O Magazine last night, I wanted to scream "Yes" while reading about Oprah's decision to not wear fur. Not only that, but O Magazine has taken a stance to not feature any garments made of fur. In this issue, Adam Glassberg, O's fashion guru, states that this issue even omits items made of leather. Way to go, Oprah!

Speaking of fur free fashion, Born Free USA is celebrating their Fur Free Fashion Show in Los Angeles tomorrow. We hope the show rocks. : )

New Bungalow 360 Wallets

We've added many new styles of Bungalow 360 wallets, including the Bungalow 360 fox wallet (pictured here), deer wallet, giraffe wallet, whale wallet and penguin wallet.

Made of natural cotton, with ample compartments to hold your cards and cash. A real treat for our animal loving fashionista friends. : )

Pink Camo Horse Backpack on Sale

Back-to-school special. We have an overstock on our pink camo horse backpack. They are now on sale for just $12.00. Our regular price is $24.95.

Please note: The backpack is on sale as of this writing. The sale is limited and we can cancel it at any time.

This is a great time to buy this beautiful pink horse backpack.

Pet Pardons

I recently started following a community on Facebook called Pet Pardons. They advocate for animals that are on death row. The group in itself is impressive, comprised of animal advocates who are willing to rescue animals on a moment's notice. But add to that a special Facebook app the founders created, which has been responsible for saving animal lives.

Talk about using technology for good!

The Seasons

One of the things I will definitely miss about summer - being able to grow and pick fresh, organic produce from our very own property. The amazing taste and connection to the earth that goes with growing your own is irreplaceable.

Thankfully, this is being replaced by Fall, which I love. : )

Reporting Bird Abuse or Neglect

There have been several stories of captive bird neglect in the news recently. Unfortunately, and though we don't like to think about it, abuse and neglect occurs more often that the news reports.

The Avian Welfare Coalition has updated its article called Reporting Bird Abuse or Neglect. This thorough resource offers a wealth of information, including steps that can be taken if you see a bird being abused or neglected.

If you see a bird (or any animal) in dire straights, don't be afraid to speak up. They can't defend themselves, and depend on caring people like you to say something.

How We Celebrate Labor Day Every Day!

Labor Day may officially be less than a week away, but we celebrate it every day. How? By offering an amazing selection of animal gifts made in the USA.

Some of the USA-made brands we carry include Sienna Sky, Marjolein Bastin towels, Wild Bryde, as well as our bird crossing signs, selected Kirks Folly items, selected cotton tote bags, DVDs and CDs. Our other products come from companies that are based in the United States, except for Canadian-based Shagwear.

It's not particularly easy to find well made, durable and affordable merchandise that is USA-sourced. As a matter of fact, it's become more challenging in recent years. Plus buyers want prices that are low. We believe we've struck a great balance of quality + affordability with our USA-brands.

We also carry well-made, Fair Trade and other brands sourced from other countries. And we're pleased to carry these. But it's important to us to support US-based companies as much as possible.

We Have the New Bungalow 360 Designs!

Bungalow 360 introduced two new animal prints this season - fox and deer. And they haven't disappointed. One print features two foxes, one purple/pink and the other yellow; the other print features the friendship between a deer and bird.

We love Bungalow 360, and not only for their fun and colorful designs. Bungalow 360 makes their bags and accessories using all natural cotton canvas and water based ink. This company is pro animal and environment, and we are thrilled to offer you their bags.

Our new Bungalow 360 bags include: fox satchel (pictured here), fox wristlet bag, fox clutch purse, fox messenger bag; plus deer satchel, deer wristlet bag, deer clutch purse (pictured here), and deer messenger bag.

Keeping Green!

We believe it's important to run our business as greenly as possible. As a company that ships merchandise on a regular basis, it's important that our packaging and supplies are not only attractive, but that they put as little exertion on the Earth as possible.

We look for packaging that has the most recycled content and post-consumer content available. The following are some of the products we currently use, as well as their respective contents. We are always looking for ways to minimize our "footprint" and will seek out the most socially-responsible materials available to us.

The following are just a sample of some of the supplies we use in our business.

Cardboard shipping boxes - 100% post-consumer recycled content
Business cards - 100% post-consumer recycled content
Jewelry/gift boxes - contains 100% recycled box board
Printer paper - contains 30% post-consumer content

These supplies cost a little more, but to us, are a super value. : )

New Sienna Sky Earrings

I'm always thrilled to announce new Sienna Sky earrings in stock. As you can tell by now, we are crazy for Sienna Sky.

What's not to like: Fun and vibrant designs, production and design in the USA, made for durability and comfort, sterling earwires, and attractive price points.

Here are new Sienna Sky earrings just added: Owl earrings (pictured), chipmunk earrings, poplar tree leaves earrings, and tree of life with heart earrings.

Oprah and Farm Sanctuary

There is a nice little writeup about Farm Sanctuary and Gene Baur, in the September issue of Oprah Magazine; it's on page 62. Farm Animals Awareness week is coming up, September 18 to 24.

Here's hoping that animal awareness articles and features become more prevalent in mainstream media.

Monarch Butterfly

Two days ago I posted a photo of a gorgeous Tiger Swallowtail, one of many which pay us visits. Here's a photo of the Monarch Butterfly that I snapped yesterday afternoon. Gorgeous!

Monarch butterfly populations, unfortunately continue to decline, which you can read about in this article by Discovery News.

These are amazing creatures, and how fortunate we feel to be able to experience their beauty up close.

Nature's Beauty

I spotted this beautiful Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly this morning on our front lawn, and couldn't resist taking a picture. After doing a bit of research, I learned that the blue on the tail signifies that this is a female.

There was another Swallowtail not far from this one, but the photos didn't come out as hoped.

We've been fortunate to attract numerous butterfly species (some of which I'm still trying to identify) as well as honeybees and bumble bees.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Being a fan of Planet of the Apes (the 1969 original) I was excited to see Rise of the Planet of the Apes, which opened today. And so glad that I did. Excellent visuals and spellbinding story line aside, this movie does something more. Like its original, I believe it gets people thinking about our relationship with the great apes; at least it does for me.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes, although a science fiction movie, lends itself to some realism. The sad fact is that while other developed countries are banning or restricting use of chimpanzees in research, the United States stands alone in its continued use of these magnificent apes. If passed, a law like the Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act of 2011 would prohibit invasive research on great apes. Organizations, like that of Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, believes the money used in great ape research (hundreds of millions of dollars worth) could be better utilized by investing in current, more sophisticated research. This bill needs to pass, as chimpanzees deserve much better than they are currently getting.

If you do see this movie, I would love to know your thoughts.

The Bond

I finally bought The Bond by Wayne Pacelle this past weekend. The index, as well as testimonials by names such as Jane Goodall, Peter Singer and John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, is impressive; and I can't wait to start reading it.

If it weren't for the other books vying for my attention, I would have bought The Bond back in April, when it first came out. But better late than not at all. One of the next books on my list is The Monkey Bible by Mark Laxer. Purchases of this book also benefit Born Free USA.

Do you have a favorite book, about animals or otherwise?

Improvements

We've been busy making improvements to our website. Some of the categories, as well as navigation has been restructured. And we have a site search engine, to help you more easily find what you are looking for.

We would love to know what you think.

All New Sienna Sky Earrings

Sienna Sky has unveiled its new designs for summer and late fall, and we have several of them right here.

If you already own a pair of Sienna Sky earrings, you know just how wonderful they are - meticulous in detail, exceptionally crafted, colorful and whimsical. And they are made right here in United States. Considering all this, plus the reasonable price tags, Sienna Sky earrings are a superb value.

We've been selling Sienna Sky earrings for many years and are proud to be an authorized retailer.

Now for the new designs, we are pleased to introduce and carry the following Sienna Sky pieces: Collie earrings, Sea Turtle earrings (pictured) and Ferret earrings. We are also now carrying the Polar Bear earrings and Orca Whale earrings, new to us but not to Sienna Sky.

Bats: Our Friends!

Approaching our driveway during dusk last week, we saw a bat flitting around the front of our house - zooming back and forth. We assumed the bat was using his or her internal sonar to find food. When I got out of the car, the bat would come within inches of me, while making the rounds. I've seen bats before, mostly hanging from sides of buildings. But this is the first time I've seen one this closely.

Some people may see bats as pests, but we love them. As a matter of fact, I am thinking of placing a bat house in the backyard. I've read that it can take a year to attract bats to your backyard, but after seeing last week's bat, I'm hopeful there are more in the area.

Animal Backpacks

Get ready for back to school with our collection of animal backpacks.

We have a fantastic selection of backpacks for animal lovers; including Bungalow 360 owl backpack, dolphin backpacks, penguin backpack, flamingo backpacks, frog backpacks, cat and dog backpack, wild animal backpack, and various horse backpacks.

We carefully select our backpacks for durability as well as style.

Peacock Totes are Back!

After a long break, our peacock tote is back in stock. Colorful, vibrant and roomy, this cotton bag is sure to please any lover of peacocks and birds. Priced at just $17.95.

And it is made in the USA.

Borders Bools

As a lover of books and regular patron of Borders Books, I was sad to hear about the franchise closing. The store in my area had already closed earlier this year, but we still had the one on the other side of town.

Still, this is an opportunity to stock up on some great books. Yes, I have an e-reader, but for me it's not the same as reading a paper version. Aside from good fiction, books about animals are on my list. Do you have a favorite book about animals?

Whales!

Great news for whale lovers. Our whale wristlet bag is back in stock. We've also added a new Bungalow 360 whale item: the whale clutch bag, pictured here, and priced at just $11.95. Bungalow 360 bags are made of natural cotton canvas and are made to last.

Also new are our Sienna Sky orca whale earrings, priced at just $12.95. Sienna Sky earrings are made right here in the USA and are superbly crafted.

Sustainable Trip

Planning on taking a trip to some exotic destination - such as the rainforest to go birdwatching or see other exotic animals? Or maybe to a beach resort to take in some serious scuba diving or snorkeling? Why not stay with hotel and resort operators that take sustainable travel seriously?

A service of Rainforest Alliance called SustainableTrip.org, lets you search for sustainable tourism operators in Latin America and the Caribbean. You can search by region, as well as by country and type of destination.

Happy travels!

New Backpacks for Animal Lovers

It may only be the middle of July, but the new school year will be here in no time. Why not send your student back to school with a fun, stylish backpack?

We have a new assortment of animal backpacks this season, including the dolphin backpack pictured here. We have new styles of horse backpacks, as well as a peace frog backpack and flamingo backpacks.

We choose our backpacks not only for style, but for durability as well.

Network of Pet Professionals

We joined a new organization called Pet Professionals 4 Pet Adoption. What makes this network so special, is that its members advocate for pets in some way. Member businesses include pet boutiques, groomers, animal massage therapists, dog boarding professionals and others.

Making a difference in the lives of animals, and the people who help animals, is part of our company's mission.

Angel's Wish Auction Ending Soon

The Angel's Wish online auction ends tomorrow (6/30) at 8:00 pm CDT. Proceeds benefit Angel's Wish, an all-volunteer pet adoption and resource center located right outside of Madison, Wisconsin. The auction is one of their big fundraisers.

It's a chance to help animals in need, while winning something nice for yourself. They have everything from handbags, jewelry and art, to gift cards from restaurants and stuff for your animal companion. We donated a pair of calico cat earrings, Far Fetched dachshund necklace, Sienna Sky Scottish terrier earrings, and Shagwear cat handbag.

Happy bidding! : )

Brand new Markdowns

We have dozens of items on sale, many marked down just today.

Enjoy savings on select Wild Bryde, Far Fetched, Sienna Sky, Laurel Burch and many more. Includes animal gifts, animal jewelry, inspirational jewelry and floral jewelry.

This sale is going on for a limited time. : )

Far Fetched Fox Pin

This Far Fetched fox pin is one of the items we donated to Born Free USA for their Keep Wildlife in the Wild online auction. How pleased we are that it was bid up to $57.00 -- and for such a great organization.

We hope the winner enjoys wearing this pin for years to come. It is made of 925 sterling silver with copper, by artisans in Taxco, Mexico in a fair trade setting.

Rainforest Alliance Certified Products

You've probably seen the little green frog logo on various products while shopping for groceries. This means that the product is made sustainably, and has certification from The Rainforest Alliance. They also have a complete list of certified products on their website. This is a global list, and includes an assortment of products, including bananas, chocolate, coffee, tea, wine, paper products, office supplies and many more.

Here's to the power of the purse.

Born Free USA Online Auction Starting Soon

A couple weeks ago I wrote about the Angel's Wish Online Auction, which is running all month. Another organization we support, Born Free USA, is holding its Keep Wild Life in the Wild Auction, which starts this Monday, June 20th. Unlike the Angel's Wish auction, this one is running for only 4 days.

We donated several items, including a Bungalow 360 owl tote bag, Wild Bryde chinchilla earrings and a Far Fetched sterling silver fox pin.

Good luck bidding. Remember, it's for the animals. : )

Knowing When to Buy Organic Produce

The Environmental Working group has published its 2011 Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce. It's a breakdown of 53 produce items with their respective pesticide loads.

I love this guide, and keep a list of the Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen taped to our refrigerator. While it would be ideal to be able to buy organic produce across the board, it isn't always affordable or feasible for everyone. Having this definitive guide helps me make better choices at the grocer; knowing when it's better to invest in organic produce and when it's fine to settle for conventional.

Thank you, EWG. : )

New Backpacks and Bags for Animal Lovers

We have some stylish and fun, new ways to carry your wares.

Take our horse cooler bag to school, the office, for a picnic, or use as a travel accessory bag. Also new are: dog lunch box bag; black flamingo backpack; pink flamingo backpack; black horse backpack; and pink horse backpack.

If you're looking for a special case for your IPad, we think you might like our purple dahlia IPad sleeve, designed by artist Harold Feinstein.

All versatile and stylish. And priced within the $14.95 to $24.95 range (as of this writing) so you can be stylish and organized without breaking the bank. : )

Let the Bidding Begin

The Angel's Wish annual online auction has officially started, and will run for the entire month of June. They currently have close to 200 items, and the usually get more donations as the auction progresses.

This is a great way to help homeless animals, while finding potential bargains. This year PJ Publications donated the following: Far Fetched dachshund necklace, Sienna Sky Scottish terrier earrings, Gold Plated Calico Cat Earrings and Shagwear Travel Cat purse.

Happy bidding!

New Cat Towels and Doormat

Just added: Cat lover home decor items.

Add cheer to your home with our cat themed kitchen towels. Designs are silkscreened onto 100% cotton towels. Choose from our black and white cat towel, orange tabby cat towel, and a towel featuring a cat with a peculiar perspective.

Also new to our store is the peculiar perspective cat doormat. Fade resistant and durable with non-skid rubber backing.

These products are made in the USA.

Big Online Auction to Help Animals

I wanted to give you a heads-up on the annual Angel's Wish online auction; it starts June 1st and runs for the entire month. You have a chance not only to bid on, and win of our donated items, but on hundreds of items from other businesses and individuals.

They typically have everything from fashion and fine jewelry, purses and clothes, to gift cards, trips and stuff for your animal companion - a portion of these items, animal and pet themed. As of this writing, you can't view this year's items yet, but there is a link to last year's auction, to give you a better idea of what they offer.

Best of all, you have a chance to help a deserving local animal rescue located in Wisconsin, near Madison.

Look for items donated by PJ Publications and Gifts. This year it's a Far Fetched dachshund necklace, Sienna Sky Scotty dog earrings, calico cat earrings and a cat handbag.

I will post a reminder closer to the date. : )

Pelican Bag and Wallet

In addition to yesterday's new Bungalow 360 seahorse and sea turtle items, we've added new pelican accessories.

Pictured here is our pelican clutch bag. Also new is the pelican wallet.

Enjoy! : )

New Bungalow 360 Bags and Wallets Added

We love Bungalow 360 so much, that we added their sea turtle and seahorse wallets and clutch bags.

Made of natural cotton canvas, these accessories are completely cruelty-free. Priced just right; wallets are $17.95 each and clutch bags are $11.95 each.

• Seahorse clutch bag, pictured here.
• Sea turtle clutch bag
• Seahorse wallet
• Sea turtle wallet

Shop our entire collection of sea-life themed Bungalow 360 bags.

Bee and Bee Hive

Just added today: Our bee and bee hive necklace by Far Fetched. The pendants are attached to an 18-inch chain. Made of sterling silver with copper and brass. Priced at just $19.95.

We also have bee earrings by Zarah, as well as an array of floral and garden jewelry - which includes butterflies and dragonflies.

All Fan Pulls Now on Sale

We've marked down prices on all of our light and ceiling fan pulls. For a limited time, they are all on sale, and for as long as supplies last.

Choose from the following fan pulls: Orca, Lorikeet, Polar Bear, Black Kitty Cat, Iguana, Gecko, Flamingo and Lamb on Teapot.

Our gorgeous 3-dimensional fan pulls will be sure to brighten any room.They are made of resin with built-in chain, making them easy for hanging.

Be the Change

Looking for a little inspiration? Be the change you wish to see in the world is one of Mahatma Gandhi's very powerful quotes. And we've added to our collection of jewelry items with this inspirational message:

Get inspired with our Be the change pin, oval necklace, earrings and oblong necklace.

Our inspirational jewelry collection is stocked with pins, earrings and necklaces, inscribed with messages of love and hope.

These pieces also make a perfect graduation gift - a tangible reminder to help keep your graduate inspired.

Our inspirational jewelry is made of .925 sterling silver, many with copper and brass. From Far Fetched, member of the Fair Trade Federation.

All New: Accessories for Hedghehog Lovers

Just in: New accessories for hedgehog lovers. Proclaim your love for hedgies with our line of wallets and change purses.

You have your choice of four fun items: Hedgehog wallet and change purse in teal; hedgehog wallet and change purse in black.

Shop our new collection of hedgehog lover gift at PJ Publications and Gifts.

Pair these with our Sienna Sky hedgehog earrings for a complete look.

Happy Mother's Day!

Wishing all of you a most pleasant and enjoyable Mother's Day. Whether your kids are feathered, furred, scaled or human, we hope you enjoy your special day. : )

Blue Planet Film Fest - Phoenix

The Blue Planet Film Fest is coming to Phoenix, from May 12th through the 15th, held at MadCap Theatres. If you're on the east coast, you have an opportunity to attend in June. Dates are still being worked out for the event in Santa Monica.

An array of environmental films will be shown, based around four themes: Land, Water, Future, and Animal. This is a great opportunity to learn, and meet people with a passion for animals and the environment. The event is created by Mira Tweeti, animal advocate, writer, author and winner of a Genesis Award.

PJ Publications is a proud sponsor of the event.

Back in Stock

Just a short note to let you know we have several Far Fetched jewelry items back in stock, including:

• Chocolate Labrador Retriever pin
• Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History Earrings and Necklace
  

: )

Sale on Laurel Burch Jewelry

We have a select number of pieces of Laurel Burch jewelry on sale. Included are the Laurel Burch Moroccan Mares Pin, Indigo Cats Pin
and Indigo Cat Face Earrings.

If you're a fan of Laurel Burch, this is a great time to stock up on some of her fabulous jewelry. This sale is being offered for a limited time.

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

There's still time to get a special Mother's Day Gift - and without breaking the bank. Here are a few suggestions we think you might like.

Give Flowers. Sure, you could give Mom a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers. And if you do, please consider purchasing Fair Trade or locally grown flowers.

Or, you can give her floral jewelry, which will last much longer than real flowers. We have a nice selection of earrings with a flower or garden theme: Zinnia, Black-eyed Susan, Bleeding Heart, Iris, Monarch Butterfly, Dragonfly, Sunflower and more. Priced between $10.50 and $14.50 , these earrings are a super value.

Inspire Her. Everyone, even Mothers, like to be inspired. A sterling silver bracelet, pin or pair of earrings is something she could wear that can not only serve to inspire, but remind her of you. We have a large selection of inspirational jewelry with quotes like Well behaved women rarely make history , Be the change you wish to see in the world, and You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.

Does She Love Animals? Or is she a Mom to kids of the furry, feathered or scaled kind? We have a huge selection of animal lover gifts that would be appropriate as a Mother's Day gift. Whether she loves birds, cats, dogs, horses, or other animal, we have something special: Bags and totes, jewelry, home decor and many more.

Happy 226th Birthday, John Audubon!

I wonder what John James Audubon - conservationist, artist and inspiration for Audubon Society - would think about the state of today's bird life. According to Birdlife International, authority for IUCN Bird Red List, a recent study cited 2,082 of the world's 9,895 being on the critical list.

Aububon was a pioneer in bird conservation, and helped make us aware of the problems facing our natural world. Thankfully there are people today - scientists, conservationists, every-day citizens - who have continued the important work of saving birds.

We love birds here at PJ Publications and Gifts, and are thrilled to be able to offer you an extensive collection of bird lover gifts. Choose from bird jewelry, bird bags, bird decor and more. We carry many of your favorite designers, including Bungalow 360, Sienna Sky, Far Fetched and many more.

Here's to the birds! :)

Crows!

Yesterday in our backyard, we witnessed a crow chasing away what appeared to be a baby skunk. The crow not only chased the critter away, but stood there for awhile even after the skunk had taken off, making it clear that outsiders aren't welcome. No harm came to the baby skunk, who was just exercising his/her own sense of exploration.

We are in crow nesting season, which explains the extra-vigilent behavior. Mother is sitting on her egg, carefully guarding her investment. I'm not sure which member of this crow family did the chasing, but as I understand it, crows have helpers during breeding season; these helpers are typically family members, offspring from a previous season.

I've always liked crows, but after reading books like Birdology and Crow Planet, I am fascinated by them.

New Sale Items

We've just put new animal lover and inspirational items on sale. Take advantage of these special prices for a limited time. Some of the sale items you will find include:

• Far Fetched Sisters Bracelet
• Sienna Sky Scottish Terrier Earrings
• Zarah Cubist Cat Earrings
• Laurel Burch Dog Portraits in Blue Socks
• Laurel Burch Indigo Cats Pin

...and many more items.

Earth Day 2011

If you're looking for a way to celebrate Earth Day 2011, you might like Earth Day Networks' list of events. The site offers vast resources, including information on how you can organize your own Earth day event - something to keep in mind for next year.