LEFTZ eco-friendly sparrow plush giveaway!

When Mary from ArtTales offered me a promo spot on her blog a few weeks ago, I was very excited at the opportunity to be a "featured etsian" on such a great blog.  If you haven't yet checked out either her shop or her blog, be sure to head over and do so -  I can't recommend them enough!

One of the things that is so cool about Mary's work is her total commitment to being eco-friendly, from using recycled fabrics (collected from family members, thrift shops and yard sales) to stuffing each plush with plastic bags that would otherwise be destined for the landfill.  In fact, in every product description she notes how many bags were used to stuff that particular piece, so you can even picture the volume of plastic that is being repurposed.  How cool is that!?

ArtTales is currently hosting a giveaway on her blog, so if her creations sound like the kind of characters that you'd like to have around (and seriously, why wouldn't they?), head on over to enter it for yourself!  She's giving away three of her adorable plush sparrows, so you have three chances to win (:

The waiting game begins!

All of the sellers for the inaugural box have been assembled, and all that's left to do is to wait for the samples to arrive! (well, actually, most of them have arrived, so at this point we're just waiting for the last 3 or 4... but still, wait we must!)

In case you haven't ventured beyond this first page (and with all of these tantalizing photos, I really couldn't blame you...), I wanted to add a quick note about one of the things that makes the AmuseBoite a different breed of sampler. 

You may have noticed that I am *really* excited about the samples that I have to offer so far, and there's a very good reason for that.  I handpicked most of the sellers that are involved, and didn't include any items that I would not have paid for myself.  It's not enough that I'm crazy about the sampler's contents, however; I also want you to get excited about the contents, since that's what it's really all about!  To help ensure that you do, I have made a comprehensive list of all of the scents/colours/flavours/styles of items available to choose from, and the first 5 buyers will actually be able to choose the samples they want to receive.  If you'd prefer to be surprised by the contents, that's still an option, but this way you actually have the flexibility to make requests and to (hopefully) get what you really wanted to try, if you do have any preferences.  As I've mentioned on the other pages, it doesn't make much sense for me to send you a sample of lavender-scented lotion if you absolutely can't stand lavender (sorry lavender - I don't mean to keep picking on you!), so I want to do everything within my power to ensure that you get samples that you actually *want* to try.  The items will still be given out on a first-come-first-served basis, but please feel free to list any items you'd really like to try (or, conversely, scents or colours you'd prefer not to receive), and I'll certainly do my best to honour your request (:

I already have hold-requests for almost half of the available packages, so be sure to keep checking back to avoid missing out!  My guess is that they'll be up for sale mid-next week.  If you'd like me to email you the second they become available, send me an email and I'll do my best to make sure that you're the first to know (:

The last (but certainly not least!) seller addition!

That's it - we've got all of our sellers!

Our final and most recent additon is ivykeep - purveyor of gourmet loose tea leaves in fabulous flavours that you won't find at the grocery store.  Now I've been a coffee drinker for most of my adult life, but over the past year and a half I've started to get more into teas.  I'm a lady with simple tastes - plain ol' English Breakfast and Earl Grey (easy on the bergamot) are my go-to choices - but I'm also as curious as a cat, and so I find myself purchasing ever-more creative flavours on a whim.  I've actually tried ivykeep's teas before - a few months ago, a friend sent me a surprise gift with a bunch of samples of various handmade products (acquired via Etsy, no doubt), and ivykeep's After Dinner Mint tea was amongst them.  While never something I would have purchase for myself (remember: simple palate), I was very impressed by the lovely balance of sweet and minty.  Unlike most flavoured coffees and teas, it was sweet without being overpowering and I didn't get knocked over by the mint.  It was lovely and delicate - subtly sweet and smooth.  As a die-hard foodie, I would highly recommend it!

Come to think of it, those Jamaican Rum and Canadian Maple teas also sound very intriguing... (and yes, I am 'one of those Canadians' that puts maple syrup on everything. Can you blame us?  That stuff is liquid sunshine!)

Now I haven't really mentioned it (bad blogger!), mostly because I haven't been 100% sure about their commitment level, but we do have a number of other Etsy sellers who are involved in the Sampler packages.  Sellers like ASenseofPlacePhotography, and KissVamps who can't really produce samples of their work, but who want to contribute all the same.  While their additions won't count towards the total number of "samples" in the packages, they will be providing materials such as business cards, coupons/discounts, price lists, and/or postcards displaying their work, etc.  The more, the merrier, as I see it!

I think that's just about it for me today!

...wait, what was that?  You want another teaser?  Oh, alright - I suppose I can indulge your curiosity *once again*

Seriously, just look at that haul!  That's still only items from 11 of the sellers, which means that there will be almost twice as many samples before the boxes are ready to go.  I've literally got goosebumps just thinking about it (:

Don't forget to check the sellers out for yourselves!
cleanjellybean, BellaYarns, GreenLivingSoap, fbessentials, HoneyBeeSoapShop, SouthernVTsoap, littlewhitechapel, charmedincolorado, Dodeline Design, thepixie, NassimNaturals, SilverFirsFarm, ScentedLuxuries, SinfullySoyCandles, The Kupcake Shop, ClearwaterNaturals, LaConchitaNaturals, TwistsAndFacets, ivykeep

Variety is the spice of life...

...so I'm working hard to keep these Sampler contents diverse!

Here are the latest additions to the box:

ClearwaterNaturals - I am really excited about this addition, because I was looking *everywhere* in search of some awesome natural laundry detergent to include.  After all, as much as I love bath & beauty items, we can't have a whole box full of them!  All of her products are made from high-quality natural and organic ingredients, with no parabens or chemical ingredients.  She also sources a number of her ingredients locally, and even grows some of them herself.  Definitely a great shop to check out if you're looking for new personal care products, from soaps and facial care to laundry detergent.

LaConchitaNaturals  I've had my eyes on Conchita's powder face masks for ages now, and so I'm super thrilled to get to feature them!  I love finding solid/dry versions of the products I use, since they're so much greener - there's less energy wasted because there's no water to transport/ship and they need few or no preservatives - and they're also super convenient, especially for traveling.  They also allow a great degree of customization, since you decide what liquid to 'power' them with - honey, yogurt, water, just about anything goes! - AND you can use it as a facial scrub, a cleanser or a face mask.  What more could you ask for!?

TwistsAndFacets - because I love jewelry and accessories, I couldn't help but include more earrings in the Sampler (:  If you're looking for something fun and classy that would go with just about any outfit, Renée's creations are must-sees!  She offers a number of earring sets that incorporate pearls, wires, beads and more in simple yet sophisticated designs.  My favorites are the Silver Balls and the Super Star earrings.  Fabulous for a night out!

As always, I highly encourage you to check out our other contributors!
cleanjellybean, BellaYarns, GreenLivingSoap, fbessentials, HoneyBeeSoapShop, SouthernVTsoap, littlewhitechapel, charmedincolorado, Dodeline Design, thepixie, NassimNaturals, SilverFirsFarm, ScentedLuxuries, SinfullySoyCandles, and The Kupcake Shop

The last two contributors will be announced soon, and packages should be ready to go out by the end of the month (at the latest)!    

Want to be kept in the loop? 
Email me to be notified when the packages are up for sale (:

Apologies for a long delay, and a bit of a teaser!

Wow, it's been a while - I promise I wasn't slacking off!

These past few days have actually been quite busy as far as preparing for the Sampler goes. I managed to find the last few contributors I was hoping for, and the contents have started to arrive. It's like Christmas at my house! So many packages to open each day, and so many amazing contents... so you'll have to forgive me, since I couldn't help but post some teaser photos for you to drool over :Þ

...and that's only about half of it!  You have no idea how excited I am for these to be ready!
I hope you're excited too (:

Anyways, I hope that makes up for the recent lack of posts (:  I do have some more sellers to list, and I'm hoping to get around to the tomorrow.  At the rate that items are arriving, these Samplers should be up within the next week or two, so be sure to keep checking back!

More products to get you clean and green (:

I admit it - I have a bit of an obsession with bath and beauty products (as you may already be able to ascertain from the Sampler's contents...).  On the other hand, I also want to make sure there's as little repetition as possible in this package, so I've focused my efforts on finding great Etsy sellers that offer a variety of (non-soap) personal care products that will help you primp and preen while staying green (see what I did there? *cheesy grin*).  So who have we got?

cleanjellybean I'm *so* excited about this one!  Well, I am about all of the participating shops, but in this case the shop owner, Care, was such an absolute pleasure to deal with that I literally can't wait for the samples to arrive.  She started making soaps and lotions when her youngest (Mikey) was allergic to just about everything. She had to come up with something that would keep him rash free, soft and smelling good. After finding her handmade soaps and lotions worked the best, she began making different versions for friends and family. Before long the requests started rolling in. All Clean Jellybean products are tested before ever being sold to the public, so rest assured you are getting something that we truly believe you will love.  CleanJellybean offers tons of vegan products, including soap, lotions and bath teas, in a wide variety of scents.  All products are handmade in small batches, with the utmost care taken to ensure high quality from start to finish.  They're also made with sustainable palm oil (good news for orangutan lovers!) and phalate-free essential oils and fragrances, and with scents like "beach," "strawberry champagne" and "fresh rain" there are tons of great new summer loves just waiting to be discovered!

BellaYarns offers crochet face cloths, facial scrubbies, dish cloths, dish sponges, and bath and shower scrubbies (phew) in delightfully cheerful colours!  I'm also very excited about this addition to the Sampler, because I love the idea of finding simple ways to 'greenify' the things we already use on a daily basis.  A couple of months ago I stopped buying disposable cotton facial pads (also known as toner pads) and started using reusable flannelet pads and face cloths to wash and tone my face.  They're just as simple to use as their disposable counterparts, but they get way more mileage - I just toss them in the washing machine with the rest of my laundry to get them nice and clean after use.  The real difference is in how much I have managed to cut back on waste by using them; I definitely recommend making the switch.  Plus, with BellaYarn's colour names like "citrus punch" and "sunny orange," how could you not feel slightly uplifted every time you see them?  Her shop is definitely one worth checking out if you have been considering the switch from disposable to reusable!

and, the last Sampler-teaser for the day...
GreenLivingSoap offers soaps, balms and oils that are 100% natural!  I love when I can say that about a shop (:  But really, who better to describe the shop than its owner?  Here's what Esmeralda, the brains and the beauty behind GreenLivingSoap, has to say:
"The idea behind my shop is as follows: the more I see of commercial bath and body products, the less I like them. I don't want to buy expensive soap and creams where I'm maybe familiar with one or two ingredients and where I end up with lots of plastic and other packaging materials, so I started making my own.
As a biologist I love plants and the way they affect us. Sometimes it's their scent that brings back positive memories or calms the mind, or it's their beneficial properties for certain skin issues. All of my products are vegan, apart from some of my balms that contain beeswax. I believe in wholesome products from good sources and try to use as many fair trade and organic ingredients as possible."

Vegan, organic and fair trade with minimal packaging and an eco-conscious ethos?  Got my vote!

That's all for today, but remember to check out our other participating shops (you can also scroll down for more detailed descriptions of each shop, or click on the links to be magically transported to their shops):
fbessentials, HoneyBeeSoapShop, SouthernVTsoap, littlewhitechapel, charmedincolorado, Dodeline Design, thepixie, NassimNaturals, SilverFirsFarm, ScentedLuxuries, SinfullySoyCandles, and The Kupcake Shop

For those of you keeping track, that's 15 sellers involved so far.  I'm still in talks with a few other shops, but I do have one or two spots remaining for participating sellers.  If you're interested in getting your products in the AmuseBoite Sampler, send me a note at thepixieDOTetsy[at!]gmailDOTcom (or convo "thepixie", through Etsy) to get involved.  AmuseBoite is vegan- and vegetarian-friendly and eco-friendly - heck, it's all kinds of friendly!  In other words, I can't wait for your message (:

Be sure to check back later in the week for more updates!
We're in the final stretch - packages will soon be ready... (:

Good news for dirty vegans!

...well, good news for anyone dirty, really :Þ

More bath and beauty products have been added to the Sampler!

Here's whose products have been added so far this Easter weekend:

fbessentials (v) Flowery Branch Essentials handmakes her bath and beauty products in small batches using high-quality ingredients to ensure great products every time. Her shop features a wide variety of personal care and relaxation products such as shower bombs (bath bombs for the vertically-inclined), bath soaks, whipped sugar scrubs, hair care products and more! She also sells personalized lip balm or solid fragrance samplers that would be a fabulous Thank You gift to include with Etsy sales, or to use as favours at your party or shower. Most if not all of her products are also vegan and paraben-free.

HoneyBeeSoapShop  (v) Don't let the name fool you - all of HoneyBee's soaps are vegan!  These soaps are absolutely gorgeous to look at (they are even stamped with a little honeybee!), and luxurious to use.  They are all made the old-fashioned way - cold process - and come in fabulous scents like Mango Tea, Champagne and Wasabi!  Can't decide or won't commit?  Pick up the No Frills Sampler to take 5 soap scents for a test drive!

...and last but certainly not least!
SouthernVTsoap (v) offers not only soap, but also soy tarts, lip balms, solid perfumes, shea butter lotions, whipped scrubs and more!  All of her products are made using all-natural ingredients and formaldehyde- and paraben-free preservatives (where necessary), and they are all vegan.  With well over 150 different essential and fragrance oils to choose from, your only difficulty will be deciding where to begin!  Might I suggest the Pink Lemonade lip balm?  It's on my birthday wishlist this month (:

The sampler is very close to completion, but I'm still searching for a few last-minute additions. Do you have an Etsy shop you'd like to promote? Are your products vegan, organic, all-natural, fair trade and/or eco-friendly? If so, get in touch with me at thepixieDOTetsy[at!]gmailDOTcom and tell me all about your wares!

...and, of course, don't forget about our other participants so far!
littlewhitechapel, charmedincolorado, Dodeline Design, thepixie, NassimNaturals, SilverFirsFarm, ScentedLuxuries, SinfullySoyCandles, and The Kupcake Shop