Great gifts for the animal lover in your life!

Hello!  You all know how much I love to look for animal related finds on Etsy...well, I thought I'd post about some of the finds that I think would make great gifts for an animal lover.  It never hurts to start thinking about what to get friends and family for gifts a bit early.  Wouldn't you be thrilled to get your Christmas shopping done before Christmas Eve this year?  And, if you buy something handmade from my Etsy finds list not only are you getting something unique and much more exciting than a store bought gift, you are also helping out an artist and showing your support for buying handmade! 

Karen Nordstrom's store, nosetotail, has the most adorable miniature felted animals.  She's inspired by cuteness to create her ornaments, key chains, charms and tiny sculptures.  Look at this teeny chihuahua key chain or purse charm:

Chihuahua Key Chain or Purse Charm by nosetotail

Now, isn't he something?  His face shows that true chihuahua personality too! If dogs aren't your thing, Karen also has mini kitties, a skunk, cougar, wolf and a little lop earred bunny.  Some of her creations are even all dressed up for Halloween.  Another great thing about her Etsy shop is most of the items are around $25.00, with none more than $35.00.

Do you know someone that takes their pets with them everywhere they go?  They may just love a DiBA Dog Tag necklace from Dianne's shop, DiBAdog.  Her pendant necklaces, bracelets and keychains are custom made from a picture of your own pet! 

Custom Bracelet with Your Pet as a Pendant by DiBAdog

You just e-mail your pet's photo to Dianne and she designs the pendant, hand cuts, solders and finishes it. She puts so much time and love into each piece.  Imagine your favorite friend as a wearable work of art.  Your purchase will also help out another animal in need, Dianne will donate a portion from every sale on Etsy to the Toronto Humane Society. 

None of us have spoiled pets, now do we?  Okay, well maybe a little bit... Your furry child (or grandchild?)may be needing a new place to lay his little head at night.  How about getting him a brand new bed made with upcycled pallets?  I love Jessi LeLievre's salvaged wood pallet dog bed from her and her husband's shop triple7recycled:

Salvaged Wood Pallet Dog Bed with burlap by triple7recycled

I think her chihuahua Merle loves his bed, wouldn't your dog too?  I think it's great they are coming up with fun ways to reuse materials that could end up in a landfill.  We should all do our part to reduce, reuse and recycle to help out our planet.

Want something one of a kind, beautiful and custom for your pet loving friend to hang on their wall?  I simply adore the unique creations of Mimi in her Etsy shop, mimilove.  Here's an example of what she can create for you:

Pet Portrait painting and embroidery by mimilove

Mimi combines either watercolors or acrylic paints with embroidery to make her custom pet portraits that showcase the beauty of your pet.  The way she embroiders on top of the painting really adds a unique touch to her work.  She incorporates what you tell her about your pet's favorite things or personality to make something really meaningful and extra special.

My last find of the day is a beautiful pottery bowl that would really delight a bird lover on your list!  Look at MarciG's creation:

Bird pottery bowl by MarciG

These bowls are finished with a food safe glaze so they can be used as a small dish for dessert or can even be finished with a wire for hanging on a wall.  Teen artist Marci has a cute selection of functional stoneware pottery in her Etsy shop that includes flowers, owls and doves.  She hand builds her pieces from paper patterns and uses stamps (some of which she created herself) for the designs. I hope you'll check out her Etsy shop and see what she has to offer.

That wraps up my great gift ideas for the animal lover for today. These would be really lovely and unexpected gifts for the people on your gift list.  If you like my ideas, check back again because I plan to do a few more lists between now and Christmas!  Have fun shopping!