Whimsy Spot

Happy Independence Day 🎆 🎇

Just added a new craft fair on June 9! Selling some brand new cards and prints ❤️🐼🐊 Would love to see y’all there at one or some of these!

This American alligator is so concerned he’s not scary enough he’s trying out a fake shark fin on for size!

This woodland squirrel is living his best city life as some street art! Who recognizes that skyline 😏🏙

On a scale of one to un-bear-able adoration, where are you when it comes to books? I’m all the way at the top 🥰📚❤️

This grizzly is showing off his library and providing some major shelf envy!

The Chinese Pangolin is one of eight types of pangolin in the world. As the world's most trafficked animal, these adorable, nocturnal creatures are in danger of disappearing forever.

This sea cow doesn't need anymore cow bell! This one’s for ❤️

This komodo dragon is busy guarding his treasure hoard!

This fennec fox is taking advantage of his fantastic hearing and enjoying some tunes!

Like other salamanders, axolotls can regenerate body parts--but in addition to limbs, they can regrow organs and even parts of their brain! That puts them squarely in the company of superheroes in our book.

My Etsy shop will be CLOSED from April 11-18th. However, my web shop will remain open at WhimsySpot.com - so please purchase there instead!

WHY ARE WE STRIKING?
Over the past few years, Etsy has made decision after decision that has negatively impacted small businesses. From fee increases, to turning a blind eye to the selling of counterfeit items, to favouring sellers able to offer free US shipping, to enrolling sellers in mandatory programs without our permission (like their offsite ads campaign which takes a huge cut of our sales and we can’t opt out of, or their star seller program which promotes unrealistic expectations for small businesses like responding to customers in under 24 hours, getting only good reviews, and including tracking on almost all shipments).

The last straw for many businesses was when Etsy announced ANOTHER fee increase, after also announcing that they had their most profitable year ever… gee, what a way to thank us!! 🙄

If you want to find out more about the strike, check out the informative posts by , , .co and others.

Please join us by not purchasing anything on Etsy this week, and let Etsy know that neglecting the needs of the very same businesses making them rich is not cool at all.

I would like to add, that some businesses rely on Etsy the sole source of their income. Some of these businesses may not be striking, which is absolutely valid and okay. Times are super hard right now and every sale counts! Reach out to see how you can best support Etsy sellers and small businesses during this time, whether or not they are joining the strike. H/t

Happy Lunar New Year!

Ravens have been known to offer "gifts" to humans who feed them or show them generosity. This one has quite a spooky collection to offer including: a skeleton key, wolf moss lichen, an animal bone, and a "turn of the screw."

I discovered in my research that the word reindeer comes from the Old Norse “hreinn” meaning reindeer and “dyr” meaning animal. So I brought this holiday friend back to its roots in a modified Ringerike style. Also, did you know? They are known as reindeer in Europe but in North America they’re called caribou!

As one of the largest domesticated cats with luxurious coats of fur, Maine C***s are often compared to lions. This one is taking her royal status very seriously! Also, did you know? Legend has it that Maine C***s are descended from six of Marie Antoinette's cats that were sent on a ship during the French Revolution. This crown is based on Marie Antoinette's monogram. 😃👑
This one’s for you

This sweet mouse has just closed on a new mouse hole!

Did you know? Hippos “sweat” a reddish substance that scatters light and acts as a natural sunscreen. This one, however, is taking no chances in the sun and is protecting his noggin!

This peacock is used to being fancy but insists on comfy footwear!

Can you guess what my next creature is? 🧐

Chambered Nautiluses can control their buoyancy...this one, however, is taking a break on an inner tube!

This cow just wants to be a carousel horse. Or as put it, maybe he wants to be on a cow-ousel!
Swipe to see my grandmother and the carousel horse she painted for a musical festival fundraiser back in 2004.

Thought this poodle prancing in puddles was going to go pretty quick and then it took much longer than I expected!

Well, it has been a LONG time since my last post. It’s been a doozy of a six months but finally back in the studio!
Japanese macaques love their hot springs, and this one’s enjoying his spa day in the hot tub!

My heart is breaking for my town and community. So many people displaced, several friends whose homes are lost. Hard to keep from crying over and over and hoping we won’t need to evacuate.

I managed to get in some work while we stayed indoors the last few days and made these bald eagles *nesting* 🦅🥚.

If you need a meal or laundry or anything else, we’re here and ready to help. Stay strong, Santa Cruz ❤️💔