TIME TO WEAR MY MOST BEAUTIFUL BAG AGAIN

- Rhodes, June 2012 -

It's time for my wonderful, beloved bag again! I am the lucky owner of an amazing hand crafted bag by Joan. I SO love this bag, and not "just" because it's one-of-a-kind and there is no-one else in the world having the same... I always feel like it's "alive", because I can feel the love and craftmanship which was put into this bag. There is so much love in this little bag. I love its little loving, handstitched details, I love the textures and colors, I love its totally unique quality. It fits my style so well... somewhere between bohemian, girlie and fairy-tale. I think that this bag and I were made for each other. Yes, it's a match made in heaven :) In spite of its girlie appearance, this bag is a high-quality piece made with high skill and haute-couture quality. Each detail is a piece of art in itself, the inner lining matching the outside in beauty and craftmanship. Besides being the most wonderful soul and doing amazing work in her cat sanctuary on Syros, Greece, Joan is a talented artist and has been a successful textile and accessories designer back in her Danish days -- her work being featured in magazines and carried by celebrity shops. But since she and her husband have chosen this little Greek island as their permanent home, Joan has found her true life path in helping cats in need. She is the most GENEROUS soul ever, and I feel so thankful for knowing her and for being able to call her my friend. A kindred soul for sure. If you don't know her yet, please read her heartmoving stories on her wonderful blog God's Little People.

- Syros, Greece, photo Joan Bowell -

- Turin, June 2013 -

A LITTLE REMINDER...

The auction at God's Little People is still going on! Some of my jewelry pieces are up for auction for helping the wonderful kitties my friend Joan rescues on a little Greek island! Please read more about it here. And remember that **** ALL OF THE PROCEEDS GO 100% TOWARDS FOOD, MEDICAL EXPENSES AND NEUTERINGS **** 

JEWELRY HELPS KITTIES!

My dear animal and kitty loving friends! Are you looking for a special, unique, meaningful, one-of-a-kind present for yourself or a loved one, while at the same time helping with a great cause? Here is a great way to do so! My friend Joan of God's Little People is doing wonderful, amazing, touching work to rescue cats and kittens in need on a small island of the Cyclades, Greece. Some of you may already have met her on my previous post here, for those of you who haven't I strongly recommend the read! Joan is a wonderful woman, whose heart never ceases to amaze me. Most of Joan's little rescues would never have had a chance to live if she hadn't rescued them... many of them suffering from severe health problems and denutrition. These wonderful rescued cats and kittens now live a happy and sheltered life in Joan's Cat Sanctuary, where Joan and her husband provide these sweet little babies not "just" with food and medical treatment, but with tons and tons of Love.

- Some of Joan's amazing little rescues -

Joan and I have joined forces to raise some more funds for the huge expenses she is facing for food, medical treatment and neuterings. Joan is now having a fundraising auction with some Annuk Creations handmade polymer clay pendants and Bastet cat brooches at her blog!

**** ALL OF THE PROCEEDS GO 100% TOWARDS FOOD, MEDICAL EXPENSES AND NEUTERINGS ****
If you are looking for a special gift for yourself or a loved one... here's a wonderful way to to do so in a really meaningful way!!!

Please read all the wonderful, moving stories of Joan's sweet little rescues on her wonderful blog God's Little People.

MEANINGFUL CHRISTMAS CARDS!

My friend Joan of God's Little People is doing wonderful, amazing, touching work to rescue cats and kittens in need on a small island of the Cyclades, Greece. Some of you may already have met her on my previous post here, for those of you who haven't I strongly recommend the read! Joan is a wonderful woman, whose heart never ceases to amaze me. Most of Joan's little rescues would never have had a chance to live if she hadn't rescued them... many of them suffering from severe health problems and denutrition. Joan is now offering wonderful cards with images of some of her gorgeous rescues. Each card is only 5$ (that's about 4€), and the proceeds go entirely towards food, medical expenses and neuterings. If you are looking for that special Christmas card... here's a wonderful way to to do so in a really meaningful way!!!

- back of cards, with quote from the Talmud -

Details directly on Joan's blog God's Little People. Rush because the number is limited!

BUY A BAG - HELP A KITTY!

You are still in time to get yourself one of Joan's amazing hadmade handbags, but hurry, because her auction closes on Friday, 18 May! Joan is doing an amazing job rescuing kittens and cats on a little island of the Cyclades in Greece, and she is now auctioning her wonderful handmade bags so as to raise funds for the much needed neuterings, vaccinations and medical expenses! Minimum bids start as low as 10$, and you will have a wonderful, absolutely unique and one-of-a-kind handbag whilst contributing to a great cause!
Hop over to Joan's blog God's Little People to see all the gorgeous handbags and... BUY A BAG -- HELP A KITTY!!!

**** ALL OF THE PROCEEDS GO TOWARDS FOOD, MEDICAL EXPENSES AND NEUTERINGS ****

You can read more about Joan's wonderful project directly on her blog God's Little People or in my previous post, where you can also see some of her gorgeous rescues. 

GOD'S LITTLE PEOPLE

Zoe's Kitty Party has been much more than just a "party"... We have met lots of sweet kitties from allover the world (and the Party is still open!) and lots of wonderful cat-Moms, and made some amazing friends. Today Zoe has asked me to talk about a special friend of kitties, who is doing an amazing and heartwarming work to help kitties in need on a Greek island...

What happens when art meets a huge love for animals? You meet Joan!
Joan is originally from Denmark but she lives on a small Cycladic island, in Greece. She is a talented artist and has been a successful textile and accessories designer back in her Danish days -- her work being featured in magazines and carried by celebrity shops. But since she and her husband have chosen this little Greek island as their permanent home, Joan has found her true life path in helping cats in need.
Before moving permanently, Joan had already spent her spare time looking up websites run by people rescuing Greek animals (cats in particular) and she helped them as much as she could from a distance. She says: "I felt such an urge to hold and to heal the horribly looking little cats (an to give them a loving home really). Well that all became very real when we moved here two years ago, even though I initially felt a bit daunted by the prospect when the first sick cats began to appear on my doorstep. In no time 2 became 10, 10 became 20, 20 became 30 - and yes, I've sadly lost two of my most incredible rescues (also a precious girl named Noona) but the numbers are still counting. And now I actually have to deliberately look away as I have reached an absolute limit around my own home. Yes, if I won a million or more I know exactly how I would spend them!!".

- Pesto -

Joan is a courageous woman who has found her own inner balance in putting her artistic talents to the service of her sweet, little rescues. She says: "It was a really bad winter. But a life is always replaced by another cat in dire need and I do find it deeply frustrating just how many cats are in need of rescuing. I've completely had to alter my view of what a "real" desperate cat looks like. Nothing like my former view that each cat belongs indoor on a soft duvet!! Within the last 1 1/2 years I've rescued 30+ cats - half of them have just simply appeared on our doorstep as they have had nowhere else to turn. We live in a nature preserved valley where there's only two other houses inhabited during the winter time and I know they don't have the same care for the cats. Hence the many drop-ins (which never leave again!). Over time it's become a very large expense and I've now decided to combine my artistic skills with trying to raise funds for the cats. It's really a marriage of my two major passions. I have a background with a study in fashion design, and I've had my own small company designing and creating handbags and accessories on and off for the last 13 years. Recently I've found my passion for illustrating and watercolour again and I hope to get more time with that. I've got many muses and the cats always inspire an image inside my head!".

Joan has devoted her wonderful blog God's Little People to her wonderful rescues: just look at all those little faces and you will understand what moves Joan's heart in this everyday mission, through hardships, distray and sheer sadness. "A wise man once introduced me to the term 'Gods Little People' when talking about animals. The words are so endearing and so full of kindness and compassion that they've stuck with me ever since".

"Their common well-being is such a never ending source of joy" -- this in my turn is the sentence that has stuck with me... it says it all! How does she get the strength in the hardest moments? "I cannot describe my hearts joy at seing each little rescued life gaining renewed confidence and blooming - and becoming beautiful and full in their rightful way. It's rich beyond words to sit at a distance and see them play and romp and strike up odd little friendships. It is very satisfying and makes my heart feel so full". All her rescues live a sheltered life inside a private sanctuary of over 30 cats - safely set in a nature preserved area. But you can read the full story directly on Joan's blog!!!

Joan sells her wonderful textile art accessories through fundraising auctions on her blog, she has an Etsy shop called Saints and Apostles, and she currently has a fundraising auction on her blog. 

**** ALL OF HER PROCEEDS GO TOWARDS FOOD, MEDICAL EXPENSES AND NEUTERINGS ****

Just pop over to her blog, and if you are interested in her wonderful work and at the same time wish to help her with her wonderful cat sanctuary, you can take take part in the auction (the purses are amazing!!!) or contact her directly. 

And these are just a FEW of Joan's adorable rescues... Each one of them (and ALL the others too!!) a precious little soul saved from hardships and often death, and now living a safe life full of love and care.

- Ellie -

This sweet kitten was found in a state of hypothermia only 10 days old and abandoned by her feral kitty mom after two days of torrential down pour. Ellie wouldn't have lasted more than a few hours (if even that) when she was found. She has been bottle fed and has grown to be a strong and playful kitten. This image is from her first day in the garden.

- Benji -

This beautiful boy named Benji lived a rough "dumpster" life by the side of a busy road and was rescued last winter when one day Joan found him badly mauled and with a flu. He was in such a bad state that it was touch and go for 3 or 4 days but then he slowly began his healing process. Joan tells us that "today he has grown into a huge fluffy lion with a giant lion-heart. He is infinitely kind and is especially good at helping small kittens integrate into our little sanctuary. This is a recent image of Benji in a quiet moment overlooking the Aegean sea".

- Tiny -

Tiny was found as a feral kitten last winter severely weakened from a serious respiratory infection. The vet didn't think he would make it! After a long time of treatment he finally recovered and today he is a goofy and loving young boy.

- Rosie -

This sweet girl was rescued as a kitten, where Joan found her unable to move from severe emaciation. Rosie was in such a weakened state that she only started moving around after 12 days of complete rest. She has now made a beautiful recovery and is a happy and strong-minded cat with a not surprisingly healthy appetite!

- Rufus -

This handsome boy is Rufus. He was found in a town park 8 weeks old and severely emaciated. He lived off dumpster scraps and today - even on a quality diet - still suffers from chronic diarrhea. Otherwise Rufus is a healthy charismatic teddy-bear with a very great and vocal personality.

- Toddy -

This is lovely Toddy! Here he was 11 weeks old. He was found abandoned in the side of a road when he was only 6 weeks old and with a bad case of skin fungus. He has recovered well and is utterly sweet and charming.

And here are just a few of Joan's stunning handbags! Please see more on her blog and... remember that each single cent of her proceeds goes towards medical expenses, vaccinations, neuterings and will go exclusively towards helping kitties in need. Be the proud owner of a high-quality designer handmade handbag whilst helping with a wonderful project! Art meets animal love!!!