One of our goals for 2010 was to be more consistent with this newsblog – posting updates weekly. We stood ground for most of the year and didn’t really ever fall off course. However, I noticed that if I didn’t post a blog today, we’d have gone 3 weeks without one. Yikes. Couldn’t allow that to happen. I think we got some explainin’ to do. Alright here goes. Remember all those doc visits and bed-rest we noted in previous posts last month? Well, here’s the story: Malathip and I are expecting a child! For some, this may have been obvious, but rather than keep the rest of our wonderful fans and supporters in the dark, I’d like to alleviate all concerns and worries and give you all a bit of good news. With that said, we are super thrilled and bracing ourselves for the challenges of running a business and raising an awesome kid.

Still, there is a bunch going on. We will be making a cameo at the Crafts in Chelsea next weekend and we submitted a bid for BUST’s 2010 Holiday Craftacular. We may be expecting, but we are not dormant. Malathip has been toiling away, sketching out new pieces and she even started painting a new one (albeit much more methodically since her back hasn’t necessarily cooperated). She has also been mentioned in a nice little write-up in Victoria Klein’s Blog (thanks Victoria!). And last but certainly not least, her Owl Painting “Do You Think Spring Is Here?” is now featured on a Free Owl-Lover downloadable calendar courtesy of My Owl Barn! Get yours today.

While our esteemed founder has been reluctantly resting (per doctor’s orders) and besides working my usual husbandly care and duties, I’ve also been tweaking the website as it is evolving over time. So I want to take this moment to illustrate what I’ve been doing under the hood and what our awesome supporters and friends can expect in the coming months as we sneak into Fall and Winter and the close of a nice 2010 season.

First off, I’ve been reorganizing our online store. If you haven’t noticed, there is now a product filter at the top of all shop pages to help you better navigate our extensive catalogue. I will be moving the checkout and policies text to the store as well and out of our primary navigation in the next week. Also, a big change that is coming this holiday season: we will be offering bundled sets of notecards that you can create yourself in place of the individual card sales. An exciting and neat feature we’re hoping to roll out after a little bit of testing and QA making sure I don’t mess up the coding of the cart. These tweaks will certainly keep me busy this fall as we get closer and closer to holiday season. I’m also happy to annouce that we’ve placed some strategic advertising on crafty sites to keep spreading the word and raising awareness about endangered animals. In all – busy busy.

I’d also like to open up the floor to take any suggestions or requests that you’d like to see on our website to help us improve the entire experience. What would you like to see added? Changed? Send us a note as we’d love to hear your ideas!

Yesterday, CNN ran a feature article on the battle to preserve Nigeria’s rainforest. The startling figure they posted was that less than 10% of the forests are still standing there.Deforestation due to logging has been a focal concern in the plight of many endangered animals that we’ve covered over the years in EcoPatterns, and there is no doubt in our minds that the current situation in Nigeria is negatively affecting countless populations of animals at risk. Of course, the primary issue is overpopulation and the growing need for land in areas. Since we cannot possibly stunt the growth of our species in any ethical manner, we must think of ways to solve this problem so we don’t dramatically wipe out the very resources and life this planet thrives on.

Famous comedian George Carlin once said there exists an abundance of land that is currently wasted on nonsense – cemeteries and golf courses. Rather than dig up a bunch of rainforests that are the heart and lifeblood of this planet – we should focus our attention and resources and get creative on how to solve overpopulation issues. Failure to do so will inevitably lead to the slow, painful extinction of another species much more familiar – ourselves.

Although it is a deeply ingrained part of some national cultures worldwide, Bullfighting is also a very sad sport that generally concludes with the killing of the bull, and sometimes of the matador. Last week, I saw a news clip of a bull jumping into the stands in Spain and attacking fans further demonstrating the very dangerous, brutal aspect of the spectacle. Now, I am not launching into an animal rights monologue or extended preaching, but honestly – get it together, people! We are living in the 21st century, yet folks are still mired in ritualistic recreations. If it were critical to the advancement or survival, health of our species, I wouldn’t be writing this. But, it’s not.

Despite our objective being focused on endangered animals, we do like to spotlight the ill-intent of human behaviour. Because we are invariably responsible for not only the continuity of our species, but the conservation of the natural world. Yes, it’s a big responsibility to shoulder. But we are an intelligent species, with high capabilities, with rapidly advancing technology and science. We can split atoms and send messages outside of our solar system – yet we still have a man in colorful regalia and dress cape, taunting, stressing and ultimately killing a defenseless animal that has no choice but to be thrust into the action. We must stop this primitive, ritualistic nonsense.