Willie & Lu: January 2011

When we opened our shop in 2009, we pledged to give AT LEAST 20% of our profits to organizations devoted to improving our world, including environmental/animal charities, humanitarian groups, education/arts organizations, etc..

In 2010, we were fortunate enough to be able to donate over $300 to TRULY worthy organizations, including local public schools (Community Magnet Elementary School in Los Angeles) and humanitarian groups involved in everything from relief efforts in Haiti (Doctors Without Borders) to creating affordable housing to homeless people locally and worldwide (Habitat for Humanity).

In the wake of the BP oil spill that devastated our Gulf Coast, we decided to earmark our contributions to organizations involved in the cleanup of the oil spill, including all aspects of repairing the damaged lands and waters, as well as rescuing the endless animals whose bodies and habitats were destroyed by this heinous disaster. In March, our commitment to the Gulf was "until further notice," which, sadly, ended up being the rest of the year -- April through December--and could very well go into 2011. Our contributions to the Gulf included the Tri-State Bird Rescue, Nature Conservancy, Conservation International, and the Audobon Society.

Most of the fall and ALL of the winter has been dedicated to the Sierra Club, which has been engaged in everything from tending to oil-soaked birds to restoring wetlands. Like all of the above agencies, the Sierra Club's already huge workload and extensive efforts around the world has been burdened greatly by the oil spill, so hopefully donations like ours will enable each of these groups to continue restoring and renewing wildlife and wilderness worldwide.

This year, we'd like to spread the wealth, so to speak, and ask that our customers, friends, and family help us pick the organizations we'll support. PLEASE drop us a line; tell us your favorite charities and tell us a little bit about what makes them deserving. If there's a group you think we should AVOID, tell us that too.

Our January/February recipient will be the Peregrine Fund of Boise, Idaho. Stay tuned for information about this fantastic organization that is VERY near and dear to us.

Thank you for your support, and for helping to make a small difference in a world full of need.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

xo

jools, jeremy, lucy & aidan

FREE Shipping and Holiday SALE END January 10!!!

Hurry to the shop and pick out your favorite items; we'll hold an item for up to 5 days, and honor Free Shipping & Sale Prices, as long as your request is received by midnight on January 10!

USE COUPON CODE BLOGSPOTROCK FOR 10% OFF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER AT WILLIE AND LU!

*****

~ 2010 TREASURY OF TREASURIES ~

For a fresh start in 2011, we're moving the list of all the treasuries in which we were included here. Luckily for us, it's a long list! It's absolutely not too late to check them out; in fact, I think it's the most interesting way to shop Etsy, especially when I can't quite figure out what direction I want to go. Even the Christmas/holiday treasuries are full of gorgeous items you couldn't find anywhere else. So take another look. I'm betting you'll see something you missed before and LOVE this time around! We've got a few of our own collections in here, and we'd be honored if you'd check them out!

~~~~~~ Start with OURS~~~~~~~~

1. In honor of our Kansas home, we at Willie & Lu have put together a really beautiful Treasury, full of the greens, golds, browns, and reds the hills and grasslands. PLEASE visit: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c5eec9ad2856d91f0141daa/autumns-gold-on-the-horizon?index=0

2. Our second treasury is all things coffee-minded and blue -- think jazz and poetry and a moody rainy night: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c426f8f57e06d91699a8071/jamaica-blue

3. And finally... Please visit OUR first, perpetual Treasury,
which is mostly my very own wish-list: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4bf5af8fcb026d91113b1b32/and-the-winner-is

NOW FOR THE REST ~ They really ARE terrific:

~ Seasons do change (even in California!), as shown here: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c990169305f8eefe92a19b3/seasons-change#4c993a5b94f06d9184d799ff

~ Who doesn't like things that shine, sparkle, and shimmer??? http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c999c0694f06d914b5eb4ff/oooooo-shiny

~ An extremely yummy, icy collection: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4ce6b6f70ba36d9178b489bd/balls-of-snow-and-stars-of-ice?index=25

~ The Holiday Spirit is still alive -- even after Christmas! : http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d065f7940036d91cb0f1b87/berry-christmas?index=0

~ Gorgeous shimmery shiny whites for winter and BEYOND: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4cf2d265974d6d91a19072c6/clearlyits-beginning-to-look-a-lot-like

~ A delicious collection that transcends the holidays: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4cf7323047e78eef0dbfbf47/cranberry-kisses-and-mint-delights

~ ...and another super-luscious collecton of shimmer and shine:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4ce7324002906d911404bd80/christmas-shimmer

~ Skies of blue, birds on the wing, and beauty abounds: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4ced7cfb4ad68eefea44142d/pine-in-the-sky?index=2

~ Deep reds & oranges warm heart and soul in

our friend Wendy's gorgeous Treasury:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4cf19bcd89dd8eef6bd3b306/a-visual-feast-of-red-orange?ref=pr_treasury

~ Umber is perfect for EVERY season:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4cdc69910deb8eefe126ee86/burnt-umber

~ Amber and white, lacy winter images: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4cd6c292ab3a6d913d54d428/winter-pastels

--:}> Two "Buy In" Treasuries: When you purchase an item from the collection, the curator will replace it with something from YOUR shop! How cool is that?!?

#1: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4ccf4043946f8eefcba298b6/buy-in-treasury-no-minimum-open

#2: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4cc0b97db4676d91ff22077e/buy-in-treasury-no-minimum-open

~ Behold, a great gift list:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4cbffed8b4676d913023dd7d/what-i-want-for-christmas-d

~ The rich golds of autumn look good all year 'round: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4cb322e0b3b06d91043c1eaf/autumn-sunshine

~ Feeling ALL the Colors of the Seasons (including our new favorite earrings): http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4cab6f2fd6fe6d912b502335/shades-of-brown-and-orange

~ More WARM colors:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4cad54d8edd16d9178dae921/autumn-splendor?index=0

~ Gorgeous crisp, bright colors come alive in this Treasury: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4ca15bb60d0c6d918108cf9a/cheerful-fall-of-epic-brightness

~ Monarch Tapestry, oh-so-regal!: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4cad80fe2e2f8eef7de0234f/monarch-tapestry

~ Big Beads, for your viewing pleasure! http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4ca80bb1f0306d91db53a1b5/i-like-big-beads-and-i-can-not-lie

~ It's not red -- It's CRIMSON!:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4ca3988fc9fe8eef969aeac3/crimson-charm#4ca4b34729de6d912f5ebd27

~ Hopefully you'll want to take ME on a trip to Italy when you view this Treasury: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c917b37b4a86d91869b44d9/i-could-get-lost-in-italy

~ View sunsets galore, in all their radiant colors, in this lovely Treasury: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c77b08e71896d91f90e2bf5/sunset?index=0

~ The most exquisite shades of Peachy-Greens are in this lovely Treasury: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c518ac8bb2d6d91d761876b/fresh-p-e-a-c-h-y-g-r-e-e-n

~ ...and OH the gorgeous colors of Clementine Sky!: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c3fba21f5eb8eef99ba5d21/clementine-sky

~ Reds and Blues are right all year round : http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c431c39c9fe8eefc84c9918/blooms-of-red-and-blue#4c432b8757e06d9162b29271blue#4c432b8757e06d9162b29271

~ Rings, Rings, Rings!:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c255e70e8a08eef7ef0a586/rings-and-rings-and-rings

~ Intergalactic fun, in this groovy, STELLAR collection: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c325f180a006d91900b806f/roswell-that-ends-well

~ Pretty pretty pretty reds and blues:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c3276288c818eeffe7983fa/red-robin

~ --} Beautiful items ON SALE:

1. http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c6131d3290a8eefa6b9159f/sunny-days-summer-sale?index=0

2. http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c449e463f476d915d473628/the-best-sales-on-etsy

3. http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c470b615aaf6d91f4e82577/colorful-sale

==== GIVING BACK! ====

Because of our pledge to contribute a portion of our profits to charity, we've been included in many BEAUTIFUL Treasuries that feature shops that "give back." Many focus on the Gulf Coast, as a large number of Etsy artisans and shopowners (including Willie & Lu) sent their support to agencies involved in cleanup (in its myriad facets) of the BP Oil Spill. Please check out each of these collections and click on each selection; all purchases help the many agencies involved in oil cleanup, wildlife rehab, and humanitiarian aid. PLEASE visit:

*** In the following collections, each included shop contributes a portion of

its proceeds to worthy causes***

Shop For Good:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c451ac8c9fe8eef5184e318/shop-for-good?index=0

Artists Give Back
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4cba6f5b56068eefbaff8d6b/help-me-help-you-etsy-artists-give-back

Philanthropic Bliss

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c56083af5456d91d4adca3d/philanthropic-bliss-beautiful-gifts-that

Beneficial

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c3802214fcf6d919457a0f0/beneficial

HELPING THE GULF COAST

"Give to the Gulf Coast":

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c23f9e836a46d9123fe9e3c/give-to-the-gulf-coast