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Helping Japan Auction: Angry Birds

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By now I’m sure you’ve read the Craft Gossip announcement about all of the auctions going on this week from each of the different editors. You can bid on books, craft items, kits, jewelry, and now, you can bid on this set of Angry Birds I made from cardboard tubes. I made these yesterday especially for this auction and I hope that in the spirit of giving someone will win these little cuties for the greater good. ALL PROCEEDS will go to The Salvation Army specifically for the relief effort in Japan due to the devastating earthquake and tsunami.

If you live in the United States Craft Gossip will pay your shipping so that every penny out of your pocket goes directly to Japan. If you live outside of the United States you may bid, however you will be responsible for the shipping cost as well.  At the conclusion of the auction, the highest bid will be the winner and Paypal payment will be due at that time.  If the winning bidder doesn’t make the payment within 3 days, we will select the next highest bidder.

Please, this is for a good cause. If you need a reminder of what it’s like there, watch this — Scariest video of the Japan tsunami

BIDDING STARTS at $9.00 but hopefully your generosity will allow for a higher ending bid and we’ll be able to make a difference. To place a bid, leave your amount in the comments. Bidding ends on April 7, 2011.

Thank you all for being loyal readers of Craft Gossip!

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Comments

  1. I would like to bid $12 for this set. My son loves Angry Birds and he’d really like to own these!

  6. Hi Barbara, and thanks for your bid! A $20 bid came in just a few hours before yours but the comment was not live yet. Would you like to up your bid?

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Have you read?

Building with Nature: My Experience with Natural Birdhouses

If you’re someone who enjoys DIY woodworking projects and has a soft spot for garden wildlife, Natural Birdhouses by Maria and Amen Fisher is a must-read. I picked this book up recently and have been completely inspired by the earthy, sustainable approach it offers to building homes for birds, bats, and even beneficial bugs.

What really drew me in was the focus on using found wood and natural materials—think branches, logs, reclaimed boards, and other bits of nature you can often source from your own backyard or a nearby forest. Not only does this make the projects eco-friendly, but it also gives everything a beautiful, rustic feel that blends effortlessly into any garden or backyard setting.

The book includes 25 step-by-step projects, all clearly explained and illustrated, which makes it accessible for both beginner and seasoned crafters. Even if you don’t have a fully-equipped workshop, most of these can be tackled with just a few basic tools and a bit of patience.

I started with a simple birdhouse design, using some weathered fence boards I had stashed in the shed. The instructions were easy to follow, and I was surprised how quickly it came together. Within a couple of days of putting it out in the garden, a curious little sparrow showed up—talk about instant reward! I’ve since bookmarked the bat box project and one of the insect hotel builds for next weekend.

What I really love about this book is that it’s not just about crafting; it’s about encouraging wildlife and creating a more natural, welcoming habitat right in your own yard. It’s a great way to involve kids, too—mine were fascinated by the idea of building a bug hotel and couldn’t wait to help collect materials.

If you’re looking for nature-inspired DIY garden projects that not only look good but also serve a purpose, Natural Birdhouses is full of ideas that check all the boxes. It’s creative, environmentally conscious, and a great way to spend time outdoors while giving something back to the ecosystem.

I’d definitely recommend this to anyone into sustainable gardening, backyard birdwatching, or rustic outdoor décor. Let me know if you give it a try—I’d love to hear what you build!