Rare Bird Finds

Comic Strip Picture Frame

When I am not posting on Rare Bird Finds, I am a comic book letterer, so I kind of get a kick out of this comic book picture frame. It has six panels for you to tell your photo story and comes with a selection of what they call "speech bubbles" but I would call "word balloons." A nice way to commemorate a special day or several special days, and it's got geek cred to boot! $17.99 at Perpetual Kid.

Sponsor Spot: Adopt an Alien (www.etsy.com/shop/adoptanalien)

 

We at Rare Bird Finds simply adore the shop Adopt An Alien: Creatures by Lindsey Banker.   There are so many aliens who need a loving home - won't you find a place in yours for one of these cute little guys?  Each alien is carefully handcrafted by artist Lindsey Banker and are each infused with their own personality and spunk.  No two aliens are alike and are completely one-of-a-kind. There's a slogan at the shop - "Adopt an Alien and Adopt a Smile", and honestly, can anyone look into these faces and not smile?  Heck, I'm smiling right now as I write this! (The blue little girl with the tongue sticking out who is pictured above has me completely smitten).  Plus, every alien comes with his or her very own birth certificate.

Adopt An Alien carries aliens in all shapes and sizes.  We like the convenience of adopting a little alien that's also a handy keychain.  Your keychain buddy will help you easily find your keys in the bag by making it easy to grab, and will also keep you company wherever you go.  Good things do happen in small packages, and these alien keychains are the perfect example!  Plus, they're supercute!

If size matters and the little guys are a tad too little, definitely check out the full line of adoptable bigger sized aliens.  You can hold them, squeeze them and love them.  There are even adorable conjoined aliens that need a forever home

If you celebrate Easter, and you're looking for an Easter basket that isn't your run-of-the-mill bunnies and eggs theme, consider giving the gift of an alien Easter gift basket.  They're filled with aliens, candy, toys  and love. You even get your pick of aliens!

What just floors me about the creatures at Adopt an Alien is the delightful expression on their faces.  They really do make you want to take them home and hug them.  These are toys that are works of art.

If you would like an alien but have something specific in mind, Adopt an Alien takes custom orders.

Lucky Rare Bird Finds readers get 10% off their alien adoption cost!  Use coupon code RAREALIENBIRD to get your discount.  Yay!

 

Gold Lace Medallion Necklace

Sometimes you stumble upon a jewelry piece that just makes your heart patter and you say an audible, "Oooh!"  That's what I did when I saw this gold lace medallion necklace.  Imagine how gorgeous and stunning this lace necklace would look paired with a low-neck dress, with an open-neck shirt or even over a fitted T-shirt.  I love that it's delicate lace and yet it's still bold and full of personality.  This is certainly not your grandma's gold necklace!  If gold isn't your thing, it's also available in copper. $36 at Topiary Designs - and be sure to check out the shop's other lace jewelry - v. pretty!

JUST ADDED:  Rare Bird Find readers get 30% off!  Good until April 18, 2011.  Enter code RareBirds and save!

Your Actual Kiss Image in Fine Silver

Sweetly sentimental and a little bit sexy, this kiss keychain would make a nice gift from a bride to a groom, or maybe to a husband who travels a lot. Send your lip print off to the artist and they will create a copy in relief or stamped on to silver. You can even customize more with your choice of rings and messages. $55 at Surfing Silver.

Comic Headbands

My favorite part of watching the old Batman series was the Bam!  Pow!  Boom!  whenever someone got punched.  Loved the bright colors and the big words.  Now you can have it, too, on your head!  These comic headbands come in a variety of popular embroidered sayings and colors.  $23 at Janine Basil

Squid Tea Towels

These squid tea towels make me happy.  Love the unusual design and the bright color.  Available in a variety of other colors.  $30 for a set of two at Squid Ink Kollective

LAST DAY to Enter CONTEST! Win the SnackTime Survival Kit ($49.95 value)

 

For details on how to enter, read the all about it here.

Ms. Pacman Pasties

 

I felt like getting a little risque today with my posting. Hence, you are viewing these lovely, Ms. Pacman pasties.  They're called "Ghost Hunter burlesque pasties" but we know who the bowed lady is wink wink.  How about covering parts of your ladies in these hmmm?  Only $22 at Pretty in Pasties

Cooking for Geeks Cookbook

Do you ever wonder about the science that makes a dish work or flop?  If you're into making food but you also want to understand the how and the why,then you should check out Cooking for Geeks: Real Science, Great Hacks, and Good Food. It will tickle your mind and your tastebuds. $18.74 at Amazon

Mustache Eyeglass Stand

If you wear glasses (like me!) you know how useful an eyeglass stand would be on your nightstand, except most eyestands are pretty boring.  Not this mustache one!  Not only is it simply fabulous, it's also quite dashing.  $30 at ArtaKimbo

Robby the Raccoon

This adoreable brooch features a Zorro-esque raccoon named Robby.  He is completely modled by hand.  He'd look adorable pinned on your cardigan!  $56 at Rochelles Little Ones

Baseball Prep Bowls

Here's a cute gift for the culinary and baseball inclined. Prep bowls come in super handy and if you aren't a cook, cereal fits in there just fine too. And they'd be great for all those baseball watching parties you keep saying you'll have. $19.95 at Patina.

Steamboat Stomp Tee

If there is one thing I can count on in this world, it's that Shanalogic will ALWAYS have something cool in stock. If you don't usually look there for gifts, I highly recommend it. And I also recommend this cute Steamboat Stomp tee for fans of that Mario game thingy. I've said it before, I'm not a gamer, but who can resist these cute characters re-imagined as classic '20s style cartoons? Not I. $21 at Shanalogic.

Crab Claw Cufflinks

These sterling silver cufflinks would be equally at home at a preppy wedding at Martha's Vineyard or on the fan of Deadliest Catch. That's how cool they are. Let's face it, cufflinks don't get worn that often, but they do make a very cool gift. $95 at Red Sofa

Two Headed Bird Figurine

 

If you like the weird and the curious, this artist creates sideshow figurines that would be worthy of your collection.  This two-headed bird figurine is my personal favorite.  $35 at SNEW

CONTEST! Win the SnackTime Survival Kit ($49.95 value)

The folks at Beanstalk Express (www.beanstalkexpress.com) has created this fun, innovative way to teach kids healthy eating habits.  The kit includes a wooden clock and 33 snack cards.  Every morning, you pick 4 - 6 snack cards from the deck.  Your child picks their 3 snack cards for the day. You then set the control clocks to the desired snack times and hang the snack cards on the corresponding hooks.  And your child keeps an eye on the clock to alert you when it's snacktime!  Of course, you'll have to actually serve the snack when it's time...:)

The folks behinds Beanstalk Express are parents, and they had this to say, "Food marketers have been making junk food fun for decades. So what if we made healthy choices just as much fun? We decided to try it … and it worked! When you empower children with the ability to make their own choices, amazing things happen! At Beanstalk Express, we make healthy fun! And in the process, they become habit!"

You can win your very own SnackTime Survival Kit ($49.95 value!).  Open to US residents only.  All you have to do is leave a message in the comments area of this blog post with your name, mailing address (in case you win!), and your favorite healthy snack.  All comments will be left unpublished so that no one else can read them except us at Rare Bird Finds.  If you're reading this via FaceBook, LiveJournal or any other place that isn't on the Rare Bird Finds blog, please visit this blog post on the Rare Bird Finds blog to enter.  One lucky winner will be chosen at random.  Contest ends Wednesday March 30, 2011.

 

Mounted Deer Wall Sconce

How much will you laugh having this faux taxidermy deer with lit antlers in your home?  It would bring me great joy every time I turned this sconce on.  $125 (customized bulbs if you choose are an extra $25) at Born An Old Soul

Green Reptile Taxidermy Eye Steampunk Ring

I think this steampunk ring made from clock parts and a taxidermy reptile eye looks pretty darn cool.  It will definitely draw attention!  $55 at Catherinette Rings

Concrete Johnny Head Tea Light Holder

These concrete tea light holders are shaped like baby doll heads which will either creep you out or make you swoon.  Personally, I swoon when I look at them.  I live in the Pasadena area in California, and have RBF writer Sheri to thank for introducing me to the shop.  It's really a feast for the eyes.  If you're in the area, definitely drop by the retail store!  $25 at Gold Bug

Zombie Love, Wedding Portrait - Altered Vintage Plate

For you zombie lovers, here's a beautiful zombies wedding portrait that's both an art piece and functional.  Can be used for dining or hung on the wall.  The shop carries a variety of plate designs that are really worth checking out.  $29 (on sale) at Beat Up Creations

Hedgehog Bowl

So adorable, this hedgehog bowl is handcrafted and food-safe, and will surely bring a smile to the dinner table.  $49 at Maid of Clay

Atari Six Pack

I've long been a fan of the work of Rakkadeer. In fact, I am pretty sure I have featured her cards on Rarebird Finds before. And here I am again, touting her wares because not only is this Atari controller art awesome. Not only does every guy I've ever met need some kind of cards on hand for birthdays and thank yous (because no one can ever have too many!). Not only is this pack of six cards both charming and affordable. All proceeds of these awesome cards will go to Red Cross in aid of Japan. So, you know, good stuff all around. $20 at Rakkadeer.

Bill Steals Steve's Apple Decal

 

Funny, funny tonite.  Check out this awesome decal for your Mac..it's Bill Gates stealing Steve Job's apple!  I just thought it was too funny not to post.  $9.90 at Mega Skins. Enjoy!

Cool Dadd-io... A Customized Leather Cuff

How sweet is this leather cuff? I mean, it's manly and rugged and all that and then it also has the names of his babies on it? Awww. This one totally makes hearts melt. I am betting it looks pretty good on a guy, too. And let's face it, it just looks cool. Who doesn't love a cool daddy? $65 at Sophia PIP.

SteriShoe UV Shoe Sanitizer

I know you don't actually know me, but if you did, you'd know that I am not known for my romantic nature. You would also know that I am not known for having feet that smell like beautiful flowers. Now you know too much about me. But, being THAT person is what makes me think that this shoe sanitizer MIGHT be an awesome gift for someone you do know. Yeah, it's not romantic. Heck, it's even a little insulting. But I know what it's like to live with the funky shoes, and I know that after I got over the initial insult, I'd be pretty happy about this pricey, but helpful gift. And, as we all know...guys have stink foot too. You don't want to meet me now, do you? Ah well, spend the $129.95 to make your life a little sweeter at SteriShoe.

Visit our Sponsor: www.etsy.com/shop/indyandtheninja

Handmade Papier Mache Heads

Everytime I go into Anthropologie I stand and admire these animal heads.  They are large and very stunning to look at.  They're made of cement bags that have been covered with vintage French book pages. They are very light and would look magnificient in any home!  In all, there are five different animals to choose from.  $68 at Anthropologie

Paper Pot

A pretty designed paper pot to house your tissue paper and even your toilet paper - yep, that's right, your toilet paper.  It makes a stylish change and they come in a variety of colors.  $40 at Molla Space

Against The Grain Tie

I don't know if the whole faux bois (that's the fancy way to say "fake wood")  trend is over, but I like this nifty wood grain tie anyway. It's not exactly subtle, but I think that's part of the charm. $24 at Binary Winter.

45 Adapter ACTUAL SIZE Necklace

I suppose there is some irony to the fact that this record adapter necklace is made from an actual record, probably because most people don't actually buy records anymore. But we all know that one vinyl collector, don't we? Try to forget that he always criticizes your taste in music, because I think he'd probably like this necklace (but he'll be too cool to tell you that). $14.99 at VLING.

Pirate Booty Whipped Cream

The scent of this decadent whipped body cream is described as:

The woodsy aroma of a ship's deck, Turkish coffee, cocoa, and spices plundered from a merchant ship, creamy vanilla and intoxicating musk, and, of course, a splash of honey rum. Think, sexy pirate. 

$15 for 8oz. at Bunny Butt Apothecary.

Sparkly Flying F**k Necklace

Ever have one of those days? Next time pop on this deliciously naughty necklace and make a statement without saying a word. $22 at trophies.

Secret Decoder Ring

Remember elementary school?  The endless games of MASH (mansion, apartment, shack, or house), paper fortune tellers, and notes written in secret code? Relive those days with this stylish decoder ring. $15.99 at Thinkgeek.com.

Frothy Beer Soap

Have you ever had a beer while taking a shower? If you answered yes, you may have a problem. Or you may have had a "bar" of this nifty Frothy Beer Soap. Getting sudsy with suds sounds like a great idea. And with these suds you also get clean and probably have fewer regrets later. Probably. I will point out that this soap is beer scented, so maybe don't use it before going to work. $5.15 at Mollycoddle Soap.

Mr. T-Rex Art Print

Heart this!  When I stumbled on this original art print of Mr. T-Rex - a delightful morphing of Mr. T and a T-Rex - I got a big silly grin.  $19 at Jon Stich

Charlie Sheen Quotes - Cross Stitch Patterns

 

Love to cross stich?  Well, the awesomeness behind Subversive Cross Stich has just come out with PDF patterns of some of Charlie Sheen's most recent winning quotes.  $5 for a PDF pattern for instant gratification at Subversive Cross Stitch

Things To Do Notepad Set

Often I try to remember everything that needs to be done, but really, I'm most productive when I write it all down on a "to-do" list.  These hand-assembled Things To Do notepads make it super easy and convenient to create a to-do list, and they also come with nifty days of the week magnets so you can organize your lists by days.  Brilliant!  $20 at The Small Object

William and Kate Paper Dolls

For our readers who happen to be really into the upcoming royal wedding, these William and Kate paper dolls would surely brighten your day. $9.99 at Dover Publications

Chocolate Bunny Ears

 

We all know that the best part of a chocolate Easter Bunny is the ears.  So, why not just have the ears instead of the whole bunny?  I found these Chocolate Bunny Ears at Bissinger's chocolates.  You can get either dark or milk chocolate and you get 4 sets of bunny ears for $8.  I have had Bissinger's chocolates before and you can trust me, it's good stuff!  Easter is April 24th by the way.

Gray Ivory Pocket Handbag

I love how roomy this handbag looks, especially nifty are the two large pockets in front and three pockets inside.  While looking perfectly stylish, you'll be able to carry all your stuff plus a paperback and magazine and whatever else!  The fabric on front is a mixture of pleather and corduroy which makes this bag perfect for those avoiding animal-based products.  Each bag is made to order.  $58 at MOJO SPA

Lego Mini Figure Crayons

I just found these on Etsy and let me tell you, this post is a STEAL!  Get these recycled Lego Mini Figure crayons for only $2 at Tammies Creations!  This is 10 crayons for $2!  Plus, I just like Lego mini figures!   There are other styles available, like Dinosaurs and such.

Chew Chew Train Dinner Set

 

What a cute gift for a child - these trains are actually a complete dinner set, which includes plate, bowl, small tray, cup and fork and knife.  Brilliant design.  Available in blue or pink.  $19.95 at Vat 19

Doggie Bow Ties

Add some golden era class to your doggie with these bow ties.  They have a Velcro backing on a strap that closes on a dog collar.  No need to remove the collar to attach or remove.  Comes in a variety of colors and patterns.  Also, the site carries matching dog collars if you really want to get spiffy.  $9.50 at BigPaw Collars

Octopus Ring

Fabulous, eye-catching octopus ring for only $5 at LicketyCut

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Mind the Gap Ring

I really like the looks of this sterling and titanium Mind the Gap ring. It's different, but subtle, and I can imagine it's one of those kinds of rings that is pleasant to fiddle with. You know? Don't those dots just beg to be touched? $72 at Down to the Wire Designs.

Pixel Oven Mitts

I don't know why, but when I saw these Pixel Oven Mitts, I actually did LOL. Maybe it's because I spend my life on computers. Maybe it's the otherworldliness of them. Maybe it's because I could really use a new set of ovenmitts...These are sure to be handy (get it) for gamers and geeks, but I promise that normal people would appreciate these too. $16.99 at Perpetual Kid.

Espresso Cup & Saucer Set

These funky retro espresso cups (with saucers) would look great in a mid-century modern setting. But I think they'd also fit in fine in a tradtional retro, kitsch kitchen or even something a little bo-ho. So basically, what I am saying is that these squat stoneware cups and saucers, in a mix of muted tones, would fit in pretty much anywhere. $24.99 at Retro Planet.

Needle Felted Bear Skin

Completed needle-felted by hand, these nearly life-like bear skins are works of art.  $49 at f for felt

Zombie Jerky

Haaa - for you zombie lovers, this zombie jerky is real beef jerky (teriyaki flavored!) that's made to look like zombie flesh.  Mmmm...okay, totally gross, but you know you love it.  It's comforting the packaging says "delicious."  $4.99 at Think Geek