Rare Bird Finds

"Favorite" Your Favorite Products!

We just added a new feature to each of our posts on Rare Bird Finds.  On the post footer you'll now see a Favorite button.  It's easy - just press the button! - and it'll be your way to give praise and appreciation without having to come up with a witty rejoinder.

Your input will also help shape the blog to find those products that you - our wonderful birdie readers - would most like to discover.

So take a moment, find a few products on the page that you love, and just press the button!

Meet Our Writers

Curious to know who writes for Rare Bird Finds?  Maybe there's a writer you like to follow!  Here's your chance to read up on each of them.  Feel free to send them mail and tell them what you think of their finds, or just even to say, "Keep up the good work!" or "Your finds are my fave!" (we promise not to tell the other writers).  Just email:

and put the writer's name in the subject line.  Hope to hear from you!

Follow Us On Twitter - Tweet Tweet!

Don't Forget to Enter These Contests!

• Win 2 tickets to the Ultimate Comedy Bash in Solvang, CA!  Today is the last day to enter!
• Do you have an Etsy shop? Consider opening a free shop on Zibbet! Here's your chance to win a premium account on Zibbet for LIFE (a $7/month value) - no listing fees! No commission fees! Don't have an Etsy shop and have been playing with the idea of selling your crafts? This is your perfect chance!

Are You Crafty? Win a LIFETIME Membership to Sell Your Crafts on Zibbet.com!

Hey!  If you're crafty and you're itching to sell your handmade goods, artwork or crafting supplies, Zibbet is just the place for you!  Zibbet is a global marketplace, connecting buyers and sellers of handmade goods, fine art, vintage items and crafting supplies.

The awesome part is that one lucky Rare Bird Finds reader will win a free Premium Account (valued at $7/month) for LIFE on Zibbet.com!  For details about what you get with a premium account, you can check it out here.  Plus, if you already sell on Etsy, you'll soon be able to import your listings from your Etsy shop to your Zibbet shop - woohoo

So, how do you enter to win?  Go to Zibbet and copy the URL of your favorite item and post it in the comments section of our blog.  For an extra entry, Tweet or do a Facebook update about the giveaway along with a link to Rare Bird Finds (and let us know so you get credit). Winner can be anywhere in the world.  Deadline to enter is Thursday, October 8.  One winner will be randomly chosen and announced on our blog - so be sure to check back to see if you won!

BONUS!  Zibbet is offering a Free 7 Day Trial of their Premium Account to all Rare Bird Finds readers.  Just use the coupon code: FREETRIAL

.Good Luck!!

CONGRATS TO AMY SOM WHO WON A LIFETIME PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Win 2 Tickets to the Ultimate Comedy Bash in Solvang, CA!

Helloooo our comedy-lovin' birdies!

The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre is taking over the Danish town of Solvang, CA for the Ultimate Comedy Bash Friday, October 9 and Saturday, October 10. Celebrate the best and brightest in alternative stand-up, sketch and improv at a special two day festival with stars from Saturday Night Live, Mr. Show, Reno 911! and more.

One lucky Rare Bird Finds reader will win a pair of special passes (valued at $100) for Saturday, October 10th. The passes get you into both shows on that day: ASSSSCAT and The Greatest Comedy Show Ever!

Go to www.ultimatecomedybash.com for more details!

If you want to win tickets, just leave a comment to this post with your name and email address. All comments will be kept private.  Your privacy is important to us - we won't sell your personal information.  The email address you provide will only be used to let you know if you won. The tickets will be wristbands that will be picked up at Will Call the day of the show.

Last day to enter is Oct. 2, 2009 - GOOD LUCK!

CONGRATS TO DANNY E. for WINNING THE TIX!!!!!!!!

Visit Our New Blog: IBetYouLookGoodInThatTShirt.com

Ohh, I'm so excited to announce the launch of my new blog, I Bet You Look Good In That T-Shirt!  I'm crazy about t-shirts, and if you are, too, then come on by and check out Rare Bird Finds' NEW sister blog!

If you have t-shirt tips or if you're a t-shirt designer and would like to be interviewed or do a giveaway, feel free to contact me.  Also, we're looking for readers to send in snapshots of themselves looking good in their favorite tee!

xo,

Mei-Lynn

My Guest Post on Blogs.com - "Top 10 Blogs to Discover Something New"

Rare Bird Finds is all about "discovering something new." I hope you all agree that each day we bring you finds that are unique and wonderful.  So I was completely honored when Blogs.com asked me to be a guest editor on their blog to pick my "Top 10 Blogs to Discover Something New."

I hope you'll take a moment and take a peek at the ten wonderful blogs that I picked.  The list includes literary, cooking, crafty, and entertainment blogs.  All of them are fun, and a great way to spend some time to "learn something new."

I'd also like to thank all my friends and my fellow birdie writers who gave me their suggestions for the list.  Thank you!

xo,

Mei-Lynn

Advertising on Rare Bird Finds - As Low as $10!

Reach thousands of cool, hip shoppers!

Are you a musician wanting to promote your band or CD?  Do you run an awesome online store?  Do you have a rockin' magazine or zine? Please consider advertising on Rare Bird Finds and helping support this free blog.  We're currently running advertising specials - check them out!  You can get the word out for as low as $10! 

Read about our advertising rates

Rare Bird Finds Update!

I know we said we'd be back starting this Monday, but we won't be returning to our usual posts until mid-August.  We have a bunch of new ideas that we can't wait to share with you!

Until Mid-August!  See you then!

Reminder - No Posts in July!

Just a friendly reminder that we're taking a break this month.  If you're interested in being a writer or have ideas of things you'd like to see on our blog, please email us.  See you in August!

Rare Bird Finds News - Please Read

Hello Birdie Friends!

With a heavy heart, I must sadly announce that Sharla will no longer be a regular contributor for Rare Bird Finds.  Sharla and I made our first Rare Bird Finds post in March of 2006, and it's been a fun ride!  I always looked forward to seeing what finds she discovered and cursing her name for helping to empty out my wallet :)  All of us will greatly miss Sharla's eye for the beautiful and the unusual, but more so, her warm spirit and enthusiasm.  However, she is moving on her journey to take care of her two beautiful toddlers and tending to her jewelry shop (which you really must visit, if you haven't!)

But this isn't the end of Rare Bird Finds!

We will be taking a break in July to clear our heads and come up with some fresh ideas.  If you're signed up for our email digest, you will get an email letting you know when our posts have returned - so please sign up, if you haven't already (the subscription box is on the left column).  But if not, be sure to return Monday, August 3, ok?!

To all of you have been faithful readers these past few years, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.  Every day when we post, we post knowing that you're looking forward to our finds.  This blog wouldn't be possible without you.  You keep us motivated, and we love your emails and comments - so keep them coming!

Warmly,

Mei-Lynn

Call for Fresh Ideas!

As a reader of Rare Bird Finds, we welcome any ideas you may offer to help improve our blog.  We're open to suggestions!  Just leave us a comment below or if you prefer, you can email us at rarebirdfinds@yahoo.com.

Call for Writers!

We're looking to add more regular contributors.  If you feel you can spot shopping finds that are a good match for our blog, send us an email along with a sample of 3 - 5 finds with blurbs.  Show us what you got!  Also, send along a bio about yourself (please include if you're a shop owner or if you have your own blog), what category you'd like to post in, and why you think you'd be a good pick! 

Adopt Me!

Hiya!  I know this isn't the typical post you'd find on our blog, but I wanted to let you know about a puppy I'm fostering.  Leo was going to be put down at the San Gabriel Valley Humane Society when the shelter became full, and through a program with United Hope for Animals, a non-profit, I'm currently fostering him until he gets a permanent home.  He is roughly 8 months to one year old, and weighs about 10 lbs.  He is a chihuahua/rat terrier mix.

Leo is house trained and gets along really well with other dogs - I should know, I have three dogs currently and they all love him.  I wish I could keep him because he's super sweet, but my three dogs already keep me occupied!

Leo is fixed and very loving.  He is a calm and mellow little guy with a playful streak.  He loves his toys!  If you or someone you know are looking for a wonderful dog and you're in the Los Angeles area, consider adopting Leo.  This is one little guy who is getting a second chance and totally deserves a forever home.

For more information about Leo and how you can adopt him, please visit:

http://www.adoptapet.com/cgi-bin/public/petsearch.cgi/pet_details?pet_id=1937414&do_count=1

If you have questions, you can also just email me at rarebirdfinds@yahoo.com with Leo as the subject.  Thanks so much for reading and all of your support!

xo,

Mei-Lynn

We're Going on Vacation!

Starting on Monday, December 22, 2008 until January 3, 2009, we will be celebrating the holidays and taking a break from the blog.  If you have tips, feel free to email us.  Of course, we're always looking for folks to be Fab 5 Friday guest editors.

See you in 2009 with more super finds!  And from all of us to all of you, have a great holiday season!

Cyber Monday!

In honor of "Cyber Monday" today's posts will be Etsy sellers who are offering free shipping today!  We all love a deal right?

If you are having a Cyber Monday sale please feel free to leave a comment with details of the sale for our readers.

Happy shopping everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We're celebrating Thanksgiving today in the States by eating lots of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie!  As a result of the food hangover we're going to have, we won't be posting today or tomorrow.

In the meantime, if you want to get your "shop" on, here are some shops offering coupon codes and/or holiday discounts:

• Locher's fabulously risque (not for the timid) embroidered tops are all 25% off!
• Fin + Roe will give you 20% off your custom order of holiday cards, address labels, etc. with the coupon code BLACKFRIDAY.  Their sister site, Shades of Violet, offers non-custom greeting cards and will also give you 20% off your order with the same coupon code.
• Etsy is offering a huge site-wide sale on Black Friday (Nov. 28) and Cyber Monday (Dec. 1)
• Get some cool art at Dolan Geiman - in addition to participating in the Etsy-wide sale on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, all items have already been marked 10% off
• Snag free shipping until Nov. 30 on some super cute greeting cards at JustJENN!

Have a safe and happy holiday everyone!  We'll see you on Monday! 

Bloody Kissmas Giveaway Spectacular

I'm excited about Twilight opening this weekend because I'm a vampire fan, and in case you are, too, then be sure to enter the Bloody Kissmas Giveaway Spectacular.  There will be 13 drawings spanning 13 days, beginning December 13th through December 25th. Prizes include Studio 3B's Blood Kiss Candles which comes complete with "fang mark" indentions with blood, a signed ornament from Artist J.M. Leotti featuring her original artwork with a sexy vampiress in a Santa outfit, Blue Moon Candles' Nippy Christmas Candle with the same artwork from J.M. Leotti, three signed books from William Maltese, a Blood Vial Jewelry gift set from Vampire Wear which was featured on CSI and Supernatural (airing Nov. 20th), a Vampire Graphic T-Shirt, and other various books and e-books dealing with the paranormal and vampires. 

You need only enter once and your name will continue to be in the drawings each day unless pulled as a winner, then it will be retired from further drawings. You MUST send an email to: bloodykissmas@yahoo.com to enter the Bloody Kiss'mas Event with the following information:

1. Your First and Last Name
2. Your State or Province and Zip Code (open to U.S. and Canadian residents only)
3. Statement that you are 18 or older and accept full responsibility that your age statement is true
4. Your email address

To see the prizes and get more information, visit the Bloody Kissmas Myspace page at www.myspace.com/bloodykissmas - Good luck!

Are You on Facebook?

If you're on Facebook, become a fan of the new Rare Bird Finds fan page!  And spread the love for the birdies and all our finds.  Right now we only have one fan (uhm, me!) - so befriend us! :)

New Contest! Vol25

A new contest!!

Vol25 is offering a great prize for our fabulous Birdie readers. 

The winner will receive:  2 8x10s of their choice and a pack of postcards.

To enter:  Just hop on over to Vol25 and check out their prints.  Come back here and leave a comment letting us know which 8x10's you would choose. 

Congrats to Elizabeth R from Florida for winning the contest!

New Contest! Bath Nation

We haven't had a contest in awhile so we are happy to announce a new contest from the friendly people at Bath Nation!  They are offering:

A $50 Gift Certificate to Bath Nation

How to enter:

1.  Go check out their decadent scrubs and find the one you would most like to try.
2.  Come back here and leave a comment with your pick.  Please remember to leave your email address so we can contact you if you win.  One entry per person please!

Congrats to Coleen B for winning the contest!