Etsy Design Awards and a VIP (Very Important Parrot)
I have some pretty exciting news, I have been selected as a finalist in the Etsy design awards. I'm the only Kiwi in the Art, Illustration and Papergoods category and I am so proud to be amongst some really talented makers. There is a voters choice price, which is a trip to New York to the Etsy Headquarters, which would be amazing, I'm pretty sure that's a bit out of my reach but I'd love to not come in last place! I would love it if anyone would take the time to vote for me, the link is in the pictures below:
Apart from that exciting news I have been doing my two favourite things, drawing and watching birds. It's been a pretty cold winter so far, and in the weekend I get to stay at home and work on drawings, but often I get sidetracked by all the birds outside. Surprisingly the Tui seem to love having baths in the cold weather, I often see them in the trees frantically shaking their feathers, which is a sign they have just taken a dip, but a couple of times I have caught them in the act.
I have been taking the opportunity to take photos of all the Tui that have been flying around lately. And managed to get this shot! The Tui use my deck as a runway between trees and often the fly a foot off the ground past my lounge, I'm so used to it, but it could give an unsuspecting person a fright!
I also met a very special bird last week, I don't think he really needs an introduction, he is Sirocco, king of the Kakapo and probably our most famous bird. He is at Zealandia for the next several weeks and visitors can book a spot each night to go and see him. On the night I went he was very subdued - maybe because he was still adjusting to his new environment, but I am planning on going back again as I didn't manage to get many photos. I'm not complaining because I would love to see him again!
