Etsy Love: Art and Philanthropy

Everyone knows I'm a fan of doing good while doing what one loves, so I am especially smitten with Art and Philanthropy's creative, hand-made offerings on Etsy. But Rebecca Peragine, mother and social entrepreneur, takes this a step further by making beautiful pieces that pass on principles of philanthropy to the next generation, earning her place in today's Etsy Love post and in my heart. Her product line of "modern, eco-friendly and culturally diverse wall art, wall cards and posters....are designed to help children learn compassion for our earth and all who inhabit it." Changing the world one notecard or poster at a time......


Fundamentals of kindness for all children: Please and Thank You Print.


Inspire wanderlust from an early age with the World Traveler Room Collection (includes a large 11"x14" world map and four smaller 8"x10" prints).


One of the collection's beautiful blank journals.


100% recycled card stock with eco-friendly dyes, make these adorable Nature-Themed Alphabet Cards even sweeter.

Mobile home

Hanging a mobile over a newborn's crib is a time-honored decorating practice to develop baby's visual skills and capture attention through gentle motion. Plus they look really cool.

Black and white, surprisingly, stimulate an infant's visual senses the most out of all colors. But any mobile with dynamic motion (meaning that the hanging parts twirl independently and all parts constantly shift in a captivating visual "dance") creates a soothing focal point for baby during the many hours spent in their crib. I personally think they should also be visually pleasing to mom and dad, so I am posting a few of my favorite unique mobile styles here:


This adorable mobile from Petite Collage features a tree with a few friendly critters, all in laser-cut, sustainably harvested bamboo. $46

http://www.petitcollage.com/mobiles/mobiles


Having flown in a hot air balloon for the first time last year, this inspiring piece from Flensted Mobiles brings recalls the floating sensation of pure airborn freedom in me. $47

http://www.allmodern.com/asp/show_detail.asp?sku=FMS1035&refid=FR81-FMS1035


I have adored everything from the Adrift line by designer Brian Schmitt for years. This calming cluster of organic lines is my favorite (actress Ana Ortiz had the same opinion, selecting it for the Brooklyn nursery I designed for her). Prices start at $148.

http://www.schmittdesign.com/mobiles/index.php


Meeting the black and white criteria in a quirky way, this mobile (also from Flensted Mobiles) instills the lesson to stand out from the masses at an early age. $32

http://www.giggle.com/eng/product/sheep_mobile/30107


This laser cut walnut veneer mobile from ige designs brings nature indoors, inspiring a love for flora and fauna at an early age. $65

http://www.grow-kids.com/product.asp?name=modern-birds-of-a-feather-mobile&pfid=GRO00411


This dreamy cascade of real feathers was the one that inspired my search for unique mobiles that were inspiring and stimulating in an artful way. $125, one of a kind.

http://www.shopafterall.com/category/mobiles