Gift list for insect lovers

With the holidays coming up, I thought I would pull up some gift ideas that have caught my fancy.  I'm sure that y'all don't have too many bug-lovers on your gifting list, but in case you do, here are some ideas.

Bee nose ring by Rock Your Nose Jewelry.

First up is a sterling silver bee nose ring because, c'mon....who wouldn't want a bee in their nose?  I have some bee earrings, but I may need to consider getting my nose pierced now just so I can really show off my love of insects with this. Nose ring sold by Rock Your Nose Jewelry on Etsy.

Beekeeper face jug by Grafton Pottery.

I must say how much I LOVE this beekeeper face jug.  It's custom by Michael Grafton who has some amazing stuff on his website.  I definitely will be saving up my hard earned dollars to buy a piece of his art.  It is AMAZING! I think that I'll lean towards one of his ocean/ underwater themed pieces....I have a thing for octopodes! (did you know that was the true plural form of octopus?).  You can find Grafton Pottery's blog here and his Facebook page here.

3-D printed beetle bracelet by Paralogical.

Next up we have a 3-D printed beetle bracelet by paralogical that you can find and purchase on shapeways.com.  This is a really cool bracelet not only because of the design, but also because it's 3-D printed.  Technology is a wonderful thing sometimes.

Stick bug bottle by Laura Zindel.

I saw these ceramic bottles by Laura Zindel on Pintrest and fell in love with them.  I just picture a cluster of them on the mantle. There are a bunch of different designs available and she also has plates, platters, butter dishes, tea cups and saucers among other things.  There is an ant platter that is wonderfully original.











I could not resist this cockroach backpack although I cannot track down who actually makes it.  All I could find is that it's from Japan....somewhere.  My husband actually showed this picture to me and I have no idea how he found it.  He's not a fan of cockroaches like I am and I can't imagine that he was randomly googling "cockroach" to track down gift ideas for me.  This is the same man that said if I come home with a cockroach tattoo that he will step on it (that doesn't mean it won't happen at some point....).

Backpack Mega- Cockroach....from Japan (somewhere).

Hand drawn insect decorations by The Old Laundrette.

Perfect for decorating a insect themed Christmas tree are these hand drawn decorations found on Etsy by TheOldLaundrette.  I find these very charming...very retro and remind me of old bookplates.

Vintage boot remover.

Do you have trouble removing your gardening boots before you come inside the house?  This may be just what you are looking for.  This is a vintage boot remover that is an insect.  Not only is it useful, but it also is decorative and looks much nicer than most boot removers that I have seen.  This is for sale on Etsy from Brass Attics.

Tang butterfly vase by Carol Long Pottery.

The last one, is certainly not the least as it is extremely beautiful.  It's another piece of pottery, but this one is by Carol Long.  It's a Tang Butterfly Vase and it is AH-MA-ZING!  Look at the gorgeous curves!  I love this design.

Beekeeping 101 class- December 10, 2015

Beekeeping 101: What’s the Buzz?

December 10, 2015

Travis County Extension Office

Cost: $15.00

Must RSVP by December 9, 2015 at 2 PM (Central time)

RSVP to  sacarrasco@ag.tamu.edu

you will receive a confirmation email once you are on the list.

Seating is limited, so register early

Pay at the door- CHECKS ONLY (NO CASH ACCEPTED!)

Location: 1600-B Smith Road, Austin, TX 78721

Program as follows:

                                                                                                                                

4:45-5:30    Registration

5:30-5:35    Welcome

5:35-6:25    Honey Bee Biology & Behavior 

6:25-7:10    How to Get Started: Beekeeping Equipment Essentials

7:10-7:15    Break

7:15-8:00    Buying Bees, Installation & Basic Set-up

                       Where Do I Get Bees?

8:00-8:45    Annual Management

8:45-8:55    Ag Land Tax Valuation for Honeybees                                

8:55-9:00    Evaluation & Wrap Up

  

The program will be co-presented by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Agents and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Master Volunteers.         

Questions?  Call 512-854-9610 or 512-581-7186

Person with disabilities who plan to attend meetings or functions who may need auxiliary aids or services are requested to contact the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service of Travis County at (512) 854-9610 two days prior to the event so that appropriate arrangements can be made.  Educational programs of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, religion, disability, age or national origin.  The Texas A&M University System, U. S. Department of Agriculture and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating.