October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month!

Blondie: Adopted in 2007 enjoying a day on Lake Michigan

October is many things, including Breast Cancer Awareness Month (see earlier post), but it's also Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, another cause close to our hearts here at Bella Ink.

Pictured above is Blondie, a yellow lab my family adopted back in 2007.  We were only supposed to serve as Blondie's foster family for a short time, but it's hard to part with a dog you've helped nurse back to health.  Along with the sweetest disposition in the world, Blondie came to us with worms and kennel cough.

Blondie became a permanent member of our family after we took her to our first adoption fair at PetsMart.  There we learned we weren't wired to  heal, teach and let go.  We don't know her back-story, but whatever it is, she's unaffected and well adjusted.  Her sister, Sadie (a black lab we had already got from a breeder), welcomed the company.

If you live in the Chicago area, look up A Caring Place Humane Society in Westmont, Illinois if you'd like to adopt or foster a pet.  A Caring Place is a no-kill shelter run by volunteers, only.  It's a lot of work to foster a pet, but it's worth it knowing that these animals won't be put down simply because they were abandoned, abused or lost.  A Caring Place's website outlines everything expected of you as a foster parent and also has their application for adoption posted should you want to be a more permanent fixture in an animal's life.

~Heather F.

Studio/Marketing Director

Bella Ink's Cards That Care: Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Bella Ink (Clockwise) EF-59 "Think Pink," SF-15 "Hope," CC-92 "Fight Like a Girl," and CC-64 "Warrior"

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Since 2008 Bella Ink has been supporting the search for a cure, as well as the education of women everywhere regarding the choices they have when it comes to their health and well-being, by donating 10% of sales from the Cards that Care Breast Cancer line to organizations like Bright Pink and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

If you'd like to check out our 2008 interview with Lindsay Avner of Bright Pink, you can find it HERE.  You can also check out past Breast Cancer Awareness blog entries HERE and HERE. (Please note that not all designs featured in past posts are available for purchase)

If you feel inspired to write a love note to someone fighting breast cancer, or a survivor of breast cancer, head over to the Bella Ink website to do a little charitable shopping.  Don't forget to write a note of support to their loved ones, too!  At year's end, we'll once again donate 10% of sales to a breast cancer research organization.

~Heather Fiala

Studio/Marketing Director

They Ask Me: Raising Money for St. Baldrick's

Rocky Wagner, aspiring rapper, well-loved educator, and husband to a Bella Ink graphic designer, has written a rap to raise money for St. Baldrick's, an organization whose goal is to cure childhood cancer.  Find out more about Rocky's mission at http://www.swagsinspires.com/index.html.  If you like what you hear (above), head over to iTunes and purchase the song. 10% of the proceeds will be donated to St. Baldrick's.

Bella Ink Raises Funds for Breast Cancer Research

CC-64 Warrior

Bella Ink Designs has been supporting breast cancer research since 2008 when the company introduced their first Think Pink folded note card (EF-59). Since then the company has released two new designs in support of finding a cure, Hope (SF-15/SF-15A), and Warrior (CC-64), pictured above.  

Warrior is the newest folded note card in the company's Cards that Care series.  This card has been printed on a premium textured, cream card stock. The pink ribbon is hand-glittered in the Bella Ink studio before shipping to card and gift shops nationwide (including online retailers). 

10% of the wholesale proceeds (5% retail) from Warrior will be donated to an organization dedicated to finding a cure and/or educating young women about early detection and prevention options.  In the past the company has donated to Bright Pink and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  Donations are made in January after the year's total sales for individual cards in the Cards that Care series have been recorded.

To view additional breast cancer awareness cards and an interview with Lindsay Avner, the founder of Bright Pink, visit our past posts here.

If you or somebody you know is hosting a fundraiser and needs invitations or stationery for printing event menus, you may be interested in Bella Ink's For the Cure (PH-97) invite.  It's also a great option for celebrating a survivor's remission.

PH-97 For the Cure

We'd also like to suggest having a sweet treat on hand at any fundraising event, or shipping a sweet treat to a woman or family touched by the disease. Shari's Berries will deliver one or two dozen chocolate dipped strawberries to the recipient of your choice and donate 10% of the proceeds to Komen for the Cure.

Shari's Berries

To purchase any of Bella Ink Designs' stationery and gift products, please visit http://www.bellaink.com/stores.html for a list of nearby and online retailers.

Bella Ink retailers, please call Bella Ink, directly. 

Bella Ink Donates Invitation to Primetime Emmy Event

Last night in Beverly Hills, California Queen hosted a Talent Swag Social in honor of the Primetime Emmy Awards benefitting the Keep A Breast foundation.  The foundation's mission is to educate young people about breast cancer, methods of prevention and early detection.  The group raises awareness through art events, educational programs, and fundraisers.

Bella Ink Designs proudly designed and donated the invitation pictured above for the event.