Sister just showed me newest copy of Birds & Blooms (Hummingbird Issue). Haven't received mine yet & probably soon. Saw your article in there about your homemade hummer feeders & Lanny's dedication to our fine friends.

Congrats both of you!!

Joni
Elwood, IL
Zone 5

oh boy.. can't wait ..thanks for the heads up..~~will go and see if i can find the latest issue..



Kristin is too Modest to 'spill the beans'

..Glad your lovely feeders will get some publicity , Kristin..( yes?right?)


and of course Lanny..what would we do without people like you.?


many others at this forum also who deserve a great deal of gratitude and hugs for everything you do.!(hummingbird wise)..




alice

...


USDA zone 6a/6b
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

Thanks Joni and Alice. Always nice to have someone toot your horn, so you don't have to do it yourself! This is a for fun, non commercial forum, so I would feel crass directing people to a commercial endeavor of mine, no matter how small.

The article is available on line, and there are actually 5 people profiled as "hummingbird fanatics." Me, a fanatic? A fanatic?
There is a bander in Louisiana also mentioned--a Linda Beall. I'm assuming some of our Louisianans know her?

Here's the link: http://www.birdsandblooms.com/Hummingbird-Fanatics/detail.aspx
By the way, that's a Silene regia feeder in the picture. They didn't supply a caption.

Wouldn't you just know it, this comes right when I've run out of feeders. It's going to take me days or weeks to make more. Here I am with all this free publicity, and no feeders available. Sigh.

Now that I've come out of my non self promotional shell, there's something I wished I could mention, but hesitated. A while back, there was concern expressed about phthalates in the polymer clay and the possible negative health effects via hormonal disruption. Although the amounts were extremely low in the clay--several orders of magnitude less than the plastics used in medical tubing and transfusion bags, I have felt troubled that people would think my feeders were dangerous, even though I felt pretty sure they weren't.

Anyway, just thought I'd let folks know that they've taken the phthalates out of the clay--at least, that's my understanding through some polymer clay artist forums on Etsy. The phthalates were in there to help with the handling properties, but I haven't even noticed their absence, so one wonders why they were there in the first place. I don't think they were mandated to remove the phthalates, but with the strict laws put in place in Europe, and with increasing concerns here, I think they saw the writing on the wall and decided not to wait for more science. Besides, it's impossible to prove something's safe, and once people are concerned, rightly or wrongly, it can harm your business. I imagine that was their reasoning. Sorry to go on, so, but just wanted to take the opportunity to clear this up (I hope!).

It is a very nice article and it showcases everyday folks like Lanny, Linda and Kristin, Joe Dellwo and Maureen Lynn. It is nice to read how each one has contributed to the hummer addiction or should I say the hummer experience in their own way. Congratulations Krisitn and Joe who also visits the forum. Here is a link to the thread that Joe posted a larger image of the babies just after they hatched. Scroll down to the bottom of the thread to see the larger images: http://www.network54.com/Forum/439743/thread/1235332935/Hummingbird+Cams
Penny
Niagara Falls, NY
USDA zone 6a/6b
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

Very nice everybody. Each person featured has such a unique way of expressing their "hummingbird addiction" and contributing to the world of hummingbirds and the people who study and watch them. CONGRATULATIONS and best wishes for a wonderful season of hummingbirds and garden.




Kathi and Michael Rock
Madison, Wisconsin
Zone 4/5

I just returned from visiting friends in the Dallas area and while I was there I read Carrie's new (June) copy of Birds and Blooms, featuring hummingbirds. The moment I saw Kristin's feeder I figured it was her's...sure enough, I checked for a name & there she was! Congrats, Kristin! And how great of you to donate to their auction...get your hands busy - I hope the publicity leads to lots of orders for you.

Patrick
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place

Congrats Kristin! I didn't realize you had those lovely feeders until today when I read the article. Do you have a direct link to them? I know you don't have feeders ready now, but perhaps in the near future I can check back with you. Would love to add to my collection. Congrats again!!!!

kathy t.
shebly twp., MI
Zone 5/6

Kristin,

I just saw that last night and was going to post about it today. I recognized your feeder before I read the article. I'm lucky enough to own one, and the hummers do like it!

Carol R
Tennessee
USDA Hardiness Zone 7
Heat Zone 7

Hello Kristin,

Yes, Congrats!!!
I just received my issue yesterday...wonderful article. You'll have to speed up your manufacturing process for all the future orders/backorders you'll have coming your way...


Susan Louise
from Branford CT/ live in Lincoln NE
Zone 5