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About The Site

Well hi there!
My name is Owen Ford, I'm a fourteen year old girl, and I run this blog with my friends and family! I created HOPES to raise money for WWF (World Wildlife Fund), specifically for Siberian Tigers! Our goal is $5,000, and we're about halfway there!

Along the right sidebar you can donate, visit our Artist Commission Page, take part in the current auction, see our current total, join our mailing list and a lot more!


Thank you so much for checking us out, we really appreciate it!

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Collaboration In The Works~

Hi again!

Our auction has ended... Thank you Grandma B.! There will be another animal themed bookmark up soon when my Mom gets time to finish it, so for now we've just got our commission page! So far we have not received any requests, hopefully we will soon, all three of us are very excited to get started! Charlie came up with the idea of doing a collaboration to show our unique styles in one picture, so we are each drawing a tiger to add in to one big picture! I'm not sure when it'll be done, Charlie has her part done, mine is half done and Michelle still has to start. Keep an eye out for that~

Sincerely,
Owen, Charlie & Michelle.
P.S. We'd really like it if you left us a comment, maybe giving us some advice, anything, really! :)

Thursday, October 8, 2009

There's A New Artist~

Hi Everyone!

Today a new artist has joined the HOPES team, her name is Michelle Sims and she's 14! She is an amazing artist, so check out her post on the commision page:

Michelle's Art~

Or Charlie's Post...

Charlie's Info~

Or Mine...

Owen's Options~

We really can't wait to get started taking in some requests! Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have at contacthopes@yahoo.com.

Thank you~

Monday, October 5, 2009

New Feature and Auction!!!

Hello Everyone!

I still have not gotten a reply from WWF, but that won't slow us down anymore! Just a reminder, we can still get donations, but I can't log in to the Panda Page, and I have no idea why. The actual problem is, I have only one account with WWF, and I can sign into that, but then when I try to go to my Champion Center (to edit my panda page) it tells me I need to make a Panda Page. I hope that WWF can help me straighten this out soon.

Anyway, on to the feature and auction!

My friend Charlie and I have been working for a while now on our NEW FEATURE: Artist Commissions! She and I are now open to take any requests for a drawing from one of us! Please go HERE to check it out! We each have a post listing what we can draw, how much it costs, etc. She and I both have tons of time to take requests, too, so they'll get done pretty fast! All proceeds will go to HOPES!!! There is also a permanent link on the sidebar for easy access!

We also have a wonderful new bookmark to auction, donated by my Mom! It's Elephant themed and really cool! You can go to the auction HERE , and there is a link on the sidebar, too!
Here are some pictures:






On another note, here's another really great cause that could use some help! (AKA, donations!) I volunteer for them, and they're a really great group of people! If you'd like to visit their site, go HERE , and if you might like to donate, go HERE ! It'd be great if you sent them an e-mail showing your support with some kind words~

Charlie and I can't wait to start taking some requests!

Sincerely and thank you~
Owen Ford & Charlie.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

So, here's the scoop.

Hello!

Remember when I sent WWF an e-mail describing my login problem on September 15th? Well, I still have not gotten a reply. I am re-sending the e-mail again now, and really hoping for a response. If I do not get one within 5 days, I'll still start up the new feature! We can still recieve donations and I still get alerted about them through e-mail, but I can't login to the Panda Page until WWF helps me resolve the issue. I considered posting sooner but I was hopeful thinking WWF might still reply that day, or maybe the next, etc. Regaurdless of whether I can sign in or not, in 5 days the new feature will be up, and hopefully we can start an auction on that day, too!

Sincerely, Owen Ford.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

A Quick Update~

Hello Again!

I just got off the phone with WWF! I talked with them about not being able to log into my Panda Page, and the Fire Breaks for Tigers extraordinary gift being taken off the extraordinary gifts page. I was given an e-mail address to contact about the Panda Page and have sent them an e-mail, I'm hoping for a reply soon! After that I was transferred to someone to talk about the Amur Tiger e.g., she said that she would look into it, she said it was probably taken down since it was up for a long time, and she'd see if we could still donate to it, and if not, some other way to donate to the Amur Tiger. We'll begin auctions and our new feature as soon as I can log into the Panda Page to edit it, so all we're waiting on now is an e-mail (I hope!)!
I can't wait to unveil this new thing, my friend and I have worked very hard on it, and we're both excited to get started! Make sure to keep checking in!

~Owen

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Coming Oh So Soon!

Hello!

I know, it's been longer than two weeks, but we have a minor set back, nothing we can't get through. It's something to do with the Panda Page, we're having difficulties logging in, but that's nothing a call to WWF won't solve, I'm sure. That will be taken care of quickly, and then we'll have our new feature up and running! My friend and I have completely finished and polished it up, it's so ready!

I can't wait until we can get some auctions and our new feature going! Make sure to check in often, it's getting close! I'll announce the day before we unveil the feature, so you can be sure to be here for it!

Thank you so much again and again for supporting HOPES as much as you all have, I know it's not been the smoothest ride, it's been a new experience for my family and I, but we're getting so close to our goal!

Sincerely,
Owen F.

Monday, July 27, 2009

A Very Important Update~

Hello to anyone who still checks in here~

I know I've been absolutely terrible at updating this site and getting things moving. I don't have an excuse, except mabye a forgetful memory, but I do want you guys to know that HOPES is not dead, and won't be, until we raise our goal.

I have been doing alot of work for HOPES lately, though I haven't posted. I wanted to make sure everything was in order before bringing people back to the site. We've transferred all of the paypal donations to the bank, and soon will be moving them to their final destination at our Panda Page!

I've also been working on a new way to get donations with the help of two of my friends. It's not finished yet, but it should be pretty soon! My Mom and I have been working on some new things to auction, and so have my cousins!

So, right now, there are not any auctions going, but there will be soon. Again, I am so sorry for not updating to let you guys know what was going on...

Sincerely,
Owen. :)

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Auction Winners!!! :D

Adult Large: Won by my grandmother, Nina! Thankyou so much Nina!
Adult Medium: Won by my mother, Janet! Thanks a bunch, Mom!
Kid Medium: Won by H. M. S.! Thanks, H!

Coming up soon will be the Okapi, I have to finish it, and get it copied at Kinko's but that should be done soon!

I'm sorry sorry sorry I didn't update sooner, it's been busy with school and soccer!

Owen

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Guest Post On...

Hey Everyone!

Ava from Paw-Talk, Click Here To Go To Paw-Talk! , has invited me to write a guest post on the site! I wrote about how HOPES got started, and about the Tigers, and things people might not have known about them. To read my post, check out the site!

Also, check out our new t-shirt auctions, made for us by Larry!
We have a Kids Medium, Adults Medium, and an Adults Large!

Here are the pictures of the shirts:
(The adults have the same picture because they're exactly the same, just size difference.)
Kids Medium:





Adults Medium & Large:





Adults Design:





Kids Design:

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Congratulations to-

Congrats to my Grandma Bonnie for winning Victoria's wonderful auction!!! Thankyou Grandma and thankyou Victoria! :D

We will be starting the 3 shirts auctions soon!

No one had any comments about ideas to make HOPES more interesting, maybe now you guys have some ideas?

Thanks, Owen

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Rainy Days

Hello Everyone! :D

It's raining... and raining... and raining some more.
I thought I'd just give you guys a post about something in my life! :) To keep the blog interesting.

So, we went to sign up for soccer, outdoor soccer, and the coach was there, and she says "Would you be interested in joining my boys indoor team? They could REALLY use some help. I've gotten another girl to sign up too." I didn't say yes or no, I said I'd think. Well, now, I'm signed up for indoor and outdoor! And guess what the indoor's color is! BLACK! That's pretty cool considering it's my favorite color. Haha! My first indoor game is this Sunday, and I cannot wait. :D

In other news, I've been trying to think of things to make HOPES more interesting and fun. I could REALLY use some ideas if anyone has any?
I was thinking, we could maybe have a section with funny animal pictures, where people could send pictures in... What do you guys think?

Victoria's amazing Red Panda picture is doing great in the auction!
I would bid it up to $30, but I spent my allowance already. :( Maybe someone else would do that? (I guess it's a challenge to the dedicated HOPES fans! :P) Come on, you can do it! :D
( Click Here To go To The Auction! )

And for the donation total, it should be getting updated within the next week! We got all the donations from the paypal moved to the bank, and then we will be moving THAT to the Panda Page! Mom said we could add up the bank total, panda page total, and auction totals, before we moved it all together, so it can get updated quicker! We'll be doing that as soon as we can, but I'm not quite sure when. Hoping soon! :D

I'm trying to post as often as I can, but it's getting busy around here!!!

Ciao For Now!
<3
Owen

Sunday, February 22, 2009

New Auction! :D

Hi everyone!
I'm REALLY sorry for the delay!
We have a new auction up now, the beautiful Red Panda drawn by my little cousin Victoria! :D
The starting bid is $10.00, and the demensions of the picture are 9" by 12.5"!
After this auction we'll be auctioning the three t-shirts Larry made us for HOPES! :D
I'm going to be finishing my Okapi picture as soon as I can! :D
Also, I think I'm going to start -trying- to make a bookmark with my mom's help, we got some cool animal charms, and I've got a ton of incredible beads, some generously donated. :)

Here is the picture:



(This is a cropped version of the picture, just showing it's head. You can go to the auction by clicking on the red panda's picture over on the right-hand side, and see the full picture! :) )


Thanks, and I'm REALLY sorry for not getting this auction up sooner, I was not feeling good for a few days and my mom was very busy at work. :P

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Upcoming Auctions-

Hello everyone! I'm sorry I have not posted lately, I kind of forgot... I'm sorry!
But I do have alot of upcoming auctions!!!

From the very kind and genorous Larry, we recieved three different sized t-shirts with tiger cubs he drew on the front! They're adorable and awesome! We will be auctioning them at the same! :) Thanks Larry!

From my 9 year old wonderful cousin Victoria, we have a BEAUTIFUL red panda picture that she drew! It's so cute, realistic and awesome! Great job! Thanks Victoria!

From me we have a work in progress of an okapi, in the same pencil & smudger style as most of my pictures, like, the black rat and gemsbok. :)

The order they'll be auctioned is:
1. The Red Panda by Victoria.
2. The T-shirts by Larry.
3. The Okapi by me.

Thankyou for supporting HOPES and watching the site and our donations grow. And again, I'm sorry I haven't updated. :)

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Congratulations to...

Congrats to Dave for winning the Jaguar picture! Thankyou for your wonderful donation! :D

I am still working on the picture of the Okapi, and I'm thinking about making a set of animal themed jewlery. More to come soon!

:D

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Prowling Jaguar Auction!!!

Here it is, the Jaguar picture I worked on for 2 days!!!
I sketched with a pencil, and colored with colored pencils.
The starting price is $15.00, and it's up for about a week!
Here's a picture:



( The picture is not exactly like this photo of course, the real thing is much better. :) )

You can go to the auction by clicking on the picture of the jaguar's head over on the right-hand side.
Thanks for visiting, and please bid to help us reach our goal! :D

Auction

The new auction will be getting put up sometime today, so keep an eye out! We got it copied at Kinko's, and I was going to take the pictures for it last night but I had to charge my camera's batteries, so it'll be up sometime day, whenever my mom can help me! :D

So keep an eye out! :)

(I'm also going to e-mail everyone on the contact list when it does get put up, too.)

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Upcoming Auctions

I've finished my color picture, of a... surprise! :D
Not telling.
Nope!

Annndddd... I'm working on a pencil drawing of an Okapi, same style as the other three HOPES has auctioned. :)

We're going to be able to make copies on Friday. So, an auction should start on either Friday or Saturday, most likely Saturday.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Congratulations too...

Conratulations to dazaleski for winning the Black Rat drawing! :D
Thankyou for your donation! :)


I'm currently trying to draw a colored realistic picture of a surprise animal, and I've gotten the sketch done. I think I'll start coloring tommorow.

Then I think I'll try a few more pictures in the same style as the ones I've already auctioned.

We saw two bald eagles (Maybe three, one was far away) a few days ago!!! It was so cool, they were flying over the river, and all the geese scattered, it was amazing. I'm so glad they're off the endangered list and are making a comeback. :)

Has anyone else seen any bald eagles?

Monday, January 12, 2009

Donation Total

If anyone is wondering why the total of our donations has not been updated, it's because, on the Panda Page, we can see the total amount of donations, and who's donated, but we can't see who donated what.

So I can't add the latest donation(s) in until I can be positive the exact number.

I also have not added the Striped Hyena or Gemsbok amount yet, but I will very soon.

Also, my friend is doing some art for HOPES, and so is my cousin! So soon we'll have tons of pictures to auction. I'm working on another animal (a surprise) in the same style as my last pictures for another auction too.

(Don't forget to check out our current auction, the black Rat! You can go to it by clicking on the rat's head on the right-hand side. :D)

Sunday, January 11, 2009

New Auction- Black Rat!!! :D

Hi everyone!!!

We've got a new auction up, the black rat! You can go to the auction by clicking the picture of the rat's head, over on the right-hand side. :)

Here's the picture:



Note: Yes, when we made copies the tail and a little bit of the backend did not copy all they way, I will go over those parts a little with a pencil to fix them up. It will also be signed by me. :D

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Congratulatios to...

Congratulations Ann for winning the Gemsbok auction, and thankyou for your wonderful donation!!!

Next will be the Black Rat.


Important News:

Both auctions will be sent shortly, it's been hectic here.

If you are wondering why I have not updated the donation amount yet, it's because on the panda page, WWF let's you see who donated, and the total amount of donations, but they won't let you see who donated what! We're trying to figure that out now. And we think we knoww, but I don't want to update it if it's wrong. And I wasn't going to add anything else (from the auctions) until it was caught up properly.

(Nothing seems to work 100% for us, does it?)

Ahaha. Ahahahaha.





As another way to raise money, we auction things on E-bay. These things can range from hand drawn digital and pencil animal pictures, animal paintings, animal themed bookmarks, and more. No, not everything is animal themed, we just prefer it to be since we are raising money for animals. If you have something you'd like for us to auction, you can send it to us. As I'm 13, I have to always ask my parents before I give out the address, so you will have to contact me with some info about what the item(s) is, and such. Then I can give you the address. :D
Thanks,
Owen.



Have some questions? Want more info? Care to donate? Contact us at:

contacthopes@yahoo.com

We will reply within a day or two.



Thanks to Pyzam for the awesome Layout. Thanks to WWF for doing such a great job helping and protecting our wildlife. Thanks to all my friends and family who've helped. Thanks to MC for the name, it fits perfectly!!! The logo is (C) to HOPES, please do not steal, or re-use in any way. ( Although I couldn't draw a paw, so I heavily refferenced it, and I don't know who originally did it. ) We are a non-profit orginization. Any money HOPES earns goes to the WWF.