Helping Our Planet's Endangered Species

Collaboration In The Works~

2009-10-13T07:11:00.000-07:00

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! :)

There's A New Artist~

2009-10-08T12:11:00.000-07:00

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~

New Feature and Auction!!!

2009-10-05T09:34:00.001-07:00

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.

So, here's the scoop.

2009-10-01T09:48:00.000-07:00

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.

A Quick Update~

2009-09-15T11:45:00.000-07:00

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

Coming Oh So Soon!

2009-09-06T17:48:00.000-07:00

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.

A Very Important Update~

2009-07-27T06:21:00.000-07:00

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. :)

Auction Winners!!! :D

2009-03-18T15:25:00.000-07:00

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

Guest Post On...

2009-03-05T08:03:00.000-08:00

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:

Congratulations to-

2009-03-03T08:21:00.001-08:00

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

Rainy Days

2009-02-26T10:31:00.001-08:00

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

New Auction! :D

2009-02-22T11:05:00.000-08:00

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

Upcoming Auctions-

2009-02-11T14:56:00.000-08:00

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. :)

Congratulations to...

2009-02-03T13:12:00.000-08:00

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

Prowling Jaguar Auction!!!

2009-01-24T13:05:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-24T08:01:00.000-08:00

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.)

Upcoming Auctions

2009-01-20T17:23:00.001-08:00

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.

Congratulations too...

2009-01-18T16:53:00.000-08:00

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?

Donation Total

2009-01-12T12:00:00.000-08:00

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)

New Auction- Black Rat!!! :D

2009-01-11T09:32:00.001-08:00

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

Congratulatios to...

2009-01-03T15:51:00.001-08:00

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.

New Auction: The Gemsbok!!! :D

2008-12-25T09:05:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

We have gotten the auction of the Gemsbok going, you can go to it by clicking on the picture of the gemsbok's head over on the right hand side. :)

Here is what it looks like:

Keep in mind this is a cropped version, and it is also zoomed in, so it's not the best quality picture of it. But you can see it pretty well! :D

Important Updates-

2008-12-23T20:31:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone and Happy Holidays!

Mom tried to get the auction up tonight, but E-bay was giving her alot of trouble, so, no auction yet. It IS coming very soon though! We're very busy, like most of you probably are, with the holidays. Lots of family coming in! :D

Sorry for no auction yet, I know it's been a while. There WILL be one as soon as we can get it up!
(Oh, and, I changed it where it said I'm a 13 year old girl at the top, cause I'm 14 now! My birthday was the 17th! :D )
And I took down the old auction, finally. LOL.

Goodnight everyone, it's late herre. I'll post again as soon as I can and get the auction up, too.
Thankyou, Owen

I'm BAA-aaaccckkk!!!

2008-12-21T05:38:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! My trip was really fun, we got to go everywhere in Disney World!!! Here are some HOPES updates and such:

Congrats to aquacat13 for winning the Striped Hyena auction!!! I haven't yet added the $36.00 to the total because I like to wait until after the whole transaction is done. :)

The next auction will be the Gemsbok! My mom is working today so I am not sure if the auction will be started today, because I don't know how to start them properly. We might be able to after she gets off work... :)

Oh, and Happy Holidays everyone!!!

Important News :)

2008-12-11T05:58:00.001-08:00

If you're wondering why I haven't posted lately it's because I wanted to leave the Hyena post up for a little while, so people could see it and see the auction. :)

Also, I will not be here from this Sunday to the next Thursday, I'm going on a trip with my grandma for my birthday! :D

I know my mom knows how to set up the auctions, but (no offense intended mom) she doesn't know how to put them here, it takes just a little bit of coding.

I am going to try and show her how to put the link at least up here for a new auction while I'm gone, but, if that doesn't work out there may not be an auction while I'm gone. :( But I'm pretty sure it will work out so no worries. :D

Thankyou; Owen

Striped Hyena

2008-12-07T08:39:00.000-08:00

The picture quality on Ebay is not very good, so I'll psot the full picure here, too. :)

NOTE:
The tail is not off the page, I just couldn't make the picture smaller to fit on the blog. Well, I could, but it wouldn't show the detail. :)

The paper it's copied onto is actually a white/light light light cream color. :)

The drawing itself is different shades of gray, because I drew it with only a graphite pencil. :)

The picture is NOT blurry, but there are small light smudges because when I was drawing I accidentally dragged my hand a few times. :)

Striped Hyena Up For Auction!!!

2008-12-07T07:18:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! We've put the striped hyena up for auction, so check it out! :D

You can go to the auction by clicking the picture of the hyena's head on the right sidebar. :)

Hope you guys like it, it took me a while to draw!

Hurry Everyone!

2008-12-06T08:07:00.000-08:00

Only about 3 hours left on the Happy Tree Auction!!!

After that we will then put the Striped hyena up, starting at $10!
(If you think $10 is to high to start it it at, just say so. We weren't sure what to put the starter bid at. )

:)

Upcoming Auction Previews

2008-12-04T17:48:00.000-08:00

So, the next auctions are pictures I've drawn. In order they are...

1. Striped Hyena

2. Gemsbok

3. Black Rat

Here are the little preveiws of each picture!!!
(Try and guess which parts of the animal they are!)

1.

2.

3.

(( Remember, these are pictures of the pictures, so they don't look as blurry as the photos of them. Also, they aren't quite so grey, they're a bit darker. On white paper. ))

Auctions

2008-12-04T09:20:00.000-08:00

Only 2 days left on the Happy Tree Auction!!!

AFter that auction we will have the Striped Hyena, then the Gemsbok, and last but not least the Black Rat!!! :D

Of course there will be more auctions after that.

We're getting close to another mini-goal of $1,500!!!

Sorry for no post yesterday, I was very busy. :)

Poll Results!!!

2008-12-02T07:11:00.001-08:00

Ok, so, the poll is over and the results are...

The Striped Hyena 57.1% 4 votes

The Gemsbok 28.6% 2 votes

The Black Rat 14.3% 1 votes

That's the order of the next three auctions. Tommorow I will be posting sneak peeks at the pictures. I won't show the whole picture because that's a surprise. But I'll show you a bit of each! So make sure to check in tomorrow!!!

Thanks for voting everyone!

Poll

2008-12-01T08:21:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone!

Currently, the Striped Hyena is in the lead!!!
I will take the poll down tommorow morning, when I get up. It is still in the same post, the one below this one. I accidentally put it in the post instead of on the on the top, and if I moved it the votes would dissapear. Oops.

Thanks for voting everyone!

What should the next auction be?

2008-11-30T08:19:00.000-08:00

After the Happy Tree (LOL) auction, we'll need another one. I have three pictures I've drawn, and they all got copied. I have drawn a Gemsbok, a Black Rat, and a Striped Hyena. They've all been drawn with only a pencil, a blending tool and an eraser. But I still think they look cool. I've made a poll for you guys to vote for which picture to auction next. Have fun!

New Auction- Happy Tree!!!

2008-11-29T11:28:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone!

HOPES has a new auction!!! It's a cheerful doodle of a cute little tree with green grass and a blue sky. I did this like a year or so ago, just for fun. It's just a little cheerful happy tree! Drawn with markers on a note card.

In other news, we are going to Kinko's today, so hopefully we'll get some good copies made!

Gooood Morning Everyone!

2008-11-28T08:25:00.000-08:00

We'll be getting that cheerful tree picture up to auction today or tomorrow, most likely today!!!

And we're still working on the pictures I've drawn, because we haven't gone into town yet, so no Kinko's yet. But that will be soon. :)

Hope everyone had a good turkey day!!!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!

2008-11-27T05:31:00.000-08:00

Hi again everybody!

I hope everyone has a happy and safe Thanksgiving!!!

I won't be able to post until tommorow, because after I go to work with mom we're going to my grandma's.

I drew my mom this little cheerful tree on grass with a blue sky a year or two ago, it's on one of those little note card things. Mom wants to auction it, what do you guys think? Would you bid on a cheerful tree on a notecard done in markers?

New Upcoming Auctions

2008-11-26T15:27:00.001-08:00

Hi again everyone!

I do have three pictures I've drawn for some HOPES auctions, and we are trying to get copies made. Because I only did the pictures with a pencil and a blend tool, they don't come out great when I make copies. They either come out black and white, or, peachy-ish colored. So... We're trying to figure out how to copy them best. I'm thinking of auctioning the originals... What do you guys think about that? :)

Because I can't get it straight in my head to lift up my hand when I draw, my pictures get a little bit smudgey, so I'm sorry about that.

I've drawn:
A Black Rat
A Striped Hyena
A Gemsbok

So if you wonder why there aren't any auctions right now, that's why.

My Dog Sarah!

2008-11-25T16:30:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow I won't be able to get on the computer to post until night time or late afternoon, so I'm going to post some pictures of my dog Sarah Lee being cute, too substitute for tomorrow. :D

We adopted Sarah from petfinder.com, and she is the best dog. At first, we thought she was 1/2 Labrador Retriever, 1/2 Australian Cattle Dog. But we've come to realize that she has pit bull in her, and I could NOT be happier! I love pit bulls, they are one of my favorite breeds. So, Sarah Lee is 1/3 Australian Cattle Dog, 1/3 Labrador Retriever, and 1/3 Pit bull!!!

Here are four pictures of her acting cute and feisty.

Sarah with her best friend Bruno the German Shepherd:

Sarah with her favorite toy, her Soccer Ball!!!

And Sarah dressed as a bunny with her stuffed lamb:

Good Morning!

2008-11-25T07:05:00.000-08:00

Hi again everyone!

I've been trying to think of ideas of fun things for the site, like, a funny picture everyday, funny videos, things like that. If anyone has an idea please share!

Sorry this post is short, I've got to get off the computer. :)

From Now On

2008-11-24T15:18:00.000-08:00

From now on I will post every single day. I don't know why I haven't been, but I'm going to start now. So now you guys can look forward to a new post every day! Even if the post isn't much, there will be one every day.
I promise!

I probably won't post the same time everyday, I mean, I might post before dinner, or, after breakfast, but, I'll post every single day.

:D

Congratulations!

2008-11-24T09:04:00.000-08:00

Congratulations toooooooooo....
Grandma for winning the auctions!
Thankyou very much for your donations Grandma, I love you!

More auctions coming soon!

New Auctions Today!!!

2008-11-15T14:47:00.000-08:00

Hi again everyone!

We have two new acutions!

A beautiful cheetah themed necklace made by Marilee, And an awesome bookmark made by my mom!

Here's the link to the Cheetah necklace:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=280285990587

And the link to the bookmark:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280285996348&_trksid=p3907.m32&_trkparms=tab%3DSelling
(In the pictures it looks orange and white but it's really light blue and orange! )

Don't forget you can go to these auction on the sidebar! :)

Congratulations too...

2008-11-05T08:21:00.000-08:00

Yes, congratulations to Deborah for winning the auction!
Thankyou very much Deborah, and we hope you enjoy your new bookmark!

Sorry that this post is a bit late!

Also, I've drawn three animals in a realistic style, with just a pencil. We're going to make copies and frame them, but those are the next auctions I think!!! :)

I've done a black rat, gemsbok, and a striped hyena.

Donating Issues

2008-10-30T11:28:00.001-07:00

Soon when my mom has time ,we are going to see if there is a way to make it so people can donate through Paypal on the panda page, because right now the only option is with a credit card. So we hope we can, because it'd be easier for people to donate then, I think.

Hi again everyone!

2008-10-27T20:20:00.000-07:00

Hi there!

Thanks again and again for posting and emailing about H.O.P.E.S, It's really brought alot of people here!!!

Don't forget about our auction, it's still going!!

Also, please feel free to donate, because the donations are what is going to make this happen. WWF can't plant that 30ft larch to help the tigers and other natural wildlife without the $4,000.
We're about 1/4 of the way there, and I think that's so awesome, because, I don't care how long this takes, I'm going to raise the money. :)

Thankyou

2008-10-24T19:31:00.001-07:00

I set up this site with my mom to raise money for one of my favorite species, the tiger. And man, the donations are really piling up! The tigers are really going to get some good help with this.
Thankyou everyone, so much!!!

THE GRAND OPENING!!!

2008-10-23T19:27:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's finally here! The Re-Grand-Opening!!!
To start us off, we've got that Tiger themed bookmark up for auction! Along the right-hand sidebar there is a picture-link of it, that will take you straight to the auction! Here are some pictures of the bookmark:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280279633063

NEW TO THE SITE:

2008-10-21T15:06:00.001-07:00

WE CAN TAKE DONATIONS AGAIN!
Now, along the right is a donation button that I made! It will take you to the Panda page, where you can then donate! We are also making changes to the layout to make it easier to navigate and more fun to look at.

IMPORTANT:

The GRAND OPENING will be on FRIDAY The 24th!!!
We will have that Tiger Themed Bookmark for auction!!
If you want to post about HOPES on friday, that would be PERFECT!
Thankyou if you do!

WOO-HOO!!!!!

Great News!!!

2008-10-15T10:09:00.000-07:00

I haven't been posting for a while because I didn't want to say anything that might not work out. But it looks we are going to be having our re-grand opening very very soon!!! WWF has asked us to set up a Panda Page, which I did. hen we will link the PP on our site, instead of a donate button. So you can donate at the Panda Page!!! Meaning that we won't really even use paypal, it will all be through WWF. Also, we're going to start our auctions through Giving Works in E-bay, so auctions are taken care of. Now I just need to finish getting everything hooked up, and we'll be ready to go. Once everything IS ready I'll set a date for the RE-GRAND-OPENING, so if you want to make a post about us on that day to help bring in people, that would be great!!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, for hanging with us, because the wait is finally over.
YEAH!

Hi everyone

2008-10-06T06:42:00.001-07:00

Sorry I haven't been posting (again). It's been busy here. Been working on some stuff for the site. I'm not sharing any details because I'm going to write about them later, in a few days. We're still here, just working on other things and working offline! :D

Good Update!!!

2008-09-29T08:02:00.001-07:00

Hi again! Sorry about not posting for a while, I've been sick. I still feel icky but I'm OK enough to post real quick. We have a good update!!! WWF is going to really, really help us. I'm not going to post any details because I don't want to get them wrong. I will post another post when I know everything for sure!!!
IT'S REALLY GREAT!

Major Major Update

2008-09-23T14:35:00.000-07:00

After a 35 minute phone call with Paypal, my mom found out what we need to do. We need to totally start over. We are going to/have to make a new website, a new bank account, and a new paypal/eBay account. After a waiting period of 180 days our current funds will be transferred to the new paypal account. Now we are really, truly on the road to raising money. Also, when I have to grand opening of the new site, would anyone like to post about us in their blog? Not now, but when we do the grand opening. I don't have a date set, because I'm going to set a date when it's totally ready to take donations and has an auction going and everything. If you DO want to post about us for the opening, please contact me at contacthopes@yahoo.com

THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE!

Hi there everyone-

2008-09-22T06:45:00.000-07:00

Turns out, we actually didn't go to my grandmas that day. Oh well I guess, I'll be over there soon!

Sorry I haven't been posting, it's been really busy here lately. To much going on.

Mom hasn't had very much time to call paypal, but I think she'll be able to after work today, or tommorow, which is her day off. So we'll be getting that finished soon! :D

Update

2008-09-18T07:52:00.001-07:00

We've been pretty busy, so nothing major. We e-mailed WWF asking them to send something to paypal. That's it for the updates right now... :)
(( I'm going to my grandmas to hopefully finish the two paint projects, or at least one of them. :D ))

BEST UPDATE EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-09-15T11:08:00.000-07:00

All the other updates haven't been so great. But this one is!!!!

Today in the mail I got a check from the wonderful Shreve for $400!!!!!!!!!! That puts our total to $1,084!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH SHREVE!!!

Annnndddd..... We're moving along with pay pal. We know exactly what we have to do now. We're just in the progress of doing so. We just have to make a new account, transfer funds, and get WWF to send a letter to pay pal. We're on our way to a grand opening!!!!!!

We aren't sure about E-bay, we're hoping the account will open with the pay pal account. If not we'll tackle that too! But I think I'm going to sell artwork on Etsy... What do you guys think about that?

Update!

2008-09-13T08:47:00.000-07:00

OK, so, my mom called them again. And I got an e-mail. It said that apparently, NOW they won't accept the e-mail from WWF, and we need a signed letter from them instead!! They accepted it before but now they won't. This is very aggravating. OH, we also found out that, I guess, now they're telling us to make a new account because I signed up with my name and I'm a minor. They didn't mention the money we already raised!!!!! ARGH!!! OK, well, that's the current update. And it stinks. I wish there was another way to raise money but I don't know of any ways. :( If you guys do feel free to say so! :)

Update ( Not really )

2008-09-08T08:55:00.000-07:00

Sorry there haven't been any new posts at all, but there hasn't been anything to update. :( Pay pal STILL hasn't responded, and it's been almost 2 weeks. I don't understand why.I wish there was a way we could speed it up. Haven't worked on the metal cat or lion since last time, haven't been to my grandmas. At least not when I can work on them.

Thanks again for hanging in there guys!

Update: Still nothing.

2008-09-04T16:14:00.000-07:00

Yeah, still no e-mails from paypal. At all. Zip. Zilch. Nada.
So tired of waiting but oh well I guess.

STILL no reply.

2008-09-03T09:17:00.000-07:00

We still haven't gotten any e-mails saying anything about our documents. Only thing we've gotten so far is an automatic response to receiving them, but that's all. So, no real update I guess.

Update!!!

2008-08-31T07:39:00.000-07:00

We sent the documents in AGAIN, this time got them properly faxed from a Kinko's. I don't see how it can go wrong this time. This is our FOURTH time sending documents in.

I de-rusted the metal cat, gave it a base coat to protect it from more rust, then gave it three coats of light blue paint.

The lion had to many marks, chips and other things to touch it up, I totally repainted him. I am thinking of painting a little mini African scene.... We'll see.

In other news, my TWO MONTH long art block is over. FINALLY. I can draw now. an art block is where an artist can't draw anything she likes. Nothing comes out right. So I am going to try and get started on some pictures.

New Site Update

2008-08-28T10:12:00.000-07:00

Well, we found out that the fax machine we use doesn't send the drivers license properly... Like, it doesn't come out clearly. So, now we have to either find a scanner that works ( Ours is busted, most likely animal related) or my camera. But I don't think the camera is going to give a good clear picture. That's the latest news. OH and I'm going to work on painting that cat today! It's been sanded, so the rust is off. :) Paypal is really taking forever. But we'll make it eventually!!!
Auction list so far: ( FAR=finished and ready, AD=almost done, and NW=needs work. )
FAR- Tiger themed bookmark.
AD/NW- Metal Wall hanging cat
AD- Lion Figurine/sculpture.

And more to come. :)

No new updates yet.

2008-08-25T13:22:00.000-07:00

Still at the same status as the last post. BUT I found this lion sculpture/figurine about the size of a beanie baby, and I'm going to fix it up for an auction. It looks cool. Male lion lying down.

New Update!!!

2008-08-22T05:10:00.000-07:00

Still under construction, but... I think two days ago we found out that paypal didn't receive/read or documents. So mom sent them AGAIN for the third time. So now we are waiting, AGAIN, for them to read them, and let us raise money again. I'm getting tired of waiting and I know you guys are too, but won't it be so incredibly cool to give WWF a check, for 4,000?!?! And I think we will have a grand opening for the site, too. Er, re-grand opening. :)

Has HOPES lost all it's fans?

2008-08-20T20:51:00.000-07:00

Where did everyone go? Did you guys just get tired of waiting, too? Anyways, here's an update:

Paypal apparently didn't get our faxed documents. Mom is going to fax them tommorow!!! (AGAIN. ><)
Oh well, it will be worth the wait!
If you've stuck around, thank you, thank you, thank you!

Man, I am terrible at remebering.

2008-08-18T08:19:00.000-07:00

I am so incredibly sorry. I forgot!!! OK. I'll just post lots of funny animal videos, in case I forget again!

This one's really long, but really funny:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zi9GOvR3Ynw

Really funny cats:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkT7A3jegBc

That's it for now. I think the ten minute long one covers for a few days. LOL. Hope you like them! The long has some stupid parts in it, but most of it's really funny!

Status Update

2008-08-14T20:47:00.000-07:00

Still Waiting On:

Paypal to read documents we sent in
E-bay to reply to our emails

Done:

Paypal accepted the letter from WWF.
Paypal confirmed that our documents made it.

_______

So. We just read the paypal is OK with the letter from WWF. They just need to confirm the documents we sent in.

Sorry About That Guys

2008-08-14T08:16:00.000-07:00

Sorry about not posting a video yesterday, I couldn't get on the computer. So I'll post links to two of them now:

Funny Pugs- ( A music video thing. ) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WElJp2Hj56U&mode=related&search

Hungry Doggies- ( Music video again ) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXd-Xhg_gx8&feature=user

Credits go to the person who made these, PhotoAnimationGuy on Youtube

Videos

2008-08-12T16:00:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! I have some videos from a zoo we went to, but I am trying to figure out how to make them viewable on here. Because I don't even know how to watch them on our computer. Until then I'll just post links to videos on youtube. So here's the first one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzRH3iTQPrk&feature=related

It's of pandas, and it's pretty funny. Cracks me up. Credits to whoever took the video. :D

Ideas

2008-08-11T18:32:00.000-07:00

My mom had a pretty good idea. I could post interesting or funny animal videos daily, until we get up and running again, for something to do. What do you guys think about that?

New Update

2008-08-11T10:43:00.000-07:00

We are still waiting. Still no e-mails from paypal. At all. :( But I a mtrying to fix up the site in the meantime. So, if anyone has any suggestions on what needs to be changed, they're very welcomed. Like, if a certain font needs to be changed colors, or anything. Any suggestion!!!

Back, and tired.

2008-08-09T10:09:00.000-07:00

Wow, that was fun. Got lot's of cool pictures and some videos. :D Ok, here's an update: I still haven't gotten ANy e-mails. :(So we are stillllll waitinggggg. Thought we are working on building up the stuff to auction. Right now we have one bookmark. But I am working on the metal cat, some more bookmarks, and some art. :) Thanks AGAIN for hanging in there with us guys!

Hello Everyone!

2008-08-07T06:27:00.000-07:00

OK, so, here's another update. We got confirmations that pay pal received our documents, now we are just waiting for them to read them and reply. Also, on Friday, I am going to a zoo, and will be taking lots of pictures, so I'll have some GREAT references for some drawings and paintings! So I can try and draw them like I see them. I will probably not be able to get on the computer until... Late Friday or Saturday.
Here is what we're waiting on:
• Pay pal to read the documents and respond
• EBay to reply to the stuff we sent
• Pay pal to let us use the account again
• EBay to let us use the account again
And if eBay doesn't respond, I might do something on Etsy, I am still not sure. But I'll contact them BEFORE I do anything, hehe.

Newest Update

2008-08-05T18:27:00.000-07:00

Sorry everyone, earlier I didn't have much time to write. But now I do. Anyways, we sent the stuff in and are still waiting. But I'm getting better at drawing tiger heads. :D I'm going to practice more tonight. I am, again, very sorry we didn't think to take care of this before I had the grand-opening. Oh well I guess, we'll have another grand opening then! :D I mean, I couldn't be more sorry. I promise we will get this site up and running again! :)

NEW Update

2008-08-05T11:31:00.001-07:00

Sorry there haven't been any recent posts!! I've been pretty busy. Anyways, we are stilllllllllll waiting. STILL. It's driving me crazy, but oh well I guess, we'll make it through. :D We will make a comeback! LOL.

Hey everyone, Here's an Update and such:

2008-08-01T16:07:00.000-07:00

OK, so. Still waiting, well, fort of. I'm not exactly sure. Anyways, I plan on having sort of a re-opening once this gets all worked out, which it will, because we'll MAKE it work out. LOL. I'm thinking maybe, like 2 or so days after it gets all cleared up on paypal and eBay, I might start lots of auctions, and such. If anyone has any suggestions or ideas for the RE-Grand Opening, I'm open to them. Like, ways to spread the word around. But not yet. Once it's all cleared up, I'll make a post about the re-opening. So if anyone wants to make posts on their blogs or myspace pages about the site on re-opening day that would be a major help. Oh, and guess what everyone. Mom was walking down-town, and came across this metal wall-hanging cat on the sidewalk, and she brought it home, for me and grandma to fix up. I am going to sand the rusty spots off, and paint it. Maybe paint it like a cat, or paint flowers and plants on it, which my grandma's very good at, who knows, we'll see. And I am going to maybe paint a Lynx or Tiger on a canvas, to auction. Who knows. And mom and I can make lots of bookmarks, cause we have tons of new beads, THANKS AGAIN Marilee!! So, I have big plans for the site. I just wish all this legal stuff would be over with, but, oh well, more time to make stuff to auction off! :D Thanks again everyone for sticking with the site!!

Owen

Hang in there everyone!

2008-08-01T10:37:00.000-07:00

This is taking forever, but it will be way worth it! First, I want to say thanks amillion for all the donatioons and support! Second, thankyou M.J.Layman!! Those beads will help us SO MUCH!!!
Still waiting on paypal... Not sure how much longer we have to wait... Hopefully not long!

Oops forgot this:

2008-07-31T05:01:00.000-07:00

For those of you who bid on the bookmark, and then e-nay suspended the account, we will have that bookmark up for auction again once this is all straightened out!

Hi Again, New Update!

2008-07-31T04:55:00.000-07:00

Wow. Really sorry everyone! Ok, so, mom has been making some calls, and I thought you guys might like to know how it's going. We got an e-mail from WWF saying that they are ok with our site, in fact they like it alot. ( Dunno if they saw it, I think they like the idea alot. ) Mom faxed some stuff to paypal, so we are waiting on that to get this worked out. Oh, and she contacted e-bay, but no reply yet. Again, I'm very sorry for this delay. It's driving me nuts. LOL. So. We are not moving, we are staying right here. I don't know how much longer this will take though, as long as it takes for them to veiw the stuff she faxed I guess. But, having all this free time, I have been practicing drawing tiger heads. I'm still not great, but getting there. Once I'm ready, I'll get a painting done to auction. :D Thanks again everyone for all the support and for sticking with us!

Current Status:

2008-07-29T10:36:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! Right now, the site is under construction, But we are working to get this all straightened out! Should be fixed within a few days! In the meantime, we are either going to make a panda page o WWF or try and get this site up and running again. Email us for more info.

Oops

2008-07-28T11:51:00.000-07:00

Apparently we forgot to contact paypal about raising money, so mom has to contact them and such. Not sure if this means if we have to hold off on accepting donations or what. So, if this causes any inconveniences, I'm really sorry. I don't know really what any of this means. :P Luckily mom does. But no worries, the money we've raised so far will stay put, nothing will happen to it. And the auction will finish. We will get this all straightened out!
Thanks!
( E-mail any questions or concerns and such to contacthopes@yahoo.com )

First Auction!!!

2008-07-26T15:05:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone!! We have our first auction going!! You can go to the link on the side, and here's the link too:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=220261947646

My mom made it for HOPES, and it's tiger themed with a hematite bead on one end. You can use it as a bookmark, or as a bracelt. ( I liike them as bracelet's. :) ) I could only post one picture on e-bay, so here are the other pictures:

First Mini-goal!!

2008-07-26T07:54:00.000-07:00

We have reached our first goal of $500!!!!! By the end of today there will HOPEFULLY be two auctions going, one at least. I am making a tiger bookmark and a shark bookmark. If the shark one doesn't get done today it will tommorow. Thankyou so much everyone!!!

Goals

2008-07-25T20:21:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone!! Thank you SO MUCH for all of the donations, this is so cool!! We have just passed $400 dollars!!! Only a hundred away from our first mini-goal. I just like to set mini-goals for fun. But maybe eventually every time we reach a mini goal I'll start a some kind of auction, along with whatever is running at the time. To celebrate. We have mini-goals in increments of $500, and we are coming up on our first!! Yes, I think I will do an auction to celebrate every mini-goal success. I will make a list of the things we auction, and there will be one special thing that only gets auctioned when we reach a mini-goal, so that will be the only way to get one. If you've wondered about the kinds of bookmarks we will auction, here is some info:
Hemp and embroidery jewel bookmarks, that's how my mom describes them. The 10 main themes that I will make are...
Tiger
Cheetah
Elephant
Panda
Penguin
Eagle
Ring-tailed Lemur
Gorilla
Giraffe
Lion

They will appear in random orders. If you are wondering how they will be animal themed, I use the four main colors of each animal, and put the same color themed beads on each end. If I don't have beads that match I use black or white.

The special edition bookmark is.......
Shark! On the ends it uses shark teeth on the ends. Real shark teeth. They're small, but real. Special edition. :D Art work will also be going to!

Questions Answered

2008-07-25T05:58:00.000-07:00

Wow you guys!! In a day and a half, we have raised $375!!!!! Way to go everyone!! Thanks so much!!! OK, so, I've been receiving some questions, and, here are the answers:

What can we send you to auction?

You can send me anything you want for us to auction, but before I give the address I have to find out a little more about the item(s). Like, what is it, and so on. And we prefer to have the item be animal themed, since that's what we raise money for.

When might the auctions be going?

We hope pretty soon. I've been sick, so I didn't feel well enough to really draw or make a bookmark,but I feel better now, so, hopefully at least one auction going before the weekend is over.

Do you have a donation button I can use for my site?

Sadly, no, we do not. I am not sure how to make one for others to use. If anyone knows, please feel free to tell me!

Is it OK if I link you on some other sites?

Oh yes, please do! everything helps!!

Would you like some of my friends to donate their art?

Well, if you have friends who are artistic, and want to donate, then sure!! Like I said, everything helps!!!
___________________________________
Thank you everyone for your time, donations, and friendly comments. THANK YOU!!!

Wow.

2008-07-24T13:11:00.000-07:00

We've already broken 200 dollars! That's how much we've gotten in ONE DAY. I can't get over it. That's just soooo cool!! Thanks you guys!! Sorry we don't have any auctions up yet, we don't really have anything to auction. But Shreve's got that covered!!! Holy cow!! ( Inside joke ) Thanks Shreve!!!

We are now OPEN!!!!

2008-07-22T16:58:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!! Welcome to HOPES. My name is Owen, and I'm a girl. I really want to raise money to help endagered animals, so, I began this. Along the right side is our sidebar, which contains lots of information. You can read more about our current goal, see some other good sites, and plenty of other stuff!! Also, along the bottom you can see the credits, and there are some links to WWF there too! You can feel free to e-mail me at contacthopes@yahoo.com. If you'd like to help, you can either donate, or send the link to everyone you know, or just some friends. Anything helps us. Thanks again to all my friends and family. Thanks SO MUCH for your time!!