Featured BuffaLoveFest Vendors: Woodwork Creations, Born In Buffalo, Desire Link, Jewelry By Rachel NY, Regina Rexford, and Road Kiln

Today's the day, BuffaLoveFest 2014! Here are the last featured vendors that will be here tonight selling their Buffalo-themed products and showing their Buffalo pride.

Woodwork Creations

1. How do you/your product embody "BuffaLove?"
My work enhances the symbols of the city and its teams.

2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th?
I will be selling handmade wooden signs and ornaments of Buffalo and its sports teams. Also there will be some national sports memorialized in wood.

3. How does your business contribute to our community?
My business helps boost the image of our city.

Born In Buffalo

1. How do you/your product embody "BuffaLove?"
Our shirt designs embody the spirit and history of Buffalo. For years, we have focused on traditions and architecture in the city that has sometimes been forgotten but is making a come back; the grain elevators, the water front, the central terminal, etc.

2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th?
We will be selling all of our best selling designs plus some of our brand new designs.

3. How does your business contribute to our community?
Our "Born In Buffalo" facebook page has over 60,000 followers. We are constantly promoting the city through posts, photos, events and outreach, allowing the many followers to stay connected to their hometown.

Desire Link

1. How do you/your products embody “BuffaLove?”
My products embody "BuffaLove" because not only do I love Buffalo, but I have several different designs that incorporate the theme of loving Buffalo

2.What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th? 
I will be selling various relief and silkscreen prints, as well as hand-stenciled Buffalo ornaments, and silkscreened t-shirts and tote bags, as well as many different designs of pinback buttons.

3. How does your business contribute to our community? 
My business contributes to the community by promoting the love of Buffalo through the various product designs.

Jewelry By Rachel NY

1. How do you/your products embody “BuffaLove?”
Jewelry By Rachel NY creates jewelry designs that are as unique and original as Buffalo! We create designs which embody our customer’s and the community’s individuality and creative spirit.

2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th?
Jewelry By Rachel NY is known for creating quality, unique jewelry sets, bracelets, earrings and necklaces. All of our designs are one-of-a-kind. No jewelry set designs are duplicated!

3. How does your business contribute to our community?
Jewelry By Rachel NY makes donations to area fundraisers and/or benefits for organizations and individuals. We are always looking for ways to help out our community.

Regina Rexford

1. How do you/your products embody “BuffaLove?”
As a local artist, I design and fire my fused glass jewelry and small raku pottery in my sun porch studio in Cheektowaga.  I enjoy sharing the process with other local artists and exhibiting my creations among the many talented local artisans!

2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th?
One of a kind fused glass jewelry and raku pottery- each jewelry piece is designed, fired, ground, fire-polished, then finished in either a setting or with a ready to wear bail. My pots are wheel-thrown, fired, then finished in the outdoor raku firing method.  

3. How does your business contribute to our community?
I have been fortunate to donate pieces of  my artwork to charitable organizations’ fundraising campaigns. It is also a wonderful feeling to see my jewelry worn and enjoyed by many, in our tight-knit community!

Road Kiln

1. How do you/your products embody “BuffaLove?”
My unique lines of jewelry have been created by using an American and English penny.  Many of the designs have a buffalo within the piece, helping to promote our love of Buffalo.

2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th?
I will have men’s and women’s jewelry as well as wine charms.  Specifically, I will bring necklaces, bracelets, pins and earrings for women.  Men can purchase cuff links and lapel pins.  Wine charms make the perfect gift or look great on wine glasses at your own party.

3. How does your business contribute to our community? 
The products are upcycled from pennies and are a great way to show off our Buffalo pride.

Tickets for BuffaLoveFest will be available at the door! The event starts tonight at 5:30 p.m. See you there!

Featured BuffaLoveFest Vendors: Gizmo's Creations, Ooo La La Fashion Truck, Devil Chicken Design and Mary Grace Artisan Jewelry

BuffaLoveFest is tomorrow! Don't forget to check out all the wonderful vendors we have coming. All the vendors are featured on this blog and on The Good Neighborhood Blog!

Gizmo's Creations

1. How do you/your products embody "BuffaLove?"

People are able to show their love for Buffalo by wearing the jewelry. It's a fantastic city and people take pride in that.

2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th?
Buffalo necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets, cuff links and tie tacks.

3. How does your business contribute to our community?
We do a number of fundraiser events in the community to support different causes such as domestic violence and children with disabilities. We also sell in different boutiques and help out one another in growing the local businesses!

Ooo La La Fashion Truck

1. How do you/you product embody "BuffaLove?"
We are part of the Buffalo trucker community and support creativity dreams and small businesses in our area. Buffalo has a stereotype of not being a fashinable city and we are here to change that by spreading pink power to all #Buffalove.

2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th?
Our Ooo La La Fashion Truck is a mobile boutique filled with clothing, accessories and so much more.

Here is a sneak peak at what the fashion truck looks like inside.

3. How does your business contribute to our community?
We are Buffalo's first mobile boutique and we are bringing fashion to the streets. We have a fun and unique way to dress the people in Buffalo in fabulous fashion.

Devil Chicken Design

1.  How do you/your products embody “BuffaLove?”
I am a visual artist from Buffalo.  All of my work in some way or another reflects my life in this city.  I see my work as a reflection of both the hardships and successes of Buffalo.  My work is layered and textured with a variety of materials and media.  It shows the scars of the process that it went through to become something new, something more than what it was originally intended to be.  To me that is what Buffalo is.  That is why I choose to live and work here.

 2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30^th?

 The BuffaLoveFest is a great opportunity to connect with the community and showcase the work that I have produced.  The best part of my work with Devil Chicken Design is the opportunity to meet and communicate with the people of the towns we exhibit in.  That is what I am looking forward to most about the BuffaLoveFest.  The icing on the cake is that I will get that opportunity in such a unique and historical location like the Buffalo Zoo!

 3.How does your business contribute to our community?

Devil Chicken Design contributes to the community by providing visual imagery unique to Buffalo.  I am proud to be a part of the resurgence of our city. A resurgence that has been spurred forward by the arts and cultures that have been a part of our city for over 100 years.

Mary Grace Artisan Jewelry

1. How do you/your products embody "BuffaLove?"
In 2003, I was taught how to make jewelry at the famous jewelry store – Where the Wild Things Are located on Lexington Avenue in Buffalo.  Also in 1995 I was taught how to make jewelry by Annie Shepard of In the Beginning, a Buffalo company, and worked for her for eight years until I launched my own business.
2.What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th?
I will be selling sterling silver and gemstone jewelry.

3. How does your business contribute to our community? 
I contribute to many charitable organizations and donate jewelry to many benefits in the area for basket auctions.



Tickets for BuffaLoveFest are available now. Click here to get yours before they sell out!

Featured BuffaLoveFest Vendors: Artyard Studio, Buffalo Gal Organics, and Predmore

The tent is up and the stage is set! Just 2 more days until BuffaLoveFest! (Do you have your tickets yet?!) Here are a few more awesome vendors we have lined up for Friday.

Artyard Studio

1. How do you/your products embody “BuffaLove?”
   I make Buffalo themed pottery that is decorative and yet functional.  I make Large bows and vases with carved buffalos , palters and serving trays too our ever popular Buffalo shaped Art magnets are great accents for any fridge, home or office. The perfect little gift! Show your Buffalo New York Pride with this gift.
   
   



2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th?
   The above mentioned items and Our Artic Polar series.
   
3. How does your business contribute to our community?
   Show your Buffalo New York Pride with our gift wares and we also donate and contribute to many organizations  locally as well as proceeds are donated for digging wells in Africa.

Buffalo Gal Organics

1. How do you/your products embody BuffaLove?
   We named our company Buffalo Gal Organics because we love Buffalo!  We have built our brand around the ground up believing in small town values and in doing things right.  The buffalo is a part of our labeling and brand as well.
   
2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th?
   Vegan, organic, holistic  bath body and beauty care.
   
   



3. How does your business contribute to our community?
   We strive to educate the community about natural skincare and the benefits of using locally sourced ingredients.  We regularly offer classes on skincare and holistic nutrition.

Predmore Creations

1. How do you/your products embody “BuffaLove?”
   I’ve been drawing & painting scenes of Buffalo’s architectural landmarks for over 20 years.  All of my locally themed art & gifts are made in buffalo, NY . Thousands of homes throughout the United States are displaying my Buffalo themed products, which remind them of their hometown.
   
   
2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th? I will be selling the Buffalo Landmark series of themed glassware, matted & framed prints based on my original paintings, buffalo ornaments, plaques & Buffalo Stained glass display dishes.
   
3. How does your business contribute to our community? I work closely with Gerard Place(Transitional housing for homeless single parents) Donating items for fundraisers & helping with promotion. Some organizations that a portion of my proceeds have gone to are The Burchfield Penney Museum, American Red Cross, I designed two Buffalo’s for Roswell’s “herd of Buffalo campaign” that sold for over $8000 for the pair.  Allowed use of my artwork to raise funds for Daemen College’s Schol;arship Fund, Drew Canisius College & donated a framed limited edition framed print which sold for $1200 at the annual Gambit auction. Several others as well such as Variety Club, Sabah, Shea’s Theater, Compass House etc.

Tickets for BuffaLoveFest are available now. Click here to get yours before they sell out!

Featured BuffLoveFest Vendors: Clustered, Buffalosmark, Buffalo Art Prints, Architectural Prints, KegWorks, and Erin's Apples

We still have tons of vendors to share with you before the BuffaLoveFest celebration. We will be featuring six vendors on this blog post! Be sure to check out all the other vendors on this blog and The Good Neighborhood Blog.

Clustered

1. How do you/your products embody “BuffaLove?” 
Clustered offers a series of jewelry featuring Buffalo nickel with gemstones and pearls. You can even find necklaces and earrings in Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Bills colors.

2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th? 
We will feature handcrafted artisan jewelry. We are inspired by all sorts of natural materials such as gemstones, pearl, sterling silver, leather, coins, silverware, etc.

3. How does your business contribute to our community?
We are truly in love with Buffalo and all it has to offer. The food, the arts, the history, the architecture, and most importantly the people. There is simply nowhere else like Buffalo. You can find our jewelry at Wild things, located at 224 Lexington Ave. Wild Things has been in business as a cooperative artisan market since 1988. We shop/eat local and support our amazing artist community whenever possible. So proud to call Buffalo home.

Buffalosmark: Carol Conwall

1. How do you/your products embody “Buffalove?”
“The Buffalo” art, is a whimsical caricature imaging historical, architectural, scenic, floral, seasonal themed art.  Art that captures known and hidden treasures of the Greater Buffalo-Niagara Western New York Region.

2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th?
I will be selling “The Buffalo” and other novel card art, place/buffet cards, bookmarks and wallet charms. Also I will be selling novelty items, coasters, luggage tags, hockey pucks, coupon and pocket wallets, magnets, decals and framed art.

3. How does your business contribute to our community?
The soul of my art is to artfully reminisce a time gone by, capturing the wonderment of our heritage and rekindle the conversational art of penning a note.  “The Buffalo” art is my contribution to the preservation of our historic architectural heritage, a City blessed with awesome beauty and magnificent architectural wonderment!

Buffalo Art Prints

1.How do you/your products embody “BuffaLove?”

My work celebrates nature and the four seasons of Buffalo. Through experiments in watercolor and gouache, I created a Buffalo tree which is the main element in most of my work.

2.What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th?

I am selling prints, coaster sets, mugs, notecards, pendants, phone covers, onesies and ornaments.

3.How does your business contribute to our community? 

I appreciate the opportunity to sell my work through local artisan and gallery gift stores. By selling my work locally, I feel I’m supporting local businesses and the local economy.

Architectural Prints

1.How do you/your products embody “BuffaLove?” 

All of our prints are images of historic Buffalo architecture.  Hand carved, on-site by a local artist, these prints are also printed on an antique letterpress at the WNY Book Arts center.

2.What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th? 

We are selling linoleum cut prints of Buffalo Architecture.

3.How does your business contribute to our community? 

We participate in as many local art events as possible.  By printing at the WNYBAC, we contribute to their business as well.  The artist also teaches at Tapestry Charter School and is a resident artist at the Buffalo Arts Studio.

KegWorks

1.How do you/your products embody "BuffaLove?"

KegWorks is a Buffalo-born company and proud of it. Our founder started KegWorks in his bedroom in 1998 and since then we’ve operated out of multiple locations in different parts of the city. Buffalo is a city that loves to have fun, and KegWorks is a company that sells unique items to help make that fun happen. And let’s face it, we’re a drinking town through and through, so basically Buffalo and KegWorks are a match made in heaven.

2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th?

We’ll be selling a variety of products ranging from locally produced hockey puck bottle openers to our own Watermelon Tap kit that lets you turn any watermelon into a drink-dispensing wonder keg. We’ll also have plastic beer can handles to turn any bottle or can into a beer stein, unbreakable silicone pint glasses, beer-flavored lollipops, and much more!

3. How does your business contribute to our community?

We’re a 100% local business that employs over 50 of your friends and neighbors. We contribute time, energy, and money to events and organizations that we believe help build a stronger Buffalo (i.e. sponsoring the BPO Rocks series). 

Erin's Apples

1. How do you/your products embody “BuffaLove?”
I was born and raised in Buffalo, and I am proud to call myself a Buffalonian. This is a great city, with so many talented and interesting people. I genuinely enjoy the interactions I have with the members of this community through my small business.  

2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th? I am selling a variety of gourmet caramel apples at BuffaLoveFest, with flavors including triple chocolate, apple pie, Oreo, peanut butter, coconut cluster, s’mores, Butterfinger, and M&M.

3. How does your business contribute to our community? All of my ingredients and supplies are made in the USA, and many come from right here in the Buffalo area. I can provide delicious treats for any occasion, including, but not limited to: gifts, favors, showers, weddings, festivals, fundraisers, etc.  I love to help people brighten someone’s day or raise money for their organization! 

Tickets for BuffaLoveFest are available now. Click here to get yours before they sell out!

BuffaLoveFest Featured Vendors: Queen City Shirt Company, Maze Art, Message Suite and Spa, and Patrice Design

BuffaLoveFest is only three days away! We still have a lot of vendors to share with you before the big celebration. Check out all the vendors coming to BuffaLoveFest on this blog and The Good Neighborhood Blog.

Queen City Shirt Company

1. How do you/your products embody "BuffaLove?"
Our products embody "BuffaLove" because they are old designs from old Buffalo companies. Also, we have new designs with present topics in the city.

Queen City Shirts

2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th?
We are selling shirts, caps, and belts.

3. How does your business contribute to our community?
We have contributed to the community by donating shirts for events. We have done fundraisers for Black Rock Girls and Boys Club ourselves.

Maze Art

1. How do you/your products embody "BuffaLove?"
Some of my prints and all of my T-shirts, kids shirts, totebags, aprons, and cards have a Buffalo with hidden words intertwined in a maze like design. Some of the hidden words are Buffalo Bills, Sabres, Queen City, Albright Knox, Delaware Park, snow, wings and more. Another Buffalo print has hidden words containing famous people from Buffalo embedded in the design.

2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th?
I am selling Buffalo prints, cards, T-shirts-adults & kids, tote bags and aprons.They will all have the same Buffalo design with the hidden Buffalo words. I am also selling other prints of various themes, one I made reflecting the Garden Walk. Most of them have hidden words.

Some of the items that will be sold at this years BuffaLoveFest.

3. How does your business contribute to our community?
With so many people wearing my T-shirts, it is good advertising and a conversation piece for Buffalo. Many people have purchased a Buffalo item to give to a family member or friend who has moved out of Buffalo! Many people in Florida are wearing their Buffalo T-shirt or sweatshirt! I have also contributed to organizations raising money for a good cause.

Massage Suite and Spa

1. How do you/your products embody "BuffaLove?"
We love Buffalo and keeping our community stress free.

2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th?
We are selling chair massages. First minute free and after that it's $1.00 a  minute. We are also selling gift certificates.

3. How does your business contribute to our community?
We are a small locally owned massage practice helping the community relax. We also donate out time at particular events.

Patrice Designs

1. How do you/your products embody "BuffaLove?"
I incorporate Buffalo in all of my artwork.

2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th?
Hand-painted "Buffalo" wine and beer glasses and Buffalo inspired prints.

Here are some of the Buffalo-themed glasses made at Patrice Design.

3. How does your business contribute to our community?
My business contributes to the community by making people love where they came from.


Tickets for BuffaLoveFest are available now. Click here to get yours before they sell out!

Nyah the Baby Gorilla

In September, we announced the birth of a baby gorilla to first time mom, Lily. Click here to see the original announcement.

by Jamie Kranz, gorilla keeper

Our baby gorilla now has an official name (and gender!) We have determined to the best of our ability that Lily's baby is a female. Her name is Nyah (pronounced N-eye-uh), meaning "purpose" in Swahili. The name is fitting, since her birth resulted from a breeding recommendation from the gorilla SSP.

Baby Nyah. Photos by keeper Kayla Krajna

Gender determination in gorillas can be very tricky, males look like females, females look like males. Lily was a very protective mother, which is great, but it was difficult for keepers to get a close look at the baby. For any primate, the bond between mother and baby is important, and unless there was a health concern, there was no reason to intervene just to check the gender. Although not knowing was frustrating, a healthy baby was all that really mattered.

Lily was trained to bring the baby up to the mesh in their holding area. She would allow keepers to syringe and bottle feed the baby through the mesh. Luckily it was not needed, but this training was important. If Lily was unable to nurse, the keepers could have allowed the baby to remain in her care, while keeping the baby healthy through bottle feeding.

Adorable Nyah!

Canisius College has the ability to figure out DNA (XX or XY chromosome = Female or Male) through a cheek swab sample. Since Lily was used to the keepers sticking objects in the baby's mouth, it was easy to get a simple cheek swab with a q-tip. We also took a sample from Koga since he will have the Y chromosome, indicating that he's a male. The preliminary results showed that Koga did have a Y chromosome (He's obviously a male, but this proved that the test worked) and the baby did not have a Y. Based on those results, and our own observations, we have determined that the baby is indeed a female.

BuffaLoveFest Featured Vendors: Puffy Cat Creative and Sweet Melody's

The BuffaLoveFest celebration is getting closer and closer. To keep up with all the wonderful vendors we have coming, we will be featuring another two vendors today. You can find more vendors on this blog and also on The Good Neighborhood Blog!

Puffy Cat Creative

1. How do you/your products embody “BuffaLove?”
My everyday items embody "BuffaLove" because they are designed and created by a lifelong Buffalonian who believes in and is inspired by the Queen City.

2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th? 
I will be selling Buffalo themed t-shirts, hoodies, onesies, pillows, greeting cards, and framed art. Examples of my work can be seen on my website at Puffy Cat Creative.

Some Buffalo-themed  goodies you can find at BuffaLoveFest.

3. How does your business contribute to our community? 
I contribute to our community by utilizing local vendors and resources whenever possible.

Sweet Melody's

1. How do you/your products embody “BuffaLove?” 

Sweet Melody’s is locally owned and operated. We are a family run business and we embrace our Buffalo roots. We pride ourselves in using local dairies and markets for our produce, nuts, chocolates and fruit. We create our artisan crafted Gelato and Sorbet daily at our location on Transit Road in Clarence, NY.

2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th? 

Sweet Melody’s will be serving our award winning authentic gelato (Italian ice cream) and sorbet ( fresh frozen fruit dessert). We will also be providing frozen banana’s hand dipped in rich dark Belgian chocolate. 

The many flavors of Sweet Melody's gelato and sorbet

3. How does your business contribute to our community? 

Sweet Melody’s employs many young students from the University of Buffalo. We pride ourselves in our participation with donations to multiple charities including Kelly’s Kids, Hunters Hope, The Steadfast Foundation, Red Cross, Hospice, Ride for Roswell, ECMC Lifeline Foundation, Plant for Hope, Dragon Boat/Hope Chest Buffalo, The Buffalo Zoo, and many more. 

Tickets for BuffaLoveFest are available now. Click here to get yours before they sell out!

BuffaLoveFest Featured Vendors: Botanical Gardens and Ginametrical

BuffaLoveFest is approaching quickly, and we have more amazing vendors than we have days left until the celebration! So today we're featuring TWO vendors. Don't forget to check out even more featured vendors over on the Good Neighborhood blog!

Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens

1. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th?
   We'll be presenting information about the Botanical Gardens.
2. How does your business contribute to our community?
   The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens is a living museum dedicated to advancing appreciation for and knowledge of plant life and its connection to people and cultures in our community through its documented living plant collection, historic conservatory, education, research and exhibits.

The beautiful Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens

Ginametrical

1. How do you/your products embody “BuffaLove?”
   Ginametrical offers design from a different angle. Our products are bold, colorful and unique - just like Buffalo! We are really celebrating this great city we live in – and all of our Buffalo themed designs are perfect for locals and make great gifts for those with roots here in Western NY.
2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th?
   Hand-drawn digital designs in the form of posters, framed prints, greeting cards, stationery and post cards.
   



This fun Buffalo wing print will be available from Ginametrical at BuffaLoveFest



3. How does your business contribute to our community?
   As a small business, we rely on our community to help us grow and thrive. We try to pay it forward, supporting the local economy and business owners like us. We live in Buffalo, work in Buffalo and spread the “BuffaLove” wherever we go!

Tickets for BuffaLoveFest are available now. Click here to get yours before they sell out!

BuffaLoveFest Featured Vendor: Durham Leather

Here's another BuffaLoveFest 2014 vendor who will be selling some really unique Buffalo-themed items at this year's celebration of all things "Buffalo." Check out Durham Leather!

1. How do you/your products embody “BuffaLove?”
   All products are hand made in Hamburg, New York.
   
2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th? Belts, wallets, leather carved pictures, game boards (including our Buffalo Chips Checkerboard), key chains, and many more fine hand made leather items.
3. How does your business contribute to our community?
   95% of my business is done in the Buffalo area, but many of my sales are from all over the country. I hope that my sales outside of WNY are spreading awareness about the quality of goods found in and around Buffalo.

The Durham Leather workshop.

Tickets for BuffaLoveFest are available now. Click here to get yours before they sell out!

Who Knew? River Otters, Part One

The Buffalo Zoo recently had river otter babies. They are beyond cute, and are little history makers to boot. Learn a little more about them, river otters in general and what separates them from Sea Otters and more. Most importantly, come to the Buffalo Zoo and see the babies. They are on exhibit daily from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Featured BuffaLoveFest Vendor: Buffalo Cookie Co.

It's time for the latest featured BuffaLoveFest 2014 vendor. If you've got a sweet tooth, you're going to love this one!  Check out the Buffalo Cookie Co. Find more BuffaLoveFest vendors on this blog and on The Good Neighborhood.

1. How do your products embody "BuffaLove?"
   We have several varieties of shortbread cookies but are most proud of our signuature "Buffalo Wing" cookie. We also make a Buffalo Bills cookie in Bills colors, a Buffalo Sponge cookie, and a Buffalo Loganberry cookie.
2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30?
   Our hand-cut bison-shaped shortbread cookies.
3. How does your business contribute to the Buffalo community?
   We are two older women who believe that people in Buffalo could use some inspiration! We have had many women approach us to find out how we started. We also donate $1 from every bag of our Jack's M&M cookies to pediatric research in the area. 

Tickets for BuffaLoveFest are available now. Click here to get yours before they sell out!

Featured BuffaLoveFest Vendor: WNYBAC

Our latest featured vendor is a really unique Buffalo organization. The Western New York Book Arts Center will be at BuffaLoveFest with hand-printed posters, cards, notebooks, and other one-of-a-kind goods. You'll also have a chance to sign up for a membership or workshop to get some hands-on experience with their presses!

1. How do you/your products embody "BuffaLove"
WNYBAC, we strive to create a sense of community by bringing individuals together for a common cause. As an educational non- profit, we facilitate workshops, classes, summer camps, and field trips as a way to expose Buffalonians to the art of letterpress printing and other printmaking and bookmaking processes.

2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th?
We will be selling our letterpress prints, cards, DIY Kits, Buffalo themed T-Shirts, blank notebooks and letterpress. Everything is handmade, one-of-a-kind, and supports a local non-profit!

3. How does your business contribute to our community?
WNYBAC holds a number of free workshops and events that are open to the public. One of these, Buffalo Bookfest is a long standing annual event focuses on printmaking and book arts and offers free hands on demonstrations. We also hold the “12 x 14” series at WNYBAC, which features 5 artists over the course of 12 months. Each artist is charged with conducting a free hands-on workshop that will be open to the general public.

Tickets for BuffaLoveFest are available now. Click here to get yours before they sell out!

Featured BuffaLoveFest Vendor: Buffalo Steppes

BuffaLoveFest is only 4 weeks away! We'll be featuring new vendors here on the Buffalo Zoo blog and over on The Good Neighborhood until the big event on May 30.

The first featured vendor is new this year. Check out Buffalo Steppes.

1. How do you/your products embody “BuffaLove?”
   The items I will be displaying and selling are truly unique and one of a kind in Buffalo. Every person who has Buffalo roots would be proud to own one of these wood carvings. Great items to give to your Buffalo expat friends and colleagues who may have moved out of the area as a remembrance of our great city.
   
2. What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 30th?
   Hand made wood carvings of buffaloes and Buffalo-themed items (bookends and key rings). All hand-crafted and each one truly unique from each other.
   
   

   

   Buffalo Steppes

3. How does your business contribute to our community?
   By not only allowing Buffalonians an opportunity to proudly show their enthusiasm for our city, we are also helping to support and provide jobs for the Akamba tribe in Kenya who are renowned wood carvers of African animals and have now begun carving buffaloes and Buffalo-themed items for my new sole proprietorship Buffalo Steppes.

Tickets for BuffaLoveFest are available now. Click here to get yours before they sell out!

Zumbathon Tickets Now Available!

Party like an animal for a great cause! The second annual ZumbathonÒ for the Zoo will be held Sunday, June 22 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Zoo's Children’s Resource Center.

The ZumbathonÒ for the Zoo will benefit the Zoo’s Adopt an Animal program for Tashi, the Zoo's pregnant Rhinoceros and her new baby. With only 164 in captivity and less than 3,000 in the wild, this species is one of the most endangered animals on the planet that the Buffalo Zoo is trying to save. Help contribute to rhino conservation and join us for two hours of fun, great music, and dancing with seven licensed ZumbaÒ instructors.

Tickets for the ZumbathonÒ are $15 presale and $20 at the door. Tickets include Zoo admission. Commemorative t-shirts are available for $10 presale and $15 at the door. The event will feature a basket raffle, 50/50 split, refreshments, ZumbaÒ, and animal-themed shopping. No experience needed to "ditch the workout and join the party!" Call Terrie Kelly at (716) 903-1749 or email terrie.kelly14@gmail.com for information and tickets.

Zumba Instructors - Janis Graham Figueroa, Kelly Foss, Julie Francis, Karen Mahoney, Sara Marrero, Kathleen Marshall, & Sue Natali.