Monday, 1 August 2016

Sketchbook: My Birkenstock dilemma

Happy 1st of the month to you! 

My sketch this week for Sunday Sketches is late, sorry. 
I figure it's still Sunday somewhere in the world so I hope it's okay.

Birkenstock sandal in A6 sketchbook 
sketched freehand with a Platinum carbon fountain pen.

You can check out the other participants for this week HERE.

I bought my Birks over two years ago 
at a time when I was suffering with very painful feet. 
I thought that Birks might help due to their design and they surely did. 
They are a very comfortable shoe to wear 
more due to their design rather than what they are made of.


I was then faced with a dilemma when
I became a vegan just over a year later

what to do with my Birkenstocks?! 

My Birks were already quite worn
so it's not like I could have donated them to charity. 
I didn't feel right about throwing them out either 
because I felt that was somehow 
dishonouring the life that once was.
So as some vegans do with their pre-vegan items, 
I opted to keep the sandals until they are completely worn out.

Every time I wear them
I acknowledge with love and respect 
the life that once was.

I recently had my first year vegan anniversary and
I am still fully committed to my vegan lifestyle.

I am also happy to report that  
VEGAN Birkenstock sandals are available 
should I decide to get another pair in the future. YAY!!!

What is a vegan? - "A philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of humans, animals and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals."

27 comments:

  1. Great post, Mum! Great sketch too. I fully understand your dilemma with your Birkenstocks. I feel the same way about my Bongos and what the drum heads are made of, it makes me sad, but I'll use them until they can be played no more. Every time I play them, I acknowledge the life that once was also. My next ones will be synthetic heads. I'm glad the Birks are helping your feet though. I'm glad to hear there are vegan versions available.

    Love,
    Brad xoxo

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    1. Thanks, Brad! I know we have spoken about your feelings re. the Bongos before and I totally understand the tinge of guilt we feel. Vegans view everyday things in a whole new light once they make the connection. Like me with my Birks, you bought your Bongos well before you became vegan and the best you can do is honour that life. It's good that they make synthetic heads too so you can go that way next time.

      Love Mum xo

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  2. That's an excellent pen & ink sketch. I would consider your cool sketch of the Birkenstock a way to honor the life that once was. Blessings, my vegan friend!

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    1. Thanks, Arnoldo. I appreciate your kind sentiment.

      Blessings to you also.

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  3. I love your sketch Serena. It looks perfect!! i hope you have a wonderful new week... See you next Sunday Sketches on Monday!!

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    1. Thanks, Jane. I hope you have a great week also. :)

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  4. Lovely sketch of the Birkenstock ~ delightful creation ~

    Happy Days to you ~ ^_^

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  5. That's a very beautiful sketch. Congratulations on your Vegan Anniversary.

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  6. really nice sketch of your sandals :)

    and good for you for sticking to being being vegan, can be pretty hard to do.

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    1. Thanks, Jen. It can be definitely be hard to start with but it does become so much easier as time goes on. :)

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  7. Nice sketch, but i hate the shoes, if wearing shoes I want my feet fully covered, I don't like open shoes much at all.
    Merle...........

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    1. Thanks, Merle. I'm the opposite to you when it comes to shoes. I wear sandals/thongs all year round but I do wear my boots in winter when I go out somewhere. :)

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  8. Great that your carbon pen is working for you now. :) Wonderful sketch. I'm glad you decided to wear the sandals till they fall apart. Honor the sacrifice--yes! Congrats on the vegan for a year, too. Love and hugs! :)

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    1. OH, how I love having my carbon pen back in action! It's funny how we come to depend on certain pens as our go-to, isn't it? Thanks for the kind words and the congrats.

      Love and hugs to you and Karma xo

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  9. nice work, it looks almost real :)

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  10. What a beautiful sketch, your do amazing drawings! Thank you so much for your lovely comment on my blog, But silly me, by mistake I deleted the comment, instead of publish the comment. But I want you to know I loved what you wrote to me, thank you. Have a great week.

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    1. Thanks so much, Marijke!

      I'm glad you were able to read the comment before accidentally deleting it.

      I hope you have a great week too. :)

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  11. What great sketch! I would have never thought about sketching my sandals, then again seeing the ordinary in life is beautiful.

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    1. Thanks, Claudia. I have been a long time member of the Every Day Matters created by Danny Gregory and, every week, they suggest a topic/item to sketch. I have never fully kept up with their very long list so I decided to start back at square one. Danny is all about illustrating your life right down the the simple things. He has been the biggest inspiration behind my illustrated journals. :)

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  12. Like capturing the tiniest details in writing, I think the same applies to sketching as well. :) I wish more kids would sketch one thing a day instead of pulling out their camera phones to take 100 photos! lol And I've always been one to wear things to dust, no matter their make-up, as I truly only buy things I love so I never tire of them it seems. . .

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    1. I fully agree, Nicolas. I'm much the same...I still have clothes that are over 20 years old and still wearable. hehe

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    2. It's a beautiful sketch Serena.

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  13. I loved the birkenstock pair I had in Uni and wore them even when they were barely holding on. Glad to know you can get a vegan pair when you so choose.

    Thank you for your visit last Sunday. I'm a late getting back to everyone for a visit.

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