What's the difference?

[Skippy]

I have been looking around for some new toys and I have noticed that some people sell vine twists, vine hearts, vine stars etc... Other places sell willow twists, willow hearts, willow stars etc... My question is are they the same thing? The pictures of them certainly look pretty similar. I have the fussiest chinchilla alive so I need to be certain!!

Thanks

 

[eroomlorac]

"Vine" items are usually made from grapevine. "Willow" items are made from, well, willow. Both are fine to give to your chinnies. Some chinnies may prefer one over the other. Mine just chew the heck out of either one. Get a little of both and see what your chinnies think. Happy shopping.

 

[Skippy]

Mmm. Yes I did think that question sounded a little obvious! But it was just that the pictures of the willow and vine products of the same nature (stars, hearts etc...) look identical whereas grapevine rings look so much different to them that I thought they were just different words for the same product.

 

[Stackie]

It could be. I have seen some willow balls referred to as 'vine balls'. To tell the difference, you can look at the color. Grapevine is a dark brown while willow is a very light color.

 

[Skippy]

Interesting! Thanks

 

[alli713]

If they're a darker brown then chances are they're vine, meaning grapevine. But the grapevine ones tend to have littler pieces sticking off too.
Some darker colored things are unpeeled willow.
If they're a light tan, like on my site, they're a willow. But I do think that some people still call them vine items.
But if they're that light color normally they're a peeled willow.

Here's some picture examples
Unpeeled willow

Grapevine

Peeled willow (which is what most people sell)

Hope that helps! )

 

[Ash]

The grapevine doesn't show for me, Allli

 

[Stackie]

Oops, I was just heading back here to mention unpeeled willow! It just popped in my mind as I was making a bacon and egg sandwich for some reason...haha.

Alli already got it covered!

 

[alli713]

oh hmmm I can see it... Can anyone else?

Here's the link for it. I just put up a picture from some craft supply store, not a chin supply store, but you get the idea..
http://craftsuppliesunlimited.com/store/images/GPV6.jpg

 

[Skippy]

Thanks everyone for your input. I definitely knew what the unpeeled willow looks like but this vine/willow thing was bugging me. You would think "What does it really matter"! but I have the fussiest chin on the planet. I bought her the "vine" hearts before from cabirdnerds and she loved them but now they do not ship internationally so I have to source them elsewhere. The ones you have, Alli on your website, are called willow hearts. Do you know if they are the same ones as the cabirdnerds? I don't like to buy something just to try it (unless it is new and it looks like she might be into it) because I have done that so much in the past and then I have lots of stuff lying around because the fuzz-pot won't touch it! Shipping to Ireland doesn't come cheap! I am almost sure I bought willow hearts before and she didn't like them! I guess at the end of the day, do lots of different people manufacture these things or esentially do you all get them from the same supplier?

 

[alli713]

I just looked at their shop and it looks like it is the same as mine. They call them vine, but it looks like the peeled willow to me.

I'm not sure where others get their supplies from, a lot of people like to keep their sources secret.

As far as shipping some, I know I could fit some in a flat rate small box for the $12.95. Those boxes are ridiculously small for flat rate, but they can fit the willow things in them, and smaller toys.

 

[Skippy]

Great, thanks for the offer! You have some other nice things on your website too. I might call around in the coming weeks to get some things. I just bought lots of things from the UK so I have to let the credit card bill settle a little first!!

 

[alli713]

No problem )