1-Tell us a little about you and your work. Why did you choose the charities you have chosen for your work? I started my store in honor of my daughter, Cortney. Both her and myself loved to create with polymer clay so I figured it would be a wonderful way to honor her and use a medium that I love. PCAGOE (Polymer Clay Artist Guild on ETSY) was more than willing to help me with donating some wonderful art to the store.
2. How do you donate to them? About every 4 month...PCAGOE votes on a charity that involves art and/or children. Then ALL of the money made from sells will go to that charity.
3. How much have you donated to them so far? FIRST DONATION - $108.90 to the Easter Seals Camp (Colorado)..This was Cortney's summer camp and her whole world! SECOND DONATION - $198.00 to Canines for Disabled Kids! THIRD DONATION is coming up this month and will go to..... "ART HEALS!" Free Arts for Abused Children has been delivering on our philosophy that "ART HEALS!" for more than 30 years!
4. How do you feel that your art influences the people that receive it? Because I have so many talented artist donating their clay creation to my store, I have a very wide variety of things to choose from. Everyone that buys can pick exactly what they want and know that ALL of their money is going to a great children's charity.
5. Do you have any artwork that represents the charity you donate to? Both Cortney and myself worked with polymer clay (Cortney was the one who created the world of Elemental Dragons - for which I still continue to this day). I think she would be happy that other's who enjoy clay is what is being donated. Cortney was also a very giving soul herself...she would grow her hair out just to donate to Locks of Love....she loved giving to others. The charities that we donate to are ones that will help other children in the same situations as she was.
7. How do you think we could improve or beginning charity "art=food?" (www.arte4phood.blogspot.com) I think just getting the word out and telling ANYONE and EVERYONE about it.....I will surely do what I can :)
Heck, all I knew about clay was that you could make your art last after putting it in the oven. I never knew you could make such distinct and creative jewelry & characters with them. Cortney sure was blessed to have such a loving mother and is such an inspiration for this shop and the charity it continues to support. I can't imagine the strength it must take to keep on giving. I was honored to be able to feature Polymer Clay For A Cause, the heart-breaking and heartwarming story behind this shop shows the ultimate passion and hope that is hard to find (and muster), that so many people need. Thanks Polymer Clay For A Cause and please visit their cute shop sometime soon!!!
1. Tell us a little about you and your work. Why did you choose the charities you have chosen for your work? I am a vegan artist and teacher from California. I live in Be'er Sheva, Israel, with my husband, 2 rescued kitties, and our foster seeing eye puppy. (a dream of you and me's if we ever had the disipline...) I have a BFA in Painting and an MAT in Art Education from the Rhode Island School of Design. I paint and draw images of animals, hoping to express and share my love for nature and all living things. I also love to create jewelry and accessories from vintage and found pieces, turning them into something new, wearable, and beautiful. I founded and lead the street team, Etsy for Animals, stemming from my love for animals, and wish to bring together other Etsy animal lovers in order to network to help animals; http://efaartistshelpinganimals.org . 10% of my shop sales always go to the Etsy for Animals Charity of the Month. (link goes to charity for june) I love being able to vary the animal charities that I help, including giving to causes around the world. I also donate items to charity shops and auctions, including; Etsy for Charity http://etsyforcharity.etsy.com , Handmade 4 Hounds http://handmade4hounds.etsy.com , and Creative Animal Relief http://www.thecreativeanimalrelief.org
4. How do you feel that your art influences the people that receive it? I am so happy knowing that someone owns and appreciates my artwork or jewelry and hope that some of the love I have for animals and nature will be passed on through the piece. I also hope that the fact that part of the sale helps animals will inspire buyers to also want to help the causes I support, or animals in general.
5. Do you have any artwork that represents the charity you donate to?
My Peanuts and Alladin cards represent my love for horses, I donated to help Etsy for Animals member and horse non-profit, Epic Farms http://epicfarms.com last month.
6. [And our poor link didn't work for her :(. Here it is if anyone wants to tell us how we can improve our beginning charity idea: http://www.arte4phood.blogspot.com ]
I love her to the point nature, how her artwork clearly reflects her cause, and I can't post this without putting a little buzz out for this item:
1. Tell us a little about you and your work. Why did you choose the charities you have chosen for your work?
I've been volunteering since I could stand. At first I tagged along with my mother's causes. As I became a young adult I wanted to get my peers involved, so I founded a Ruriteen branch in my high-school. As the name suggests, we worked closely with a local branch of the Ruritans. It was exciting to see my peers become passionate about volunteering and learn the skill necessary to take an idea and make it a reality. When I was 19 an uncle I was close to passed away unexpectedly. I had worked with him in his contracting company. I felt like the best way to honor his memory was to use the skills he'd taught me to better other people's life. With that intention, I shifted my focus to Habitat for Humanity and Christmas in April (now known as Rebuilding Together).
2. How do you donate to them?
In the past, my donations have been in the form of organization and physical labor. I've spent many volunteer hours organizing volunteers or doing actual physical construction. I love that in both these organization this allows me to meet and interact with the people who will be benefiting from my efforts.
Recently I've been experiencing medical troubles which have prevented me from being physically active, so I've had to shift my efforts from physical labor to fund-raising. I was able to raise funds to sponsor the repairs needed for a Rebuilding Together project. I now intend to raise money for Habitat for Humanity by sharing a dollar from each photograph I sell to Habitat for Humanity.
3. How much have you donated to them so far?
As I am new to Etsy and have not made a sale yet, I have yet to make a donation in the name of my photography. As you can see though I've had a long history of supporting the organization. I'm 27 now, so 8 years of volunteering with them.
4. How do you feel that your art influences the people that receive it?
I think my photography captures the peace and tranquility of rural living. As more of us congregate in suburban and urban areas, I think we're losing touch with nature and it's calming influence. I grew up on a farm, in a rural area and every time I visit my home I'm struck by how much happier people seem there. I also like to take pictures that highlight our interaction with our environment; regardless of what we create or build nature eventually erodes unattended roads, vehicles and structures.
5. Do you have any artwork that represents the charity you donate to?
I don't have any pictures of buildings or homes, but for me the volunteer work I've done with Habitat for Humanity was never about the homes we were building. For me that volunteer work was about the people we were helping and our impact on their environment.
I think the spirit of my artwork reflects that the things we collect and the activities we schedule for ourselves are dwarfed by the beauty around us that passes largely unnoticed and unappreciated. I think once this realization is made, we can move outside of ourselves and see how we can participate in this beautiful world. Once you see how much you have, then you become aware of how much you can give.
6. How can we learn more about you and the charity you help out?
There isn't much to learn about me. Having been knocked off my feet by a chronic illness, I've had the good fortune of rebuilding a life that gives me great peace. My photography is featured in my Etsy store and it will tell you more about me than words can. If one of my pieces touches you and you wish you purchase it, mention that you found me through this article and I'll double my normal donation from your purchase.
If my artwork doesn't speak to you, I hope my cause does. You can find out more about what you can do to help provide or repair shelter for those in need by visiting Richmond, Virginia's chapter of Rebuilding Together & habitat for humanity.
: 7. How do you think we could improve or beginning charity "art=food?"
I think the article you listed with many links, could be converted to sidebar links so that they will remain available after that article is no longer on the first page.
Many grocery stores have existing donation programs in place at check out, perhaps you can inquire as to how the existing program was established and get in touch with the people who helped create it. Because of your particular focus, you might see if rather than (or in addition to) targeting grocery stores you focus on craft stores (ben franklin, michael's etc)
...
Auzara (which is a truly unique name. Not to be found on Wikipedia, or dictionary.com & seriously curious about its meaning) has a camera and a heart full of color and warmth. I'm proud of her for the work she does and having many close family members myself, I can understand keeping the flame of their spirit going by actual work. I think this may have even inspired me to get up and start organizing the house tomorrow-you know, stop moping about You's short deployment. I really appreciated her wise advice about our beginning charity (I never thought to contact the art stores too, duh!). Thank-You Auzara for what you do & we're looking foward to more pictures and getting the etsy donations rolling! [my favorite part was her quote which I used for a post title & when she talked about what is greater than we all are that is right outside in the open. I'm totally dreading New York City Streets; but I'll have to make them beautiful!]
Please Help Start out this Darling Store ( & get the double donation....and or donate yourself!) and rebuilding the lives of those who need extra hands.
1. Tell us a little about you and your work. Why did you choose the charities you have chosen for your work?
2. How do you donate to them?
3. How much have you donated to them so far?
I am an artist by nature. Not a day goes by that I do not crave to create something! Whether I choose to work on a photographic image, a sketch, a painting, a song or a textile piece, I never know what the day will inspire. My inspirations come from the sights, smells and sounds of my environment. Once inspired, I seem to travel to some other place. Like Paul Klee said about how his art came to life, "Everything vanishes around me, and works are born as if out of the void." I think that it also helps that I live in Western Montana, which is one of the most beautiful places in the world.
For the past three years, I have donated a piece of my artwork to Sundance Resort'sFood & Wine Festival’s Silent Auction. All proceeds go to benefit the Sundance Preserve. James Redford, Chairman for the Preserve and Robert Redford's son, sums up the its purpose in this mission statement: The Sundance Preserve creates the opportunity for each of us to be an agent of change - not only socially and environmentally, but also culturally. The Preserve stands for the preservation of our planet, the commitment to responsible public policy, the freedom to create art of every conceivable medium and message, and the enjoyment of a pristine wilderness landscape preserved for all time."
I have a high level of respect for Robert Redford and what he's done to open the doors for emerging artists, and so I do all I can to help keep that spirit alive! In fact, the Sundance Resort just invited me to be a featured artist for the months of September, October and November! So you see, the act of giving does have a way of coming around full circle
Dogs steal my heart. I love them all, and if I could, I would bring home every abandoned, caged and abused dog in the world! But since that is impossible, I do what I can for my local animal Shelter in Eureka, MT which happens to be in desperate need of a new shelter.
Thankfully, a local couple in our community donated the land, but it appears that to erect the facility will cost another $100,000. I donate both my time and artwork when I can to The Friends of the Shelter. I also have created a line of dog cookies called
As for the Susan G Komen 3 Day Walk my friend and fellow artist Debi Hubbs opened my eyes to this charity. Her mother-in-law was dying of breast cancer, and she posted on her blog that she was participating in the walk. At the same time my friend Jane Anderson’s mother was a recouping from breast cancer treatment and my mother was battling lung and brain cancer. Sadly, Debi’s mother-in law passed away three weeks prior to Debi completing her first 60 mile walk. However both my mother and Jane’s mom are surviving cancer.
postcard designed by Traci. I simply adore it & the lesson it holds
Jane and I decided that the best thing we can do to help the people, families and friends who have lossed a dear one to cancer or who are surviving or battling cancer is to pray with moving feet.
To participate in the walk, each walker is committed to raising $2,200. Jane and I formed a team called The Baboobalas. With the help of our employers the Bigfork Bay Cotton Co, our community, friends, family and artists all over the world, we have raised $13,200!
This September we are shooting for another $4,400 which will bring us to a grand total of $17,600! Click here to learn more about the 3 Day Walk
We raise the money from holding yard sales, raffling off donated fine art paintings and quilts, and hosting a holding a Heart @ Work Art Auction.
The Heart @ Work Auction is amazing. Artist from all over the world have been donating their artwork to help us raise money. This year we are incorporating a Lasagna Feed with the auction. I am hoping to get the lasagna and wine donated this year also! It is my hope that since food and wine is involved more people will attend.
4. How do you feel that your art influences the people that receive it?
I think people love to give, but I also think they need to receive something for their giving. I see that over and over again. I think it is just human nature. So that is why I think donating art to charities that hold auctions is so successful. People love to buy art but sometimes because it is not a life’s necessity like food and water, they feel a bit guilty purchasing a piece of art. But if the money goes to charity, then for some reason it makes it all ok.
5. Do you have any artwork that represents the charity you donate to?
I try to create artwork that is fitting to each charity. For example you can go to my blog to see the art quilts I donated to the Friend of the Shelter Winter Warmer Auction. I made Let it Go and Party Pooper exclusively for that auction. And of course the *Speak Up! Super Snacks, I created those specifically for them.
(*you must check out these snacks. they are mouthwatering my brain)
I also have a line of postcards I am working on exclusively for the shelter as well. You can find some of them here on my blog: *Postcards
(*my favorite is the one called "dream a little")
As for Sundance, I usually donate my fine art photography to them. The subject usually is a horse theme. I donated Montana Whisper and Swan River Ride to Sundance. I am not sure exactly how much money they brought in, but I am told it was way more than the retail price. I am going to work on an exclusive piece for the preserve this year. I am developing the idea day by day.
For the Heart @ Work Auction that we hold to raise money for the 3 Day Walk, anything goes. In the past it seems I have donated lots of prints. I did create a watercolor for the cover for last year’s poster. In the past, there have been some artists that have created art specifically for the Heart @ Work Auction like Etsy artist Tascha, she created Live, Laugh and Love exclusively for us and we used it as the cover of our first poster.
How can we learn more about you and the charity you help out?
I have given links to all the charity’s that I support, however I am focusing heavily on raising the $4,400 that Jane and I need for the 3 Day Walk. Our Heart @ Work Auction is August 8th, 2009. I have a shout out to all artists (many of whom are etsy.com artists) asking for artwork to be donated.
In return, I am linking to their websites on my blog and Facebook. Also we will spotlight the donated pieces at the Bigfork Bay Cotton Company’s Quilt store up until the day of the auction and have business cards and marketing materials there to hand out about each donating artist.
Plus as the auction approaches - Bigfork Bay Cotton Company – will send out an email with links to the donating artists’ websites. Our email list is over 1,000 people now!
You know with the 3 charities that I support, they actually found me. All it took was an invitation to participate. People like to be invited! So don’t be afraid to ask for help. Also let your concerns be known wherever and whenever you can!
And one last thought, don’t get discouraged if you don’t see large numbers
of people coming on board right away. Because all it takes is one person to start good changes happening.
Robert Redford tells a story about how he like millions of other Americans, became politically active during the late sixties, but for his own reasons. He states this in an interview on Robert Leibman’s Website, “What started me was that the highway department was going to put an unnecessary eight-lane road in a canyon where I lived
. We got together with a group of people, fought the highway department and won—we won legally and we won emotionally. It showed me how one person can matter and that it does make a difference.”
Remember that you cannot conquer hunger all at one time. So take comfort in what Mother Theresa said, “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one.”
another Traci print. The first time I heard that quote was at boarding school in Switzerland. I adore it sincerely.
I wish you all the best in your emerging charity, and I would love to participate in any way I can. Thank-you for this opportunity to share the things that are near and dear to my heart.
1. Tell us a little about you and your work. Why did you choose the charities you have chosen for your work? Lamaworks is a store created by a girl that likes to be crafty, but has no need to keep all of these craft projects for herself. Outside of my full time job I love to keep busy with different craft projects and Etsy has been a great way for me to be creative and share my ideas and my art with the rest of the world. What I make depends on my mood and what I’m interested in at the time. I have a large contingency of knitted items such as socks, scarves, hats and baby items. I also love card making so I have some stationary sets and wedding products.
Right now I am donating 10% of my proceeds to the American Cancer Society. A good friend of mine, Matt Wessel, is a singer/songwriter (www.mattwesselmusic.com). He began writing music as a way to cope with the death of his father when he was in high school. Since then he has started to perform his annual “Concert for Life” in memory of not only his father, but others in his community that are fighting, have fought or have been lost to cancer. We are all touched by cancer, and no one can escape knowing someone who is fighting it, young and old.
This year was his 9th annual concert and he challenged us each to make a difference. He challenged us each to be creative and find $100 to donate at next years show, but it couldn’t be our own money. Think about this … if 1000 people that were at that concert, could raise just $100 over the next year, we’d have $100,000 to donate.
2. How do you donate to them?
Matt has set up the Carry On Campaign to follow those of us who have joined the fight. (http://www.mattwesselmusic.com/carryon.html). While the site is still under construction, it will be a great place to follow our progress. I am keeping track of all of my sales from this March through next March and have set aside 10% of the sales to donate at his show next year. I also have cards that I send along with all orders, letting the owner know how much of their sale will be donated.
3. How much have you donated to them so far? So far I’m at $29.24 after 1 month!
4. How do you feel that your art influences the people that receive it? I hope that everyone that receives it enjoys the hand made creation and feels good about making a difference to those with cancer.
5. Do you have any artwork that represents the charity you donate to? Not yet, but I am teaming up with my dear friend Melissa in the upcoming weeks to start designing some Cancer products. She is currently fighting melanoma, and has a strong passion for awareness. She is designing cancer bracelets and we are going to work together on some stationary items that should come around in the next month or two.
7. How do you think we could improve or beginning charity "art=food?" (www.arte4phood.blogspot.com) I love the idea of the site! I can’t wait to see it develop more. It will be nice to see how your charity starts from the ground up, something that could help others in their on ventures in charity work.
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Bottom Line: I love the idea of music contributing to cancer in more than one way, and we're both excited for the concert for life. I love LamaWork's Spirit, and can't wait to see the cancer designs in the future. We truly are nothing without what we give and You & Me applaud this cute store. So, go on-be fashionable, be charitable, be LamaWorked.
We believe in the transcendentalists. We believe in wind and chocolate, in pixar shorts. We believe beauty is contagious. We believe in play, in God, in the beat generation. In our generation, we believe. Come, be in love with us. *** (f) she breathes sunshine (m) he breathes sunshine yes, the same kind of sunshine no, this sunshine is not for sale. ...all original artwork besides what is cited....
