Welcome to TheJuneBride! My name is Karen Mitzel... I make and photograph and have a lot of fun here! I value quality workmanship, well-produced materials and a beautiful, functional, unique and handmade product. I believe that "handmade" should be interchangeable with longevity and craftsmanship, and I only sell items that will endure the test of time with style. I am committed to using my skills to better the world through education and philanthropy. My shop is one path for my charitable donations and a creative outlet that helps keep me grounded as I grow a family and a business. Thanks for stopping in... please stay a while!
Blog: www.thejunebride.blogspot.com
Twitter: thejunebride
Facebook: thejunebride
Also registered on Etsy at www.level.etsy.com.
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Proud member of Etsy Project Embrace, a team of sellers committed to raising awareness and funds for cancer research. As a former researcher of cancer and friend of several survivors, this is very important to me personally and I'm happy to be donating a portion of my profits to the American Cancer Society. For more information on Etsy Project Embrace, check out the team's homepage:
http://team.etsy.com/viewteam.php?id=685.
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More about my charitable donations:
I have been very fortunate in my success on Etsy and I have the means to give back. I'm proud to say that I've been able to donate over $4150.00 from the sale of items in my Etsy shop to several very worthwhile, highly rated local and global charities:
1/21/09 - $250.00 donated to Hope Clinic (http://www.thehopeclinic.org/index.htm)
Hope Clinic provides medical, dental and social services to needy families in the Ypsilanti area. They do a lot of good and I am proud to support their efforts. $250 can provide a dental check-up for 10 uninsured children.
1/27/09 - $250.00 donated to Food Gatherers(http://www.foodgatherers.org/index.htm)
Food Gatherers works to alleviate hunger and reduce food waste by rescuing and distributing perishable and non-perishable food to people in need. $250 can feed a family of 4 for six weeks.
2/2/09 - $250.00 donated to the Heat and Warmth Fund
(http://www.thawfund.org/)
The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) provides energy assistance to low-income Michigan families and individuals in times of temporary financial crisis.
2/14/09 - $250.00 donated to Hope Clinic (http://www.thehopeclinic.org/index.htm)
10/12/09 - Items valued over $150.00 donated to Hope Clinic's annual fundraising auction effort.
11/24/09 - $150.00 donated to Food Gatherers
11/24/09 - $250.00 donated to Hope Clinic
12/1/09 - $100.00 donated to the American Cancer Society as part of Etsy Project Embrace
1/18/10 - $200.00 donated to Haiti Relief via CRS
4/6/10 - $250.00 donated to the American Cancer Society as part of Etsy Project Embrace
9/30/10 - Items valued over $150.00 donated to Hope Clinic's annual fundraising auction effort.
12/5/10 - $400.00 donated to Food Gatherers
12/20/10 - $500.00 donated to Hope Clinic
11/3/11 - $500.00 donated to Hope Clinic
11/3/11 - $400.00 donated to Food Gatherers
12/31/11 - $300.00 donated to CRS
4/10/12 - $100.00 donated to Whaley Children's Center (http://www.whaleychildren.org)
Whaley Children's Center provides temporary residence and much-needed therapeutic services to severely abused and neglected children in Michigan's foster care system.
In addition to directly donating a portion of my profits, much of my recycled material supplies are purchased from local charity stores, and the money spent there also finds its way to helping local people in need.
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A brief bio for those interested in getting the whole (abbreviated) story:
I grew up in the great mitten state of Michigan, near the college atmosphere surrounding the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. I love all four seasons. I have always been crafty, learning many skills from my do-it-yourself mom, and when I was in grade school one of my mentors nicknamed me "Einstein" because I was always creating things. This continued through the awkward phase and into high school. I briefly considered art school but then opted for a biology degree from the University of Notre Dame. I was lucky enough to take a variety of art classes in addition to my science major and studied for a semester at the University of Western Australia in Perth. Very shortly following graduation, I married my very own engineer, high school sweetheart, soulmate, best friend, and THE love of my life. We settled down near family in Ann Arbor and, after I spent some time researching cancer at the University of Michigan, we started our very own family. I now have 24-7 charge of the children (we've got 4 under 8!) and also keep shop here full-time... somehow it all works together beautifully (most of the time)! I love to thrift and give new life to vintage finds, so expect a lot of unique, renewed giftables in addition to original patterns and tutorials!
I love to chat, so don't hesitate to convo. Thanks for taking the time to read about me and my creative side!
*Thanks so much to all the wonderful Etsians who have generously featured my work in treasuries and on blogs! I always appreciate knowing about features, and I apologize that my schedule doesn't consistently afford the time to comment on each one. Regardless, I am so very grateful and flattered!*
