Search results (tags) for: "craftivism"

Buy Handmade Pledge

2008-11-28T18:25:00Z

Here we are. It's "Black Friday" again and we weren't waiting on line at the mall. There's something in the air and it's not muzak pumped throughout the florescent lit aisles of big box stores. It's been building across the world for some time now: a movement to bring together conscientious consumption and the joy of making things.

Since the Handmade Consortium launched the Buy Handmade Pledge (http://buyhandmade.org) last year, over 30,000 people have signed. Some say "hand-made is the new black" — but it's not a trend. This is about real people making changes in their everyday lives and figuring out how to make those changes lasting and sustainable. It's about being able to quit your day job and shop local. It about personal history and the inspiration behind making something of your own vision.

Etsy admin Tara aka weirdwolf recently met some of you at the Los Angeles Felt Club and filmed why handmade is important to you. This video with Stephanie Donon is just the first of many of your voices. Click here to add your video response in Youtube.

Find out more about the Handmade Consortium | Sign the Handmade Pledge

A Message for Obama

2008-11-06T17:30:00Z

Barack Obama had been "leading" on Etsy for a while! We've noticed so many artists and crafters pouring their hearts into handmade expressions of grassroots support. Over at flickr, folks are posting their homemade messages for Mr. President Elect. What's your flickr message to Obama?

More Election-related posts | Items tagged "Obama"

News from the Etsy Labs: Sock Monkey Workshop!

2008-10-19T10:00:00Z

Join us for an afternoon of creating original sock monkeys for fresh art's sock monkey program. fresh art is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing expanded artistic, personal development, and entrepreneurial opportunities to New York City artists with special needs. The sock monkeys we create this afternoon will be sold to raise funds to support fresh art's programs. All skill levels are welcome, though basic hand sewing skills are helpful.

When: Saturday, October 25, 2008; 10am-3pm
Where: 325 Gold St, 3rd floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Who: Ages 12 & up are welcome

Brought to you by fresh art, the {NewNew} York team, and Etsy Labs.

Please RSVP at rsvp@etsy.com for this free workshop.

Not in Brooklyn? Join us on Thursday, October 23 at 6:30pm EDT the Treehouse room of the Virtual Labs for a chat with AnnMarie Harris from fresh art. In this online workshop, we will discuss how to use crafts to fund your non-profit organization.

See more posts about crafting for good in our Craftivism section.

You might also enjoy this chipmunk project!

Fresh News from Etsy Teams!

2008-10-17T10:51:00Z

We asked the Etsy Teams based on craft, medium or general interest what new things they have up their sleeves for the coming weeks. Below you can find charitable events, sales, specials and calls for new members from a handful of some active Etsy Teams. To join an Etsy Team, check out the Join page here!

The Natural Kids Team, with a focus on Waldorf-inspired and eco-friendly treasures for you, your children and your home, has begun some great cooperative advertising for the holidays! You can find more of their products compiled at the Natural Kids Store.

Pictured at left, Custom flower gnomes from paintingpixie of the Natural Kids Team.

The Etsy Jewelry Design and Supply Shops Team will be holding a Team-wide sale from October 17 - 31, 2008. To see a complete list of the participating shops, visit their Team blog!

On October 24 & 25, the Etsy Kids Team is having a buy one get one (also known as a BOGO) sale! You can see the list of participating shops on their Team blog.

Eco-Friendly Baby-Safe Crocheted Organic Cotton Baby Rattle - Mr. Monkey by locoMomma of the Etsy Kids Team.

Team Eco Etsy will be holding an eco-friendly basket auction from October 20th - October 30th, 2008, featuring eco-friendly handmade goods donated generously by Eco Etsy Team members. The contents of the basket are worth $300, and the Team is looking to raise money to donate to the Nature Conservancy by auctioning this basket off. For full details on the auction and how to participate, those interested should visit the Eco Team's website. To find items made by the Eco Team, search "TeamEcoEtsy".

The brand new Queer Etsy Street Team is currently seeking new members. Each week the Queer Team hops into the Etsy forum with FRI-GAY! The FRI-GAY thread is dedicated to special promos from Team members and the deals are sweet, hot and only last for a week. If you miss them at least there's always next FRI-GAY! The Queer Team welcomes all LGBTQIQ Etsians to join our frolicsome quest for world art domination through mutually supportive cross promotional efforts. If you want in on the action, visit the Team profile page or contact their fearless leader, queenofqueens.

Pictured at left, Happiness Wall Square from adorablefiend of the Queer Etsy Street Team.

The Etsy Friends Team is gearing up for their first monthly Team sale, “Sweet Treat Sale.” The sale will be from October 16th through October 19th and each participating Team shop will have its own unique and special sale. Discounts range from free gifts with purchases, to a certain percentage off. The information of what discounts will be available will be posted right before the sale kicks off on the Etsy Friends’ Promotional Blog.

At right, Waist Apron - Craft Show, Festival, Fair (Black Skulls Roses) by Sygnetcreations of the Etsy Friends Team.

Thanks, Etsy Teams, for your continued hard work in promoting Etsy! We can't wait to see all the wonderful projects Teams take on this Holiday season. Is your Etsy Team having a special event soon? Let us know in the comments!

The Sustainability of Vintage Suits

2008-10-10T11:30:00Z

My husband and I both care deeply about the environment. He spends his days growing local organic produce which feeds our small Ontario town, and I spend mine de/reconstructing those beautiful old tweed and linen suits we all see in thrift stores, wish we had a use for, and inevitably leave on the rack. I take them home, take them apart, wash them, and upcycle them into lovely shoulder bags, wallets, and pouches. Those suits are so strong: some of them have been around since the 1970's, but they have so much life left in them!

My love of vintage fabric came from my grandmother. Growing up she would send me home with the most beautiful old dresses and blouses which she was no longer wearing. Then I would commandeer my mother's sewing machine, hole up in my bedroom, and make myself clothes: The ones that I wanted, the ones I couldn't find in stores. When I moved to Canada to attend university, I no longer had access to a sewing machine and the habit slumped off, until about a year ago. Upon graduating, I married a Canadian, and we now live mostly in Canada, where I run my online business. I borrowed my mother's machine again, let a friend offload a couple of vintage suits on me, and A)Kat was born.

In day-to-day life in our home, attempts to curb both waste and consumerism are ever-present. We opt for minimal packaging, re-use everything we can, repurpose and repair, and then finally, as the very last step, we recycle. This extends beyond our recycling bins and into our everyday lives — we make efforts to buy much of our clothing and furniture second-hand so as to keep our ecological footprint low by reducing the disposability of both our, and other's, consumer goods. Building bags and wallets for my shop out of men's suits rescued from the depths of closets and the circuit of Southern Ontarian thrift stores, then, was a natural choice.

I deconstruct the suits with my beloved rotary cutter along seams which allows for the largest swaths and least amount of waste, depending on intended uses and individual jackets. This was, at first, a bit more of an endeavor than I had imagined it would be. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find just how much reclaimable fabric is contained in a single jacket.

The existing curves and seams make the design process an intuitive one. Not only is the fabric long off the market, but the motion dictated by individual cuts contributes to making each piece unique.

These gorgeous suits are perhaps the most untouchable staple of thrift shops. The fabrics are beautiful — well made and sturdy after thirty years in circulation — but the jackets themselves are almost impossible to take home. From the time I was 15, I've eyed them, wishing just one would miraculously look good on a skinny 5'5" girl; no such luck. With the odds stacked against them, they're seemingly destined to join the ranks of the rest of the unwanted stock, run their circuits, and end up baled and shipped to developing countries which, due to the clothes-as-disposable-goods mentality of the West, no longer have textile industries of their own.

The exportation of our discarded clothing, as opposed to domestic re-use, contributes not only to dissolution of long-standing textile traditions in economically vulnerable cultures, but also to dependency situations which would take much longer to reverse than they did to establish. The transportation of these goods, by air, land, and sea, also creates copious greenhouse emissions which could be easily be reduced, were an effort made by each of us to step up and exercise restraint in our buying habits.

Supporting small-scale artisans, working in recycled materials, providing upcycled goods of high quality which will last longer than the season — these actions affect the local community, the country, and the continent. And further, our actions have ramifications which affect everyone: the whole world.

Further Resources:
UN Chronical: The Secrets of Used Clothes
Waste Couture: Environmental Impact of the Clothing Industry

Craftivism Section | Earth Tones Series | Read More About Upcycling

October Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2008-10-08T15:00:00Z

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and this collection of items highlights only a few of the talented Etsy sellers offering items under the theme of "think pink." A portion of proceeds from each sale will be donated to various charities that contribute to breast cancer awareness and research.

Not only can you grab some great items, you'll be helping raise money for a fantastic cause. For more information on National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, visit www.nbcam.org.

Shop for Items Tagged Think Pink

If you like this post, take a look at this one: Craft Takes on Breast Cancer: Clothing the Rebellion

$700 Billion Bail Out Cramping Your Style?

2008-10-04T20:04:00Z

Many folks are shuddering at the thought of gifting in the upcoming holidays and wondering how to manage. And while some families and friends are deciding to go without exchanging gifts, we here at Etsy want to urge those who will be shopping to consider supporting independent artists and crafters this holiday season. Then you can be sure that your shopping money will go to real people and rather than through the mass-production retail system, which (not to be too preachy) often involves sweatshop labor.

Everyone likes a good bargain, and buying handmade has the added value of really making a difference for a seller. Etsy admin Mary has just posted a Weekend Deals selection. You can find affordable options in our "Everyday" Gift Guide, get a custom item made to your specifications through Alchemy, or hey, learn how to make something yourself! In which case, you should join in to our Virtual Labs Monday Crafts Nights or see the How-to section of the Storque!

Election Time, Americans!

2008-09-25T19:51:00Z

It's time to get our heads in the game and get out the vote. We've been noticing many election-related Etsy items cropping up from the grassroots of this here marketplace. Creativity is on the march! These handmade items will help you spread the message about your candidate — and many will help you alert your fellow citizens to the flaws of the opposition.

Who will it be — Obama or McCain?

You might also be interested in:

Bark the Vote | Etsy Finds: An Informal U.S. Presidential Poll

Items tagged with Obama | Items tagged with McCain

Items tagged with Democrat | Items tagged with Republican

Items tagged with Vote

Etsy Teams Digest: Local Teams!

2008-09-19T11:00:00Z

Support your Local Etsy Team by checking out some of these upcoming events! Location based Etsy Teams are sellers and buyers who team up based on where they live to encourage their local communities to buy handmade! These dynamic groups of Etsy members are passionate about educating their friends and neighbors about their craft, meeting and networking with other crafty people where they live.

Here's a glimpse of what some Teams are up to in this month. If you're interested in finding a Team where you live, you can check out our list of existing Etsy Teams, learn how to join or start your own!

The CT Etsy Team will be holding their Shake 'n' Bake Indie Craft Fair on October 4, 2008. The show will feature over a dozen Etsy Sellers including soapers, crafters, jewelers, vintage clothing sellers and more. This creative Team has paired up with Trash American Style, a mobile purveyor of fine quality records, LP's, and other hard to find musical goodies for the event, and will also boast a bake sale! All the vendors will be baking delicious treats as a fundraiser. 50% of the money we earn will be donated to Escape to the Arts, a local YMCA community art program located in Danbury, Connecticut. For more information on this wonderful, active Team, check out their Team blog!
As the Arizona Crafty Burrito Collective continues to grow, they are at the important stage of organizing their group to provide the best support and networking possible. Since the temperatures remain extremely hot in the Arizona desert, it's been a great time of year for the Crafty Burritos to get fully prepped for the Holiday Season. They're gearing up for the First Friday Art walk in October, where they'll be spreading the word about Etsy and their Team.
All the details have been set in place for the Uber Crafters of North Central Worcester County's first Holly-Day Craft Fair! Mark your calendar for November 29, 2008 and bring a canned good to help those in need in the community. The Uber Crafters are a small and fairly new Team, located just outside Boston, and they're excited to get together for this holiday selling event. For more information on this Team's inaugural show, check their Facebook blog or member EttiandOttisAdornment's blog.
The NC Triangle Team has had quite a month! Check out their recent featured Team article here in the Storque, and they were also recently featured in the local News & Observer in North Carolina. On Saturday, September 27, 2008 a member is holding a Fall Boutique Open House, where 13 members will be selling their wares! Sellers include VintageScraps, KarensSoaps, BellaMiaDesigns, Scatterbox, SydneyAustinDesigns, FadedBlues, PhroggyDee, CinnamonSpice, Vintage2Creations, TrashyBroad, JessiJeanJewelry, BibsBurpsAndMore, and RippasCustomSilver. Visit their Team blog for more information.
Fifty-four shops will be participating in the European Street Team's upcoming Secret Santa game. To learn more about this International Team, check their Team blog.

Support Etsy Teams by searching "Team", and to learn more about the Etsy Team program, please join us in our weekly round table workshops, held in the Virtual Labs each Thursday! You can also find information about Etsy Teams at http://team.etsy.com.

Etsian and Blogger Critically Injured in Plane Crash: Nienie Recovery Project

2008-09-12T14:43:00Z

On Saturday, August 16, 2008, Stephanie Nielson was in a plane crash with her husband, Christian Nielson, and his flight instructor, Doug Kinneard, near St. Johns, Arizona. Doug Kinneard passed away soon after arriving at the Maricopa County Hospital.

Christian and Stephanie remain in critical condition at the Maricopa Burn Center. Christian has sustained burns on over 30% of his body. His wife Stephanie’s body was burned over 80%.

Since 2005, Stephanie has welcomed us into her charming abode through the NieNie Dialogues (nieniedialogues.blogspot.com). Woven into enchanting stories on home décor, vegetarian cooking, and joy filled parenting, a handcrafted life came into focus. Weeknight dinners were carefully conceived, organic celebrations, walls were an opportunity to display needlework or framed artwork by a four-year-old, and Christmas was a time dedicated to exchanging handmade treasures.

Afternoons were often spent crafting home art with her four children, all under the age of 6. The results ranged from portrait silhouettes to Vintage Jane baby blankets. Stephanie was dedicated to a handmade lifestyle because she enjoyed the romance that came from using something that was infused with someone else’s love and talent.

The Etsy community has swarmed to help one of their own since hearing of the tragedy. Stephanie aka stephanienie had purchased on Etsy and made friends. Hundreds of community members have hosted online auctions, dedicated sales to the family’s benefit, or joined in the upcoming Etsy Benefit Sale to be held September 23rd-24th. Check into this Etsy shop for the Benefit. Etsy sellers can use this blog post as a starting point for getting involved or visit www.nierecovery.com or contact nierecovery@gmail.com.

Katie aka katelynjane.etsy.com also suggests checking for updates on Stephanie (Nie Nie) and Christian on Stephanie's sister's blog CJane http://blog.cjanerun.com/. Also see http://www.designmom.com/2008/08/nie-nie-day-is here.htm where all, most of the Nie Day auctions are listed. Their family recently appeared on the Today Show; view video here.

Parents Teach Art, Part 2: Making it Happen

2008-09-05T11:27:00Z

In my recent article Parents Teach Art I shared information about Duniway Elementary School in Portland, Oregon, and its award-winning, parent-led art program. Now I'll go into more detail about how to make a program like this work at your child's school.

[Second grade "Paint and Poetry" lesson]

The Art Committee
If you are lucky enough to have your school's support, and you have a strong force of willing parent volunteers, form an Art Committee. At Duniway, we found that the program runs smoothly with clearly defined roles and responsibilities, such as:

Chairperson or Co-Chairs – Runs committee meetings, assigns tasks, follows up on action items, liaison to school administration and PTA.
Art Room "Mom" (or Dad!) – If you have a designated art room, this person keeps it clean and organized.
Art Show Coordinator – Manages volunteer crew for set-up and take-down of student art show.
Curriculum Master – Develops lessons, leads training sessions, maintains overall art curriculum.
Kiln Master – Maintains clay and kiln-related supplies, develops kiln use schedule, provides kiln support.
Publicity Coordinator – Creates and distributes promotional materials for art show, writes press releases, etc.
Scheduling Coordinator – Develops master schedule for art room and individual schedules for each class based on classroom teachers' input.
Supply Master/Treasurer – Orders and maintains supplies, responsible for budgeting and cash flow, seeks donations.
Web Master – Maintains a website or blog to post lesson plans, showcase student art, and keep parents informed.
Volunteer Coordinator – Maintains volunteer database, recruits Classroom Art Coordinators, makes phone calls, etc. to enlist help!

It's also great to have at-large committee members who can assist where needed. Of course, you might not need to fill all of these positions — remember to start small!

[Kindergarten "Basic Bugs" lesson]

Getting Ready
Now that you have a framework in place, it's time to start making it happen!

Develop an "art year calendar" outlining deadlines and important dates. At Duniway, art is a twelve-week program that begins in January and ends in April, with a student art show in May. (But the art committee works all year long.) You can expect to put in 1-3 hours a week volunteering, so be sure you have the time before making the commitment.

Come up with a theme. Duniway holds a poster contest and incorporates the theme at the art show: for "Art Rocks," we held a silent auction of kid-decorated musical instruments; for "Art á La Mode," we sold pie and ice cream, etc.

[Guitars decorated by kids for the "Art Rocks" silent auction]

In the fall, work on developing curriculum, creating schedules, soliciting donations, recruiting volunteers and inventorying supplies. Try to get all your supplies in stock by mid-December. Hold information and training sessions for parents so they'll be ready to start teaching in January. Provide copies of lesson plans, show samples and demonstrate techniques.

Build a library of prints, posters, slides, books and music to help enhance the kids' art experience. Slide presentations are amazing, but even walking around showing pictures from a book will be inspiring. An alternative is to go digital and project images from the web; try Artcyclopedia for a vast library of masterpieces.

Appoint a Classroom Art Coordinator for each classroom who will make sure parents sign up to teach and assist with every class. The Coordinator also creates portfolios for storing finished work and meets with each child at the end of the program to select and title pieces for the art show.

[Young designer at work in one of my mandala classes]

Teaching Art
You're standing at the front of the class with 24 pairs of bright eyes expectantly fixed on you. Don't panic! Here are some tips to help you out:

Allow adequate time for set-up and clean-up.
Set ground rules, like: raise your hand, keep a positive attitude and turn mistakes into "happy accidents" by finding a way to make it work instead of erasing or starting over.
Be prepared. Study the lesson plan and check supplies in advance.
Explain that examples are for inspiration, not copying.
Demonstrate the technique, but keep it short and sweet! Kids will grasp the concept quickly, and you don't want to bore them. Explain the lesson, then get out of the way!
Have free-drawing materials available for those who finish early.
To get kids' attention, clap your hands and have them put down their materials and clap back in the same rhythm, such as "clap, clap, clap-clap-clap." Dimming the lights also helps.
Never, ever tell them they've done it "wrong." Encourage free expression — each child's artwork is unique and special.

Do you have more teaching tips? Post them in the comments below!

[Second graders' abstract paintings, based on the work of Joan Miro, hanging at the Duniway Student Art Show]

Putting on a Student Art Show
Just one 2-D piece and one 3-D piece from each child provides enough art to transform two gyms and two hallways into an incredible art gallery.

[A parent volunteer arranges mounted artwork to hang]

At Duniway, we made banners of black vinyl which are attached to long poles. The selected artwork is mounted, labeled, laid out and attached to the banners with removable putty. Then, with the help of tall ladders, the poles are suspended from the metal window screens and basketball backboards in the gym using chains with hooks.

[Hanging art is fun!]

A student art show is a wonderful time to celebrate art with the community. Duniway makes it exciting with student musicians, student portrait artists, a pizza dinner and a hands-on art station for little ones.We've even had a mini-tattoo parlor featuring temporary tattoos made from children's artwork! Silent auctions of classroom art projects, raffle prizes, and the sale of children's art note cards and custom t-shirts can also help raise funds for the program.

[The South Gym is transformed into the South Gallery for the evening]

Do What You Can
I hope these articles have been inspiring. If you can't find a way to work art into the school day, consider after-school classes such as those offered by Portland's SUN (Schools Uniting Neighborhoods) program. Even if you just teach one class, you will have touched young lives in a way that will make a difference. Keep asking for more art, and don't be afraid to do it yourself.

Further Resources:
Duniway Art Lesson Plans: Duniwayart.org
Artcyclopedia — Art image library and search engine: Artcyclopedia.com

Please see Part One of this article for more resources.

About the author: Christine Claringbold, aka EyePopArt, has been in business since 2003. She is also a mom, an art teacher and a back-up singer in a punk rock band. Her designs have been published in Tattoo Flash Magazine, and her record products have been reviewed by Venus Zine, National Geographic Traveler, Brainstorm Northwest magazine, and blogs including Great Green Goods and Wickedly Chic. She is a proud member of Trillium Artisans, Etsy Trashion, PDX Etsy and Eco Etsy. Check out her blog at eyepopart.blogspot.com.

Parents Teach Art: A DIY Approach to Elementary School Art Education

2008-08-26T17:35:00Z

Where I live, there are billboards all over town that simply say, "Art. Ask for More." At the bottom is a line of smaller print that says, "Are your kids getting enough?"

As an artist and a mother of two, I feel fortunate that my kids attended a public elementary school with a thriving, well-established, award-winning art education program that is available to every student during the regular school day for twelve weeks out of the year.

This is rare. Many schools have after-school programs with enrichment classes or occasional projects with artists-in-residence, but very few public schools have a comprehensive art program incorporated into their regular curriculum. Portland, Oregon's Duniway School, which my kids attended, is even more impressive when you consider that they don't even have an art teacher. Instead, the entire program is organized, funded and taught by parent volunteers.

Are you a parent who is frustrated by the lack of art education at your child's school? Are you "asking for more" but still not getting enough? Maybe it's time to take matters into your own hands, in the true DIY spirit. This is the first in a two-part series that will provide some tips and resources for starting and maintaining a parent-led art program at the elementary school level.

[First grade "Sunflowers" lesson based on the work of Van Gogh.]

Start Small
All you really need to start is one classroom and one lesson plan. Talk to your child's teacher at the beginning of the year. Ask for a chance to come in for one hour to teach a fun, simple art lesson. What teacher could refuse that? To find great lesson plans specifically for your child's grade level, you can visit the Duniway Art website at www.duniwayart.org.

[The Duniway Art website]

These lessons were all designed to be taught by parent volunteers who don't necessarily have any art or teaching experience. Passionate parent artists like Michelle Smit, a mom of two boys who creates abstract paintings and fused glass works, revamp the lessons each year based on student and parent feedback to ensure they are fresh, relevant, and easy to understand. Michelle also makes sure these aren't "cookie cutter" projects, but rich, meaningful lessons that engage the child's heart, encouraging free expression, imagination and "happy accidents." The program encourages exploration of a wide variety of media, while building technical skills and incorporating art history and multiculturalism.

[Artist and parent volunteer Michelle Smit with her favorites from the fourth grade Picasso lesson, which she wrote.]

The program earned Duniway an Oregon Creative Ticket Schools award last year from the Oregon Alliance for Art Education and the Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education.

Duniway's lessons are all downloadable PDF files with sample images of student artwork. Each lesson includes the concept and objective of the class, prep work and supplies needed, vocabulary words and detailed instructions for teaching the lesson. Pick one and try it out in your kid's class. Or take a look at some of the many other great art lesson plans on the web (see the Further Resources list below for some links). Or, write your own lesson plan! You don't have to do it all alone — team up with your spouse, a friend, grandma, another parent or neighborhood volunteer to make this an experience the kids will never forget. Take pictures and have fun!

[Fourth grade "Sumi-E" lesson based on Chinese brush painting.]

Get the Community Involved
If you'd like to take this beyond just teaching one class and create a school-wide art program like Duniway's, there are three elements you must have in place: support and commitment from the school, help from lots of parent volunteers, and funding to buy supplies.

Talk to your principal and teachers to see if they could carve out one "art hour" per week for up to twelve weeks. Explain that parent volunteers will be doing all the work. If there are objections that art time will take away from valuable time teaching other subjects, point to Duniway as an example. Duniway is consistently rated an "exceptional" school year after year, based on high test scores and overall academic achievement — yet kids take time out for art, physical education and music one or more times each week. It's no surprise, really — according to Americans for the Arts (the group behind those billboards), kids actively engaged in arts education are likely to have higher test scores than those with little to no involvement.

[Fifth grade "Musical Collage" lesson]

Start talking to your school community. Find out how many parents are interested in art and are available for an hour or so a week to volunteer. Find out which parents own print shops, frame shops, art supply stores or other businesses that can help out with in-kind donations.

[First grade "Houses" lesson]

If your school has a PTA or similar organization, find out if you can form an art committee. With a handful of like-minded parents, your committee can begin to recruit and train parent volunteers and organize fundraising efforts to pay for supplies. How much funding will you need? At Duniway, the PTA's art committee has a budget of $4000 each year, which includes all supplies, as well as expenses related to putting on an annual Student Art Show. With a population of around 400, this averages out to only $10 per kid! As Michelle Smit says, "Where in the world could you purchase 12 great art lessons, including supplies, for under $10.00?"

Further Resources:
EyePopArt's blog post about the 2008 Duniway Student Art Show
Duniway Art
Princeton Online - Incredible Art Lessons
The Educator's Reference Desk
National Endowment for the Arts - State and Regional Art Agencies
Lowe's Toolbox for Education
Americans for the Arts
Arts Education Partnership
National PTA
No Subject Left Behind - A Guide to Arts Education Opportunities

Coming Next Week...
Stay tuned! Next week we will take a closer look at how the program works, including roles and responsibilities of the art committee, scheduling classes, teaching tips, and ideas for hosting an exhibit of student art.

About the author: Christine Claringbold, aka EyePopArt, has been in business since 2003. She is also a mom, an art teacher, and a back-up singer in a punk rock band. Her designs have been published in Tattoo Flash Magazine, and her record products have been reviewed by Venus Zine, National Geographic Traveler, Brainstorm Northwest magazine, and blogs including Great Green Goods and Wickedly Chic. She is a proud member of Trillium Artisans, Etsy Trashion, PDX Etsy, and Eco Etsy. Check out her blog at http://eyepopart.blogspot.com.

Earth Tones: Eco Ego Game for Kids, via Inhabitat

2008-08-13T18:48:00Z

Videogames have huge educational potential — not only do they teach kids strategy but the content can be thought-provoking too. Take for example Eco Ego, a free online game that lets kids (and adults) roleplay a sweet little creature living in a tree stump. The goal is a Sims-like equilibrium with the natural environment.

Thanks to Inhabitat, a great website to check out if you're into greener living and good design. They've launched a sister site for kids too, www.inhabitots.com.

More Earth Tones posts.

One Woman's Road to Veganism

2008-07-25T16:37:00Z

Why go vegan? For those of us who aren't vegan, the no-animal-product lifestyle can seem alternately inconvenient or utopian. We recently posted a profile of the Vegan Etsy Team, a group of Etsy sellers dedicated to promoting their goods and the benefits of vegan products. In this follow-up piece, team member Michelle, aka myzoetrope, describes her journey to veganism.

I was really slow to come around to veganism. It has been nearly nine years since I stopped eating meat altogether and started calling myself a vegetarian, and almost a year since I have cut dairy completely out of my diet and taken a closer look at the everyday beauty, cleaning, clothing, and other general products that I have used that have animal products in them or affect the environment in a negative way.

[Mini Onion Print by myzoetrope]

The major turning point for me was when I was a sophomore in college, working at the campus library. As an art student, one of the many perks of this job was that I would came across hundreds of artists' books and magazines that appealed to me and influenced me.

One day, I came across the book Dead Meat by the artist Sue Coe, and it literally changed my life. Sue Coe toured factory farms all across the country, armed with only her sketchbook, and wrote and illustrated the atrocities that happen inside those buildings. Downed animals being left for dead, chickens in cramped cages with their beaks cut off, healthy male chicks being thrown in the dumpster because they have no other use.

For me, this was quite an eye-opener. I come from a very large Italian family from a small town. In fact, my grandparents owned a steak house in this small town, in which my parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, sisters, and myself all worked in at some point in our lives. None of my friends were vegetarian, much less vegan. I had never been to a proper vegetarian restaurant in my life, and had mostly never really thought about how my food got to my plate. Reading this book, with its very straightforward and brutal descriptions and illustrations of the short and tragic life of a factory farm animal, finally put a face to the food I was eating. The more I read, in books and online, the more concrete it became that I could no longer eat meat or wear leather, wool, silk, etc. with a clean conscience.

Living in a small city, I didn't come across vegan options at restaurants when going out with friends, and I only knew a few people who were vegan. I mostly thought of them admirably, thinking to myself that I could never cut dairy out of my diet. Meat was easy, but dairy? I mean, what do they eat, right? Pure vegetables? Spaghetti?

It wasn't until I moved to NYC a little over four years ago that the thought of me becoming vegan even occurred to me. Restaurants that only served vegetarian and vegan food, the bountiful farmer's markets and the plethora of health food stores made veganism seem very possible. I gradually started to experiment with cutting dairy out of my diet. I started only eating dairy when I went out to restaurants, and only if there wasn't a vegan option on the menu. Soon I was learning to actually cook more than a pasta dinner and experimenting with baked goods. I owe a lot of thanks to the vegan cooking forum, The Post Punk Kitchen, for my successes in the kitchen over the last few years.

[Vegan Strawberry Pie from myzoetrope]

The only thing that prevented me from going completely vegan was my social hang-up about being polite. Yes, politeness. I felt guilty going home and refusing my mom's cookies or meal she made me. I felt guilty being the "weird" one in my group of friends and everyone having to accommodate for my eating choices when we would go out. Reading about other people's hang-ups and how they dealt with their family/friends in regards to their veganism gave me a whole new confidence level when it came to my own diet and lifestyle. I no longer felt like the odd one out when I went home for Thanksgiving dinner. I make my own tofurkey and all the fixings of a "normal" holiday dinner, except it is cruelty-free. My family no longer gives me an uncertain look when I bake them vegan cupcakes or cakes or pies. I'll bring vegan baked goods to work potlucks and they'll be snatched up. In short, I got over my social hang-ups about veganism, and stepping on other people's toes in regards to it, when I gained confidence in the kitchen.

If I had outdoor space in this crowded city I live in, I would have a full-blown garden, but instead I participate in my local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and receive fresh fruits and vegetables grown at a nearby Long Island farm every week. If I have a craving for mac and cheese, I mix up a quick "cheese sauce" made from nutritional yeast (found at any health food store), soy milk, some vegan margarine (I use Earth Balance), and some salt and pepper.

[Vegan Mac and Cheese from myzoetrope]

I'm lucky to live in a very vegan-friendly neighborhood, so that I can walk down the street and have vegan pizza, ice cream, cake, cookies, and fast food at any time. See? I'm not "missing out" on anything. Also, I have found it's pretty simple to find a veganized version of just about anything with a quick Google search. Etsy is full of amazing vegan arts and craftsters that make everything from vegan soap to vegan scarves to vegan baked goods to vegan beauty products.

I'm a member of the Vegan Etsy Team, which has 70+ members with strictly vegan shops, plus there are TONS of other shops outside of the team. I've found it's pretty easy being vegan in this day and age, and not only is it healthier for me physically, but I can have the peace of mind that I'm not contributing to the harm of a factory farm animal.

Some of my favorite resources:

Cookbooks
Veganomicon, Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World, and Vegan with a Vengeance, all by Isa Chandra Moskowitz & Terry Hope Romero
Yellow Rose Recipes, by Joanna Vought
My Sweet Vegan, by Hannah Kaminsky
Ani's Raw Food Kitchen, by Ani Pho

Vegan Cooking Blogs
Veganyumyum.com
Bittersweetblog.wordpress.com
Kitteekake.blogspot.com
Havecakewilltravel.com
Donteatoffthesidewalk.com
Blog.fatfreevegan.com
Veganlunchbox.blogspot.com
Vegandad.blogspot.com
Veganicecream.blogspot.com

Further Resources
Veganessentials.com
Farmsanctuary.org/issues/factoryfarming
Herbivoreclothing.com
Supervegan.com
Team.etsy.com/profilest/vegan.shtml
Govegannow.com
Nonviolenceunited.org/veganvideo.html

Looking for more vegan related content? Check out our past articles.

Virtual Team Digest: Interest Based Teams Worldwide!

2008-07-18T11:50:00Z

Here's what's new from a small sampling of some of the 300+ Virtual Etsy Teams, groups of members that join up with other members based on their interests or type of craft, to promote Etsy. Last week we caught up with some of our active location-based Teams — you can check that out here!

EtsyMoms have been busy raising money and promoting cancer awareness for their Team Leader, Jodi of HappyHouseQuilts. You can find updates on all the wonderful work they're doing here on their EtsyMoms for a Mom blog. It's so heartwarming to see a Team pool together for a beloved member. Etsy Teams Admin wish Jodi a speedy and successful recovery!
Make-baby-stuff.com and the Natural Kids Team have paired up for a Natural Nursery Decor contest! Go check out how this ambitious Team has found a great site to partner with to bring more people to their Etsy shops! Their collaborative contest runs until August 15, 2008. (Don't forget to check out Etsy's Handmade Kids Challenge, too!)
The Trashion Team is challenging themselves with a Palchemy project. Pam of NatureMadeScents organized a swap of materials, between members of the team. Each participant received an exciting package full of things that could be called "Trash." They are using their skills to remake those items into something new and fantastic! Each item is then listed in the team members' Etsy shop. They will be listing Palchemy creations all through July! Search Etsy for "Trashion Palchemy" to see the amazing creativity of Trashion!
The diverse team of artists known as Etsy Mosaic Artists, or EMA, strives to create unique works that keep the ancient art of mosaics contemporary, new and modern. With a variety of materials and endless possibilities, each member brings their own interpretation to the art form. The group celebrated their one year anniversary in April, and has grown in the past few months to 80 members. The styles of work within the group are incredibly varied and range from cottage chic to retro to whimsical, and everything inbetween. An amazing example of this diversity are the entries to their last group challenge, to mosaic a birdhouse. You can see the entries and many more amazing pieces by EMA in their Flickr pool. For more information, check their Team site or Team blog.
The EarthPath Artisans Street Team (EAST) is having a Gypsy Design Challenge! Team members have taken their interpretation of what the word "Gypsy" conjures up for them, and created new pieces in a variety of media. The purpose of this challenge is not to win prizes or compete with each other. It's a way to build team camaraderie and inspire members to explore new themes and stretch creative muscles. For the winner, it just means a little extra attention from an adoring public! Winners will be posted on the EAST blog. Check out the EAST Challenge page on Flickr to see the entries.

Thanks, Virtual Teams, for continuing to span the globe and dazzle us with your creativity! Check team.etsy.com or more information on Etsy Teams and to learn how to Join a Team!

Handmade Kids: Eco-Friendly Gear for Toddler Boys

2008-07-15T12:23:00Z

When we started brainstorming ideas for the Handmade Kids Series, there were two ideas that came through loud and clear: eco-friendly items and finds for little boys. There is so much cute stuff for girls, so we decided to share the love! cloud9designstudio, an Etsy seller with an eco-mission and a lil' boy of her own, stepped up to the plate.

The eco-movement, with regards to clothing, is a conscious effort to shift the public's thought process from buying at mainstream big box stores toward buying local, organic and earth friendly items. This effort to save our planet is important because it helps reduce our carbon footprint, brings awareness to global warming and helps us tread a little lighter on this earth. The future is in our hands. What will the world be like for our children if we don't start making greener choices?

From Organic Consumers:

"Just 2.4% of the world's arable land is planted with cotton, yet it accounts for 24% of the world's insecticide market and 11% of sale of global pesticides, making it the most pesticide-intensive crop grown on the planet. $2.6 Billion worth of pesticides are used on cotton worldwide each year."

The health of our planet has also been adversely affected by pesticides. The pesticides and synthetic fertilizers used on cotton routinely contaminate groundwater, surface water and pollute the water we drink. Fish, birds and other wildlife are also affected by the movement of these chemicals through the ecosystem. Many of these problems have been documented by the Pesticide Action Network North America.

[Cotton ball photographed by that owl]

Here's how you can get involved in the eco movement: You can support local farmers and workers and cut down on pollution caused by shipping, support fair wage labor practices (fair trade), and buy recycled or upcycled items.

Here’s what to look for:
1) Organic or fair trade clothing
2) USA made, local or sweatshop free clothing
3) Recycled, upcycled, thrifted or reused clothing

As a mom to a 2 and a 1/2 year old toddler boy, I know how hard it is to find cute clothes for little boys, much less eco-friendly clothes. So I scoured Etsy to bring you the very best eco-gear for boys. I found some cool handmade items sure to look hip on your eco-tot while he's out there huggin' trees!

This tie from redpajamas is adorable.

Like this hand dyed block printed and appliquéd Owl long sleeve shirt from 1girl1boy.

Or these darling upcycled wide leg pants from earthbabyee that are made from a man’s dress shirt.

How cute is this lightening bolt appliqued shirt from trustysidekick.

And MaryZoom has a cute art smock made from a repurposed 100% cotton shirt.

This upcycled shirt from SarahBird is so colorful.

This organic hoodie by SweetMemoriesQuilts is too sweet.

Here’s a bright blue organic dragonfly shirt from inkyspider.

An organic “strong” tee from littlegorganics.

Sandcookies has this precious set.

And this “I’m like totally organic” tee from ninaandtom says it all.

For More Info on Being an Eco-Friendly Parent...

Healthy Child
Simple Steps
Green Mom Finds
Organic Consumers
Sustainable Cotton
Environmental Working Group's Advice for Parents
Treehugger
Green Living Online
Green Mom
Green Hour
Organic Cotton Association
Friends of the Earth
Climate Crisis
Stop Global Warming
Team EcoEtsy
Team EtsyKids
Team EtsyMoms
Trailer for Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth

For more information on being a friend of the environment, check out the Storque's Earth Tones series. For more child related content, continue reading the Handmade Kids series!

Handmade Kids Series | Special Kids Showcase | Baby Gift Guide | Children Gift Guide

Etsy Teams Digest: Local Teams Meet Up!

2008-07-11T11:19:00Z

Local Etsy Street Teams have been organizing really engaging events this summer! Here's what's new from a small sampling of geographic Etsy Teams, groups of members that join up with other members based on where they live, to promote Etsy. Next week we'll have the latest news on what the Virtual Teams are up to.

The INCrowd, Indiana's Etsy Team, is promoting a team-wide sale to benefit flood relief efforts in Central and Southern Indiana. One of their members, Carrie aka TimeandSand, is the director of the Care and Outreach program at Grace Lutheran Church in Columbus, IN. "At the moment, everyone has been helped and is in temporary housing — they closed the shelter over the weekend. We will continue to take donations for quite awhile; the next phase is to help people rebuild and many did not have insurance and FEMA is not covering everything," she says. Participating shops will be donating a minimum of 10% of their July sales to the church for flood relief assistance. "Our membership is spread across the state of Indiana. Any part of our state that is affected by disasters — natural or otherwise - needs our support. These are our neighbors, our friends, and our families," says Kim aka ThePeachMartini. For a list of participating shops, please visit the INCrowd's blog.
The Florida Etsy Team got a great blog write-up showing off their innovative and crafty recycling ideas for what to do with leftover party beads on the city blog at Tampabay.com. Getting press showcasing your Team's creative ideas is a wonderful way to attract people to your Team members' shops! Congratulations, Florida Team!

[photo by Seattle's EtsyRain Team]

The Seattle Metropolitian Team, EtsyRain, held a big event in June, pictured above. They organized a BBQ / fundraiser to benefit the Ballard NW Senior Center. The event included a fantastic craft show with their membership in the main hall while the volunteers from the senior center had a cookout to raise some much needed funds for their community center. Their event was a huge success, and supporting their local community is one of EtsyRain's main goals as a team! Stay tuned to the EtsyRain blog for EtsyRain's first birthday celebration on August 1st! More info coming soon!
Members of the Baltimore Etsy Street Team channeled their inner models, imagined drinking Slurpees, and otherwise beat the heat to have a group publicity photo shoot on the first day of summer. This picture above is just a teaser, and the rest will be used for all the rockin' promotion the team has been getting locally. Team members are now busy getting ready for their first trunk show and preparing to participate in Artscape.
The Philadelphia Etsy Team is pleased to announce Craftadelphia!, a series of monthly trunk shows in collaboration with the Mew Gallery in Philly's Italian Market. The Philly Team meets on the third Friday of each month, 6pm, at the Mew Gallery — all local Etsy sellers are welcome to attend.

Interested in meeting up with local Etsy members? Find a Team where you live and contact their leader to join today! Thanks for all of these inspiring handmade events, Etsy Teams! Keep up the great work!

Bark the Vote

2008-07-10T16:00:00Z

Dogs are definitely getting more political these days. (Or at least their owners are.) It seems our dogs can get us to do just about anything. They want to sleep on the bed? We move over. They whimper and give puppy dog eyes? We give them treats. Bark at the door? We let them out. So how far does the dog’s influence go? For some people, it extends into giving their dog a political voice.

Owners and their politically-minded dogs have a wide range of products to choose from. They can support their favorite presidential candidates with items from several Etsy sellers. I have been inspired to sell dog bandanas bearing the slogans, "Barkers for Barack", "RePUPlicans for McCain", and "Canines for Clinton". AutumnLeavesJewelry creates custom dog tags for Barack fans. Dogs looking for a less subtle way to speak their mind can opt for the full t-shirts from alfieandrex with the logo, "Dogs 4 Obama", emblazoned on their back.

The messages move beyond the upcoming presidential election. An intelligent dog would probably appreciate a "Smarter than the President" bandana available from makeyourdogsmile's shop. Peaceful pups are the perfect candidates for the "Another Puppy for Peace" shirt created by Blackflag317.

Have a dog who is afraid to speak his mind? Never fear! Dog-owners can wear their pets’ opinions as well. Campaign buttons abound in thedogcoatlady’s shop for every breed from Boxers to Westies.

These buttons are not limited to dogs, either. Cats and even ferrets can speak their mind vicariously through their owners.

Want to support your dog’s opinion but not sure which party your dog would endorse? Take this quiz from squidoo.com to quickly determine your dog’s political leanings.

Republican vs. Democrat: Is your dog a donkey or an elephant?
Republican Pets:
1. They bark at passing neighbors and traffic; home security is very important to them.
2. Their ears perk up when Fox News comes on.
3. They are a big spender at the local pet store.
4. Strongly believe pet matrimony should only occur between two cats or two dogs.
5. Believe in the 2nd amendment right to bear teeth and claws.
6. Are for electric border fences for the yard.
7. Want national ID tags for all pets.
8. They advocate for the pet tracking chip — you can never have too much security!

Democrat Pets:
1. They want universal veterinary care for all!
2. They want their treats for free.
3. They socialize with all breeds at the dog park.
4. They prefer their owner uses biodegradable poop bags.
5. Are very concerned with the rising rate of pet food.
6. Have the young puppy and kitten vote locked.
7. Want an end to the war of dogs vs. cats once and for all.
8. Think of Ralph Nadar as the dog catcher.

Once you know where your dog falls, you can register him to vote at mypoliticalpet.com, a "non-partisan, informative, free website dedicated to your pets and the latest political news." There you and your dog can connect with pets from across the nation and discuss the latest political issues. You can also monitor important animal issues including keeping pets out of labs and the dog and cat fur prohibition act.

When you consider the fact that elected officials make decisions that can affect the lives of pets, it doesn’t seem so far-fetched to let your dog influence your vote. After all, it is not just your world, it’s your dog’s, too.

Now I have to wonder, would my dog influence the way I vote? I don’t know…I guess it would depend on what she was wearing at the time, and of course, where she bought it.

American Consumerism

2008-07-04T12:31:00Z

Consumerism: A passion for acquisition of personal property; the concept that a healthy economy requires a strong consumer market; advocacy to protect consumers from false advertising, shoddy merchandise.

Have you noticed how the definition of consumerism is being interpreted by those of us in America who consider ourselves part of the so-called Indie Movement? This movement has been initiated, motivated, propagated by us – and folks like us from all over the world. Us, being the people who care more about the personal part of the property. Us, being worldwide consumers, AND artists, crafts people, activists, punk rockers, back woods weavers, dirty potters, knitting divas, computer nerds, and so much more. We, being one weird bunch coming together to create something and succeeding. Succeeding because we are working together across our opposite occupations, mismatched philosophies. We are the buyers and the sellers who are bringing the world back to basics.

Think about baby America for a minute. Baby America was full of rebels and idealists. Full of people who wanted to find a different way, a better way, a more fulfilling way; people like us. Those oddball revolutionaries built this new world with hand forged tools as they pushed across the land. And the lands were settled and each settlement was full of folks with the necessary skills for survival: they could make soap, knit socks, shoe a horse. Each settlement had some sort of crafts people - basket weavers, blacksmiths, and carpenters. The people created what they needed on their own, and they went to the local Indie folks for the works that fell out side of their own skill set. And the nation flourished and grew and prospered. Then, folks spread out even further a field and it became hard for them to get all the things they needed. During this time, the blight of slavery began to spread across our nation as many of our forefathers looked for ways to more easily obtain what they needed and wanted.

The nation grew more, and more, full of all manner of great minds, melding skills from all over the vast, earthen world. There were times people traveled many miles by horse and buggy, or waited months and months for their goods to be delivered, but the Indie Artist Craftsperson was still able to make at least some sort of living.

But our new country continued to grown even bigger. And smarter. And faster. The machine age of industry grew, and the plastic world began. General stores became Five and Dimes, and then Sears and Roebucks, and then Targets and Wal-Marts. The American people could easily find very inexpensive items to meet their every need. They no longer had to MAKE life's little necessities. They no longer needed to visit their local craftsman or wait for a handcrafted dining table from the carpenter three towns away. They could buy particle board and polyester! They never had to sit up at night to knit mittens or slippers because they could run down to the Super Center at any hour of the day or night to buy such things for pennies of the cost of knitting them!

The craftastic connections that had made communities strong in spirit and economy began to unravel and the people in Adolescent America seemed to have forgotten how positively lovely it was to sleep beneath a hand pieced quilt, made by a grandma lady, and filled with natural fibers. They forgot that buying hand thrown pottery dishes to eat off of, not only keeps an age old art alive, it fulfills someone’s creative drive; it helps SOMEONE ELSE to support their family.

Thank goodness we, not just us Americans, but all the people of the Indie Craft Movement, have come along to connect the dots. We have begun to recant some of the mistakes our parents and grandparents made. We have started to realize once again how delicious it feels to wash up with natural goat's milk soap and to dress our babies in handcrafted clothes emblazoned with pirates and sushi. And we have started to realize what this awakening means to consumerism, to craft, to the economy, to people, to the country, to the WORLD!

How odd that this eye-opening fusion of consumption and craftivism, connecting us and helping us create a more personal level of consumerism has been birthed from the all amassing global sphere of technology and information known as the internet. If only those original renegades could see where their steps have led us; right back to a new frontier. It is still a new frontier. And just like the original American frontier folk, we are relying on each other for support and encouragement. We are turning to each other to buy the things we cannot make ourselves. We are teaching each other and ourselves new skill sets. It seems that after several generations of near oblivion, we are beginning to be much more responsible in Adolescent America. We are more concerned about our Earth and the land; much more concerned about the foods we eat and the waste we create; once again interested in helping and supporting each other in a crafty sense.

The naysayers who call our movement a trend — they just don't get it. They must not be hearing us when we say that this sense of community, albeit mostly virtual, is changing a lot of lives, this country, and the world for the good. But they will see, because we are all standing together on this front, sewing machines and scissors at the ready — and we ARE making a difference.

If you're interested, I recommend these for further reading:

http://www.artjewelryforum.org/speakers-presentations/diy-websites-and-energy-the-new-alternative-crafts/

http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/etsy_ebay_distributed_mass_customization.php

https://scholarsbank.uoregon.edu/dspace/bitstream/1794/5194/1/Rachel_Johnson_07.pdf

Big thanks to twiststyle for sharing her reflections. Please leave your thoughts in the comments below! You can also read, Crafting, Consumerism & Cooptation: Materializing a Utopian Idea, MicroRevolt: Changing the Way We Think About Protest, or stringtheory's Make like a Tree posts.

Etsy for Animals: Working Together

2008-07-03T15:25:00Z

It all started with an idea and an Etsy forum thread. A year and a half later, Etsy for Animals (EFA) has over 530 members, and is one of the largest Teams on Etsy. For EFA's first Storque post, click here. You can get to the team members' items by searching "team efa."

Although the only membership requirement is a love for animals, many members also choose to donate a portion of their proceeds to animal charity: either to the EFA charity of the month (this July, the charities are Dogs for the Deaf and the Vancouver Aquarium's Marine Mammal Rescue Program) or to other animal charities that they individually support. EFA also has a shop, where all items are donated by EFA members, and 100% of proceeds from sales goes to the EFA charity of the month. When contributions from the EFA shop and EFA members are totaled, many small donations add up to large contributions to animal charity.

How does such a large team function? Electronic communication, shared documents, and the EFA Yahoo group, administered by Darktemptations, are essential since team members live all over the world. But, most importantly, many EFA members have volunteered their time to help. Here are just a few of these hard-working people and the EFA projects they're working on.

[Michele aka mvegan5 and her cat, Moses]

Michele aka mvegan5 is the EFA team founder and co-leader. She's a California artist who currently lives and works in Israel. Michele says, "I've always known I wanted to help animals and be an artist, and have now been able to combine the two." Michele is the contact for new members, writes the EFA newsletter, manages the EFA Flickr group, assists with the EFA shop, and promotes EFA wherever she can.

[El aka ElephantDance modeling her blue and white spiraling cloche]

El aka ElephantDance is the EFA co-leader, and administers the Etsy for Animals shop with the help of eight dedicated volunteers. El recently moved to California from Saipan, a small island in the Northern Mariana Islands. El says, "Seeing the poor neglected animals on the streets of Saipan convinced me that I needed to do something, even if it was one animal at a time." El also manages the EFA blog and her own two Etsy shops while working, going to school, creating lovely crochet, and running a Help the Puppies campaign to provide ongoing medical care for animals she rescued in Saipan.

[Poodle Boating Party by haleyshandmades]

Haley aka haleyshandmades contributes many hours of her free time to maintain the EFA website. She also creates wonderful poodle artwork. Her favorite piece, made when she was a student at Washington University in St. Louis, is Poodles Crossing the Delaware, a huge 3 foot by 5 foot print of poodles fighting in the American Revolution, based on the painting by Emanuel Leutze.

[Emerald Kitty by Lynn aka LolaLynn]

The multi-talented LolaLynn organizes the EFA monthly challenges where EFA members vote on a challenge theme each month, and then members submit entries based on that theme. Entries are then showcased on the EFA blog, in forum threads, and in Treasuries. Lynn says, "I so firmly support El and Michele's mission that I took on coordinating and editing the monthly challenge even though I knew nothing about blogs! In the process I have made new friends and learned a lot."

[Etsy for Animals logo, designed by alilsumptinsumptin]

Welsh felt artist and costume designer, Kim aka Midnightrabbits, keeps track of donation requests that EFA receives from animal charity groups for handmade items to be used in fundraising activities. Many EFA members have contributed their time and talent to create items for these fundraisers.

Fiber artist, Marjorie aka WHSKR, is the EFA publicity coordinator. Marjorie, who lives in New Zealand, says that when she first joined EFA, she was concerned that her relatively small contribution would not make a difference but then realized that the small amounts contributed by many sellers "all grow together to make a donation of several hundred dollars each month. People can touch the other side of the world without leaving home — it's an astonishing thought and a powerful motivator."

You can meet EFA members in the lively and fun weekly EFA team chats hosted by Gena aka Dogonwear every Thursday from 10:30 to 11:30 AM ET in the Etsy Virtual Labs. Come on in to network, learn, and have fun! Gena, who designs canine fashions, also organized a cooperative quilt project as an EFA fundraiser. The quilt will be available soon in the EFA shop. Stay tuned!

Further Resources:
Etsyforanimals.com
Etsyforanimals.blogspot.com
EFA Team Interviews:
mvegan5, ElephantDance, haleyshandmades, LolaLynn, Midnightrabbits, WHSKR, Dogonwear

Earth Tones: Craftivism Motions in the Oceans

2008-07-01T12:17:00Z

Erin Chan aka designsquid calls to Etsy sellers and buyers to care for our ocean animals, endangered by bad habits and indifference. We give our Etsy Pets series an Earth Tones spin, in this post for animal and nature lovers.

71% of the Earth’s surface is covered in a common chemical substance that is essential to all known forms of life: water. Each year, an estimated 14 billion pounds of trash are dumped into this valuable resource. All around the world, our oceans are in crisis. Though we acknowledge water to be a very important part of all life, we risk our future as well as the future of marine life by turning our oceans into dumping grounds. However, it’s not just pollution that threatens our oceans. Whales continue to be listed as an endangered species because of their continued slaughter. Plastic bags, bottle caps, cigarette butts, food packaging and other waste are harmful to birds, turtles, and other marine animals who mistake these things for food. Fish swallow small bits of plastic which we in turn digest when consuming seafood. Plastics are able to absorb other chemicals around them and thus spread their harmful properties across the world.

[Photograph by djloche]

Only we can help control these disasters. In order to help save polar bears, seals, narwhals, fish, and ultimately ourselves, we must save our oceans. By reducing CO2 emissions on an individual level, you can help. By taking action against industrial fishers who destructively trawl the bottom of the oceans, you can help. By lobbying against offshore oil and gas activities, you can help. Here are some other suggestions:

If you walk or exercise outdoors, pick up litter you might see along the way. Streets and storm drains empty into rivers that lead to the coast.

Avoid using plastic disposables. Use reusable containers and avoid plastic bags and wraps of all kinds.

Volunteer for International Coastal Cleanup Day which is on September 20. Find action in your area by visiting this website.

Support responsible vacationing. Cruise ships dump 90,000 tons of sewage and garbage into our oceans every day.

The most important thing you can do is get educated and get involved. There are many organizations around the world that promote cleaner oceans by saving marine wildlife and helping communities become environmentally aware.

So, how does this impact Etsy? What you could be asking, rather, is how can you make an impact through Etsy? When I started my Etsy shop, I already knew that I wanted to promote environmental awareness. By donating 10% of every purchase to Oceana, I know that I’m making a small step in the right direction.

[Photograph by Shek Graham]

There are already other Etsy shop owners finding ways to help:
JumpingJackDesigns sells personalized sea turtle stationary from which $3.00 goes to help the Wrightsville Beach Sea Turtle Project.

retrowhale generously donates $5.00 to the Heal the Bay organization for each print she sells from her Heal series.

10% of the sales from Dragonfire’s Sea Life jewelry is donated to help clean up our oceans and beaches.

These are only a few of the Etsians who are determined to help save our oceans and marine wildlife. Imagine if every Etsy store promised 10% of their monthly sales to help promote a greener way of life? Imagine the impact that would make on our environment.

Any little bit helps. Offering specific items with proceeds donated that are separate from your other listings is a good way to get started. Joining teams that specifically help causes that interest you and hold monthly donation drives is also a big way to help.

If you don’t own a shop but purchase from Etsy regularly, you can help by searching through donation items first.

If you are interested in helping, but don’t know where to start – here are some websites that can help you determine in what direction you might want to go.

Further Resources:
Oceana
Greenpeace
International Fund for Animal Welfare
Save the Whales
International Year of the Reef
National Marine Life Center

Cruelty Free Etsy | EFA Etsy for Animals |
Earth Tones | Etsy Pets on the Storque | Special Pets Showcase

Call for Entries: Creativity 350 Contest

2008-06-20T11:52:00Z

Hey crafty folks, it's contest time! Craftster and 350.org have teamed up to bring you Creativity 350:

Use your creative skills for a good cause: to help stop global warming! By participating in the Creativity 350 challenge you can help creatively spread the word about what scientists and advocates are now calling the most important number on the planet: 350. Unless we can reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to 350 parts per million, we will cause huge and irreversible damage to the earth.

You can do your part by creating a t-shirt or a craft project highlighting the number 350, then enter to win lots of cool prizes. Click here for details.

Etsy is proud to lend our support to this fun contest and great cause. Among a host of amazing prizes from many generous sponsors, you'll find an Etsy "surprise pack" which will include handmade beauties from the Etsy sellers below (among others).

Thanks guys!

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