In tough times, sometimes it's easier to donate your skill and labor in lieu of money. As communities, businesses, and families alike struggle with cash flow, the organizations who count on the kindness of others to help those in need suffer even more. With that in mind, now seems like a good time to consider donating an item of your creation to the charity fundraiser of your choice.Take a cue from Chuck from DownToTheWireDesigns who, after having the opportunity to design some pieces for a non-profit, realized that he could easily donate something to one auction a week throughout the year with little hardship to himself. (read his story, featured on the Etsy blog, here)
Tamara, from McFarland Designs, runs a project called Jewelry for Charity, where she donates a percentage of all her sales from both her bead shop and her jewelry shop to a different charity each month. She started the project in 2007 and as of March 2009, she has raised a whopping $9,685.00 for various causes. Read more about her Jewelry for Charity fundraising project here.
I recently had the opportunity to donate a necklace for a charity auction. Designing a piece that would reflect the specific sentiment of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day was a unique and satisfying challenge. To read more about my experience designing the necklace, click here.
As artists and crafters, we should consider ourselves lucky to have the ability to create objects of value. For the price of our donated time and materials, we can help improve our own communities and beyond, one treasure at a time.
If you need a hand choosing a cause, Charity Navigator can help you find one that's right for you.
Thanks for the mention. I have gotten a lot of great feedback on my efforts. I think a lot of artists would give but many perhaps feel like it is too difficult to make a difference. From the groups I have worked with, I definitely get the impression that "every little bit helps."
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