Calling All Craftspeople

[sweaterskj]

If you are a craftsperson, artist, or person who uses talents to create items that others have said "Oh, you should sell those": consider making, creating and donating those items to PEACE.

I love all needlework, but knitting is my current passion...and I have created some items for PEACE for auction. I work as librarian at a very challenging high risk urban middle school, and knitting is my therapy.

It all started in Leeds when I knit a "pilloghan" (afghan or blanket that folds into a pillow) for Adrian with the design of the PEACE logo, and Carmel asked if I would knit another one for PEACE. Note: it is these simple questions that often get people started in volunteering. Start small with something that you know they can do.

Of course I would. But...couldn't stop there. I felt that all versions of PEACE logos deserved their own opportunities to shine. After all, someone might be particularly attached to one of the older versions. So I knit a pilloghan of each, providing PEACE with auction items and me with the satisfaction of creative challenges met.

Then there was the Vancouver convention and tour, and I experimented with a new (to me) knitting technique on some scarves. You may see a couple of those in the PEACE auction as well.

During that convention, Adrian announced the latest PEACE logo, and of course, I needed to knit that, but wanted to do something to commemorate a milestone in May, so 50 baby blankets in the PEACE logo knit with garter stitch are just about finished. Again, a lot of satisfaction in creation for me, and PEACE benefits as well.

So I challenge other creative souls to create and donate items to PEACE and multiply those rewards that you receive: not only creative satisfaction but that which comes from knowing that you have given and shared with others.

[fsc]

We are the National Romanian Network of People using combined arts for the stimulation of special needs "Reteaua Impreuna", www.impreuna.arts.ro, and we invite artists from all over the world to contact through us Romanian artits or people working with special needs in institutions or communities. We welcome trainers that might want to share their expertise or experiences with various professionals in Romania.

[sidhex3]

i'd be happy to help on knitting if there's a project lined up or in progress that needs more hands.

I found a few sites that allow us to open up a Collective Peace Fund hand made crafts stores online:
with over 160,000 buyers & sellers. Etsy earned $20 million last year.

http://www.etsy.com
http://www.artfire.com

[Carmel]

Originally Posted by sweaterskj

If you are a craftsperson, artist, or person who uses talents to create items that others have said "Oh, you should sell those": consider making, creating and donating those items to PEACE.

I love all needlework, but knitting is my current passion...and I have created some items for PEACE for auction.
Then there was the Vancouver convention and tour, and I experimented with a new (to me) knitting technique on some scarves. You may see a couple of those in the PEACE auction as well.

During that convention, Adrian announced the latest PEACE logo, and of course, I needed to knit that, but wanted to do something to commemorate a milestone in May, so 50 baby blankets in the PEACE logo knit with garter stitch are just about finished. Again, a lot of satisfaction in creation for me, and PEACE benefits as well.

So I challenge other creative souls to create and donate items to PEACE and multiply those rewards that you receive: not only creative satisfaction but that which comes from knowing that you have given and shared with others.

YOur work is fantastic Kathy and much appreciated. Camille is going to take responsibility for Crafting PEACE initiatives so you don't feel all alone - LOL. The 40 baby blankets we have had sitting with you are soon going to a very good home but I will leave Camille to tell you all about that.

What we are aware of is that whilst the monetary donations are great they don't really connect with the children and babies and we see Crafting PEACE as doing just that - giving them something special just for themselves.

Carmel

[Carmel]

Originally Posted by Sheryl318

I found a few sites that allow us to open up a Collective Peace Fund hand made crafts stores online:
with over 160,000 buyers & sellers. Etsy earned $20 million last year.

http://www.etsy.com
http://www.artfire.com

I think that these look terrific and have registered 'thepeacefund' so that we can set up a storefront there. Thank you Sheryl.
Carmel

Great news!! I think this is also a way of finding new supporters who have never heard of us before but we happen to have something they like and want. Is this going to be a collective shop whereby our "artists" or crafters can operate and create their own listings?

sheryl

[Carmel]

I have to admit that I haven't given it too much thought beyond seeing that it was a great idea and grabbing shopfronts for PEACE. Off the top of my head, I thought that it could be a great space where we could direct people who contact us with art and craft works. It would give us a consistent window for their works. I'll hand it over to Camille to look into it in more depth but all ideas appreciated. What I really liked about Artfire is that our webmaster will be able to customise the look so that it reflects The PEACE Fund.

[Valoise]

Carmel, what kinds of things might you be interested in selling for PEACE. Lately I've been working with bead embroidery and might be able to work up something such as brooches or pins. I guess what I'm asking is are there specific design elements that need to be worked into the item, such as Kathy's wonderful knitworks?