More Etsy for Japan Relief

I have to do 100 notecards and 100 envelopes to get done in two weeks for a bride who would like them after her honeymoon so she can send out her thank you's. That's a month's worth of cards done in just a couple of weeks. But I know I can do it. So, we're just gonna keep this post simple today.

Girl Japan Relief Ninja - namu

A Bear Hug for Japan - sleepy king

Karma for Japan - amarillosky

Asian Girls Wooly Egg Toys - asherjasper

Laughing Buddha- sacredsuds

Etsy Teams for Japan

I like teams, there are a lot of them on Etsy each one with a different purpose, I happen to belong to three, one I created myself (Which I will probably close, none of the members are participating, oh well), Bloggers Unite! I also belong to the Etsy Blog Team and Paper Designs 4 U. Teams give a sense of community and purpose, they're great for meeting other artists and making new friends. They also give Etsians a way to band together for one cause; like these teams

The largest team, Artist Aid, is made up of 434 members. There are no requirements to join, it simply asks to donate one piece of work to the cause.

About this Team

"Watching the footage of the Tsunami Crisis in Japan? Want to help, but don't know how? By coming together, we can make a difference.

This is open to anyone & is done on your own honor. YOU control where your money is donated. YOU are in control of your money.

The idea is you pledge a piece of your artwork for the cause, then once the sale has been made, you make your donation of choice.

This is simply a collaborative effort. As a group we have the ability to reach more people, than by reaching out on our own.

Make treasuries, tweet about it, promote, promote, promote. Together, we can make a difference."

Etsians for Disaster Relief is the second largest team, with 257 members. This is another great team that anyone can join, there are no requirements. Right now their efforts are going towards Japan but they're description simply says;

"This is a place where we can post links for diaster relief allover the world when tragedies happen"

  The Japan Relief Team is made up of  79 members. The purpose of this team is for the members to discuss how they are using their stores to help Japan. But it's also a way to promote each other for the good of Japan.

If your looking to join a team for Japan, any team will do, it doesn't matter how many members it has, we're all working for the same cause.

Samaritan's Purse

The Samaritan's Purse is a Christian Organization that helps others around the world. Their name comes from the parable that Jesus Christ told in Luke 10:25-37; "The Good Samaritan." For those who are unfamiliar with this parable, it is a story of a Jew left beaten, robbed, and left for dead who is found by the "Good Samaritan" who helps the Jew by giving him food, clothes and shelter. Basically, Jesus Christ says that we should all help those in need; which is exactly what the Samaritans Purse does.

This is another organization I have some experience with (you can read about the other organization here). Every Christmas our church donates shoe boxes with small goodies in it to the Samaritans Purse to passed out to needy children who won't be receiving gifts that year.

You can check out the Samaritan's Purse online, view their history, their different missions, what they are about and what they are doing to improve the world before you donate to the Japan relief fund. On their website you can also donate to other funds as well. Just take a look.

 Also, don't forget about my giveaway for my set of monogrammed cards which Ends April 15th, midnight

P.S. In an attempt to gain more readers I've decided to post on the weekend when able. So talk to you tomorrow!

Friday Fave's #5

Friday Fave's Theme: Hope

I wanted to give everyone a little bit of a break from the disaster in Japan, but I didn't want to stray too far. So this weeks theme is hope.

23 inch White Shabby Chic Distressed Nursery Hope Decor Sign

I love items that are versatile. This would make a great gift for anyone, especially if their name is Hope and would look good in any home or office; on the wall, mantel, or sitting in a large bookshelf. You can buy this at Rivalry Time. This one is $39.99. Be sure to step into the shop to check out all the other goodies!

Wish Big

These vinyl words are very inspiring, and again, versatile. This would look great in a little girls room, a teenage girls room, if you have a free wall in your kitchen; this would look great there too. I think it would make a great housewarming gift. You can find this at singlestonestudios for $65.

Rain or Balloon Print

Not entirely sure if this has to do with hope but it is inspiring, and too cute to pass up! You can buy this adorable print at ilovedoodle for $30.

Braille Painting

This one is really cool, it's a painting of "hope" in braille by JMJARTSTUDIO for $229.

Nest of Hope Pendant

Nothing is more promising of hope than the promise of life, this is such a lovely necklace. This would actually be good for someone who is expecting, or has three grandchildren. Just lovely. You can get this at auntbattyscloset for $35.

HOPE e35

This bracelet is buy pinkyourlimb and is $8. I like it because it kind of has bohemian feel to it. Pinkyourlimb has other wonderful bracelets that definitely deserve a looksy.

Hope Cross

This one really needs no words but its beautiful in it's simplicity and is a symbol for hope, love, peace, faith.... You can find this at chipcarving for $70.

That's our theme for this week people, next week's theme will be "Good Deals and Steals" so stay tuned! And don't forget to keep reading so you can find out how you can help Japan.

Japan Relief and Etsy

One of the reasons I love buying and selling on Etsy is because of the strong sense of community; not just among other sellers but through out the world. With every natural disaster, Etsy sellers have banned together to raise money for those in need by selling their items and then donating the proceeds to a relief fund. I myself have only a few items listed in my shop up for sale for the Japan Relief, and the proceeds will be donated to World Vision. So here are some items that stuck out to me on Etsy that you can buy to help those suffering in Japan.

Heart for Japan

This one really fits the situation I think. It expresses love and the gift of giving which is what we're all about here this week. All proceeds of this print will be donated to The Red Cross and you kind find this and others like it at Elephant Dancing for $22.

Help Japan

I think this piece speaks for itself. You can find it at Kalimate for $46.45. All proceeds will be donated to the Canadian Red Cross.

Japan Disaster Relief Bracelet

This bracelet is very simple in its design but very impacting. Before I read the description I knew that it represented the Japanese flag. All proceeds will be donated to The American Red Cross. You can buy this bracelet for $5 at Top Knotch.

Origami Paper Crane

The description for this actually brought tears to my eyes. The crane is $5 and you can buy it at Fawning in Love. All proceeds will be donated to Save the Children, an organization dedicated to helping children in emergencies.

That's it for this one folks, I will definitely be posting more later on and hopefully I will be able to feature sellers who are donating to the relief fund.

I hope you all find it in your hearts to do something to help those who are in desperate need.

How you can help Japan through World Vision

World Vision is a Christian organization that I know and trust.

When I first discovered this organization, I was at a Christian concert with friends. Through out the concert, the band was telling us how we could help feed and clothe a child by "adopting" one through World Vision. During intermission and at the end of the concert. Anyone could go to the back table to view pictures of children they could adopt and help. One picture of a little boy kept standing out to me, Thapelo. He was six years old and had the same birthday as my brother; I looked at all the others but I just kept getting pulled back to him. I had to adopt him.

Every month I would get photos and letters and drawings from Thapelo. He was such a cute little boy. Sadly, money got tight and I couldn't donate anymore. The people at World Vision assured me they would find someone else to adopt him. I still get updates on him.

So, if your looking for a trusted place to donate to the relief for Japan, World Vision is a good spot. It's very simple, you just choose the amount you wish to donate or enter another amount in the little box and click donate now.

I have items in my shop for sale to help with the relief for Japan, all proceeds from those items will be donated through World Vision.