Had a full table of family and friends….great day! Hoping you had the same!
Tag: event
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Happy Halloween – and Thank You
Hope you had a wonderful Halloween. It was cold here so Sam and I went out early this year. It was actually more fun to be out in the daylight because we got to see all the young crowds of kids and parents in our neighborhood. We stayed out just long enough to get the benefit from Sam's new pumpkin candy bucket with light-up handle and downlights that lit the sidewalk. Pretty cool, especially in the dark. He loves anything flashlight related so this was a big score (from Target earlier this afternoon). He went in his default costume: Uncle Sam.
Thank you again for the tremendous support of our fundraiser. Friends, family, and friends-we've-never-met, joined in from around the globe, to link elbows with us in a big circle of positivity to say that "artist's matter" as we ventured to make a difference. In less than a month we sold out our Art Print cards and raised our goal of $4000. With a match from Etsy, we completed a total donation of $8000 to CERF+.
Thanks to you, and to my colleagues, who answered the call to participate with their art, their heart, and the hard work of spreading the word. To be honest, I've never spent so much time on "social media" promoting a cause, and appreciate all the likes, shares, and comments that helped us along and contributed to a successful campaign – and of course, your orders! We couldn't have done it without the orders! I've definitely learned a lot thru this process – about people, about platforms, and I have a full page of notes should we launch another event in the future. It was hard work, but we did it!!! It means so much to us that so many of YOU gathered as a community and made this happen. ** tosses confetti **
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Making a Difference
This time last year I launched Manhole Madness Month. I fully intended to make it an annual event and have been collecting content all year for another month of manhole coolness but then I got sidetracked by something way more important – making a difference. It's been heartbreaking to observe all the devastation following the hurricanes…so I launched a fundraiser to benefit artists affected by these tragedies. You can join us – see my previous post HERE or my Etsy (GRNPEP) to make a $20 purchase of Art Cards + Stencil. The proceeds will be donated to CerfPlus.org thru Etsy who will match $ for $, making our collective contribution over $8000.
Let's sell out!!!
Before the month is over I will likely post something about manhole covers because I can't resist, but I will definitely update you on the fundraiser. In the meantime, spread the word! Thanks to all who have participated so far – much much appreciated!
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Artists for Artists – FUNDRAISER
I'm excited to finally announce this!
Together with my treasured friends, we cordially invite you to join our fundraiser to benefit artists who need help getting back on their feet after so many natural disasters.
We are selling a product package that includes eight (8) super cool Art Print cards and a stencil/mask set so you can keep the momentum of positivity moving forward with your own creations. ALL PROCEEDS WILL BENEFIT ARTISTS IN NEED.
EDIT: SOLD OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!! To purchase, visit my Etsy shop HERE: GRNPEP/Etsy.com
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The idea began following the heartbreak and destruction we witnessed in Houston and surrounding areas because of Hurricane Harvey, but then came Irma, Maria, and earthquakes, and fires. Making donations for recovery is necessary and essential to get people and families back in their homes, and there is an enormous amount of clean up and rebuilding to be done so we applaud the generous contributions this nation has made to the cause. But in addition to giving, it feels good to actually DO something. Since I'm not in a position to drop everything to drive south to help clear debris, I thought I could still offer time and talent, so I created a fundraiser, using art for good.
As I was researching places to give, I came across Craft Emergency Relief Fund, also known as CerfPlus.org, which is a national non-profit foundation that provides assistance, specifically for artists. For artists! The path of destruction not only ruined neighborhoods, schools, churches, and businesses, it crushed spirits. We want to lift up artists who have been affected, and Cerf+ will do that. Then I learned that Etsy is matching donations to Cerf+, dollar for dollar. (It was a sign that I made the right choice!) So if you join in our efforts, they will be doubled when we make the donation! You can imagine that resources like Cerf+ are greatly appreciated by fellow artists who benefit from the assistance, and that additional donations are even more necessary today.
Please spread the word and share the link and let's get this fundraiser sold out! GRNPEP/Etsy.com
Come on! Groovy art plus a chance to make a difference. It's win-win!
#artists4artists2017
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In addition to the ArtistsForArtists Art Print cards + Stencil/Mask package, Sam and I have been working on cards for the shop that will be included in the total donation. Usually for sale in his Etsy shop (ForYourSpecialNeeds), we've moved these special edition cards to my shop for the fundraiser. Cards are sold in sets of four (4) warm OR four (4) cool colors with lots of positivity included.
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Why Art Print cards? Over the years I've been involved in a number of artist-based fundraisers that were auctions of original art. While these were worthy endeavors and raised respectable sums, the platform catered to bidders with big wallets. I recall thinking that in addition to the original art, it was too bad that time didn't allow for the production of affordable prints of the same art, making it an available option for everyone, therefore casting a wider net of potential donors. With that in mind I determined that affordable packages of really wonderful art could be just the thing to collectively contribute to the cause. My friends rose to the occasion, contributing their art under a short deadline, and we are on our way!
Thanks to these artists for donating their work for this project:
Julie Prichard, JuliePrichard.com
Michelle Ward, MichelleWard.typepad.com
Lynne Perrella, LKPerrella.com
Judi Riesch
Laurie Mika, MikaArts.com
Lisa Hoffman, LisaHoffman.typepad.com
Mary Beth Shaw, MBShaw.com
Andrew Borloz, AndrewBorloz.blogspot.com
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Visit CerfPlus.org for more information on their program assisting artists. They are also a terrific resource for preparation and recovery.
If you want to make an additional donation to be matched by Etsy, go HERE.
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5.17.17
I caught this photo Tuesday afternoon. With the heat expected today, there is no doubt this will open up for a birthday sign from Shannon. There are a few dozen that look ready to follow, and by the end of the week it will be a glorious show. The first rose bush planted in honor of my sister in 2008 is well over ten feet high. At one point I had over twenty bushes, but get this….all the non-pink roses have perished. Pink has taken over. You can't even see where the non-pink bushes were since the pink ones have filled in the vacant spaces. Love that. More photos soon.
Miss you sweet Shannon. *blows kisses*
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Happy Mother’s Day
This is a rose from last year, my blooms are not quite ready to show off yet, see below.
Hope you have a glorious day.
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Happy Easter!
I've become enamored with wood burning. Using my heated tip stencil cutter, I have tried several of the replaceable nibs in the kit on all kinds of wood shapes. Here are some of my eggs. My next post will show more pieces that were included in my upcoming article for the May/June Somerset Studio.
Have a Happy Easter!
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Maker’s Day NJ
This weekend there are hundreds of Maker's Day events taking place in communities throughout New Jersey. Check the website NJMakersDay.org to find an event near you on Friday and Saturday. Initially launched from my own local library, we are proud be included as a vendor on Sunday, March 26 for their Maker's Market at Piscataway Kennedy Library. Sam will have his painted cards, and our Special Olympic teammate Keith will be there too, with his birdhouses. We hope you'll stop by!!
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3.17.17
Yesterday was the four year anniversary of adopting our sweet black cat Lucky. They told us she was likely about a year old so we claim today as her birthday. We sure got lucky with her. She is precious. I think that luck is all in perspective, but it's been said that those who work the hardest, are the luckiest. Often attributed to Thomas Jefferson: I am a great believer in luck. The harder I work, the more of it I seem to have. Hope you find yourself lucky not just today, but always.