Call to Action

September 7th, 2011 at 6:25 pm . Posted in Charity .

Dear Artists and Readers,

The recent fires in central Texas are devastating. I called Austin my home for more than three years and I moved to Houston only a year ago. The news from my friends that still live there is heartbreaking. The photos and Facebook status updates are all awful and are getting worse. Which led me to this: What can I do?

Well, all I really have is this little ole blog and a large contact list of artists. I contemplated taking in donations and actually driving supplies down their myself. Although my minivan holds a lot of stuff, I think it would be more efficient and get people the things they need if we do it this way. Artists, what I am proposing we do is to work together on this. Next Wednesday, I will post a blog that features ALL artists that are willing to donate a portion of their proceeds to The American Red Cross of Central Texas. For the duration of Wednesday, September 14th (my birthday!) all those participating will donate a portion of their sales. A link to your website (Etsy, Artfire, your own) will be posted along with a description of your shop and the amount you are donating.

Artists, this is a chance for you to help others in need and get people looking at your stuff all at the same time. And the only thing it is costing you is a portion of your profits. Throughout the week, I will be emailing and calling everyone one I know in order to spread the word. I suggest you do the same.

Houston, I know you have HUGE hearts. Let’s show our neighbors in Austin that we have their back. Artists, you have until Tuesday at noon to get on the list. Please send me the name of your shop, a link to it, a sentence or two describing it, and how much you are donating. My email address is, HomespunHouston@gmail.com.

XOXO – Bri

36 Comments ( Reply )

  1. Claire Richards
    Sep 08, 2011 @ 2:47 am

    Sounds good. Sign me up.

    Reply

    • Homespunhouston
      Sep 08, 2011 @ 1:14 pm

      That’s awesome Claire. Thanks so much.

      Reply

  2. Valerie G
    Sep 08, 2011 @ 2:12 pm

    Hey Bri! Count me in too.

    V :)

    Reply

    • Homespunhouston
      Sep 08, 2011 @ 2:24 pm

      Thank you, Valerie! I’ll put you down!

      Reply

  3. Paule Hewlett
    Sep 08, 2011 @ 2:48 pm

    Great idea, Bri. I’m in! Paule & Beyond Her

    Reply

    • Homespunhouston
      Sep 08, 2011 @ 3:48 pm

      Thank you, Paule!!

      Reply

  4. six06
    Sep 08, 2011 @ 2:54 pm

    Texas: My duty, my love, please count me in.

    Reply

    • Homespunhouston
      Sep 08, 2011 @ 3:49 pm

      Thanks six06!!

      Reply

  5. Rikki Mitman
    Sep 08, 2011 @ 3:06 pm

    I would love to help but do not have a shop, online or otherwise. If any auctions or sales are organized, please keep me in mind as I would gladly donate several pieces of my steampunk/industrial fusion jewelry.

    Reply

    • Homespunhouston
      Sep 08, 2011 @ 3:50 pm

      I will definitely let you know if something like that is organized. Thanks!

      Reply

  6. Barbara Harmer
    Sep 08, 2011 @ 4:12 pm

    Glad to help. I also have an Etsy web page too.

    Reply

    • Homespunhouston
      Sep 09, 2011 @ 1:40 pm

      Great, Barbara! I will be in touch.

      Reply

  7. Angela
    Sep 08, 2011 @ 4:17 pm

    Amazing idea! I’ll be checking back to purchase next week!

    I love seeing so many people getting involved!

    Reply

    • Homespunhouston
      Sep 09, 2011 @ 1:41 pm

      Thank you, Angela!! Please spread the word! :-)

      Reply

  8. Westbound
    Sep 08, 2011 @ 4:26 pm

    Honored to help!

    Reply

    • Homespunhouston
      Sep 09, 2011 @ 1:42 pm

      Thank you Westbound!!

      Reply

  9. Cathy
    Sep 08, 2011 @ 7:02 pm

    I’d be happy to participate…I used to live in Austin too. Thanks for organizing this! Georgia’s Market is collecting donations this Saturday too…I wonder if it would be possible to set up a local artists booth at their Saturday farmers market and donate a portion of proceeds. If I had a tent I’d do it, but unfortunately I don’t :(

    Reply

    • Homespunhouston
      Sep 09, 2011 @ 1:43 pm

      Awesome, Cathy. Thank you! I don’t have a tent either. If you or someone else organizes this let me know. I will be happy to help spread the word.

      Reply

  10. Amy Warden
    Sep 08, 2011 @ 9:05 pm

    This is such a fabulous idea! I am definitely in!

    Reply

    • Homespunhouston
      Sep 09, 2011 @ 1:45 pm

      Great! Thank you, Amy! And thank you for the mention on your blog! :-)

      Reply

  11. Jo Claire Hall
    Sep 08, 2011 @ 10:37 pm

    This is a wonderful idea. I, too, called Austin home for many years (Hook ‘em Horns!), and I am so saddened by what’s happening in the heart of our state.

    I’d be happy to donate $5/each sale on that date towards this effort. My Etsy shop is here: http://teachergurrl.etsy.com

    Thanks for organizing this!

    Reply

    • Homespunhouston
      Sep 09, 2011 @ 1:46 pm

      Thank you, Jo Claire!

      Reply

  12. Linda Gay Jones
    Sep 08, 2011 @ 11:08 pm

    My boyfriend lives in the Bastrop area and had to evacuate, several days later he went back and his neighborhood was still blocked off. A Valero down his street blew up. He is there now and can’t even get to his neighborhood at least for another week. They had a policeman walk down to his house and supposedly it is still standing but the fires have not stopped yet. The fires barely missed his house, if this is true that his house is still not touched. He had his chickens rescued by the humane society. I am very concerned about all of the people that have died and lost their homes. The fire is still not contained. There are fires all over the place, even near where my dad lives in Hempstead! I smelled smoke in the air this morning all the way from the fires and I live in Houston!!! I would be more that happy to help out. If you need to tell me more what to do, let me know asap!!! Thank you for doing this. It’s an awesome idea!!!
    Linda

    Reply

    • Homespunhouston
      Sep 09, 2011 @ 1:50 pm

      Linda, I am so sorry! Hearing stories like this is the reason we are all doing this. Thank you for participating!

      Reply

  13. Jo Claire Hall
    Sep 08, 2011 @ 11:30 pm

    I also just posted this info to the Etsy Texas group, so you should have lots of wonderful artists joining in…

    Reply

  14. Penny McDonald
    Sep 09, 2011 @ 1:52 pm

    Count me in. Will you email me and let me know what else I have to do? I need to know what percentage of sales to donate and so forth. Hope I can help.

    Reply

    • Homespunhouston
      Sep 09, 2011 @ 2:58 pm

      Thanks so much, Penny! I will put you on my list and be in touch through email with further instructions.

      Reply

  15. Cindi @ Rustique Art
    Sep 09, 2011 @ 5:26 pm

    yes include me too!

    Reply

    • Homespunhouston
      Sep 09, 2011 @ 6:44 pm

      Yay! Thanks, Cindi!

      Reply

  16. Hege Nolop
    Sep 09, 2011 @ 6:13 pm

    Great initiative! Count me in.

    Reply

  17. Sue Donaldson
    Sep 10, 2011 @ 2:32 pm

    I’m happy to help. Count me in!

    Reply

    • Homespunhouston
      Sep 10, 2011 @ 3:14 pm

      I will add you, Sue. Thank you!

      Reply

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