Craft For Health

Art to Help Stop Human Trafficking by Tori Higa

 

An Artist's Dream - Cause Driven Art to Help Stop Human Trafficking

I have always loved creating art and making things.  I started a handmade greeting card company in 2004 and designed and manufactured the cards in our little studio for over 300 wholesale customers.  I absolutely loved the design and craft aspect of the business but when I became pregnant with our son, I knew that I could no longer devote the countless hours that I once had to the business.  

The Call that changed everything

It was bitter-sweet because I was thrilled to welcome a much anticipated new life to our family but I couldn't help but feel a little sadness about the close to such a big chapter in my life until...

 

...I got a call from my friend Wendy about the new non-profit organization, International Sanctuary, that she and her friend Stephanie had founded.  

 

They started their organization in 2007 to advocate for exploited people of the world, to educate the public about human trafficking and its prevention, and to be instrumental in providing survivors the means to be reintegrated as valued members of a community.  

 

Purchase with Purpose

One of the most valuable parts of their organization is their "Purchase With Purpose" program.  The survivors are trained in the art of jewelry making and their handcrafted goods are then sold in the states through retail outlets, home parties, community events, church functions, craft shows, and in the iSanctuary online boutique to raise funds for each individual in the program.  

 

The survivors not only earn money for their craftsmanship, but the very act of creating a piece of jewelry provides an immeasurable amount of healing.  They have something positive and creative in their lives to focus on and a reason to get up and face each day.  

 

 

 

 

A Simple request turns into much more

Wendy had simply called to ask if I might design one or two cards for the organization.  Little did she know at the time that my mind was spinning with the idea of the possibility of merging our two entities.  After I hung up the phone and talked with my husband we both knew that this could be the perfect partnership.  As soon as I shared my thoughts with Wendy and Stephanie, they were on board and everything fell in to place from there.  It was a lot of work to complete the merge but we had so many little encouragements along the way that we knew it was the right thing to do.  I just KNEW deep in my soul that this was the reason that I started the company in the first place.  

 

 

 

 

After months of meetings, training, crafting, organizing, and coffee drinking, we completed the merge in May 2009.  Much to my delight, there is now a team of volunteer crafters in Orange County who hand make my greeting card designs for this wonderful cause.  One day we would love for the survivors themselves to make the cards but they have their hands full at the moment with the beautiful jewelry they create.  For now, just knowing that the proceeds from my handmade greeting card sales go to iSanctuary brings me so much joy.  I love that I can continue to design prototypes for iSanctuary and that my art is literally helping people.  I think that is every artist's dream.  To be able to help another person through your work is as fulfilling as it gets for an artist. 


My name is Tori Higa and I believe in the value of "crafting for health" weather you are physically making something with your own hands or creating something to help those in need.  To see more of my work, please feel free to visit my  website and blog.  

To learn more about International Sanctuary, visit their website, blog, and online boutique.  Tori Higa Stationery for iSanctuary can currently be found at Kate's Paperie in New York as well as other specialty stores across the country.

GIVE AWAY:  In honor of the Craft For Health Website and it's wonderfully inspiring stories, I am giving away 12 assorted greeting cards (handmade with vintage fabric) including birthday, new home, thank you, everyday, Christmas, and Valentines to one lucky reader.  Just leave a comment in this post to become eligible for the random drawing.

Creativity to the Obesity Rescue! by Joan Fee

 

 

I was an overweight kid and it hurt!  The whole not being picked for a team, the coming in last in races, having my mom buy me maternity clothes when I was in elementary school, the negative looks and comments from others ripped my little heart out.  

 I carry those hurtful instances around in my daily baggage. But, this baggage has become the catalyst for a whole new direction in my life.  It has led me to becoming involved fighting the childhood obesity epidemic so children will not have to hear the taunts, not have diabetes, not have heart disease.

My journey reminds me that it's not just a personal struggle, it’s a VERY scary thought to see the path that our World is on.  I took my baggage, teamed it with my love of crafting and came up with creative projects to get kids to exercise, eat healthy and unplug without them knowing it.  

   

  

The amazing process is blossoming right before my eyes with my heavy involvement with the Center for Obesity Prevention and Education at a local university.  I'm also finishing an e-book Make Healthy Fun! that has 120+ exciting projects from recipes for a fun healthy edible monster to unusual gardens that kids can create no matter where they live and also to making projects to get kids moving and exercising – all without them knowing it!  

Even more

This has spread into workshops and videos helping families to incorporate healthy living into their lives through fun hands-on projects.  

 

When I look back on my childhood adversity, I now smile when I think how that baggage has changed my life and has rescued me!

  

 

 Join in the fun of getting healthy with creativity at www.MakeHealthyFun.com and  at the Make Healthy Fun Blog.  

The e-book featuring 120+ projects is available at this link. 

 http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fStoreID=2188713

Join the hands-on fun at the Make Healthy Fun! Workshop at the CHA Craft SuperShow in Anaheim, January 23^rd!!! Register at www.CraftSuperShow.com  and sign-up for workshop #W0803 

 

Crafting Helps Me Deal with My Emotions by Gabriela Delworth

 

Art has always been a very important part of my life helped me through challenging times.

Designing and channeling creative energy have helped me express my feelings through art...and deal with my emotions. It has been said that the great masters of art have produced their best pieces through the most difficult times in their lives. I believe this is true.  

My name is Gabriela Delworth and I am a designer and craft instructor.  You can view my work at  www.gabrieladelworth.com and also on my blog. 

I Don't Have Time to Be Sick--I Have Crafts to Make! by Sharyn Sowell

 

“I don’t have TIME to be sick!” was my reaction when I woke up with a scratchy throat.

  

 

And then it dawned on me. I am badly infected with Hurry Sickness.  It’s not a diagnosis your doctor will ever make, but it’s an affliction nonetheless.  And I know a great remedy for it, short term anyway.

  

 

A rainy afternoon crafting with your favorite girlfriends. It’s what I call “recess for grown-ups” and it works wonders.

  

 

I called up a few friends and invited them for a few joyful hours of play in my studio. Because I was working on a new book on crafting, I invited them to try out some of the projects. Because they know my studio is full of paper and glitter, antique type and vintage lace, papier mache supplies and soldering irons they all jumped at the chance.

  

 

We made a terrific mess and ate too much chocolate, we laughed until the tears ran down our faces. When they left I realized I hadn’t worried about a deadline or glanced at my watch all afternoon. My neck wasn’t tight and my teeth weren’t clenched.

 

We can’t erase stress from our lives or throw out the crammed calendar, but we can build in spaces of time to snip some paper or solder a necklace. Time for creative play. Recess!

  

 

My book is out now and the calendar is too crammed. I think it’s time for another stress breaking afternoon. Time for recess again!

 

My name is Sharyn Sowell and you can find more of my artwork at www.SharynSowell.com

 

GIVEAWAY:  Sharyn has graciously offered to giveaway one of her books.  TO ENTER simply post your comment on her entry and we'll pull the winner out of a hat!  Good Luck!  This offer ends on November 19, 2009

Hear My Artistic Voice by Manon Doyle

 

For many years I didn't know who I was or what I wanted out of life. I was creating art everyday but it was work that I thought would make others happy. I believe that I was lost with my work and lost in my life.

 

In my late thirties things slowly started to shift. I started to paint women in my journal. These women were strong, sensitive, happy, sad and most had a message of hope. They spoke to my heart and showed me the way. Somehow through the women, I discovered my artistic voice but most importantly I found me.

Art journaling is so easy and can be life changing. No skills required. You can use paint, crayons, pencil, collage.... whatever your heart desires. Squish your fingers in the paint, write words and scribble. Set yourself free.... dig in!  And fill your heart with art!

 

 

 

My name is Manon Doyle and I'm a mixed media and mosaic artist. You can visit me at my blog, http://manondoyle.blogspot.com  or website  http://hoochiepoochiestudios.com

 

GIVEAWAY:  Manon has graciously offered to giveaway one of her mixed media pieces.  TO ENTER simply post your comment on her entry and we'll pull the winner out of a hat!  Good Luck!

Crafting with Breast Cancer Survivors by Kathy Peterson

As founder of Craft For Health, I'm always looking for ways to help spread the good word of how crafting can really help us heal.   Last month, WPBF- TV 25 and ABC affiliate in West Palm Beach gave me the opportunity to gather four Breast Cancer Surviviors for a segment on how crafting during breast cancer helped these women cope with their challenges.  I hope this inspires you.  I called these women my brave girls! 

 Please click on the image below to watch this inspiring video.

 

 

http://www.wpbf.com/video/25504779/detail.html



Doll Art and Helping Cancer Survivors by Abi Monroe

 

I have been creating clay art dolls for about a year, and discovered that not only do I enjoy the process of making them, I can use them to help others in many ways.

 

I belong to an Etsy group called Etsy Project Embrace, we are a team of varied artists, whose main purpose is to create awareness and support for people who have been diagnosed with Cancer.  We also donate a percentage of our sales to The American Cancer Society, and have so far, raised just over $13,000.  The team evolved due to an Etsy artist being diagnosed with Ovarian cancer.  To read the story go here

 

I always donate a percentage of my Etsy sales to a charity, be it the ACS, or another.  I use my dolls to auction off, and also donate dolls to other organizations who are raising money for good causes.

I feel my dolls are special, not only because they can bring a smile to a face, but because they make money for people who need it.  I couldn't ask for more.

Etsy Project Embrace: http://etsyprojectembrace.blogspot.com/

Team Page over at ACS:  http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/TeamACS/TACSFY09National/895191330?pg=team&fr_id=17840&team_id=529966

My Blog: http://abimonroe.blogspot.com

My Etsy shop: www.abimonroe.etsy.com

 

Healing began through Crafts by Candace Jedrowicz

I began studying art and spirituality in the same year, about fifteen years ago.  I'd been decorating cakes for several years when both my kids were diagnosed with depression. They simply stopped functioning, one right after the other.  I stopped everything and gave my chikdren 100% of my attention..  It wasn't long before I went down that very same rabbit hole.  A beloved client suggested I go back to college and study art while the kids were in school (when they were able to go), and another recommended a spiritual bookstore.  That's when the healing began.  

 

 

I took a couple of classes and, when an instructor asked if I'd considered ceramics.   I did and I fell in love with clay.  I audited the ceramics program for eight years.  [the first photo is a tile family portrait that sprang from those years]  Along the same lines, I took a couple of spiritual courses at the book store and was invited to join a four year class with two inter faith ministers.  After the four years were up, I went on to study under another inter faith minister for two more years and teaching was a natural and exciting progression.  I loved sharing my art studio with fellow spiritual students and was soon asked to hold art classes. 

 

We are so much like the clay - fresh from the earth we are easily molded.  Along the path we try to force ourselves socially acceptable shapes.  As a result, we become overworked and increasingly fragile.  It can take a single harsh thought to create cracks and weaknesses that will lead to eventual collapse.  By simply opening our minds and hearts to our true nature we can become refreshed and whole.

 

For several years I made colorful, organic clay boxes that expressed my spiritual nature and my sense of humor.  Most recently I've had my hand in many art media, learning and growing.  I now play the part of the Creative Play Muse for Cool2Craft Live on web TV where I challenge the viewers with a creative theme each month that they can interpret and share on our blog.  It's an amazingly fun and nurturing atmosphere and I so enjoy being part of it!

For nearly fifteen years I've combined spirituality and art to teach folks who are just beginning their spiritual journey how to create with intention.

 

Link to Cool2Craft Live

http://linqto.com/rooms/cool2craft

 

Link to the Creative Play blog on the Hive

http://creatingthehive.com/group/cool2craftcreativeplay

 

Link to my Spirit Clay Blog

http://spiritclay.blogspot.com/

Crafting Keeps My Mind Off of Life Challenges by Randi

I am disabled mentally and emotionally with 4 chemical imbalances and one personality disorder. I have been stressed 24/7 since moving to the East Coast on my 16th birthday. That was 11 years and almost 2 mos ago.

I started crafting when I was age 5. It was not until I was 14 that I discovered that it could be therapeutic when I made hats for a hospital NICU. This really took effect when I was 20 and learned to cross stitch. I used this to soothe my mind and then on July 30th 2010, the worst day of my life came happened. My dear sweet Grandma Judy died from a 2 brain bleed hemorrhage just a few weeks shy of turning 68.

She was my only family that mattered to me. Since then I have been crocheting baby things non stop. I found a charity that needs my stuff real bad. I also put my skills as a webmaster to use and donated my server and the cobp.org name to the charity.

Crafting is keeping my mind off G'ma and helping innocent children in need with my items.

My Craft Therapy is My Art by Laura Kelly

My art is bright and fun and simple.  It makes people smile and feel happy inside.  This fills my heart with joy and inspires me to create, create and create some more.  I find that drawing, painting, sketching, building, baking, decorating, crafting, gardening and mixing it all up allows me the opportunity to express myself and share my thoughts and feelings in a very “out loud” way that requires no voice.  Through all of the self expressing I do, I get feedback from my family, friends and fans that it offers them ideas and ways to express themselves too. 

 

The part of my career that I am most passionate about is sharing my ideas with others.  This past weekend I had the pleasure of teaching four very special little girls how to work with clay.  They not only had a blast but once we were done, had some pretty amazing masterpieces.  The sparkle in five year old Zoe’s eyes while she made a swirly flower like her ten year old friend Emily was only matched by the laughter between best friends Jordan and Kylie who are the other two’s sisters.  Creating a project that crossed ages and bonded sisters with each other and their friends was a beautiful experience.

I was worried when I accidentally turned into a “real” artist and no longer was in a classroom teaching elementary school that I would miss using my teaching gifts and making the difference that I thought only could be made in the classroom.  Wow, was I holding myself small.  Whenever I feel icky, I gather up some kids (grown up kids too) and teach them learn how to use a new medium.  Whether linking art with curriculum and working in my kids’ classrooms using collage, promoting self esteem with age friends projects like tie-dye and beading with my beautiful 13 year old God daughter and her cool middle school friends, supporting my niece’s Girl Scout troop to earn a badge through scrapbooking and stamping, volunteering for non-profits to make auction decorations, or hanging out in my studio with friends and neighbors sharing my supplies; I love when I find ways to inspire other human beings to access their creativity.  The laughter, smiles and fun that takes place when I cause people to get together to craft creates stronger relationships and at the core, love.  I believe that everyone was born with creativity.  It saddens me that so many people tell me that they don’t have a creative bone in their body.  I feel successful when I can support them in discovering their creative talents.