Cedar Crest College Origami Raffle

I think origami has a wonderful potential to bring people together.  Recently, I donated a collection of origami dolls, bookmarks, card holders and more to the Society for Asian Animation at Cedar Crest College for a fundraiser for both their organization and for tsunami victims in Japan.  They sent this wonderful message and photographs of their table for me to share with you all!

We wanted to thank Ume Origami for donating a large collection of her origami to the Society for Asian Animation here at Cedar Crest College.  We are an organization all about bringing people together over the shared interest of Asian animation in a relaxed setting.  The wonderful donation given to us by Ume Origami has been turned into a raffle in order to support our club.  We are also raising money for the relief effort for Japan by donating half of our proceeds. The feedback we have received from the campus community has been great, with an interest in the origami itself, as well as offering them a way to help out Japan in it’s time of need.  We are extremely grateful for the time and effort she had to put into making this origami and hope we are able to give it to someone who is as taken away with it, as we are.  

Society for Asian Animation E-Board 2010-2011

Naomi Wantz (President), Stephanie Spiker (Vice President), Katie Christ (Secretary), Lizzie Sterling (Treasurer)

I really hope that the winner enjoys their prize, along with the satisfaction that their effort is going to help those in need.  Thanks Society for Asian Animation!

Earthquake, Tsunami, Nuclear Meltdown... Reflecting on Japan's Disaster

As many of you know, Japan was hit with a terrible earthquake which caused both a tsunami hitting the northeastern region of Japan and the subsequent threat of nuclear meltdown in Fukushima.  The situation is ongoing as people try to deal with the aftermath of this 8.9 quake.

I avoided making this post until I knew my friends and loved ones were okay. It took me days to get through to them, but thankfully everyone is alright.  Some are displaced, some have lost their homes, everyone is alive.  Not everyone is as lucky, however, and as I am writing this message the death toll in Japan continues to climb.

If you want to help the victims of this disaster, please do so by donating money to an appropriate organization.  Although you and I are both watching this aftermath unfold and we want to do whatever we can to help, the best way I think we can help Japan is by supporting the relief NGOs that are able to respond in ways that we cannot.  The Google Crisis Response Center has set up a site where you can donate to a variety of these organizations including the Japanese Red Cross, Save the Children, and International Medical Corps.  If you would like to donate in an unconventional way, Jason Kelly has been organizing Socks for Japan which has aimed in getting fresh socks and a message of hope to those impacted by the disaster.  For my part, 50% of all origami sales will be donated to the Red Cross for the relief effort.

I think Japan will be feeling the effects of this earthquake for some time to come, so please keep those suffering in your thoughts.

Angels for Dillon: Bookmarks for a Cause

So a little while ago I was browsing My Craft Corner (a fun crafting community that I frequent) and I came across a forum post soliciting donations for a little boy named Dillon.  I have known about Dillon and his big sister (a fellow Etsian named Jennie @ Odeleya ) since I had joined MCC a few months ago.  He is a little boy who has undergone an amazing amount of surgeries to try to correct intestinal issues, and despite his handicap, he still brings tons of joy and love to his family.  When I saw a thread called "Donate for Dillon," I really felt that I wanted to do my part as a member of the crafty-community.

I am not made of money and so the one thing I can donate is my creativity and time (the latter which has been in high demand recently!)  And so, I created two bookmarks (Dillon & Angelica) whose proceeds will be promptly donated to Dillon through MCC (they are organizing the donation).  They are $6 a piece and are 2 inches wide and 6 inches tall.  I decided to go with an angel theme since I remember Jennie calling him that one time.  If you want to read more about Dillon, you can find information here and here.

Angelica: purple & white marbled washi paper kimono and purple obi, yellow crepe paper hair and, white cardstock wings

Dillon: cerulean blue washi paper kimono and white & purple marbled obi, yellow crepe paper hair and, white cardstock wings