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Tuesday, October 02, 2007

A Spankin' New Idea

Updated at 10:25 p.m. at the bottom of the post...

So...I know it is only October, far too early to be thinking about Christmas...

Except that (1) this idea will take some time to get set up and (2) people are already stressing about Christmas.

My idea:

I would like to set up a web of etsys or online stores where IF/pg loss/adoption bloggers could sell their wares in order to gather money for treatments or adoption. Other bloggers could do their Christmas shopping at these stores, gaining gifts for their loved ones while knowing that the money they are spending is helping a fellow stirrup queen or sperm palace jester. Of course, my desire is not just to have this be a Christmas thing, but to have this be a year-round idea with a constant link on my blog (of course, drawn in Microsoft Paint). If you've been looking for a way to turn the Christmas season into something other than the anxiety-inducing time period it can be, this project (the setting up of the store, the creation of the wares, and the...I don't know what else would need to happen) could eat up a great deal of your energy. And fund your treatments/adoption.

My caveats:
  • The money from your business either needs to be benefiting an IF/pg loss organization OR your own treatments/adoption (of course, you can also set up a store to help a fellow blogger who is not artistically-inclined, but it needs to be clear that the money from the site is going towards someone's treatments/adoption costs).
  • I do reserve the right not to add a store to the list if I deem it inappropriate (a store that sells leftover meds, which nice, is illegal) or too large a portion of the revenue not really earmarked for treatments/adoption (for instance, it's a non-IF blogger who says they'll donate a dollar or two to Resolve).
  • You can have a cafepress store, etsy, online business, etc (I'm not very technologically-advanced so other options may exist). There needs to be an online portion to the store (though if a local business wants to advertise on the list and donate the money to an IF/pg loss organization of our choosing, I'd be game) so it's accessible to everyone. Be creative--you can sell anything from books, pottery, jewelry, quilts, cards or clothing.
So, if you'd like to participate or if you want to second this idea as a potential shopper and encourage those artistically-inclined to get creative, leave a comment below or email me at thetowncriers@gmail.com. If you already have an online business, send me a link to the site. And a new post maintaining this list will go up soon.

I've set up a post and created an icon. So start creating your store or sell your wares directly through your blog.

11 comments:

Rian said...

I think this is a wonderful idea. I just set up a website for my business in the hopes that I can raise money for treatment.

Here is the link
www.pictureitscrapbooks.com

Thanks Mel

bleu said...

Wanna hear crazy? I am completely done with x-mas shopping and his late Nov. birthday shopping.
HA

Yetty said...

i don't know where you get all your ideas from but i just want you to know you are totally wonderful. WOW!!!

Bea said...

Ten points to the first person who sets up a baby shower/christening/infant gift store so we can all avoid Babies R Us this year.

Bea

The Mrs. said...

Great timing! I was just blogging on potentially setting up a store to raise funds... then I checked your blog! So, I'm in the process of setting everything up... I'll be in touch. Thanks! And I love shopping for stuff online, not to mention supporting one another.

Yeah So said...

I think you know I have an online store that I just opened this week. Right now there's several things there, proceeds go to me, who has shelled out dough for IVF treatments and one adoption so far, and next year adoption number two. More stuff will be added soon.

Starfish 15
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=51742

C said...

Don't have a clue really what I want to do, but I spoke with my dh about 2 wks ago on possible opening an account on cafepress and have the money go to our IF tx. So, I think it's awesome you mentioned this. I'm game, just have to figure it all out!

Anonymous said...

I would totally support a sister in need by buying from their online store. My vote- anything artsy fartsy that I don't have the time or energy to make myself (which is virtually everything!).

Anonymous said...

Mel, what a wonderful idea!! I agree with dreamer--don't know what I want to do yet, but I will figure it out.
Thanks!
Carla

Tina / Anxious Changer said...

I am lucky, as my insurance is great with IF/PG loss coverage (good thing being a slave to the state).

Anyways, I would certainly second your idea - and shop to help those who need the money for treatment. Would really make me feel like I am doing something to help someone going through this.

noela said...

Hey Mel,

My online store, Mei Designs, doesn't feature all of my items yet, but there are 10 or so currently listed, with more on the way.

I am an artist and jewelry designer, so my store features my Chinese ink and brush paintings, art prints, as well as my jewelry designs. (earrings, necklaces, bracelets, pendants, etc....)

My jewelry design features sterling silver, gemstones, antiqued/aged natural brass, and czech glass, as well as many other beads and findings.

You can find my online store at:

http://www.MeiDesigns.Etsy.com

Please visit and let me know what you think! :)

Btw, ALL major credit cards are accepted, and you do NOT need to have a Paypal account to pay for purchases, although one would need to register a username with Etsy to make purchases, which is quick and easy to do... :)
Thanks,

xx
Nilla