Amazed. Overwhelmed. Humbled.
Wow. Just wow. Sarah here, stopping in to say thank you to everyone who has been part of the wild ride that is Craft Hope for Haiti.
As I’m sure you’ve seen on the Etsy shop, we’ve been listing and selling items nonstop since Friday morning. The response from the craft community has been amazing and overwhelming. You are a remarkable bunch of people. Jade and I and the other volunteers are humbled by your willingness to give when often you don’t have much yourselves. This experience has been a testament to the power of a connected community.
Jade and I started this effort as a quick offshoot of Craft Hope because we wanted to help and knew that sending things was not a viable option. We hatched a little idea about the shop on Etsy and figured we’d raise a few hundred dollars. We had this pie in the sky idea that we’d maybe get to $5,000 eventually. You all got us there by yesterday at noon. As of now, we’re rapidly approaching the $10,000 mark. Amazing. Overwhelming.
From a housekeeping perspective, you should know that listings are taking up to 72 hours to place on Etsy. Currently we are notifying sellers of the shipping information the day after the sale, and we will try to maintain that pace, but it may go to 2 days. We ask for your patience as we process a tremendous number of transactions. We may make an occasional listing mistake, and we’ll hope you forgive us. We have streamlined and slowed down our pace a bit so we don’t make hurried errors. There are only a few of us, and so many generous gifts.
This operation is being run by a mom with 3 kids under 5, including a 3 month old baby and by a mom who is 7 months pregnant and has 2 homeschooling kids. We are relying on the kindness of our wonderful friends (who are also all moms with babies or homeschooled kids or jobs) and our husbands who have given up their weekends to help out. The task at hand has become far larger than we can maintain for any length of time. We don’t want the program to become a victim of its own success because we were so excited to help that we didn’t take the time to set up sustainable systems.
We have decided to stop accepting donations on Wednesday evening, January 20. We will list everything we have received by the following weekend, and we will keep the store open until everything has sold. The plan is to be closed to new donations for 2 weeks while we regroup. This has taken us in a direction that we never anticipated Craft Hope going. In order to serve the community better, we are going to take a break and organize our thoughts, our systems, and our mission. While we would LOVE to just keep on going, we have to do so in a sustainable way so that we do it well and still have time to feed our children, take showers, and interact with our families on occasion.
Over the next few days, we will be forwarding funds to Doctors Without Borders and will post the transactions to this site, so you have verification of the donations. We understand that donating and buying is an act of trust by all of you, and we are committed to living up to that trust. Thank you, all of you, for giving us the opportunity to help the Haitian people in a meaningful way. Because this isn’t about us at all. It’s about the generosity of each and every one of you.
We are all so grateful to be a part of this effort, which is a small part of the larger effort to help the Haitian people. We hope you understand our reasons for regrouping in order to serve the effort even better. Thank you again for everything you have done and continue to do.
In hope,
Sarah
Sarah on January 18th 2010 in Uncategorized
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emily hope responded on 18 Jan 2010 at 6:24 pm #
You guys are doing an amazing job! thank you for providing such a wonderful way for everyone to be a part of hope for Haiti.
aprill responded on 18 Jan 2010 at 6:31 pm #
thank you, amazing ladies, for all your hard work on this!!!!
Pam responded on 18 Jan 2010 at 6:34 pm #
I think it is SO amazing what you and the crafting community has done here, I am so happy to have been a part of it. Thank you for all your hard work and long hours – it’s HUGE. xoxo Pam
Di responded on 18 Jan 2010 at 6:38 pm #
You are all amazing and I agree completely with your need to slow down – it has grown arms and legs, wonderful arms and legs though – arms and legs that can send hugs and carry people on their way to help….
Lori responded on 18 Jan 2010 at 6:40 pm #
I was amazed at the action on the site today! Things were selling as fast as you could post them. I was wondering how you were able to keep up the fast pace. Thanks for your effort.
venus responded on 18 Jan 2010 at 6:44 pm #
AMAZING.
AMAZING women doing an AMAZING thing for Haiti. Thank you, ladies for all your efforts.
Truly AMAZING!
Chris responded on 18 Jan 2010 at 7:07 pm #
Thank you to each of you for allowing us to help. I know how long each etsy listing takes…then trying to keep up with the volume of listing and sales, you are remarkable for doing what you are. Prayers sent your way that you’ll have the strength you need to see this through. Thanks again for allowing me the chance to be a part of this.
jane responded on 18 Jan 2010 at 7:09 pm #
Thank you Sarah for all of your efforts. Let me know if you need any help. I’m here if you need it.
Sondra responded on 18 Jan 2010 at 7:33 pm #
Thank you to all of you for your ideas and hard work. Wonderful job!
Best to you,
Sondra
contemporarycloth
erin responded on 18 Jan 2010 at 7:41 pm #
you guys rock! thank you so much for all the hard work.
Vic responded on 18 Jan 2010 at 7:42 pm #
Wow, on the road to $10000, that is FANTASTIC!
Thank you for everything you are all doing, we are in awe.
xo
craftytammie responded on 18 Jan 2010 at 7:44 pm #
thanks for everything you’re doing, and for introducing us to who you are! knowing you’re just like us makes what you’re doing even more amazing!
Patricia responded on 18 Jan 2010 at 7:49 pm #
Brill! 2 weeks?? more time for crafting!! thank you for you time and dedication!
Victoria responded on 18 Jan 2010 at 7:54 pm #
Yes, You are all Amazing! Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do. Each of you are an inspiration, and I applaud you.
Lise responded on 18 Jan 2010 at 7:55 pm #
This whole effort has been just incredible. Can we help? Would it be useful to have more people listing items? Let me know if you want another busy mom’s listing services…
Linda responded on 18 Jan 2010 at 7:55 pm #
Thanks so much for doing this! I completely understand the need to reign things in a bit. I would be glad to help if there is anything I can do to help.
Kari @ Ucreate responded on 18 Jan 2010 at 8:06 pm #
You gals are amazing and I just wanted to stop by and personally thank you for your efforts for Haiti! It is so wonderful to find a site that combines service and creatitivity.
I’d be honored to put your button on my site and share Craft Hope with others.
Thank you,
Kari
Ucreate
elizabeth responded on 18 Jan 2010 at 8:09 pm #
Yes, thank you for all you have done..you are incredible!
beki responded on 18 Jan 2010 at 8:09 pm #
so totally awesome!!
Jessica responded on 18 Jan 2010 at 8:10 pm #
It has been *awesome* to see how the shop took off. As I check it right now, ya’ll have processed 630 listings since Friday morning! I can’t even imagine the hours put into that.
I think it’s a great idea to close down shop for a while to regroup. In the meantime, we crafters will have more time to work on larger-ticket items in preparation for your reopening. I think a lot of us (at least I) felt like the pressure was on to pull together a few little things right away.
Thanks so much for keeping us informed!
Rene' responded on 18 Jan 2010 at 8:10 pm #
Absolutely amazing!!!!! I noticed the whirlwind of activity at the Etsy shop today. I don’t see how y’all kept up with the pace!!! So glad to be a part of this in a tiny way. Keep up the good work….understand about having to regroup….let others know if you need some help! I would help if needed.
Amber responded on 18 Jan 2010 at 8:27 pm #
Oh Sarah – you guys are just incredible! And I can’t imagine the hard work and sacrifice that is going on behind the scenes to put something like this together! I’m excited to see where this new direction takes you all but totally understand how overwhelming it must be too. Just know we are all here to support you in any way we can and no matter what you all decide!
Maggie responded on 18 Jan 2010 at 8:27 pm #
Reading your post has made me all teary eyed. Proud to be both a buyer of wondrous things and a giver of my art.
Take time to feed your children and give them hugs and love and don’t forget to take care of yourselves. You have done an amazing thing. Thank you! <3
Rachel responded on 18 Jan 2010 at 8:29 pm #
You guys are truly inspiring! Thank you so much for giving us crafty people a means to help raise money for Haiti! I really appreciate it. Keep up the great work and don’t forget to take a break and get some rest. If there is anything I can do to help let me know!
Justine responded on 18 Jan 2010 at 8:57 pm #
You all are amazing and I am so proud to be a part of this. .Try to get some rest and take a minute for yourself. If you need help reach out, I would be willing as I know others would as well. I have more to donate if you need it after your break. . My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Thank you for doing this.
susan responded on 18 Jan 2010 at 9:22 pm #
Congratulations on a job incredibly well done! Thank you so much for putting this together and sacrificing so much time to do so. Definitely take a much needed break and spend time with your family!
Stefani responded on 18 Jan 2010 at 9:29 pm #
You guys are just so freaking fantastic. Go mamas go!!!
Tracy responded on 18 Jan 2010 at 9:39 pm #
Wow!! You ladies are awesome…as well as those who have donated. Praise God!
Grizzly Mountain Arts responded on 18 Jan 2010 at 9:59 pm #
Thanks so much for all of your hard work!
Dave and Jo
Grizzly Mountain Arts
jenjen responded on 18 Jan 2010 at 10:00 pm #
Wonderful, wonderful job! I would love to donate a couple things if that is alright. I would like to donate two adjustable band watches. Let me know if you would like me to do that. I can make them up and send you pictures.
Thanks!
XOXO
Jen
jade responded on 18 Jan 2010 at 10:20 pm #
jenjen, see two posts down for donation information. thanks! and thanks for all of the kind words. we are listing again tonight! happy shopping!
This is my Winter Song to you — Running Stitch responded on 18 Jan 2010 at 10:32 pm #
[...] sight, the crafters who have donated and the buyers who have given, have helped to raise almost 10,000 for Doctors without Borders. [...]
Lilikins responded on 18 Jan 2010 at 10:56 pm #
Thanks you all for your incredible work getting this going and then through the roof! And for allowing all of us the opportunity to be a part of such a worthwhile effort and to feel a little less helpless in the face of this tragedy.
April Alexander responded on 18 Jan 2010 at 11:10 pm #
Wow, this is amazing to hear! Thank you so much for your time and effort to put this amazing craft fund raiser together for Haiti, for all of the time and sacrifice involved! The relief effort in Haiti will go on for months, so I’m sure we will do a lot more after the two week rest. Thank you again and again for this opportunity to help out!!
Amanda responded on 18 Jan 2010 at 11:23 pm #
You all are amazing!!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for all your selfless work. A mama myself I sympathize – bless you & your families!!! YOU ROCK!
catherine s. responded on 18 Jan 2010 at 11:32 pm #
Blessings to you all that concepted and coordinated this great selfless act to help others in need. This was a great, great undertaking that was done with grace and altruism – know that the people of Haiti are thanking you for this and all the assistance you will provide.
Millions of thanks to you-
jess responded on 19 Jan 2010 at 12:27 am #
Just adding my voice to the choir here, but Thank You gals for this great work!
Tara Craig responded on 19 Jan 2010 at 1:02 am #
What more can be said, you ladies and your families have given so much so Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have given so many of us who didn’t know how to help a way to do it! Bless you all!
vesna responded on 19 Jan 2010 at 1:19 am #
girls, you are amazing!!!You inspire a lot of people!
Manoute responded on 19 Jan 2010 at 2:47 am #
Thanks for your hard work! You are fantastic
)
sally responded on 19 Jan 2010 at 3:47 am #
hi – you are doing something wonderful.
I’ve been doing something similar but in a much more limited way – but would love to help and collaborate if its possible. I’m in London, England. I’ve emailed Jade…
jacquie responded on 19 Jan 2010 at 5:14 am #
if there is anything i can do to help, please don’t hesitate to ask. (if i lived closer i’d do arm and neck massages…i know if i were you i’d need one!) seriously though, if there is anything i can do from far away..just ask. this is an amazing effort. thank you all!
Yael responded on 19 Jan 2010 at 7:47 am #
HI!
I would love to donate an owl to help Haiti!
You can see the owl on my site http://www.mynooly.com
I will also donate free world-wide shipping to whoever buys it…
Hats off to what you are doing…
Yael
Jade responded on 19 Jan 2010 at 9:04 am #
yael, please send an email to sarah@crafthope.com with title, description, and photos. thanks!
Margarida Godinho responded on 19 Jan 2010 at 9:10 am #
Amazing!
Thank you for work!!!
It was a pleasure to participate on it!
Lee Ann Hill responded on 19 Jan 2010 at 9:34 am #
Thank you for letting me do my part in giving!!!
Blessings…
Lee Ann
cotton monster responded on 19 Jan 2010 at 10:33 am #
You all have done a fantastic job!! Thank you for letting me donate, thus allowing me to feel I’ve done a little something to help! I know how long it takes me to do a listing on etsy, so I can just imagine the tedium and time it has taken you to accomplish such a feat! Bravo! Cheers! and thank you!
Mama Lusco responded on 19 Jan 2010 at 10:47 am #
You ladies have been amazing! Thanks again for organizing such a meaningful effort. Good work!
Holly responded on 19 Jan 2010 at 11:23 am #
Sarah–thanks again for all of your work. This has been such an inspirational project and such a testament how the small contributions of many little people can end up being something very powerful.
Also, I would suggets you contact Bianca from The Toy Society to talk about how she has made running her site and little “philanthropic” business more sustainable to run–I know she has many volunteers who help out with postings and managing communication to those who do toy drops. While what you are doing is different, I do think she has also faced challenges of something that became much bigger than anticipated and she needed help to sustain it. She might have some useful suggestions for you.
Keep up the utterly fantastic work. I was so happy to contribute.
Carol responded on 19 Jan 2010 at 11:54 am #
You are truly the heroes here! Thank you for pulling this all together. I was honored to donate & to post your button on my blog.
Viola responded on 19 Jan 2010 at 12:00 pm #
Hi Sarah and Co.,
you are sooo amazing! I had a question about shipping to Germany today, sent a convo and in a 10-minutes time had the answer. That never happened to me on Etsy- sooo fast! You really can slow down a little and still be very fast and customer-friendly! And, it´s important to take good care of you and your families while helping others as well. So, completely understandable that you want to close and (eventually) reopen. I think it´s just such a great idea. I wanted to contribute something as well by crafting, but, I´m in the middle of exams and organizing to move, so it just didn´t work out so far. But, at least I could contribute a tiny bit- by buying some wonderful donated items!
Thank you, Sarah and Co. and all the crafty donaters!!!
Viola.
sarah responded on 19 Jan 2010 at 1:10 pm #
pat on the backs to all involved. i was happy to donate and even happier to buy! crafters and artist rock!
Nicole Lamb responded on 19 Jan 2010 at 1:31 pm #
Oh! Just reading this made me tear up! Even in the midst of this horrible tragedy it is easy to see that God is good!
You are doing a wonderful job. Thank you so much!
Stacey responded on 19 Jan 2010 at 1:58 pm #
Wow! This is SO fabulous! I worked with Doctors Without Borders in 2002 and I was so glad they already had medical teams in Haiti when the earthquake hit and are doing an amazing job caring for people. So I am especially thrilled that all this money is going to their wonderful efforts!
Even though Doctors Without Borders will keep doing their good work all over the world, I’d also like to suggest that future donations go to Heifer International. Heifer is not a “first responder,” like Doctors Without Borders, but they have projects that provide families with farm animals and training. Donations to Heifer will help Haitian families recover in the wake of the earthquake (http://bit.ly/579YnG).
Thanks again SO much to this wonderful community!
Jeannie Clark responded on 19 Jan 2010 at 2:04 pm #
It is so wonderful to see people come together to help out in a critical situation as this. Thank you ladies you are doing an incredible thing!!
Julie responded on 19 Jan 2010 at 2:40 pm #
Thank YOU all for all of your hard work! Donating was the easy part! I am thrilled to have been able to take part, and excited to see all of the wonderful sales and lovely items up for sale! It’s simply amazing!
Lisa responded on 19 Jan 2010 at 2:50 pm #
You guys are doing an wonderful job! Thanks for your dedication and hard work for something so important!
Emma Angel responded on 19 Jan 2010 at 3:43 pm #
You truly are an amazing group of people. This is a remarkable acheivement and you all deserve true praise. I cried again when reading the post. Thank you so much, i wish you all the luck in the world xox
julia responded on 19 Jan 2010 at 3:49 pm #
thank you all again SO MUCH for all of your hard work and dedication to this effort. i feel honored to be a (very small!) part of it.
also, there is at least one other shop doing similar work, accepting donations and donating the funds to doctors without borders, for folks who want to donate, but might not make it in before wednesday- heartsforhaiti.etsy.com.
and seriously, $10,000?! a.maz.ing.
amanda responded on 19 Jan 2010 at 3:57 pm #
a gigantic thank you to each of you!!! what you have done is amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Long-Winded Lauren responded on 19 Jan 2010 at 7:04 pm #
Wow! Thanks for the updates. I heard on NPR that Doctors Without Borders had to let 5 people die because they didn’t have the supplies to save them, not because they couldn’t be saved. I’m glad the funds are going to them. Thanks for all that you do. If there’s anything I can do to help, please let me know. I’d be glad to do some typing for you!
Diane responded on 19 Jan 2010 at 7:24 pm #
I live in Austin and would be happy to help you in any way I can. I do work part time, but have days off often. Please contact me if I can do anything.
Craft Hope for Haiti is such a wonderful mission.
Tiffany responded on 19 Jan 2010 at 8:25 pm #
I don’t know how you busy mommas are staying sane, but I am so thankful that I could be a small part of this amazing effort to help the people of Haiti!
Thank you for everything you have done and for allowing so many to get involved in such a meaningful and personal way!
Carol E. responded on 19 Jan 2010 at 11:07 pm #
Bravo, Ladies!! I’m thrilled to be a part of this dream-come-true.
shael responded on 19 Jan 2010 at 11:22 pm #
I’d love to participate… everything left in my etsy store at the moment could be part of my donation… what do I do next?
http://www.littlebirddesigns.etsy.com
little Z responded on 20 Jan 2010 at 2:17 am #
I would love to join in with some of my items. What do I do next?
http://www.little-z.nl
Thank you
Vixi responded on 20 Jan 2010 at 5:41 am #
I’m not gonna be able to finish my two angels in time, so I will wait patiently for you to take a breath and I will participate when again possible
You truly are amazing, thank you for what are you doing.
Much respect and kind regards from Slovenia.
ashley responded on 20 Jan 2010 at 7:48 am #
thank you so much for all your hard work and long hours! this truly is such an amazing project and it’s been so wonderful to see the response. i can’t thank you enough for providing a way for us to come together to make a difference. I’m so glad to be a part of it.
Mary responded on 20 Jan 2010 at 11:06 am #
Many thanks for this amazing work! I’m really delighted with my purchase and the whole experience — you’re doing a marvelous job, and I know we’re all grateful to you for coordinating our individual longings to help.
Deborah responded on 20 Jan 2010 at 2:28 pm #
This effort is just amazing. I donated two items yesterday and by the time I had a chance to post to my blog the bracelet had sold, with the necklace not far behind. I’m thrilled I managed to purchase a purse I fell in love with before someone else beat me to it!
Incredible effort, ladies, and incredible community. Thank you for giving us this opportunity to help.
Lee Ann Hill responded on 20 Jan 2010 at 5:29 pm #
I just donated another apron to this wonderful cause!! Sold the first apron and was promptly given the address to the buyer and shipped out, easy to do!!!
Not really knowing what to do, but wanting to help in my small way!!
Blessings…
http://anniesattic.etsy.com/
tamara responded on 20 Jan 2010 at 7:04 pm #
i so love what you are doing and all that craft hope stands for.
Kelly McSorley responded on 20 Jan 2010 at 7:28 pm #
You are all Beautiful!
Angie Neil responded on 20 Jan 2010 at 9:52 pm #
What a wonderful thing y’all are doing!
I’d love to donate a skirt I made. I sent you an email – I hope I’m not too late!
em responded on 20 Jan 2010 at 10:07 pm #
Thank you SO much for doing this. What amazing women you are! I can’t wait to get my doll in the mail.
Sarah responded on 21 Jan 2010 at 12:30 am #
Thank you to you and your families~ I appreciate all the love that you are giving to this and know that the sacrifices that you are making in your everyday family life will be greatly rewarded by your amazing accomplishments. Regroup as long as you need so that this heartfelt project can be sustainable!
With peace and gratitude,
Sarah
Susie responded on 21 Jan 2010 at 8:46 am #
May you be blessed ten-fold for serving as the
hands of Jesus and helping His children in need.
brandeye responded on 21 Jan 2010 at 11:01 am #
This is so wonderful of you! Unfortunately I just found out about it or I would have certainly donated a quilt to sell. I’ll just have to shop instead
Laurie responded on 21 Jan 2010 at 11:51 am #
Sarah, just want to be sure I had left you all my info with my donations. I gave the eye pillows, and all had been sold by yesterday morning. I haven’t gotten info yet on where to ship, so just checking. Not trying to rush you, though
). Thank you so much for all your hard work, and allowing me to feel as though I’ve made a little difference. You all deserve a standing ovation. Bravo!
Krista Brock responded on 21 Jan 2010 at 2:26 pm #
Wow!! I just stumbled upon this blog… what an amazing thing you are doing! I realize that I have missed the deadline (yesterday) but after your “regrouping” I would love to donate some items. I create mixed media painting and collage with a inspired by life & inspiration. You can find me on etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/kristajbrock
Please let me know as soon as I can participate!!
julia responded on 21 Jan 2010 at 3:39 pm #
oh no oh no oh no, this is mostly not about the people who donated. well, it’s first of all about the people who need to receive the funds you raised, but it’s you who did it. Or are doing it. Donating is easy, you know? From the little I have read on Facebook or elsewhere, it’s the processing and listing part that takes time. Thanks so much for doing this. You guys are great.
Cathy responded on 25 Jan 2010 at 5:23 pm #
Just found about your site today. What a wonderful project. I would love to donate something when you accept donations again.
Polka Dot Cottage responded on 27 Jan 2010 at 11:04 am #
Have a heart…
Last summer, I was asked to submit a project for the upcoming Craft Hope book. The book will feature pairs of projects and charities, the idea being that you can make the projects and then donate them to the charities. I was honored to be included, and…