This has been a long, strange week and while I don’t have a direct personal connection to Japan, like many people I feel the need to help in some way. If it’s more than a little overwhelming for me, here, in my comfy warm house then I feel like I need to be doing even more for those who are not (and maybe never again will be) in their homes tonight.
The craft community has rallied in many ways, and these are just a few of the initiatives that I’ve spotted so far. If you know of someone, somewhere in the art/craft/design community that is doing something to help, please leave a link here in the comments and we’ll help pass it on.
Rik Rak Studio – Helping Japan – collecting links to items and sales where proceeds (or a portion thereof) are going to Japan relief efforts.
If you’re wondering why some of your favourite blogs are silent today, they may be participating in Bloggers Day of Silence (For Japan with Love) which has so far raised over $20,000 to help.
At the time of writing this post, there were 5,910 results returned on an Etsy search for “Japan Relief“. 5,910. That’s amazing, and you can certainly find something you love from within that list if you’d like to donate AND support a independent artist at the same time. Win-win. Many of these items will be tagged with “artistaid” or “joyforjapan”, making them easier to find. Thinking of Japan on the Etsy blog has more links to teams that have organized to support the relief efforts as well.
The “Handmade for Japan” Facebook group was launched in response to the situation in Japan, and will be hosting an eBay auction March 24-27th featuring some amazing works, all donated to support the cause.
Jan over at Poppytalk has a great list of links to shops and artists donating proceeds, some students at UBC and their projects and more.
These are just a few of the projects going on – please share any others you might know of in the comments. There are also events happening all over Canada – just Google your city or town’s name and “Japan relief” and there’s bound to be a way to participate and get involved.
Be safe,
~Sarah
