Etsy shops for Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami victims, Russian Artists Team experience, part 2

By the end of the day on March the 15^th, the first day of our fundraising campaign we all were a bit disappointed. Even though we made a few treasuries for charity and one of them was so popular it made it to the top of page one and remain there for ten hours, our fundraising results were not that impressive. Only one of us managed to sell a jewelry box and donated $10. It looked like all our efforts were in vain...

But next day, Thursday March the 17th, the situation changed rapidly

Photo sources, left to right, top to bottom: 1, 2, 3, 4

-we noticed that the number of shops donating their arts and crafts to charities for Japan at least tripled.

- The number of charity treasuries has grown rapidly and were so popular, that many of them were on the first page in treasury lists.

- Etsy administration supported our fundraising affords and started to showcase charity treasuries on a Front page.

- But most importantly our customers started to buy charity items!!!

Photo sources, left to right, top to bottom: 1, 2, 3, 4

By the end of the day almost all the girls from the Russian artist team managed to sell at least one item designated to charity and donated immediately. There were a few shops who sold four items and more. Several girls decided to design new products especially to sell for charity, usually small items, brooches or key rings in the colors of the Japan flag.

Photo sources, left to right, top to bottom: 1, 2, 3, 4

Not to mention that many new Russian Artist team members designated their items for donation and joined the movement.

Photo sources, left to right, top to bottom: 1, 2, 3, 4

One of my necklaces was showcased on a Front Page in a one of the charity treasuries and I managed to sell two necklaces designated for charity. Donating the money to Red Cross UK for Japan I had tears in my eyes. I entered a comment “from easy artisan”, I thought that was important to mention, as my donation was the result of our common efforts.

By the end of the day I read one girl writing on a Russian Artist chat: “Girls, with all your enthusiasm and willingness to help I am slowly recovering from the horror of the last days of constant worries for the people in Japan” That was exactly what I thought! Even though the situation in Japan was far from improving, I suddenly felt relieved, as I was finally doing something to actually help the people. Maybe I did it more for myself than for others...

From the 13^th of March till the 21^st of March the Russian artist team members managed to raise and donate to different charities for victims of the Japan earthquake and tsunami more than $750.

Russian team members are still donating their items for charity, there was even a proposal to open a charity shop and donate our items on regular basis. That may seem too be quite an impossible thing to do, but I am sure we will chat it through. Now I know, nothing is impossible!

We thank the Esty administration and our clients for supporting us in our fundraising campaign!

Story by Anastasia Lovisetto

Photocollages by Tanya (Socksandmittens)

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Please stay tuned for more on Russian Artists Team efforts to the relief efforts in Japan!