I am really excited to feature El from Elephant Dance this week. I know her from her extraordinary work with Etsy for Animals, and it was great to learn more about her in this interview. I hope you enjoy it, too!
Please tell us what you do to give back.
I am working on two main projects as a way of giving back to the community. First, I create unique crochet and greeting cards, which I sell at Elephant Dance - 15 % of the price of all items goes towards my Help the Puppies Campaign. I started this campaign to raise funds for veternarian bills incurred when I rescued animals off the streets of Saipan, a small island in the Northern Mariana Islands. Second, I co-administer the Etsy for Animals shop with Michele and Pat. Between the three of us, we contact artists for donations, list items in the shop, send out the items, and send all profits to the EFA Charity of the Month. We also work hard to publicize the shop and the EFA Street Team. Its a lot of work (often more work than our own shops) but it's worth it!
Have you always volunteered or donated to charities? What or who inspired you to be so giving?
Seeing the poor neglected animals on the streets of Saipan, often infected by various worms, malnutrition, and skin maladies, convinced me that I needed to do something about it, even if it was one animal at a time. To this end, I initially fostered animals until they regained health, but eventually I began to find my own animals in need. This required funds, and that's when I came up with selling my own art for the animals.
Speaking of inspiration, do you have any “giving mentors” today? Anyone on Etsy?The Etsy For Animals Street Team is the best source of inspiration - from seeing people donate to the EFA shop to receiving enthusiastic volunteers to set up the street team promotions.
Please tell us what you do to give back.I am working on two main projects as a way of giving back to the community. First, I create unique crochet and greeting cards, which I sell at Elephant Dance - 15 % of the price of all items goes towards my Help the Puppies Campaign. I started this campaign to raise funds for veternarian bills incurred when I rescued animals off the streets of Saipan, a small island in the Northern Mariana Islands. Second, I co-administer the Etsy for Animals shop with Michele and Pat. Between the three of us, we contact artists for donations, list items in the shop, send out the items, and send all profits to the EFA Charity of the Month. We also work hard to publicize the shop and the EFA Street Team. Its a lot of work (often more work than our own shops) but it's worth it!
Have you always volunteered or donated to charities? What or who inspired you to be so giving?Seeing the poor neglected animals on the streets of Saipan, often infected by various worms, malnutrition, and skin maladies, convinced me that I needed to do something about it, even if it was one animal at a time. To this end, I initially fostered animals until they regained health, but eventually I began to find my own animals in need. This required funds, and that's when I came up with selling my own art for the animals.
Note: The dog photos to the left are before and after pictures of a dog El saved.
Speaking of inspiration, do you have any “giving mentors” today? Anyone on Etsy?The Etsy For Animals Street Team is the best source of inspiration - from seeing people donate to the EFA shop to receiving enthusiastic volunteers to set up the street team promotions. How do you choose which groups/charities to devote your time and money to?Because the animals in Saipan are my inspiration, they are the ones I devote my art and funds to. However, in helping out the EFA shop, a variety of charities are assisted.
What are your favorite charities?
Because my Help the Puppies Campaign is not a charity, I would say my favorite charity is PAWS-Saipan-the one and only animal welfare organization in Saipan.
Because my Help the Puppies Campaign is not a charity, I would say my favorite charity is PAWS-Saipan-the one and only animal welfare organization in Saipan.
Giving can be contagious! What do you think is the best way to inspire others to give?
Work hard at what you love to do and people will follow!
Work hard at what you love to do and people will follow!
As we all know, there is always more we can do to help others. What will you be focusing on in the future?
I would like to donate more of my proceeds to welfare organizations. At the moment, I need part of the proceeds to pay off various expenses due to the business, but once that is overcome, I plan to send more off to the animals and perhaps to children's organizations, too.
I would like to donate more of my proceeds to welfare organizations. At the moment, I need part of the proceeds to pay off various expenses due to the business, but once that is overcome, I plan to send more off to the animals and perhaps to children's organizations, too.
If you had $100 and you had to spend it on someone who needed it more than you, how would you spend it?
I would buy lots of paper and ink and create greeting cards to sell where all proceeds would be given to that person in need.
I would buy lots of paper and ink and create greeting cards to sell where all proceeds would be given to that person in need.
Please tell us about your Etsy shop.
My main etsy shop is called Elephant Dance. It's called Elephant Dance after me - El - dancing my creativity away in this little boutique. Here, I offer my crochet, uniquely designed and crocheted by me. I also provide greeting cards for any occasion you can think of. My other etsy shop, Tantalizing Stitches is where I originally offered my art, but I am gradually making this store into a place to find supplies like retractable hooks and magnetic snaps.
My main etsy shop is called Elephant Dance. It's called Elephant Dance after me - El - dancing my creativity away in this little boutique. Here, I offer my crochet, uniquely designed and crocheted by me. I also provide greeting cards for any occasion you can think of. My other etsy shop, Tantalizing Stitches is where I originally offered my art, but I am gradually making this store into a place to find supplies like retractable hooks and magnetic snaps.
Please tell us anything else that you would like the world to know about you.
Right now, I have three cats (Luthar, Knight, and Maggy) and one dog (Dani). Dani and Luthar were born on Saipan and recently migrated to sunny California. They love it here and I just wish that all those animals in Saipan would have such a great living situation as these two.
Right now, I have three cats (Luthar, Knight, and Maggy) and one dog (Dani). Dani and Luthar were born on Saipan and recently migrated to sunny California. They love it here and I just wish that all those animals in Saipan would have such a great living situation as these two.
Thanks so much, El, for all you do for the animals!
Coming next week... FancyFreeMe!
www.justbeconnected.com
3 comments:
El does so much for Etsy for Animals - it's great to find out a little bit more about her. Thanks for doing these features :)
El! This is Katie from PAWS of Saipan. Thank you so much for supporting us. We miss your presence on the island - as do the animals that are in need of help.
Thank you for giving so much of yourself to others - especially those who have no voice.
Wonderful interview!
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