Etsy Sellers Show Love to Japan and How to Help

Japan Relief Vintage Mirror by SodaPress

Etsy sellers are very concerned about the situation in Japan and many of you are asking how you can help.  Here are a few ideas, and some official advice from Etsy.

Some of our very own sellers like RetroBabs are donating proceeds from certain items to the Japan Tsunami Relief Fund  .Bottlehood is working on launching something, and Eco Friendly Freckles has jumped on the bandwagon to help the relief efforts in Japan.  She explains that she will be sending 20% of all of her hand-painted upcycled decoupage canister and tin sales to the Salvation Army’s earthquake relief efforts in Japan.

Eco Friendly Freckles is titling her canisters JAPAN RELIEF and indicating she is donating 20%.  Additionally she is announcing it in her shop announcement, and cross promoting on her blog.

Other sellers are donating portions of their proceeds to the Red Cross.

Items are being cross promoted on twitter, blogs, and sites like HandmadeTop10, which has a list where you can add up to 2 of your Japan Relief items from your shop for free, which gives you more exposure to the "voters" who visit the site.  This list will close in 12 days but the winner remains on the front page!

"Causes" has raised $700,000 already.  There are other organizations handling relief, but I want to warn you there has been news of some "scam" relief efforts, so please thoroughly check your organization to ensure it's legit.  Read this warning.

So what does Etsy say?  I thought I'd share with you this announcement as found in the Etsy Forums posted by lisajune, which I am cutting and pasting here and it gives you much more info and how to tag your items accordingly!
========================here you go=======================================

lisajune says Edited on Mar 16, 2011

Update! Help Japan and Get involved with Earthquake Relief


Find and join Teams to connect with those touched by crisis and organize aid relief:
http://www.etsy.com/teams/search/japan


To find sellers donating proceeds to this cause search 'artistaid' or 'joyforjapan'.


If you're a seller donating proceeds of your sales to earthquake relief, tag the items 'artistaid' or 'joyforjapan'. You can also use this tag on Treasury lists.


You can also donate money directly via Paypal:
https://www.paypal-donations.com/pp-charity/web.us/campaign.jsp?cid=-12

=========================end of forum post===============================

Every little bit helps, so never think your donation isn't worthy.

BottleHood

Shop Name:  Bottle Hood

Owner:  Leslie

Location  San Diego, California

Shop Link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/bottlehood

I am truly amazed with this shop, and you will be too.  Here you will find recycled glassware made into upcycled tumblers, glasses, vases, cheese trays, jewelry, dishes, and more made from old bottles!   They explain it best in their shop Bio:


"BottleHood was created out of a passion to help our environment, create local jobs and stimulate our local retail economy. The company was founded by a couple of folks in San Diego who took their concerns for the environment and the local economy and decided to “do” something about it. "

"BottleHood has taken a stand on keeping bottles which have no California Redemption Value (CRV) out of California’s landfills or sent overseas to be recycled. In the process, BottleHood produces a line of uniquely handcrafted tumblers and vases made from bottles whose contents were enjoyed in our neighborhood. We hire local craftspeople, who also share our concerns for the environment and the local economy, to produce our line of glassware."

"BottleHood is just really all about our neighborhood; helping extend the life of discarded glass, creating jobs and stimulating our local economy. "

Even better, BottleHood states that all their glassware (or pendants!) was created from wine, liquor, and water bottles from local San Diego restaurants, bars and hotels.

Be sure to check out their Etsy shop HERE.