Playing by the book

Reviews of kids' books and the crazy, fun stuff they inspire us to do

Auction to raise funds for victims of Japan earthquake and tsunami

Posted on | March 13, 2011 | 15 Comments

THIS AUCTION IS NOW CLOSED




Watching the images from Japan it is easy to feel helpless. I’ve stopped watching TV as it just leaves me so terribly sad. However, one thing that I’ve learned first hand this past month with our Librarithon and work with families in Christchurch is that the blogging community I’m part of can make a difference, not just practically, but also in terms showing human solidarity, support and kindness.

Having been encouraged by Tokyo-based Jo over at A Bit of This and a Bit of That, my sister, Kate, a fantastically talented jewellery maker, and I have teamed up to raise money for victims of the Japan earthquake and tsunami, through a series of auctions and raffles.

For our first auction, Kate is offering this beautiful, handmade cherry blossom brooch, created out of beaded and embroidered felt:

Kate used silk hankie fibre,organza, wool roving, silk velvet, wool nepps, cotton scrim and silk tops to create the brooch. It’s embellished with tiny sequins, glass beads (including some vintage) and detached fly, colonial knot, bullion knot, detached chain and seed hand embroidery stitches. For more images, including how the brooch was made, click here. Had the brooch made it to Kate’s Esty shop it would have been priced at $45.

How this auction works:

  • Bidding will start at £10.


  • You can place a bid by leaving a comment on this blog post with your bid amount and email address. Please make sure that your bid is higher than the previous bidder.


  • Your bid must be in whole pound increments.


  • This auction is open to everyone any where in the world. My sister and I will meet the postage costs. We are using Global Giving to channel funds raised to where they are needed. Jo has written a detailed post on how to donate / pay your winning auction fee here. You can pay by paypal, debit or credit card, and although payments are in pounds sterling, anyone, anywhere in the world can use Global Giving to donate.


  • The auction begins NOW and will END at midday (UK time) on 26 March 2011.


  • At the close of the auction, I will contact the winner (please make sure your bid comment includes your email address). The winner will pay the winning amount directly to Global Giving and send me proof of payment (eg receipt number or screen shot) via email. Once proof of payment has been received, Kate will post your brooch to you (or to whoever you’d like her to send the parcel to).



    • Thankyou for participating and happy bidding!

    This auction is being held in cooperation with Tokyo based A Bit of This and a Bit of That. We are not affiliated with Global Giving, that’s just our chosen method of getting funds safely to the affected area.

    If jewellery isn’t your thing (although you could bid on this lovely brooch and give it as a gift to someone), later in the week there will be a raffle for a signed copy of Brian Wildsmith’s Animal Gallery.

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    Category: Japan

    Comments

    15 Responses to “Auction to raise funds for victims of Japan earthquake and tsunami”

    1. maggy, red ted art
      March 13th, 2011 @ 5:08 pm

      Count me in @ £12 opening bid!
      M x

    2. Ali B
      March 13th, 2011 @ 5:43 pm

      I bid £12. fantasticreads@gmail.com

    3. maggy, red ted art
      March 13th, 2011 @ 7:00 pm

      £15

    4. Margaret Toft
      March 13th, 2011 @ 7:30 pm

      What a creative way to support, and be in compassionate solidarity with all those suffering so much shock, loss and change. Thankyou (both – and Jo) for your responsive actions
      I bid £15
      Mum x

    5. Tasha
      March 13th, 2011 @ 10:04 pm

      Oh my, this is beautiful and I have a coat that totally needs a lovely brooch like this. Thank you Zoe for doing this – will be posting on my blog tomorrow to connect to this and your NZ appeal.

      I bid £16 :)

    6. Zoe
      March 14th, 2011 @ 8:23 am

      Thank you everyone who has already bid! I can promise you that whoever wins this brooch, they won’t be disappointed – Kate’s work is intricate, detailed and very beautiful. And she always giftwraps her items very stylishly too!

    7. Auction to raise funds for victims of Japan earthquake and tsunami · Felting | CraftGossip.com
      March 14th, 2011 @ 4:43 pm

      [...] a stunning one of a kind fiber art cherry blossom brooch in aid of victims of Japan Quake. What a wonderful cause and if you would like to place a bid go to “Playing by the book”…  The stunning brooch made with silk hankie fiber, organza, wool roving, silk velvet, wool nepps, [...]

    8. Bronwyn Lavery
      March 14th, 2011 @ 7:51 pm

      I bid £18

      Thank you Zoe for this wonderful idea to support Japan and all your fantastic work supporting us in Christchurch, New Zealand too!

    9. Elli Davis
      March 14th, 2011 @ 8:25 pm

      I feel a really big need to thank you for this wonderful idea. The world is still a better place with people like you in it.

      I bid 19!

      And let me say it one more time, thank you Zoe.

    10. maggy, red ted art
      March 14th, 2011 @ 8:47 pm

      £22

      M x

    11. Tasha
      March 15th, 2011 @ 11:32 am

      £23

      Tasha x

    12. Red Ted Art's Blog » Blog Archive » Japan Fundraiser – GORGEOUS print Auction
      March 19th, 2011 @ 8:41 am

      [...] when the absolutely wonderful, kind and compassionate Zoe from Playing by the book asked whether I would like to host a giveaway to raise funds, I of course said yes. Through Zoe and [...]

    13. Marjorie (PaperTigers)
      March 22nd, 2011 @ 2:32 pm

      I bid £25 – it’s exquisite

    14. Marjorie (PaperTigers)
      March 29th, 2011 @ 11:26 am

      Yipee – I am so happy – the brooch is absolutely beautiful. My dues are paid and the email has been sent…

    15. Zoe
      March 30th, 2011 @ 6:36 am

      Thank you Marjorie!

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