The Artison

To Give Back or Not to Give Back? Give ME a break!

2011-06-27T12:00:00.002-05:00

I sat down the other day to get some ideas on what to write about. I came across a blog post written by John Stossel back in April of 2011. The blog post was titled ‘Don’t Give BACK’. Of course I had to read it to see what he meant. It could not mean people should stop giving. Indeed he did not mean this. The point of the article was about his being annoyed by the term ‘Giving Back’. In other words, he and GMU Economics Professor Don Boudreaux want people and companies to stop using the rhetoric ‘Give Back’ because ‘it fuels the common misapprehension that corporate profits are either ill-gotten gains, or at best, wealth subtracted from that of other persons in society.’ Now there are many definitions of ‘Give Back’ and if you choose not to look past the first definition then this train of thought is correct.

1. (verb) give back
to give someone something that they owned or had before

Based on this definition a business will not possess something that they can give back, because their profits are not ‘ill-gotten gains’, but ‘legitimate earnings’. Thus, businesses should stop giving ‘back’, and just give. But, just for the sake of argument, there is another definition for Give Back and that is:

2. give back
to allow someone to feel an emotion again that they had stopped feeling

A good percentage of people who volunteer definitely feel emotion and, a lot of times, they have not felt those emotions for a while. Thus businesses’ are giving back by giving people an opportunity to get involved and feel something. What is usually felt is a combination of joy, hope, euphoria, and, sometimes, calm. By putting others needs ahead of their own can even help people find a sense of direction that might have eluded them. No matter what, I guarantee the people involved will feel something, forgotten or not, and it will feel so good they will want to continue lending a helping hand.

Now let’s get to cold hard facts and look at what ‘Give Back’ really is when it comes to business. Giving back by corporations is nothing more than cause marketing and the term ‘Give Back’ is the buzz word. It has nothing to do with a businesses’ discomfort with making money and everything to do with increasing sales, visibility, customer loyalty, employee loyalty, enhancing the business’s image, and positive media coverage. However, when looking at it this way you lose the warm, fuzzy feeling and it becomes cold and calculating. This is where I prefer to put on my rose colored glasses and play along, because the benefits far outweigh the cold calculations. Besides, I believe that the people behind the cause marketing are not cold or calculating, but real people who really want to make a difference for the better.

I agree we should stop the rhetoric. We shouldn’t really care what terms are used to describe it. In the end, whether it is called altruism, corporate responsibility, philanthropy, charity, endowment, giving, giving back, or paying it forward, we all need to be doing some of it. By giving, with our time or money, it is good for our soul, health and even our careers. It connects us and lifts us up. It makes our communities stronger, our neighborhoods safer, and it makes us better.

In my next post I will list ways you can help and places to find volunteer opportunities.

Purse Hangers a must have

2011-05-23T23:13:00.000-05:00

So are purse hangers a must have for every woman's wardrobe? Well, in many cultures placing your purse on the floor is bad luck. Also, science has proven that placing your purse on the floor creates a germ infested carryall. So what do you do went you get to your table at that oh-so-trendy restaurant and have to decide where you are going to put your purse? The floor? Eewww, not anymore! The Table? No. The back of your chair? Absolutely not! So that leaves your lap or....hmmm? A purse hanger/hook. They are cute and easy to use; just unfold the hanger, twist it into position, and then hang it on the table next to you.

So a purse hanger sounds great, but who should it be for? For you, of course! But don't forget these deserving souls:

Wedding party gifts - I have been creating a lot of custom monogrammed purse hangers for Brides this season for their Bridesmaids. It has been a lot of fun to work with them and wonderful to create such a special gift.
Stocking stuffers
Friends - got a great friend who is really into fashion. Coordinate her purse with her purse hanger.
Hostess - Great gift to give the hostess throwing a great party or party favors from the hostess.
Moms or Moms-to-be - They have purses and diaper bags to manage. Help them out with portable places to hang, well, everything.
Graduation - Whether your graduate is going to be in college or starting her career, she could use a purse hanger to hang her backpack in class or her laptop case when not in use.
Your business or organization - use purse hangers to promote your business or organization. Either as a thank you gift or a promotional item.
Teachers - Always trying to come up with a gift at the holidays or end of year for that amazing teacher aren't you? I know I am.
Men - yes, these are not just for women - these can be customized for men that they can use for their laptop cases, attache, or toiletry bag while traveling.

The hanger itself is stainless steel, silver colored, light weight and durable-it can hold up to 20 pounds! There is a non-slip rubber padding on the bottom of the hanger. The hanger measures approximately 3.5" long when opened.

If you are looking for something unique and/or personal for yourself or a gift, contact me at The Artison and we can work together to create what you have been looking for.

The Artison Firework Foundation

2011-04-08T15:42:00.001-05:00

I love to hear what people are doing to make a difference. Today I learned from the guru of giving back - Oprah. Ok, maybe she isn't the guru, but she is one of the biggest advocates for it that I know. Today's topic on Oprah was looking back at past guests and where are they now. One of the guests was Stephen Paletta, who was the Million dollar winner on Oprah's Big Give in 1990. Well, he has continued what Oprah started by launching a website called GiveBack.org in which you can start your own foundation to raise money for charities:

"The Give Back Foundation (EIN 26-2449481) was established to allow any person to join GiveBack and set up their personal foundation account. The funds that accumulate in that account are part of the Give Back Foundation. Each member has the ability to direct the funds from their account to any charity in good standing with the United States Internal Revenue Service." - Giveback.org

Pretty awesome, huh?

So, The Artison has setup 'The Artison Firework Foundation' - with the idea that everyone is a spark that can set off a huge change in our communities, our world. Will you help The Artison make change one design at time? You can either by shopping with The Artison at http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheArtison (5% of each sale will go into The Artison Firework Foundation) or sign up with GiveBack.org and help spread the word at https://www.giveback.org/onehundreddays.aspx?refid=3765!

The Artison: Creating Change

2011-04-04T10:30:00.000-05:00

The Artison: Creating Change: "Oh what to write...what to write...I struggle with this every time I sit down to write a blog post. As you can see I have been gone awhile. ..."

Creating Change

2011-04-04T10:20:00.000-05:00

Oh what to write...what to write...I struggle with this every time I sit down to write a blog post. As you can see I have been gone awhile. No more procrastination! I am on a mission...

Have you been paying attention to what has been happening the past few years? I am not talking about the negative things, like the exposure of corporate greed, the recession, the natural disasters. No, not that, there is enough talk about that in the 24 hour news cycle. I am talking about the low rumble of the everyday person pulling, not only themselves up, but reaching out and helping their neighbor up and brushing ourselves off. Asking 'What do you need?' before asking 'what do I need?'. Saying if we come together, work together, we can make things great again! We are all struggling, but in that struggle we are learning that good does not come from keeping up with Joneses, but getting out and helping each other instead. And this is wonderful to watch. It is even better to be apart of it!

My mission is to be apart of it. To make change one design at a time with my art, my husband's art, and the products we create at The Artison by donating 10% of each sale to charity. To go out in my community and lend a hand. Then to talk about what I experience and learn. So join me as I share my experience! Get involved in your community and tell me about your experiences! It can be as small as holding a door open for someone loaded down with packages, opening your home to a pet in need, or helping with a fundraiser. Get creative, think BIG and you will be amazed at what you can do. Don't know where to start? Start asking and you will quickly find where you are needed!

My first needlepoint

2010-09-24T09:36:00.000-05:00

After going through things and trying to purge many an item. I came across this. The very first cross-stitch I ever made! What a find! I was about 7 or 8 years old. I did this when I was staying with my aunt for a week in Michigan. My mom told me that this project was supposed to last me the whole week. But I remember I completed it in less than a day. This hung on a bulletin board for years. So, unfortunately, it was not cared for the way it probably should have been. I am glad I still have it. I was pretty much hooked after that. Don't bring me into a craft or fabric store if you want me to just browse. I just can't resist the fabrics, threads, notions and embellishments. My mind is constantly turning in the store with one question...'what can I do with this?!'. I love this medium of art, the colors, the texture, everything!

Do you remember what your first project was? Do you still have it? Share with us when and how you got started and why you love it!

To: The Mogul Mom - How can I thank you!

2010-09-22T17:47:00.000-05:00

This morning I wrote about trying to figure out how to balance it all and requested some feedback from you on some tips on things you do to keep your life as balanced as possible (read it here). Well, this afternoon I came across an awesome blog by Heather Allard called 'The Mogul Mom - for moms running a business, raising a family and rocking both!' I have been to alot of sites looking for quality information on how to 'do it all' and stay sane. Most, unfortunately, are nothing more than just an info site selling a book or services. Which is fine, but don't keep talking and linking me to more pages with promises of actual information, when I really have to buy the book or services to get the real info. However, The Mogul Mom delivers and delivers big! So check her out and free up some time to build that lego castle guilt free!

Kids, Work and You! Just wondering...How do you balance it all?

2010-09-22T08:52:00.000-05:00

Having 2 hours twice a week to myself to get things done is fabulous!! Just leaves me wanting more. Is that wrong?? Should I be missing my kids so much that 2 hours is too long? Sometimes I feel like there is something wrong with me if I don't, but I am gonna admit there are days I wish everyone (and I mean everyone) would go away and if they wanted to stay away for a weekend I would be all for it. Hey, I gotta have some time that is just for me right? Isn't that why girl's weekends were created? Can you have a girl's weekend for 1. Oh, what I could create! Just me, some really good movies and my art table...I am getting wistful thinking about it. sigh...

It's a learning curve alright. Then again I wasn't really good at the balancing act when I worked full time for someone else, but that is a different post. Right now, I am trying to learn how to balance having 2 kids (ages 3 and 5), rescue dogs, keep up with the house work, create, and manage this new business. My Mom would probably tell me to cut out the rescuing dogs aspect for a while, but underneath she is just as much of a softy as me - and believe it or not the dogs are the easiest part of the equation.

As for the kids...Having them make their own creations with me works part of the time, until their attention wanes. They love to 'work' with Mommy and that is helpful, but I could use more ideas and I am sure others probably do too. So let us know! Share your ideas on how you entertain the munchkins while getting the everyday things done in life!

Love Primitive Art and Crafts? Check out Primitives by Kathy

2010-09-21T10:36:00.000-05:00

Ok, I have to gush a little bit about a place I love to shop at (or at least drool over the Word and Holiday expressions dish sets in the catalog). Yes, I would say I have a bit of a crush. If that is even possible to have on a catalog.

If you are like me and you love Primitive style art and crafting you need to check out Primitives by Kathy, Inc.! From whimsical and funny to folksy seasonal items, Kathy Phillips has brought together an exceptional team of artists and gives them the credit they deserve for all the really cool pieces they create. I love settling in and looking through the Primitives by Kathy catalog and deciding what new things I am going to spoil myself with to decorate my home for the holidays. They have created everything - Charms, Ornaments, Stitchery, all kinds of Signs, Stakes, Notecards and Notepads, Paper Cutting pictures and more. One of my favorite things I am eyeing this year are their Twig Lights. I wish she had a picture of these online like she does in her catalog because they are beautiful! Another line I am really loving are Kathy's own Box Signs. Some sayings are inspirational and some are funny, but they are simplicity at one of its bests. She has created them for the Halloween, Christmas and her Everyday lines.

All of the artists at Primitives by Kathy are awesome! But three I am going to feature here are Annie Schickel for her wonderful Christmas Stocking Holder (for those of us who don't have a mantel to hang the stockings on). P.J. Rankin-Hults makes these incredibly beautiful hand-painted, hand-cut, folk art paper cuttings that you just need to see! Also Lisa Johnson creates wonderful primitive stitchery, but my favorite of hers is her Christmas - Stitchery in which she has been able to pinpoint exactly what Christmas is to me with just words. I believe she once had a similar piece for the word Family, but I can't find it anymore.

I have not found a shop/catalog that draws me back as much as Primitives by Kathy since my first visit to Shipshewana. It is a great catalog and they sell wholesale and direct. So whether you are looking for a great product for your store or, like me, just looking for something for your home or a great gift. Definitely put Primitives by Kathy on your list!

Welcome!

2010-09-17T10:33:00.000-05:00

Welcome to The Artison's new blog!

Well here we go...our adventure into the world of Blogging. We are going to talk about a lot of things. Art and crafts mainly, but who knows what will pop into our brains over time. We like to talk...a lot...to whomever will listen (even if it is just the dogs listening). So come and chat with us, we want to know your thoughts about art and crafts too!