Crafts For A Cause Collective
The Crafts For A Cause Collective is a collaborative project between two Newton-based artists, Hetty Friedman and Lauren Berman, who donate a portion of revenues from the sale of their work to needy communities both near and far.
Crafts For A Cause was conceived in 2000, by Hetty – an accomplished weaver with both a visual art and business background. Hetty wanted to combine her love for weaving and her desire to give back to the community, and donated profits from the sale of her woven goods to local charities. Over the past decade, Hetty’s charitable efforts have continued, and have reached as far as Guetamala.
Hetty’s elegant woven pieces combine rich colors and luxurious textures, and have been featured in Bendel’s department store, the Boston Globe Style section, as well as numerous juried shows, boutiques and galleries.
Lauren Berman, a jeweler with a background in corporate sales and marketing, joined Crafts For A Cause in 2010- and the collective was formed. By creating jewelry that is casual and elegant, as well as affordable, flattering, and fun, Lauren has quickly earned a reputation as a standout jewelry artist, whose creative work has been featured in the Boston Globe, Newton magazine, and in many exhibits and juried shows. In addition to managing her own business, Lauren frequently runs fundraising events to support the Newton schools.
How Does The Crafts For A Cause Collective Work?
Crafts For A Cause handpicks some of the region’s most talented local craftspeople to participate in a sale/fundraiser for your organization. At the end of the fundraiser, a percentage of all sales revenues from the event are given back to the sponsoring group. Hetty and Lauren, juried art show veterans with large local followings, anchor the event, and select other artists, based on the needs of the sponsoring organization, to participate.
How Does The Crafts For A Cause Collective Benefit Your Organization?
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•Raise Money for Your Organization
Making Crafts For A Cause Collective part of your fundraising event raises more money for your organization. Hosting companies receive a pre-determined percentage of all sales made at the events. Since the artists selected to participate are chosen based on the marketability of their products, these events typically result in a high volume of sales transactions.
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•Purchase Directly from Artists
Shoppers at Crafts For A Cause Collective events purchase products directly from the artists who create them, which results in savings to the buyer, as well as a more personal shopping experience. Purchases also support artisans within our community.
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•Reach Your Company’s Charitable Giving Goals
For-profit corporations can help reach their annual charitable giving goals by hosting a shopping event with Crafts For A Cause. The monies raised from these events can be donated to a charity selected by the host organization, or a local charity supported by Crafts For A Cause.
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•Convenient and Fun Event for Employees
Bringing a Crafts for A Cause shopping event to your organization is a convenient way for employees to shop for themselves or make gift purchases. Participating artists are selected based on a product’s uniqueness, quality, value, and marketability, so buyers can easily find exciting products, without visiting stores, or sifting through mediocre items at craft shows.
What Kinds of Artists Participate in Crafts For A Cause Events?
Crafts For A Cause Collective events can include a variety of artisans. Hetty Friedman (weaver) and Lauren Berman (jeweler), anchor the events. Additional artists may include potters, painters, glassmakers, and clothing designers. Our goal is to offer a diverse selection of goods by standout artisans. Local authors, with popular offerings, also frequently participate, and they autograph and sell copies of their books.
How Do Organizations Work with Crafts For A Cause?
After a date is selected and a Crafts For A Cause Collective event is scheduled, Hetty and Lauren will:
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•Preview the host’s location and provide ideas on how the event should be structured.
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•Deliver examples of email invitations that can be sent to the host’s guest list.
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•Provide samples of marketing flyers for posting around the workplace.
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•Provide information on the artists participating in the event, and the products they will offer.
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•Organize set up and break down of the event.
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•Total receipts from event and provide host with a pre-determined percentage of the gross sales from the event.
Organizations interested in hosting an event with The Crafts For A Cause Collective, can contact us at: info@laurenbermanjewelry.com or hetty.friedman@gmail.com
