Take the 2009 Bookmark Challenge
One of my favorite benefits I receive in return for helping The National NeedleArts Association with some of its marketing endeavors is getting the “scoop” on its news.
For example, TNNA sent a press release this afternoon discussing one of its members, Jen Funk-Weber of Funk & Weber Designs in Anchorage, AK. In 2007, Funk-Weber created a program called Needle and ThREAD: Stitching for Literacy, which encourages needle artists nationwide to stitch bookmarks to donate during Children’s Book Week to their local schools and libraries. Naturally, she encourages stitchers to work with their local needlework shops to coordinate their community’s program.
Needle and ThREAD’s 2009 Bookmark Challenge started today, and continues through May 7 (Children’s Book Week is May 11-17). The bookmarks can be done with any pattern, any material, any technique. Funk-Weber wants it to be a marketing opportunity for independent shops, and notes on her blog that most participants collect bookmarks year-round.
So, remember how I was bemoaning the fact a couple posts back that I wasn’t sure which direction I should take my local Embroidery Guild of America’s “charity project”? Funk-Weber’s bookmarks have got me inspired. Now granted, since no local shops are participating (!), at least to my knowledge, we will likely take our time and collect them all for our September meeting. I also told members that I’m equally happy to coordinate any other projects that catch their fancy, such as cool ties for soldiers or — as some other EGA chapters have done — Habitat for Humanity samplers.
But if you as a shop owner haven’t heard of Funk-Weber’s program and are looking to jump into spring with a quick and easy project for your classes, I highly recommend Needle and ThREAD. If nothing else, it might get your customers to use up their stash — and they’ll feel so emboldened by it, they’ll simply have to celebrate by coming into your store to replenish their supplies! As a bonus, what could be better for your local media than a feel-good story about a local shop and its loyal customers doing something positive for their community?
On a final note, I just wanted to shout out to Bonnie Dillabough, founder of the Warm Fuzzy Brigade (find a ton of projects just waiting to be done up and be helpful to those in need by clicking here). Bonnie, if you’re reading this, I owe you an email — and it’s coming soon.
Tags: altruism, book, charity, children, children's book council, craft, Dillabough, EGA, embroidery, Funk, kids, literacy, marketing, needlework, thread, TNNA, Warm Fuzzy, Weber
