HandmadeinVegas Lending a Helping Hand

For those team members that were not at the last meeting, the team has undertaken a charity project to raise funds for wildlife rescue in the Gulf. In keeping with the wildlife theme, HandmadeinVegas will be folding origami cranes and fish that are made into lapel pins. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the National Wildlife Federation specifically for wildlife rescue resulting from the Gulf oil spill.

Each of the cranes and fish are folded from recycled brown Kraft bags from places such as Starbucks, Macaroni Grill, Olive Garden, REI, etc., making them beautifully Eco-friendly! Team members folded about 100 cranes at the last meeting and will have a folding station, as well as, an assembly station at all team meetings.

Think you can't fold a crane? It's easier than you think with the help of some expert hands-on guidance and printed instructions! Still feel like that's too much of a challenge? Perhaps you can help by attaching the "Helping Hand" symbol or gluing on the tie tack.

If you can't get to a team meeting here are other ways you can help:

1. Collect bags for the project

2. Cut bags into 4" x 4" squares--please use a paper cutter as the squares MUST be precise in order to be folded properly

3. Fold cranes and/or fish on your own time in the comfort of your own home

4. Donate a few tie tacks with clutches

5. Blog, tweet or post to Facebook about the project

6. Purchase and wear an origami pin

If you have bags, folded fish or cranes or any other item you'd like to donate but can't get to a meeting, email me at: islandgirlzjewelry@gmail.com and I will make arrangements to have items picked up. I'm also looking for members willing to serve on a subcommittee to help with national distribution of press kits regarding the project.

A printed card will accompany every pin. Mike Durham from Silver Bull Printing & Graphics has graciously agreed to print the cards at NO COST to the team. You can show your support for Mike's generosity by using his company for your printing needs. He produces a great product at a terrific price--500 business cards for $45 or 1000 business cards for $55! Silver Bull Printing & Graphics is located at 431 Max Court in Henderson, phone number (702)564-5611. Please mention that you are a team member of Marlene's from HandmadeinVegas.

Additionally, Amber Stidham, Director of Strategic Planning for Imagine Marketing of Nevada, has volunteered to prepare and distribute a press release to all major news media outlets in Las Vegas which will include all print, TV and radio outlets--at NO COST to the team. Here is a link to Amber's bio: http://www.imnv.com/team/. Amber will also follow-up weekly with each of her media contacts in order to keep the charity project and HandmadeinVegas on the media's radar. She will be the liaison between the media and the team on this project.

A you can see, we are off to a GREAT start but we need every team member's help and participation to make this a viable project! Here's your chance to make a difference in our world and to promote the HandmadeinVegas team!!