{tink makes art}

[PDF, 1.9 MB]

I am a strong advocate for our rights as American citizens…many of which are often being reduced by our government…for our protection? I don’t think so. Let’s get real. Please write your Congress person urging he/she to vote “NO” for the Protect IP Act (PIPA) in the Senate and the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in the House, which would censor the Web and impose harmful regulations on American businesses. Read more about these bills here, and write your Congress here: End piracy, not liberty.

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

There is power in numbers. Let your voice be heard.

The Jedidiah Holiday 2011 Collection is quite lovely. They’re offering free shipping until December 31st! Also remember, this season proceeds from all purchases will benefit StandUp For Kids, a national non-profit whose mission is to improve the lives of homeless teenagers and at risk youth. Grab some threads for your family and friends!

Knot Cream T-Shirt

Women’s Dreamer White T-Shirt

Women’s Wander White T-Shirt

Congratulations to Russell Brownley for winning Best Young Director in France! Russell shot, edited, and directed Gum For My Boat, a story of hope focusing on the members of the Bangladesh Surf Club. Here’s the full-length film for your viewing, so pop some popcorn and enjoy the show!

Gum For My Boat (Full Length) from Russell Brownley on Vimeo.

Inspired by this story and want to get involved? Visit Surfing the Nations.

I recently learned of Krochet Kids International: a non-profit that empowers “the women of Northern Uganda with the assets, skills, and knowledge to lift themselves and their families out of poverty.” KKI provides jobs for a group of women, educates them “so they can develop beyond the need for outside aid, and provides mentorship to help each lady plan a unique and sustainable career path for the future.”

Each hat is signed by the women who crocheted it. You can enter her name on the KKI website to learn more about her and see how you are directly impacting her, her family, and her community. Now that is cool.

Krochet Kids intl: Meet Betty from Krochet Kids intl. on Vimeo.

Even Me is a painting project by Jenna Thorp (an AMAZING woman and artist from my hometown: good ‘ole Pensacola, Florida!). Starting in August, she will create twenty-four 4x4 ft paintings of the twenty-four orphans she’s been teaching the past year in Tanzania.

“Instead of painting on canvas, I’m building wooden panels, each including a 4 inch box frame that will be covered with African fabric.  The paintings will have a similar composition depicting half the child’s face, neck, and t-shirt line.  The difference in each painting will be evident through the child’s expression and personality. The final exhibition will display all twenty-four paintings, comprising a 20 x 30 ft installation.”

She needs our help! In order to purchase all the needed materials (oil paint, gesso, paint brushes, turpentine, wooden panels, wooden frames, and African fabric), she needs financial backers. You can contribute any amount, even just $1, and there are rewards – handmade pieces of art made by Jenna herself – for different giving levels! Donate to this project! You can also follow the project’s progress via Jenna’s Even Me blog!

Have you ever put a lot of time, money, and effort into a non-profit organization, and then years later never heard a word about them?  You wondered, “Where did they go? Did they just give up?”  I have…but, I’ve also had the complete opposite experience with Invisible Children.

What started as a group of three filmmakers in 2003 who traveled to Africa in search of story, ended with a reality that changed their lives forever.  They witnessed the affects of the longest running war in Africa between the Lord’s Resistance Army (a rebel army lead by Joseph Kony) and the Government of Uganda. For 25 years, hundreds of children have been abducted from their homes and forced to fight in Joseph Kony’s army. Thousands have died, and millions have been displaced from their homes.

Invisible Children, has grown from three filmmakers since 2003 to thousands of visionaries, humanitarians, artists, activists, and entrepreneurs whose primary goal is “to transform apathy into activism” and put an end to the disparity caused by this war. “We are individuals part of a generation eager for change and willing to pursue it.”

I’ve been involved with Invisible Children since 2004, when I first learned about them in college. I’m inspired by their unwavering efforts to put on end to the injustice that’s causing pain and suffering in the lives of people they’ve never met. It reminds me of the book I’m currently reading: The Hole in the Gospel by Richard Stearns, President of World Vision. Stearns challenges Christians to actively live out their faith rather than passively  and aimlessly seeking spiritual transformation. The founder of World Vision, Bob Pierce, prayed, “Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God.”

As a part of Invisible Children’s The 25 Campaign/Break The Silence, I will be silent for 25 hours on April 25th and am raising $25 to help fund The Protection Plan: Invisible Children’s work to protect innocent civilians from LRA violence. That’s only $5 from 5 people! Going over my goal won’t be a bad thing…Please donate if you feel lead and if you are able…

“Let MY heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God.”

Donate here!

Thanks, Erika, for the photo!