Etsy Dallas and Paws in the City

Last month the Etsy Dallas Team hung out with Paws in the City. A local all-volunteer, no kill organization with a commitment to ending overpopulation, neglect, and abuse of DFW area cats and dogs.

No one is on a payroll at Paws in the City, so all funds raised goes straight to the dogs (and kitties)! And that’s a very good thing!

We hung out with some amazing fluff balls and made a variety of dog toys while raising awareness and funds for their amazing charity.

We thought this would be a great time to share with you how to pull together an event for a worthy charity in your area.

Step One: Look for charity organizations in your area.

We know that you are following at least 5 different charities on Facebook. Reach out! They want to hear from you!!

Step Two: Grab your crew

Your book club, your Girl Scouts, your craft guild, your friends!

Step Three: Make a plan!

Each charity has different needs. Usually the bottom line is raising funds. Find out what the charity needs and work for them.

Some ideas -

Pets : make some handmade toys/bankets/treats to raise funds

Kids : make handmade toys, arts and crafts and more to - help a book or School supply drive

Seniors : art is so therapeutic! (and we sort of LOVE art for all causes), use to help raise awareness for Meals on Wheels and other great senior charities.

Step Four: Buy the supplies

Or ask for donations! You don’t have to break the bank. Work with upcycled items, supplies from your own private stash (between the Etsy Dallas team, we have enough “extra” supplies to outfit a craft army.

Step Five: Decide a date and rally!!

Work with the Charity’s schedule (not yours). Send out social media blasts, create an event on Facebook or another good event planning platform.

Step Six: Get to crafting and have fun!

We had so much fun! We made super cute dog toys, we got to know more about the foster parents of the dogs that came out, and learn more about what they do. We even raised some money for their amazing cause!

A note from the President here at Etsy Dallas:

Thank you everyone who came out to our Craft + Adoption event today at Café Izmir benefitting Paws in the City! Etsy Dallas volunteers had a great time teaching others how to make DIY dog toys many of which were enjoyed by the PITC foster dogs!

Foster pups enjoyed the nice spring weather and all the attention they were getting. Several applications were put in for foster dogs and we hope they all find their forever home soon! Thank you to Cafe Izmir for offering up their patio for such a wonderful cause.

A Call for Volunteers!

Come lend a helping hand at this year's Jingle Bash!

Volunteering to help out at the Jingle Bash is a wonderful way to give back to our local handmade community. As a Jingle Bash volunteer, you will get a behind-the-scenes peek at all that goes into making the Jingle Bash come together. Volunteers work directly with the Jingle Bash artists to help with securing merchandise during load-in, load-out, decorating, greeting shoppers, artist breaks, and handing out the much-coveted Bash Bags. Volunteers receive a nifty t-shirt and volunteer hours that can be used toward school/university requirements.

Sound like the opportunity for you? Sign up here.

Help out at the Jingle Bash!

Want to spend a Saturday with some of the most creative and fun people in Dallas? Want to help add that extra touch of magic that makes the Jingle Bash the best Shop+Party+Art+Craft show around? We would love to meet you!

Etsy Dallas is on the search for volunteers for the highly anticipated Jingle Bash. Come hang out with some awesome and fun people at Gilley's. The Bash happens there from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, November 15. We will need volunteers for the following shifts: 

• 9 a.m. to Noon
• Noon to 3 p.m.
• 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Wondering what Jingle Bash volunteers do?

Well, they help out in lots of fun ways:

*You know those pretty decorations at the show? Volunteers help the Deco Squad put everything in its place just so. 

*And what about those coveted Bash Bags that people stand in line for hours to get? Volunteers help hand out those babies which means they get the first peak at what's inside. 

*Also, volunteers lend a hand at the Photo Booth helping visitors dress silly and pose for the camera with our crafty photo props. 

*Volunteers also relieve vendors when they need to take a break so they don't get even a tad bit grumpy after a long day of selling their crafty wares. 

*And, volunteers help shoppers get their craft on at the Make&Take Table. 

Sign up to volunteer for a few hours. We would be super-excited to have you on board and make this the very best Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash ever!