Our Hope Jar

 I created a GoFundMe here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/empower-neurodivergent-artists-and-crafters

We need $275 in order to become a nonprofit, which would allow us to get craft supplies donated from businesses. Please spread the word! Let’s see if we can get it by January 2025!

Check back here often to watch our Hope Jar fill up!

Our First Crafting Meeting

Yesterday was our first crafting meetup! It went well! Six people came out and did arts and crafts. People weren’t super excited about the two structured crafts, so in the future we will probably have more art and just random supplies for people to make their own things.  

Also I’m not sure everyone realized that the idea is to make crafts to sell. But it’s still early days! 

 So far, here is what we have made.

This gnome is actually a candy jar!

These snowmen have light up noses! 

And a few pieces of original artwork by two members. 

We will have another crafting meetup in a few weeks! Stay tuned for details. In the mean time, please consider donating to our GoFundMe page so we can get more supplies! 

Preparing For Our First Crafting Meetup

 This information is intended for members who will be coming to our first crafting meetup on September 7.

Where To Go
The Klickitat room on the fourth floor of the Vancouver Community Library. (Downtown Vancouver.)  If you can't find the room, you can ask a library employee for help. The meetup starts at 10:15 am. 

What To Bring

Nothing is necessary, but if you want to bring a comfort item, or your own craft to work on, you can

We are not permitted to eat anything in the library room unless we catered it from a very specific list of restaurants. I'm assuming water bottles are okay.

Who To Bring

A support person if you need or want one. 

Angel may be unable to provide a lot of guidance and support because she, too, is autistic. Angel’s caregiver will be there to help out. But if you need or prefer 1:1 support, please bring someone. 

Service animals are welcome. Because we are meeting in the library, we have to follow their rules about animals. They differentiate between “service” animals and “support” animals, and they only allow service animals who are trained to help with specific tasks. The organizer of this group (Angel) will not question anyone about their service animals. 

What To Do

Remember that Angel, the organizer of this group, is autistic and has other neurodivergencies as well. You will not be judged or stared at here.

Just come in and sit down wherever you want. We will have choices of crafts to work on. You can get started right away if you’d like.  Let Angel or Jason know if you need anything explained. The directions for crafts will be printed out and there will be examples. 

You don't have to make your crafts look exactly like the examples. You can use your creativity! 

When you are finished with a craft, write your name clearly on one of the blank gift tags, and attach it to your craft. Leave your craft on the Finished table. Angel will bring it to the first craft fair. 

What To Keep In Mind

Remember this is our first group meeting. It may be weird. Things may go wrong. We will get through that, and it will get better. 

As one of the first members ever, you get to be one of the people to help make the group run more and more smoothly. 

Feel free to either email me, or message me on the Facebook messenger app, with any questions, concerns or ideas you have! 

Angelnickirocks@gmail.com

PS… Here are some of the crafts we will be making! 

 

Help Empower Neurodivergent Artists And Crafters

Did you know that 30 to 40% of neurodivergent adults are unemployed? (Some studies show the statistic as being even higher, up to 85%.) Those who do work make an average of 30% less than neurotypical peers.

Having a low income or no income can create a barrier for talented people who want to sell their arts and crafts. That is why our group provides the supplies needed to make crafts, and covers the cost of craft fair booth fees. We want everyone to be able to participate, even if they struggle with money. 

You can help by donating to our ongoing GoFundMe! All proceeds will go towards craft supplies and craft fair fees. 

Keep following this blog to see what good things your donations are helping with! 

Who We Are And How To Join Us

We are a group in Vancouver, WA that gives neurodivergent artists and crafters the opportunity to make and sell their arts and crafts. 

This newly forming group was started by an autistic person who was having trouble supporting herself due to her disabilities. 

Members may either come to our group meetups and make crafts with supplies provided by us, or make their own projects at home. We then get booth spaces at craft fairs, where we sell our work. Members keep the money they earn from things they make. 

To participate, join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/346291861608158/.

Or email AngelNickiRocks@gmail.com to join our mailing list. 

You can also check out our website at https://sites.google.com/view/kaleidoscopecollective/home.