Etsy Artist Supports First Book

Many of you may be familiar with Etsy.com, an online retailer where people buy and sell handmade goods. We are thrilled to have the support of an Etsy Artist. Guest Blogger, Cloudery, shares the story about why she has chosen to give a portion of proceeds to First Book.

My life and creativity have been inexorably shaped by books and the worlds within them. When I was a toddler, my mother and I made a trip to the public library each week and returned with a towering stack of children’s books and a wonderful sense of anticipation. We snuggled in our big leather chair and plowed through book after book—and to me each seemed more captivating than the one before. Both parents read to me for hours at a time. From age six, I started reading all sorts of books on my own—voraciously.

When a particular book evolved into an obvious favorite (brought home from the library week after week), my parents would buy me my own copy—and this extraordinary treasure took its place of honor upon my bookshelf.

As an adult, I understand how important it is that every child experience the world of reading, and the great joy and pride of owning a new book—the smell of the ink, the texture of the pages, and the memories that books will provide for a lifetime.

I wanted to find a way to help First Book with their mission. In October 2008 I opened Cloudery, a shop on Etsy.com, to sell my pen-and-ink drawings and to have a way to give to First Book. At Cloudery, each time a customer purchases a drawing I make an online donation to First Book. When I send my customer their art, I include printed confirmation of the donation to First Book, so they can know that they helped make a difference in children’s lives.

As of the end of January 2009 I have been able to donate over 100 books from my Cloudery proceeds. In addition, in December 2008 I teamed up with Wall Blank to sell a limited edition print of one of my drawings, with all the money generated going to First Book; this project resulted in a donation of more than 300 books.

I am grateful to have found a way to help First Book give children the wonderful reading experiences that will shape the rest of their lives.