Why this fundraiser is SO important!

In case anyone is wondering why I do this, it's for my mom. She has primary biliary cirrhosis, a genetic condition that causes scarring of the liver tissue and GI tract issues beyond her control. She suffers daily and this is unacceptable. 

One of the most common complications of liver failure is called hepatic encephalopathy - HE. It is a type of dementia causes by the toxic build up normally filtered out of our systems by the liver. It is hell. 

An award-winning director, Cynthia Wade, made a documentary about HE entitled "HE*s Back", which chronicles four families dealing with this illness. I say "families" because HE affects the entire family and can kill the patient. My mom runs the risk, every day, that she could slip into a coma from toxic overload. Statistically, 80% who do slip into a coma from HE never wake from it. 

The documentary is here: http://www.hesback.com/

Only NINE DAYS AWAY!!

I haven't forgotten about the fundraiser - this radio silence was brought to you by Facebook events taking over blog duties! If you're not already in, track the progress of everything on the event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/575304059182470/

We still need just a few things: about 40 chairs, a sound system for the auctioneer (just a mic & speakers!) and a few good men to help us move the nightstands and  be bid spotters. We will have cupcakes, snowcones, and food (not sure what kind yet, but I'm determined there will be food). Two mason jar tinting classes, sandwiched around a milk painting demonstration, and topped off with the auction starting at 1! I'm so excited! It's going to be fabulous!

And now, some eye candy:

This one is covered in FABRIC!

This one was inspired by Gustav Klimt:

We have about 20 nightstands- all completely unique and artfully crafted by hand (even one fingerpainted!) by local artists. You HAVE to come out to see these! October 27th - 9 days out - on the civic center steps in Old Town Temecula from 9am-3pm. See you there!!

Four Weeks Away!

With just four weeks left til the auction, we are at a soft 19 nightstands (I will confirm again and make sure that is a solid number). Very close to my goal of 20! Woohoo!

Artists are in go-mode, listening to their muses and getting dirty, sawdust from sanding and paint flying everywhere. It's so great to see! 

I found lucky number 19 this morning at a yard sale for $5, after making $12 selling just a few items. That's $7 closer to our budget goal. I'll take it! I'll also be babysitting in about two weeks, which should pay for the UHaul truck to move the nightstands to City Hall on the morning of the event and hopefully bring us closer to that $400 mark. 

Lucky number 19:

Today was just so exciting, I'm reeling! How will I sleep?? AND I'm to pick up one of the nightstands tomorrow for an artist to work on. I love how enthusiastic the artists are getting. It's crunch time and we all feel the anticipation! I've heard (though not seen!) what these people are doing with their pieces and they sound awesome and SO unique! I love it!

This week will focus on the last details of the actual event and start advertising in a big way. This far, I've been sneaking the word out in little snippets here and there, on Facebook, by word of mouth, etc. This week, we will get into the newspapers, hit up radio stations, post flyers around temecula and wallpaper parking lots of targeted areas. I'm asking all artists to bring as many as they can to cheer on the bidding - support your favorite artist! Let's get guests and bidders out to the auction! 

Still looking for that dreaded generator. If anybody has any leads, throw a girl a bone. Email me at fiberedlife@yahoo.com or find me on Facebook under Yarnsmith Amber (or the fibered life Facebook page). Thank you everyone for all your hard work! :)

Big Charmer

Tiffiny G scored this nightstand for free! Look at that character! Love it!

Can't wait to see what Tiffiny does with this one. 

Side note: I saw some tinted mason jars with Halloween cutouts on the exterior and tea lights inside. So cute! Yet another idea for the mason jar tinting classes being held on the morning of the auction. If you make one for Christmas, you can take both classes and have your holidays set! ;)

Finished nightstand!

Did you see the first twin finished? Judy S did a great job on this cutie! 

31 bags fundraiser!

Great bags, great price, great cause. Totes are on sale this month til the 25th. Be awesome and buy them at regular price, get your tax and s&h included, and $7 of each bag sold goes to the American Liver Foundation! Get 'me while they're hot!

Apologies for my disappearance. Mom is having some medication issues and has been in the ER three times this week. It's a roller coaster! She is back on track now, and so is the One NightStand! Another confirmed nightstand brings us up to 16! I think...17? Nearly 20, which is my goal! Still a little tired, haha.

Also, thank you to Mulligans Murrieta, whose generous gift of six mini golf passes brought is up to just over half of our budget for the auction. 

More to come! Stay tuned!

More Artists - Kiddie Painters! :)

Check it out! 

https://m.facebook.com/events/575304059182470?aref=2&ref=bookmark&__user=100005842092251

After a great visit with the KDZ Art Academy tonight, the kid are going to paint a nightstand and (maybe) the teachers! I also dropped off a nightstand donated by the lovely Shannon O. to miss Vanessa Moreno (of Manos de Moreno) for her to work on. Tonight was bursting with ideas and inspiration! Woohoo!

Liver Locket from Origami Owl!!

Look at this GORGEOUS locket from my wonderful friend and Origami Owl independent designer, Shelly Bloom. I LOVE it! Shelly is donating almost all of her commission to the One NightStand fundraiser (which is really for the American liver foundation). Each locket, as designed, costs $75 and includes: 

Large silver locket

24-26" rolo chain

Green ribbon charm

Two green stones

One blue stone

Tag printed with "I will"

Plate printed with "inspire"

As designed, each locket will bring in $15 to the fundraiser!! Woot! Share the love, share the post, and start your locket-loving now! 

Visit her Facebook page to order (we want to make sure the proceeds go where they should): Facebook/origamiowlshellybindependentdesigner. Of course, you can browse her catalog and design your own locket if you wish. Tons of options. I just love the solidarity of this one. I'm getting that green ribbon and blue stone!! And the plate...and the tag...

Progress!

Update from Judy S! Twin number one (I'm calling him Jonathan, because I can), is well on his way. Sanded and first coat of primer is on. 

Judy plans on fine sanding him and priming over knots if needed, then painting in the final beautiful palette when the weather cools off a bit. We are told that will happen this next weekend, but weather here has been...indecisive. =P 

Judy will be the first done with her nightstand makeover. She will be featured in whatever newspaper/media ads I can wrangle to help promote the auction and gain momentum. It's right around the corner!

What about twin number two (I've named him Drew)? Judy's image of Drew keeps evolving - he isn't ready yet. But she will be working on him as soon as Jonathan is completely finished. :)

We NEED more artists! One backed out due to family time conflicts (how dare she! I guess she is forgiven, but only because her kids are SO darn cute and call me "Bamber"). We are at 13 nightstands now, and only five weeks til they should be done! Time to get busy!

I Want YOU!

Here's what I need:

3 vendors who have overcome illness/injury and now rock their craft - each vendor will be asked to donate an item for raffle (~$15 value) and 10% of sale proceeds for the day

1 snow cone vendor - $20 booth rental

1 vegetarian food vendor - $20 booth rental

Food vendor fees will help cover venue costs. Crafty vendor fees will benefit the American Liver Foundation

A mic/sound system set up so our auctioneer doesn't get hoarse screaming at people

A generator to power the mic/sound system as we have no power available at the venue

Still waiting to hear about chairs/tables.

If you or someone you know can offer up any of these things/people (because vendors aren't things, right?). let me know! :)

Progress from Judy S.

Judy S. is working hard on her nightstands! this is what she said, "...this is where the night stands are as of today. I forgot I had to do some fine hand sanding on them, so I did that this AM, removed all the hardware then used wood fill in the holes where hardware is not going back in. I also spent about 1/2 an hour trying to figure out how to get the drawers out. As you can see, I succeeded - of course, that meant I needed to do a tad bit more "big" sanding with the sander. Oh...and I'll be nice and put a copy of the how-to remove the drawers instructions in the drawers so the new owners don't have to swear and struggle like I did Tomorrow night I'll prime both after work so that I don't have to use the priming paint twice."

Where are everyone else's nightstands? How are they coming along? I want to see! 

Also, I have a better chance at advertising in the newspapers if I have a good before/after pic. First done is first published! :)

Down a DJ

I was asking a DJ to be at the 1NS, more for the equipment than music. I thought it would be more convenient for the auctioneer to have a mic and speakers. I'll contact him to see how far his voice can carry. I think battery-operated microphones exist in the world, so I'll look for one of those, too. 

I'll start focusing on media and advertising next week. I'm asking local high schools if passing out fliers would be considered community service. I'm hoping spreading the word will bring in sponsors. Still looking to secure the venue. 

I'd also like to have a few more vendors. If you or someone you know suffered illness or injury and found creativity can heal, contact me for vendor details. :)

Another Sneak Preview - The Before Twins

Before...twins!

After...we'll have to wait and see. These bad boys are getting primed soon (pic when that happens) and then the artist - the Fabulous Miss Judy S - is keeping them hidden until auction! I can't wait to see what she does with these. One thing's for sure; they won't be twins anymore!

14 NightStands and Another Class!

GREAT NEWS!!

I just spoke with the instructor for the milk paint class, and here's how this thing will go down:
Bring a picture frame with you, one you love and want to love more - the more elaborate, the better.
The instructors (there will be two) will show you every technique there is to make your frame look exactly like you want it to.
You paint your frame, with one instructor there to help you should you get stuck or need help.
While you're painting your frame, the other instructor is painting a nightstand.
Milk paint dries quickly, so you can take your frame with you and admire it and your hard work -

AND -

the nightstand she paints is going up for auction! THAT MAKES 14 nightstands so far! WOOHOO!

Looking for more good news? Well okay, just because you asked so nicely. We're bringing in another instructor to teach mason jar tinting. This class requires pre-registration, but a small $8 suggested donation means you learn how to make these lovely pieces of art and get to take yours home! ($5 for supplies + $3 donation to ALF - $8 total)

I'm off to gain advertising and those wee initial funds. So many people are counting on me! I better make it happen! (HINT: if you want to help me make it happen, click on the donate button up there on the header. ANY amount puts us closer to our goal!)

Thanks y'all and have a fabulous Wednesday! :)

Sponsor A Nightstand

Sponsor a nightstand and get a t-shirt! 

Help us make this event a success! Your $50 tax deductible donation will pay for one junky nightstand and all the supplies and fixtures needed for one of our talented local artists to transform it into a unique functional piece. Your nightstand will be put up for auction on October 27th. In return for your generous support, we will list you as a sponsor on the description of the piece, which will be displayed prior to auction. You will also receive a t-shirt declaring "I sponsored One NightStand." 

Alternatively, your t-shirt will be printed with "I took a One NightStand against liver disease." 

Please contact me to sponsor today! Email me: fiberedlife@yahoo.com

Call me: 951) 249-3861

Artists: please offer this option to your adoring fans. Note that any funds not used for event expenses (nightstands, supplies, venue, insurance, etc) will be donated to The American Liver Foundation in one lump sum post-auction. 

Gina F has before pics!

Gina found this sturdy pine nightstand for a steal at a garage sale. I can't wait to see what she does with it!

 I love the knots in this wood, too. I wonder if she can come up with a way to showcase them or if they will disappear under amazing artwork. 

Those side panel grooves make for great built in frames. 

Thank you, Gina F, for your inspiring contribution. So excited to see which direction you go with this!

CALLING ALL BIG HEARTS!!

Okay folks, I have 20% of the funding needed to pay for the venue. I'm supposed to pay 100% today. That is not going to happen. PLEASE consider a donation so I don't lose the venue. I have about a dozen artists and a ton of liver patients counting on this event to be awesome. Just click the button above and donate securely via PayPal - you don't even need a PayPal account to donate! Every little bit will help, no donation too small! What you pay on a cup of coffee could be the few bucks that gets us in the door!

A million thank yous! <3

Wings of Plethora

I wanted to tell you how excited I am that Traci and her husband, Jonas, will be painting nightstands for the auction. They are very familiar with the sabby chic world - they own their own shabby chic store in Harveston! Open T-Sat, so stop by and check them out. I love how this work lets me meet people with such giving spirits. They spend a lot of time helping others by feeding the hungry in our own community. Check it out: Wings of Plethora. I'm so happy to have them aboard!

3 More NightStands!

We have the insanely talented Vanessa Moreno (check out manosdemoreno on FB), who I'm sure will bring in a high bid. Vanessa paints amazing portraiture and I can't wait to see what she comes up with. 

And a big shout out THANK YOU to Traci G. and her hubs, who are both going to give a nightstand a makeover for the auction. Woohoo!

Side note: I've learned that electricity isn't included in the venue rental. While I figure that's odd, the result is me floundering to come up with a solution. We need power  - we have a DJ and equipment, mics for the auctioneer, and I'm trying to acquire food vendors who might need it, too. I'm looking, but if you have any leads or ideas, I'll gratefully take them! :)

Happy Saturday!

Dear Naomi

I just submitted a request for Naomi Judd to speak at the fundraiser. On the small chance that she or her people might look at this blog, allow me to explain myself.

I'm a determined daughter of a feisty woman who raised two kids by herself. She worked two and three jobs at a time, took in countless misfit kids who had lost their way, and was still there as my class mom and never missed any of my brother's little league games. She was my best friend well into college. She had several abdominal surgeries (9 total between 1979 & 2009) before fibromyalgia knocked her on her backside and she retired on disability before 40. She was diagnosed with NASH in 2009, and doctors have determined that her liver failure is the result of exposure to hepatitis B while working with prisoners, a genetic condition called primary biliary cirrhosis, and too much pressure on her gut from all the surgeries (specifically the one that started it all in 1979; a failed gastric bypass that resulted in multiple corrective operations). Bedridden, my mom feels she has no purpose without helping people, and the loss of her independence makes her feel weak and forgotten.

I am her sole caregiver. We struggle constantly with the role reversal involved in being her caregiver, and over finances and guilt; she feels guilty that she can't pay me and I can't work while taking care of her, and I feel guilty that I'm financially dependent on her and that I'm not contributing to the household bills. We just got the call the other day from UCLA that Mom is moving forward with the process. We're waiting for UCLA to schedule a five day assessment to determine her eligibility for transplant. Her MELD score is low, but she has major problems with ascites and hepatic encephalopathy (www.hesback.com), so the only realistic option is a living donor. I'm hoping I am a match.

In the meantime, I try to raise funds for the american liver foundation. The only way to beat this is to know thine enemy, so research and education are key. Research yields new treatments and possible cures. Education leads to prevention. I've learned this; sadly, people don't care about liver disease unless someone they love is affected by it. This fundraiser is going to be tons of fun, a great way for the community to get involved and showcase their talent (artistic talent! Nothing hinky), and raise funds and awareness for liver disease. Any help, any shout out, anything at all would be so awesome! Paint a nightstand? ;)

Got Ideas?

People from across the country have been asking how they can get involved in the One NightStand auction, but I don't know how to do that. Some can donate, but liver disease warriors tend to be low on funds after medical and caregiver expenses.  So how can we include peeps from around the country? Comment with your ideas!

The idea of live-streaming the auction online was suggested (thanks, Rebecca!), and I'm trying to find someone who can do that for us, but I don't know how possible/feasible it would be. It's worth trying, though!

Please spread the word about this fundraiser. I need to be able to pay for insurance and the venue next week, and that will take about $200 to do. So far, $40 has been donated (THANK YOU!!), so just $160 to go and we're on our way to MAKE it happen! Just click the paypal link to donate. It's safe, secure, and tax-deductible. And never forget the warm fuzzies it gives you to help those who can't help themselves. <3

Volunteer Positions available

We need folks to volunteer for these positions-

Peeps who make the auction run smoothly:

Peeps to make auction cards for bidders and items

Clerk (they keep track of who buys what for how much on a card)

Runners (they take a card from the clerk to the cashier after someone buys an item)

Spotters (they spot bids so the auctioneer doesn't have to have 16 eyes in his head)

Gruff individuals to help set up/take down/clean up

Cashiers (assign bidders a number and settle up at the end)

Stuff to make this happen:

Chairs for bidders

Tables & chairs for eating (& possibly the milk paint class)

Cheap table covers (probably easier to toss them after use than clean them, especially after paint & food)

I'll post more I'm sure, lol. For now, can you help? Donations are tax deductible and make you feel warm fuzzies. :)

Auctioneer Volunteered!

Mr. Jim Kilby has generously volunteered himself to be our auctioneer! Based in Escondido, Jim is a licensed auctioneer and has been at this a good while. I look forward to being lost in the speed of his words as the bids come flying in! :)

Jim is on auctionzip: http://www.auctionzip.com/CA-Auctioneers/407664.html

Fundraising!

Time for me to raise the funds for the 1NS. That's going to be a challenge; I have no income and this household is hurting financially, but I'm going to make this work! I'm contacting potential sponsors this week. Spread the word and that we're looking for donations. It won't take much to make a difference. The venue is under $200 and then I'm really just responsible for insurance and small ins and outs (like trash cans, printing flyers, advertising, etc). I think I could do it for under $400 total, so I'll make that the goal. Any extra just means more for ALF! :)

I think this is a great way to get the public involved, make them aware of the prevalence and consequences of liver disease, and have a great time with creative awesomeness within the community. I'm hoping to raise funds with three zeros at the end, so starting with two zeros seems so worth it. ANY help is welcome, from donations to volunteers. Contact me at fiberedlife@yahoo.com, on Facebook under Yarnsmith Amber, comment here, or call me at 951) 249-3861. Thank you for your help with this great cause!

ALF is in! :)

Spoke with one of the superwomen at ALF, and they're officially in! They'll be at the event with a booth and info about how to keep your liver healthy and raise awareness of this disease. Stigma buster! It's okay to talk about liver disease and how to heal ourselves and each other through research, education, and proper medical care. And love and prayer, but that's me being mushy. =P 

Where is everyone with their nightstands?? Where did you pick them up? What do they look like? I want to know! :)

Another Confirmed Entry!

The marvelous Miss Rachel, owner of Madam Bleu (an adorable antique/shabby chic/supercute shop in Old Town Murrieta, like her on facebook.com/MadamBleu) has generously opted to join our band of misfit artists. I've saved a list of those who've mentioned interest in the past. Please confirm that you're doing *something* with a nightstand ASAP so I can continue planning. :)

I have these folks (real names would be nice, lol, especially if you want credit for your talent):
Judy Suleski (I know your whole name, and you have a few [edit: nightstands! you have a few nightstands], right?)
Crystal Lopez
Gina Florio
Tiffany G (coupons? name?)
Ashlee Falco
Christine Newton
Rachel Reyes

If you'd like to be included, the more the merrier!! Drop me a line at fiberedlife@yahoo.com, comment on this blog or Facebook (facebook.com/fiberedlife) or call me 951-249-3861. Let's get this party started!

~Yarnsmith Amber

No Crying Over Spilled Milk Paint

Great news! "I don't know how to paint" no longer works as an excuse for not painting a nightstand! ;)

A friend of a friend just happens to have a furniture store where she refabs - get this - mostly nightstands! She also teaches folk how to use milk paint, which is all the rage right now to get that shabby chic look. AND she's opening a new store site in Fallbrook in about two weeks. As a lot of the artists participating are coming from Fallbrook, San Diego and Temecula, that's perfect! She'll be volunteering her teaching skills on the morning of the event. Right now, it looks like I'll be asking for a $5 suggested donation for the class (donations go straight to the American Liver Foundation). This is so exciting! And such a great idea for the future - bringing in guest teachers for the arts each year. Yes, I'm thinking that far ahead. Watch me go!

I'm gonna need bigger pants...

We've already outgrown our own britches, as my Mom would say. In other words, welcome to the new blog devoted to the One Night Stand Fundraiser Project. I'm hoping to set this up so that each artist can have their own page with whatever info they wish to share and pics of the nightstands as they move along from "throw that thing away" to "that one's mine!"

The "About ONS" page will give basic info as it did before, and I'll update it as needed. In the meantime, feel free to share this blog, comment, tweet, google +1, facebook, email, and post anything and everything related to the fundraiser. I'd LOVE to see some pics up of the unfinished/old nightstands! Where are the Befores?? :)

~Your Faithful Yarnsmith