Supporting Ukrainian Artisans

Did you know Etsy is cancelling all balances and waiving all seller fees for Ukrainian sellers ? An estimated $4 million contribution to the ongoing humanitarian crisis. 

Going forward, I will introduce and feature as many Ukrainian artisans as I can find who offer digital products - physical items will be a challenge due to shipment issues in a war zone. 

Etsy's payment partners no longer operate in Russia, so the listings of Russian artisans have been temporarily deactivated. The BBC reports a brain drain with tens of thousands fleeing Russia. 

There has been social media chatter fielding ideas for humanitarian aid fundraisers.

My friend, Sonya of Rocpoet is a metalsmith who usually makes stamped and upcycled flatware jewelry. She was quick to team up with Juniper Artisan Collective  in Cambridge, Ontario, to sell both sunflower seeds and items such as bookmarks and wine charms (shown above) which have sunflower charms and include the blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag. 100% of the proceeds they are continuing to successfully raise, goes to the Red Cross Relief Fund. 

I currently have three sunflower earrings designs in my Craftagems - which I hope to add to.   I will donate all proceeds to the UNHCR - United Nations Refugee Agency. My free upcycled aluminum can flower earrings tutorial is available if anyone wants to adapt it to make your own fundraisers. 


Etsy artisans everywhere are also similarly responding with some excellent designs. Check what others are doing here. The range of arts and crafts techniques is quite something to see. 


The following are some wonderful sunflower tutorials to consider as fundraisers and auction items.  These are all by Ukrainian artisans. Please check their individual stores for more designs. Buying from them provides direct financial support. Every cent of their listings go to them.





Crochet sunflowers will be very quick to do.  This sweet crochet earrings tutorial is by Margo of KnittedgoodsByMargo is very dainty.  


Margo also created this wonderful crochet sunflower coaster tutorial. 


I love the dimensional look of these statement crochet earrings. The tutorial is by CreativeAccessorise.


This is such a lovely brick stitch fringe tutorial earrings design! The designer is Helen of HelenBeadPatterns. 



This beaded sunflower earrings tutorial by BeadingPatterns4Fun  has a very different rounded bottom shape than the usual beaded fringe ones. 


BeadingPatterns4Fun also had this unusual checked version :




This felt sunflower tutorial by Juliia of MiniMiFeltThings will make a wonderful brooch or ornament!


Want some digital images for collage or simple glass on bezel pendants?  Check out the sunflower printables from StoreEyess. 




This absolutely stunning embroidery tutorial features one of Vincent Van Gogh's sunflowers in a vase paintings. 


This is just a curated list. See more sunflower tutorials by Ukrainians here. 

Before You Go :
Disclosure 

This blog may contain affiliate links. I do receive a small fee for any products purchased through affiliate links. This goes towards the support of this blog and to provide resource information to readers. The opinions expressed are solely my own. They would be the same whether or not I receive any compensation. 
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Original Post by THE BEADING GEM