Community Workshops
Donation protected
Hi Friends! It’s me Shannon aka Badass Cross Stitch
This is me, going out of my comfort zone, to ask for your $ help.
For years I have been hosting free community workshops everywhere I go to spread the good word about the healing power of embroidery. I’ve taught hundreds of people to stitch. I’ve watched folks of all ages fall in love with embroidery, connect to their voice, figure out their story, and use their skills to share their messages with the world.
Also for years, I’ve been spending my own money on supplies and travel to make these workshops accessible for participants. I spend countless hours prepping, driving, teaching, emailing, mentoring, and supporting, in the name of my mission – empowerment and expression through a meditative and accessible art form.
I have a full-time job and a part-time job, and all of this community building, workshopping, and project building is on top of that. I do it because I love it, I believe in the power of it, I believe in you, and I want to have as monumental a positive impact as I possibly can on this world in the time I have here.
I have been selfish. All of my work and projects are designed to engage and support my ever-growing community – to create opportunities for you all to take action. And yet, when it comes to these workshops I have hoarded the financial responsibility – to my own financial detriment. Last year alone, I spent over $6,000 of my own money just on supplies and transportation to make these workshops a reality.
YOU have supported and created and built with me. However, I realize that I hate mixing money and mission when it comes to my craftivism (which is weird because I am the chief fundraiser for a million dollar+ nonprofit – WTH Shannon) and therefore I have been limited in my ability to do as many of these workshops as I could because I couldn’t afford the materials. I’m going to get over that barrier so that I can do more for this world and I’m going to ask you to support me and then I will graciously accept that support.
MY ASK -----------------------------------------
SO, all that being said (or purged), I am asking you to donate exactly as much money as you would not noticeably miss.
$1
$5
$10
$20
$1000 <--- if you wouldn’t miss that I’m super jealous of your financial life.
I will use this money to host as many free community stitching workshops as I possibly can. The money will pay for materials and travel - just the hard costs associated with the workshops. I will continue to go into schools, community centers, bookshops, galleries, coffee shops, libraries, group homes, festivals, detention facilities, shelters, and homes to share my love of craftivism and the skill set of embroidery with the world. And, hopefully, I won’t go broke in the process.
Anyone who can donate over $500 will get an original stitch that I will create just for you and mail anywhere in the world. (You get no say in what I make or send though…the exciting unknown!)
CALCULATIONS ------------------------------------------
I have calculated that the average cost per participant for one of my workshops is ~$10.
If I were to raise $10,000 – I could teach AT LEAST 1,000 people to embroider this year! The more I raise, the more I can do!
When I think of the impact that could have, I sort of want to cry. When I look at the impact that embroidery has had on the @Chi_Arts_Boyz and then, in turn, the impact they have created through their commitment to this medium and then I think of the possibilities that 1,000 people could have!!! Do you see how we can change the world with embroidery?!
A NOTE --------------------------------------------
If you are not able to kick in dollars know that I totally understand and I value you and appreciate you for reading this. I hope you will attend one of my free community workshops!
I love you all. I am grateful for you. Thank you for reading.
Xo
Shannon
This is me, going out of my comfort zone, to ask for your $ help.
For years I have been hosting free community workshops everywhere I go to spread the good word about the healing power of embroidery. I’ve taught hundreds of people to stitch. I’ve watched folks of all ages fall in love with embroidery, connect to their voice, figure out their story, and use their skills to share their messages with the world.
Also for years, I’ve been spending my own money on supplies and travel to make these workshops accessible for participants. I spend countless hours prepping, driving, teaching, emailing, mentoring, and supporting, in the name of my mission – empowerment and expression through a meditative and accessible art form.
I have a full-time job and a part-time job, and all of this community building, workshopping, and project building is on top of that. I do it because I love it, I believe in the power of it, I believe in you, and I want to have as monumental a positive impact as I possibly can on this world in the time I have here.
I have been selfish. All of my work and projects are designed to engage and support my ever-growing community – to create opportunities for you all to take action. And yet, when it comes to these workshops I have hoarded the financial responsibility – to my own financial detriment. Last year alone, I spent over $6,000 of my own money just on supplies and transportation to make these workshops a reality.
YOU have supported and created and built with me. However, I realize that I hate mixing money and mission when it comes to my craftivism (which is weird because I am the chief fundraiser for a million dollar+ nonprofit – WTH Shannon) and therefore I have been limited in my ability to do as many of these workshops as I could because I couldn’t afford the materials. I’m going to get over that barrier so that I can do more for this world and I’m going to ask you to support me and then I will graciously accept that support.
MY ASK -----------------------------------------
SO, all that being said (or purged), I am asking you to donate exactly as much money as you would not noticeably miss.
$1
$5
$10
$20
$1000 <--- if you wouldn’t miss that I’m super jealous of your financial life.
I will use this money to host as many free community stitching workshops as I possibly can. The money will pay for materials and travel - just the hard costs associated with the workshops. I will continue to go into schools, community centers, bookshops, galleries, coffee shops, libraries, group homes, festivals, detention facilities, shelters, and homes to share my love of craftivism and the skill set of embroidery with the world. And, hopefully, I won’t go broke in the process.
Anyone who can donate over $500 will get an original stitch that I will create just for you and mail anywhere in the world. (You get no say in what I make or send though…the exciting unknown!)
CALCULATIONS ------------------------------------------
I have calculated that the average cost per participant for one of my workshops is ~$10.
If I were to raise $10,000 – I could teach AT LEAST 1,000 people to embroider this year! The more I raise, the more I can do!
When I think of the impact that could have, I sort of want to cry. When I look at the impact that embroidery has had on the @Chi_Arts_Boyz and then, in turn, the impact they have created through their commitment to this medium and then I think of the possibilities that 1,000 people could have!!! Do you see how we can change the world with embroidery?!
A NOTE --------------------------------------------
If you are not able to kick in dollars know that I totally understand and I value you and appreciate you for reading this. I hope you will attend one of my free community workshops!
I love you all. I am grateful for you. Thank you for reading.
Xo
Shannon
Organizer
Shannon Downey
Organizer
Chicago, IL
