Artful Vision
In August of 2010, Maxine Gardner, Mother, Artist and Entrepreneur launched an online gallery of American made gifts and hasn’t looked back since. Her online gallery provides a creative alternative to big box store gifts and at the same time making a difference to a worthy cause.
Every single customer that makes a purchase from Artful Vision will choose a participating American non-profit to receive a 20% donation. I was very fortunate to find this wonderful site!
You may be wondering how such a vision took place. Maxine, an artist who had injured her back a few years ago while setting up for a show had no money coming in for 4 months. So she had to find another way to do what she loved. She had started setting up a website to sell her art photography in a joint venture with schools and church fundraising, but realized her artist friends were still out on the road traveling many miles to sell their artwork and with the price of gas skyrocketing, many times no one showed. The cost of travel, gas and empty shows were taking their toll.
For two years Maxine worked on launching her website where artists, crafters, musicians and authors could join her vision of bringing this site to reality.
Maxine says it best:
“I am an artist and I had a vision, persistence and passion. I took some business classes, joined a business incubator and kept talking about my idea, what it would look like and every day took steps to make my vision a reality.
I knew that economic recovery comes when we buy products made in the USA, and that the creative sector have to be a part of the solution. We are growing every month, and offer products from a $2.50 handmade notecard all the way to a $5,000 handmade kayak, with the large portion of items being between $10 – $75, and we offer gift certificates starting at $10.
My favorite story is of a woman in Alaska who purchased children’s dress up clothes from an artist in Colorado, and chose the Troy Michigan Nature Society to receive the donation. How cool is that!”
What a great site! You’ll find so much awesome stuff there, from books to candles and oils oils to jewelry, music and even snacks! If you are a fundraising group you may want to consider a long term fundraiser with American made products.
Artful Vision needs all of our support so please go check out this great American owned company!
