a note of thanks and an update from the broken wings founder peter eyvindson

What fun to follow the art auction -- so many thanks to all the contributors and bidders. After hearing yesterday that the cleanup in Haiti has begun, I would like everyone to pause for a moment to reflect on the ripple effect of their participation here.

The UN has hired 30,000 people -- mostly women -- to begin the cleanup of Port au Prince. While it's great to know that so many people are finding work, it's distressing that these workers are paid only $5.00 a day.

For us in the developed world, it's difficult to wrap our heads around the economic realities of Haiti. But looking at this from the perspective of the Haitian worker, this is work that they would not otherwise have. That five dollars, in real terms, means that these women workers are able to feed their children.

So to the bidders: your enthusiasm so far is overwhelming. Every time you add a five dollar pledge to an item, you offer the same impact as a day of employment for a woman in Haiti. A day of food, of shelter, of safety for her children.

And to the donors: think not of the usual dollar value of your creative work. Think of it in terms of how many women you are employing for a day. (We pay our workers more than the UN does, and I wish they would offer more to these hardworking people. But still, this serves to illustrate just how far every bid goes in making a difference.)

Thank you again to everyone for keeping our Haitian friends in your hearts.

Peter Eyvindson

All photos courtesy Renee Dietrich, taken within the past few days as the St. Joseph's kids of Port au Prince settle into temporary housing at the beginning of the rebuild. Safety, smiles, and hope.

'That was just a dream' fine art print by myan

"Which of my photographs is my favorite? The one I'm going to take tomorrow." ~ Imogen Cunningham

Myan is an artist/photographer originally from the east coast, but who's now wide-eyed and smitten with her new hometown of Los Angeles. "I am greatly inspired by my environment and any opportunity to convey life in one little box full of light, colors, and imagination," she says. She can also be found "painting, ingesting gobs of sweets & tea, and harassing my dear hubby & our crazy critters!"

All proceeds from items sold on the To Haiti with Love auction go directly to the St. Joseph's Family in Haiti. To make a bid, simply leave a comment with the amount of your bid and your email address. The auction will wrap up on February 8, 2010, and winners will be contacted right away to arrange payment and shipping. Good luck!

That was just a dream fine art print, 5x7 with archival inks on beautiful fine art photo rag paper, white border, signed on the front

Starting bid: $10.00

'dandelions' silkscreen by Sara Kugelmass from kids deserve art

This set of silk screened dandelion prints by artist Sara Kugelmass is on wood panels. Each is 12" x 12" with a 1" depth, and with a key hole cut out on back of each panel for easy and secure hanging. Skårt prints are all 100% handmade using eco-responsible materials such as FSC sponsored sustainable wood, water based paints and  eco- friendly, low VOC sealants.

Kids Deserve Art is a mom-owned online art gallery. Haley-O started the gallery after her first child was born in 2005. She always had a love for art, and a strong belief that cultivating children's appreciation for art can significantly enrich their lives. While searching for art for her daughter’s nursery, her mission became clear: she wanted to bring genuine art into children’s lives, while supporting the artists in her community. And so, as the saying goes, Kids Deserve Art was born.

The pieces in the gallery -- which include paintings, growth charts, coat hooks, light-switch plates, drawer pulls, tote bags, and more -- are all created by professional Canadian artists. Kids Deserve Art is a part of Haley’s personal website Cheaty Monkey, which is also a celebration of kids and the art of motherhood.

All proceeds from items sold on the To Haiti with Love auction go directly to the St. Joseph's Family in Haiti. To make a bid, simply leave a comment with the amount of your bid and your email address. The auction will wrap up on February 8, 2010, and winners will be contacted right away to arrange payment and shipping. Good luck!

Dandelions silkscreen by Sara Kugelmass from Kids Deserve Art (origin: Canada)

Starting bid: $40.00

fingerless gloves by kathryn harper

Some times your hands are chilly, but you still need your fingers and thumbs free to do things.

These hand-knit fingerless gloves are made of wool and silk; sized to fit a small to medium woman’s hand.

Kathryn Harper is a self-taught artist, poet, and an omnivorous, voracious reader. Believing passionately in the innate creativity of all humans, she dedicates her life to igniting curiosity, promoting creative and critical thinking, and inspiring enthusiasm for lifetime learning. Kathryn can always be persuaded to savor a good meal, play board games, or dance. She lives in Santa Clara, California, with her husband, her amazing daughter Claire, and Stella the cat.

All proceeds from items sold on the To Haiti with Love auction go directly to the St. Joseph's Family in Haiti. To make a bid, simply leave a comment with the amount of your bid and your email address. The auction will wrap up on February 8, 2010, and winners will be contacted right away to arrange payment and shipping. Good luck!

Fingerless gloves handmade by Kathryn Harper (origin: USA)

Starting bid: $20

handknit 'fidget' by kathryn harper

If you live in a cold climate but don’t like wrapping up in several feet of scarf, this item -- called a Fidget — is for you. This hand-knit is made of a wool and cashmere blend. It feels luxurious to wear and is a color that complements almost everything. 

Kathryn Harper is a self-taught artist, poet, and an omnivorous, voracious reader. Believing passionately in the innate creativity of all humans, she dedicates her life to igniting curiosity, promoting creative and critical thinking, and inspiring enthusiasm for lifetime learning. Kathryn can always be persuaded to savor a good meal, play board games, or dance. She lives in Santa Clara, California, with her husband, her amazing daughter Claire, and Stella the cat.

All proceeds from items sold on the To Haiti with Love auction go directly to the St. Joseph's Family in Haiti. To make a bid, simply leave a comment with the amount of your bid and your email address. The auction will wrap up on February 8, 2010, and winners will be contacted right away to arrange payment and shipping. Good luck!

Fidget handknit by Kathryn Harper

Starting bid: $30

felted bowl (and chocolates!) from kathryn harper

This small felted bowl, 3.5 inches in diameter, contains delectable Lindt Lindor milk chocolate truffles.

Once you finish savoring the chocolates, this little bowl is useful for holding loose coins, keys, or small ephemera that you need to put somewhere until you can find time to sort them out.

Kathryn knit and felted this petite wool bowl by hand.

Kathryn Harper is a self-taught artist, poet, and an omnivorous, voracious reader. Believing passionately in the innate creativity of all humans, she dedicates her life to igniting curiosity, promoting creative and critical thinking, and inspiring enthusiasm for lifetime learning.

Kathryn can always be persuaded to savor a good meal, play board games, or dance. She lives in Santa Clara, California, with her husband, her amazing daughter Claire, and Stella the cat.

All proceeds from items sold on the To Haiti with Love auction go directly to the St. Joseph's Family in Haiti. To make a bid, simply leave a comment with the amount of your bid and your email address. The auction will wrap up on February 8, 2010, and winners will be contacted right away to arrange payment and shipping. Good luck!

Felted bowl with chocolates by Kathryn Harper (origin: USA)

Starting bid: $10

'layers and lines' fine art print by lorraine beardsworth

Lorraine Beardsworth received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon. She has continued her literary and visual art education through studio and extension classes from the University of Saskatchewan, and through professional development workshops and seminars.

All proceeds from items sold on the To Haiti with Love auction go directly to the St. Joseph's Family in Haiti. To make a bid, simply leave a comment with the amount of your bid and your email address. The auction will wrap up on February 8, 2010, and winners will be contacted right away to arrange payment and shipping. Good luck!

Layers and Lines 5x7" fine art print by Lorraine Beardsworth (origin: Canada)

Starting bid: $10.00

'daisy, rhino and the sock monkey' painting set from kids deserve art

Daisy the Cow and Rayme the Rhinoceros are 8x10", and The Sock Monkey is 6x8". These adorable and totally unique paintings will add creativity and character to any child’s room! Keep them all for yourself, or give as a gift. All are hand-painted on stretched and mounted canvas, ready to hang.

Kids Deserve Art is a mom-owned online art gallery. Haley-O started the gallery after her first child was born in 2005. She always had a love for art, and a strong belief that cultivating children's appreciation for art can significantly enrich their lives. While searching for art for her daughter’s nursery, her mission became clear: she wanted to bring genuine art into children’s lives, while supporting the artists in her community. And so, as the saying goes, Kids Deserve Art was born.

The pieces in the Kids Deserve Art gallery -- which include paintings, growth charts, coat hooks, light-switch plates, drawer pulls, tote bags, and more -- are all created by professional Canadian artists. Kids Deserve Art is a part of Haley’s personal website Cheaty Monkey, which is also a celebration of kids and the art of motherhood.

All proceeds from items sold on the To Haiti with Love auction go directly to the St. Joseph's Family in Haiti. To make a bid, simply leave a comment with the amount of your bid and your email address. The auction will wrap up on February 8, 2010, and winners will be contacted right away to arrange payment and shipping. Good luck!

Daisy, Rhino, and the Sock Monkey painting set from Kids Deserve Art (origin: Canada)

Starting bid: $25.00

'monster trucks' painting set from kids deserve art

Both of these cool, brightly-coloured paintings of trucks are 8x10”, hand-painted on stretched and mounted canvas and ready to hang.

Kids Deserve Art is a mom-owned online art gallery. Haley-O started the gallery after her first child was born in 2005. She always had a love for art, and a strong belief that cultivating children's appreciation for art can significantly enrich their lives. While searching for art for her daughter’s nursery, her mission became clear: she wanted to bring genuine art into children’s lives, while supporting the artists in her community. And so, as the saying goes, Kids Deserve Art was born.

The pieces in the Kids Deserve Art gallery -- which include paintings, growth charts, coat hooks, light-switch plates, drawer pulls, tote bags, and more -- are all created by professional Canadian artists. Kids Deserve Art is a part of Haley’s personal website Cheaty Monkey, which is also a celebration of kids and the art of motherhood.

All proceeds from items sold on the To Haiti with Love auction go directly to the St. Joseph's Family in Haiti. To make a bid, simply leave a comment with the amount of your bid and your email address. The auction will wrap up on February 8, 2010, and winners will be contacted right away to arrange payment and shipping. Good luck!

Monster Trucks painting set from Kids Deserve Art

Starting bid: $20.00

'dragon' coat hooks from kids deserve art

This hand-painted hook set is 6.5” high by 30” wide, and features our popular dragon character that enlivens any child’s room.

Kids Deserve Art is a mom-owned online art gallery. Haley-O started the gallery after her first child was born in 2005. She always had a love for art, and a strong belief that cultivating children's appreciation for art can significantly enrich their lives. While searching for art for her daughter’s nursery, her mission became clear: she wanted to bring genuine art into children’s lives, while supporting the artists in her community. And so, as the saying goes, Kids Deserve Art was born.

The pieces in the Kids Deserve Art gallery -- which include paintings, growth charts, coat hooks, light-switch plates, drawer pulls, tote bags, and more -- are all created by professional Canadian artists. Kids Deserve Art is a part of Haley’s personal website Cheaty Monkey, which is also a celebration of kids and the art of motherhood.

All proceeds from items sold on the To Haiti with Love auction go directly to the St. Joseph's Family in Haiti. To make a bid, simply leave a comment with the amount of your bid and your email address. The auction will wrap up on February 8, 2010, and winners will be contacted right away to arrange payment and shipping. Good luck!

Dragon Coat Hook from Kids Deserve Art - colours may vary (origin: Canada)

Starting bid: $30.00