A few months ago, I shared what a printer's plate is and how to get it. These plates make for nice silent auction items because they are unusual. At a recent event, I was walking the silent auction with my client before guests arrived. As we approached the plates pictured, she said, "We're really excited about these." "Wow," I said, "I wrote about how to get these donated a few months ago, but I don't often see them in auctions." "I know you wrote about it," she said, "That's how I got ... Read On >
On a personal note: Designing cards, plus-size modeling, and life’s pleasantries
Heads up: This is a personal blog post. Nothing about benefit auctions here. This past summer, Sue Painter, one of my Mastermind friends in Tennessee emailed me via Facebook: "My Sunday paper fell on the floor today and some of the ads fell out," she wrote, "When I leaned over to pick them up, YOU were smiling up at me from a Catherine's insert!" Even though she knew I was a plus-size model, she was excited to suddenly see someone in print whom she recognized. (For those of you just joining ... Read On >
A rather large fundraising gala in a small town by an (as of yet) unknown chef
I recently cleared my desk of papers and found this clipping my Mom mailed to me a few months ago. It was a nice event worth sharing. This wasn't an auction, but it was a fundraising gala. Read on... My trip to Kansas this summer coincided with a local fundraiser. It was a well-crafted event and a nice gesture on behalf of the young man who organized it. Adam Hoffines graduated from high school in 2006. He headed to the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY and graduated in ... Read On >
Benefit auction item ideas: stock the bar | stock the cellar
The upcoming holiday season has me thinking about seasonal get-togethers. Here's a benefit auction item idea fitting to the season. I heard of an older couple who opted to forego the traditional gifts at their wedding. If any guest wanted to give a gift, the couple suggested bringing a bottle of wine so they could "stock the cellar." (I like this idea. I've got enough "stuff" for my house, but the cellar can always be filled.) Similarly, some bridal showers (co-ed) are "stock the bar" ... Read On >
Benefit auction donations from artists (Steve Haskamp shares his perspective)
Meet Steve Haskamp. He's an honest-to-goodness, full-time artist. (He's the creative sort with cool ideas you should add to your benefit auction donations wish list.) If you visit his blog, you'll view his designs which are used on greeting cards at Target, Trader Joe's, children's clothing, books, prints, tote bags, magazines, housewares, and a ton of other stuff. I met Steve through his partner, Dale, who is good friend of mine from college. Steve has one of those jobs I find interesting. ... Read On >