One NightStand

**This page wasn't enough, so now ONS Fundraiser has its very own blog. Go to www.onenightstandfundraiser.blogspot.com and thank you for supporting our cause!**


This will serve as a basic info page for those following or participating in the One NightStand Fundraiser I'm organizing for October, 2013.  :)

What is it?
A non-profit auction that blends creative juices with generous spirit and hopefully results in happiness and funds. The premise is that nightstands are gathered - old, dirty, broken, gross, whatever's cheap - fixed, painted/decoupaged/whatever, and refinished into one-of-a-kind pieces of art. They will then be auctioned off - one nightstand at a time - the proceeds benefiting the American Liver Foundation. The plan is to have a few vendors - food, drink, liver wellness, etc - allow people to see the beautiful pieces from 9 or 10 am, then auction at 1, hopefully ending around 3, then clean up.

Can I play?
You bet your sweet hiney you can! Any and all artists are welcome to submit a nightstand. There are obvious restrictions - no porn, nothing toxic, no stick figures - but generally, just make it good enough that someone will pay money when the auctioneer gets on stage with your piece. You can make as many as you want. I'm trying to procure nightstands myself from auction houses on the cheap, but as of yet they have neither been up for sale nor have I had the money to buy them. Several artists have taken it upon themselves to obtain a nightstand, and I think this is better for both of us. First, because I'm doing this on exactly zero budget; and second, because they can pick the unfinished style/look/build of the nightstand they want to make over, which might feed their creative juices. 

How can I participate?
Easy peasy:
1) Tell me you want to. You can comment on this page or click on my Stalk Us page for other means of contact. :)
2) Get a nightstand. Get an idea. Get your stuff together (i.e. paint, sandpaper, whatever).
3) Take a before pic and post it. Try to take pics, if you can, as things are beautified. I really want artists to post their progress and I think it will help gain attention and anticipation for the event. The more people are interested in what you're doing, the more will show up to see the final piece in person.
4) Make arrangements with me regarding the transport/delivery of the nightstand. Of course, I'm assuming this will have to happen *after* a venue & date are set in stone.
5) Remember that this is a volunteer effort - I'm so not paying you for this. I wish I could, and I know many artists that are involved are entirely worth it and I can't WAIT to see what they come up with. However, it's a non-profit event, and you get 10% of the $0 budget. Which is $0. Make sure you're okay with that and totally clear on it - you will not be compensated for time, supplies, or transportation, or any other expenses incurred for this project. You get the warm fuzzy feeling of doing a good deed, your name out there for the world to see, and a great new canvas for your creativity. That's your payment. ;)

Why have it?
Several reasons:
1) My mom - Kathy - needs a liver, so ALF is near and dear to my heart. Please note that I'm doing this voluntarily and am not compensated by, nor represent the American Liver Foundation in any way. What I do is what I do and I hope to be able to give them a big fat check.
2) ALF is severely underfunded, ignored, and there's a stigma associated with liver disease that needs to be dispelled. I aim to fix that.
3) The name of this fundraiser is, let's face it, hilarious, and it simply must be done.
4) I want to organize fundraisers for non-profits for a living (at least, for a partial-living, as I still have to care for Mom). This is my first real stab at it, and I know it won't be perfect, but I'm hoping it'll be fun and amazing all the same.

When is it?
October is the goal. October is both art month and liver disease awareness month. I know what you're thinking; it's also breast cancer awareness month. Well, everybody knows about breast cancer, and there's nothing that says you can't support more than one cause, and there's only so many months in a calendar, so unless we start making up months that never existed, it is what it is. I'm aiming for mid-October to avoid competing with the Quilter's Guild Auction on Oct. 5th and Halloween festivities. 

Where is it?
I don't know! I've been working on getting a venue since April, but nothing solid. I'm really hoping to hold it in Temecula, as this area is a great meeting point for many artists, but there are only so many places to hold something like this, and they are largely booked or extremely expensive. The current lack of a confirmed venue is why I can't give you a date on precisely when the ONS will take place. I'll update as I know more!

Questions?
Use the Stalk Us page or comment here. If you need help fixing a broken nightstand, there are DIY crafters who have volunteered their expertise. Ask away and I'll answer the best I can! :)