Question about Etsy--daughter wants to raise money for reptiles!

[CoffeeCat]

(I posted this in DU Marketplace and a DUer suggested that I cross post in The Lounge)

I have some questions about Etsy. My nine-year old daughter, Riley, loves reptiles, chameleons in particular. In our
area, we have a reptile rescue, which is the only one of its kind in our state. They have space in a local
mall where they take in reptiles that people no longer want or can take care of. They do a great job and this
is a non-profit organization.

My daughter so wanted to volunteer there. We asked about volunteering and the owner said that volunteers must
be 16, due to insurance/liability issues. Riley teared up when he said this. My daughter and I had a long talk
about "making a difference" even when you're little. I told her that even though she wasn't sixteen, she could
still make an impact. We would just have to be creative about it!

I told her to brainstorm and she came to me with an idea. She would paint pictures of chameleons and sell them
online for $10 to raise money for these homeless reptiles. I thought that was a terrific idea. Now, I just
need the appropriate venue in which to post them.

That's why I'm wondering about Etsy. I noticed that the items on Etsy are incredible...created by talented artists.
My child is not a professional artist, but these paintings (she used acrylics) are really colorful and cute.

We made color copies of them and they look terrific. We were thinking about selling these copies/prints for $10 each. Her father
and I would spring for the postage and mailing to support her effort.

My daughter is incredibly sensitive. She was so moved by the chameleons, snakes, frogs, turtles and alligators (yes, alligators)
that this rescue had taken in. Some of them were very injured due to neglect and abuse. One chameleon had to be
removed from a home, after DHS visited on a child-abuse call. The chameleon was blind in both eyes due to an untreated
infection. Riley spent a lot of time near this chameleon and I think she had a tough time processing how someone could
do that to such a helpless, beautiful creature. I think these paintings, and her effort--are her way to dealing with
those feelings and conquering those feelings.

Thank you for any information about Etsy or other online sites that may be appropriate for her paintings!

[Angry Dragon]

1. kick

[Kali]

2. that is really sweet

can they sell the prints at the place in the mall too? Maybe make a posterboard with your daughter's story and her picture.

[InvisibleTouch]

3. I can totally relate to your daughter.

I was the 9-year-old girl who loved reptiles once. (And now I'm the 40-something-year-old girl who still does.) Can't give any advice about Etsy, unfortunately, but I really feel for her, being told she's "too young" to volunteer. When you're 9, it feels interminable to think that it'll be *years* before you're old enough to do what you want. Maybe she could adopt one or two special-needs animals and care for them at home. With the understanding that reptiles, especially sick reptiles, are tricky and it's very likely they may not survive. There's a lot of good care info on the web these days, but none the less, be prepared for heartbreak. But it's also possible that they'll pull through, and then she's really made a difference in the life of an individual animal. Best of luck and much power to her!

[Withywindle]

4. I think it's a great idea!

I don't think Etsy lets children that young open accounts in their own name, but you could certainly start one up for her.

There's precedent too - I remember reading about a little boy who sold his monster drawings on Etsy to help pay for chemo (his own - and how horrible is it that a child has to raise money in dribs and drabs to pay for lifesaving medical treatment?).

I think you should do it, and post a link here! I bet she could sell a lot of them to DUers.

Goddess bless your daughter for looking out for the creatures so many don't care for. I think there will be great things in her future.

[burrfoot]

5. Yes please post a link here!

Let us know how we can see them/order them :)

[CoffeeCat]

6. Thank you for your feedback and kindness!

This helps so much! We'll set up the Etsy pages this week and link back to DU.

Riley is so excited!

Thank you again for all of your help and for your sweet words. :)