Inspiring Words :)

A poem that Mother Teresa had on the wall of her bedroom is as follows:

"People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway."

These are wise words, and the reason Mother Teresa was able to make such a difference is probably because she believed them. You can do anything - it doesn't matter what anyone says! :)

Card Descriptions

Wow. Christmas Eve, already? My wonderful winter break is slipping away! Nooooooooo! I need more free days!+1 if you agree!

Now for some close ups of some of my first designs of cards. I created each of these cards with an inspiration in mind, and therefore have a story to tell on each one. On the back, I wrote these descriptions. For instance, on my signature winter card, The Snow-woman (Note the earrings on her!), I write the story that I had in my little kid head when I created it. I think that the back inspiration adds a little uniqueness and a homemade, real quality. The cards are bright and neatly packaged, yet have a special feel to them that I love! What makes me smile isn't earning money for myself, but that some people out there will have a happier life because of our efforts. :)

What have you guys been doing lately? Comment below to tell me about your holiday break and which card description you think is the coolest!

 Happiness snow-woman 
in the winter!
Made at age 5.

 The optimistic rose!
Made at age 5.

 3 Hearts - a special 
Valentine's Day card!
Made at age 11.

Changing the World - one Teen at a Time!

Somehow, today, you have arrived at my new blog. Maybe you spotted it on the internet and thought it looked interesting. Or perhaps you've seen my cards before. Maybe you recognize me from school.

However you arrived here, I created this blog so that I can share my mission with you. So here is my story:

I was a little girl, around seven years old. I believed in rainbows, sunshine, and the ghosts on Halloween. I was extremely excited when I arrived in India on vacation, taking in the shops full of bright clothing and unique merchandise. The rain was pouring down hard, but that didn't dampen my spirits. In a split second, everything changed.

A little girl, around the same age as me, was approaching us. She was practically skin and bones, with sticks for arms and legs. Her eyes looked tired and dead. Walking through the rain towards us, she softly asked, "Do you have anything to eat?" 

That night, I cried. 

In my short life, it had never occurred to me that some people didn't have food. I wondered where that girl was now, and whether she got enough to eat. I thought of her, battling through the rain, begging for food.

 I researched world hunger, and saw frightening numbers. While researching world hunger I was shocked to learn that our planet has been producing enough food to feed every single person since 1970. So, why are so many people starving? They don’t have the money to pay for sustenance. I was determined to find a way to make a difference.

At the same time,  before I knew how to read or write, I was telling stories. I would paint on large pieces of canvas. I had a zest for art and writing. It made my heart fill up with joy. It was something I loved then, and continues to be so to this day.

I put my overwhelming feelings gratitude and joy into my new nonprofit company.  I started this store as a sixth grader who is passionate about ending world hunger during my lifetime. 

I set up an Etsy store called Art4Hunger (http://www.etsy.com/shop/Art4Hunger ) that sells unique greeting cards to anyone around the world. These cards are made with photos of my original artwork starting when I was five years old. They are individually autographed by me. The back of most cards briefly describe my story behind the painting or my thoughts that inspired that artwork. 

I decided that 100% of the profits from all sales go to the Sacred Heart Community Service that feed thousands of hungry people.

That is why I created this blog. I made it to inform people about world hunger. I made it, knowing that every drop of water helps make an ocean. Together, we can eradicate world hunger. I can do this - with all of your help. Whether you decide to buy a card, comment below with suggestions for other ways to raise money, or simply tell your friends about me, I appreciate it all. Because I know that what one person cannot do alone, we ALL can do together. :)