Crafting for Charity:
Small Things Matters’ Crafting for Charity Program gives children of all ages and abilities the opportunity to share their talents with those in need at children’s hospitals, shelters, etc. We have many community opportunities throughout the year, including KIDfest and MLK Day at the Marriott. We have also shared our program at Lunch and Learn Summer Camp for the past 3 years.
We also help parents/groups to craft items with our Crafting for Charity Parties to do some good as a group. We have partnered with Amerigroup to bring our crafting parties to underserved children during the pandemic.
Here are a list of the projects that we are currently working on and charities that we are supporting with these efforts. Please remember that some of the individuals receiving these items are immunocompromised so all materials should be new and from a pet-free and smoke-free home.
Please remember that items made with our patterns are not for sale. We ask that you add our STM tag before donating them.
Printable tags to be included with item are here: STM_tags
STM Projects:
Monster StuffiesThese are sewn from fleece or muslin fabric. These simple stuffies are fun to personalize and accessorize. All you need is your imagination and you can help bring a smile to someone in need. We ask that you send stuffie blanks or completed stuffies to us for donation for one of the charities we support or to a charity you champion.
The pattern and directions for our stuffies are here: STM_stuffies
Handpainted Kindness RocksThese are simple rocks, but each carries a powerful message. They are fun and easily decorated with acrylic paints. These are intended to be abandoned as a Random Acts of Kindness (instruction sheet coming soon) to brighten a stranger’s day, but you can also make them for your family and friends!
Fabric Paper Bookmarks
Who knew that fabric and scraps of tissue could be so much fun! By combining fabric, tissue paper, glue, paint, markers, and your imagination you can make a wonderful fabric paper that can be cut into bookmarks (shown), used to make a durable bookcover, and more!
The pattern and directions for our bookmarks are here: fabric paper bookmarks
Fleece Scarves for Kids and Adults
These fun scarves are sure to warm the hearts of anyone that receives one.
Kid scarves sizes 6″-7″ x 50″-60″ & Adult scarves sizes 8″-9″ x 60″-70″
Instructions are here :
PinatasThese pinatas are made with 6 layers of alternating strips of newspaper, glue, and tissues. They are fun to make and even more fun to break open. We make these pinatas to help children in need enjoy a regular birthday.
Instructions are here: pinata
Graduation StolesHandsewn stoles for a preK class of visually disabled and blind students. This is not a regular craft project, but we’re including it here for 2 reasons. First, this project shows that there are opportunities all around you to help those in need. The smallest gesture of kindness can make a big impact on someone’s life. Second, we are here to help you help others. Their teacher came to us asking if we could help these children celebrate their graduation from the only preK that helps visually impaired and blind students. The buttons are also special. Each is designed with their favorite color and their teacher added Braille dots to each one. So remember you can make a difference!!!
Buttons
We offer buttons in 3 sizes: 1″, 1.5″, and 2.5″. We host color-your-own button events for parties as well as producing buttons in bulk for political campaigns, rock bands, schools, science events, PTAs, parades, and more. We can help you design a button for a special event and we have a quick turnaround time.
Recipients of these handmade items include:
Children’s Inn at the NIH, Shady Grove Adventist (Pediatrics), Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC, Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless (MCCH), Shepherd’s Table, National Center for Children and Families