Unknown amigas traveling together.

Amiga Fund

Amiga means girl friend in Spanish and Portuguese (as in pals).  We recognize that many art and craft businesses have suffered a great deal in the last few years due to Covid, natural disasters, wars and uncertain economic stressors. The Amiga Fund seeks to give a small spark to businesses who would like to be a part of Artizan Made, but can’t afford the Join Fee of $125 and membership. We partner with donors who want to help and try to match them with these businesses.  (See our Join Page)

The donor pays for one year of their fees, $280 total.  Artizan Made will mentor the shop as needed, helping them improve their business and reach a larger market so that they can become self sufficient. After a year, the shop will hopefully continue on as a member and pay their own way.

“A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction.”
― Virginia Woolf, A Room of One’s Own

Amigas encourage.

Artizan Made seeks to find new audiences for its members through its website, social media sites and by networking with other organizations.  We can also help our members by providing feedback on their website, presentation, photography and product development. Amiga Fund recipients can benefit from peer support and opportunities offered through the membership. The internet is constantly changing and many of us find it challenging to keep up. Having a support community saves time and energy and helps us improve our reach.

Artizan Made works with studio artists, fair traders, small importers and vintage. Our focus is on Home Décor and Eco-Fashion. We also accept handmade supplies, patterns and member books. The Amiga Fund assumes that most donors and recipients are women, but all genders are welcome.  We are based in Paducah, Kentucky, USA and have an international membership.

Amigas overcome obstacles.

Guidelines for Amiga Applicants

The Amiga Fund is a small boost for established businesses that are going through a tough time. Applicants need to have the following:

• Two years or more in business.
• An active presence on the web.
• Products that can be added to our Market.
• Willingness to participate in Zoom/Facebook group with other recipients. Donors who would like to mentor and get involved are also welcome.

 

“Do not stop thinking of life as an adventure. You have no security unless you can live bravely, excitingly, imaginatively; unless you can choose a challenge instead of competence.”
― Eleanor Roosevelt

 

Amigas have style!

Instructions:

Interested Donors click on the box below for more information. A one year membership for new Artizan Made members is $280. You can support as many applicants as you want to and will choose whom you will fund.

Amiga Applicants: Click on the sample below and send in your info. We will then create a little bio for you here that donors can see. Once they select who they want to fund, we will introduce you to each other and you can choose to get to know each other or not. There are no strings attached with this fund, just the understanding that we are living in tough times and can support each other.

“The strength of a woman is not measured by the impact that all her hardships in life have had on her; but the strength of a woman is measured by the extent of her refusal to allow those hardships to dictate her and who she becomes.”
― C. JoyBell C.

Amiga strength!

“Each of us is an artist of our days; the greater our integrity and awareness, the more original and creative our time will become.”
― John O’Donohue

Amigas create.

“This is the time for every artist in every genre to do what he or she does loudly and consistently. It doesn’t matter to me what your position is. You’ve got to keep asserting the complexity and the originality of life, and the multiplicity of it, and the facets of it. This is about being a complex human being in the world, not about finding a villain. This is no time for anything else than the best that you’ve got.”
― Toni Morrison

Amigas mentor.

“Life is short and we have never too much time for gladdening the hearts of those who are traveling the dark journey with us. Oh, be swift to love, make haste to be kind.”
― Henri-Frédéric Amiel

Amigas support.