For Japan Bracelet

I've been meaning to write this post for a while as a kind of thank you as well as an illustration of how I think the best charity ideas work.

I've been a big fan of Eric Heins for some time now, not as a customer but as someone who enjoyed reading his thoughts about simplicity and minimalism. Although by "minimalism" I do not mean the whole "only have 20 possessions, dress like a hipster, write an ebook and then tell the rest of the world with jobs how they suck" meme that still seems to be dragging it's self-important way around the internet. No, by minimalism I mean that he has cut out much un-necessary consumerism and managed to focus on his vocation, that of making beautiful artisan leather goods.

Anyway, as I said I have been a fan for some time and when I then heard that Eric was going to make small, simple leather bracelets and sell them to raise funds for The Red Cross Japan Tsunami appeal, I was happy to support him. Even though delivery to the UK cost almost as much as the bracelet itself!

The bracelet arrived eventually, and it's been on my wrist daily.  It's gradually ageing and darkening in the way that good leather seems to do. Now not to get to hippy on you, but also I wear it because every day I look at it and it reminds me that life is precious and disasters do happen, so we should live each day to the full and enjoy our lives. It also reminds me to be thankful for all of the things, people and moments that I have.

As a charity fundraiser the idea was just so elegant.  I love the way that Eric just had the idea, did something simple, cast it out there (shipped it!) and people instinctively responded. Unlike many charities he didn't feel the need to spend money on clever marketing, research, policy statements... all of the things that bigger (fatter) charities can often end up spending donor money on, whilst forgetting that they are set up to actually make things happen on the ground.

So thank you Eric for what you did. The $32,000 you raised is an amazing feat. The bracelet is beautiful and it gives more than just cosmetic benefits to me.

Now when my wallet wears out....