NOW AVAILABLE on Etsy!

Hello Everyone!

About a year and a half ago, I assembled some mail artists together (via the US Postal Service!) to create a few pieces of art to donate to Robin Whittemore to help with her medical expenses as she battled Myelodysplastic Syndrome. You can learn more about Robin Whittemore's courageous fight here. Unfortunately, most of these various works of art were not completed before Robin passed away, but, we still want to donate these pieces to a charity organization that worked with Robin to help her in her fight.

The first of these works of art that I have listed in my etsy store is this fabulous Travel Destinations Puzzle. This is an altered art puzzle -- it started life as a blank puzzle like this. I divided the 12 pieces into sections of 2 pieces each -- creating 6 blank canvases ready for the artists to alter.

*The frame was altered by Teresa Stebbins. She created an awesome, well-traveled suitcase look for the frame, and it's complete with a handle that can be used to hang the puzzle on the wall.

*The upper left corner section of the puzzle celebrates the destination "Asia/China" and was altered by Crystal Calhoun.

*The upper middle section of the puzzle celebrates the destination "Paris/France" and was altered by me, Anne Downen.

*The upper right corner section of the puzzle celebrates the destination "Italy" and was altered by Carol DuBois.

*The lower left corner section of the puzzle celebrates the destination "London" and was altered by Nancy Tasker.

*The lower middle section of the puzzle celebrates the destination "Hawaii" and was altered by Janice Lopez.

*The lower right corner section of the puzzle celebrates the destination "Ireland" and was altered by Tamara Comerford.

There are many various materials used to alter this puzzle, including (but not limited to) cancelled postage stamps, ephemera, paper, ink, paint, charms, ribbons, and beads. The proceeds of this sale will be donated to a charity that was actively involved with helping Robin, The Pickens County Bone Marrow Drive, in care of the United Way of Pickens County, SC. The funds will be donated in Robin's name, on behalf of the artists who contributed, and of course on behalf of the lucky buyer of the puzzle! Hey, maybe that will be you!

~Anne