An Artist’s Quiet Revolution: Crafting Jewelry to Fund Reproductive Rights

October 17, 2024

Karen Krieger never imagined that her jewelry could become a vehicle for social change. Sitting at her workbench in Pittsburgh, she had spent years honing her craft, creating intricate, detailed silver jewelry. But as political tensions mounted over reproductive rights, Krieger felt the pull to do something more than watch from the sidelines. “I read an article about the election and how people could contribute by doing what they’re good at,” she recalls. “And it just hit me: I could use my art to raise money for a cause that’s really important to me.”

For Krieger, that cause is women’s reproductive rights, an issue she says has been at the forefront of her concerns for years. “We live in a country where, in many states, women don’t have the right to choose. Reproductive care is healthcare, and it’s so often treated as something separate and less important because so much of the funding in this country is directed toward men,” she explains.

Her solution was as elegant as her craft: sell her work online and donate the proceeds to local Pittsburgh organizations, like Planned Parenthood, as well as political candidates who support reproductive rights. With the help of LocalGood, an online platform designed to help artists fundraise for charities, Krieger set an initial goal of raising $500. Just 10 days into her campaign, she surpassed that goal, with her creations “flying off the shelf.”

Desiree Vuocolo, the founder of The LocalGood, says that Krieger’s project epitomizes the platform’s mission. “When Karen brought this to me, I got so excited. This is exactly what the platform was intended to do—help artists sell their work while supporting the causes they care about.”

Krieger was initially uncertain about selling online. She admits she is not a “digital native,” and the logistics of listing and promoting pieces felt daunting. “I don’t have a great track record for selling online,” she laughs. But with some help and determination, she got the hang of it. She now posts a new piece daily on her Instagram and Facebook pages, connecting the posts to her LocalGood store. And despite her initial apprehension, Krieger has found joy in this unexpected journey. “It’s been fun! I’ve been surprised and thrilled with the response,” she says, adding that she’s considering setting a “stretch goal” as demand for her work grows.

The success of the campaign has made Krieger think long-term. “Now that I’ve had a little bit of success with it, I could do this next year with a different cause in mind,” she muses. But for now, Krieger remains committed to raising as much as she can for reproductive rights. Each piece she sells moves her closer to that goal.

The process hasn’t been without its challenges, though. As any artist knows, pricing work can be difficult, especially when marking it down for a cause. “The hardest thing to get over is the idea of marking work down. Does that devalue it? But I’ve shifted my mindset,” she reflects. “What’s valuable to me right now is being able to support causes I care about.”

Krieger hopes that her efforts will inspire other artists. “If anyone needs help figuring out how to do this, they should feel comfortable reaching out to me. I’m happy to walk people through it,” she offers. Her dedication to both her craft and her cause is evident. “It’s been a while since I’ve been this busy,” she admits. “And I love it. Every day, I pack up boxes, head to the post office, and then figure out who I can send money to next.”

As Krieger’s campaign rolls on, she looks forward to the rest of the month with anticipation. “I have 20 days left, and I’m excited to see what happens.” Whatever the outcome, one thing is clear: Karen Krieger’s quiet revolution, built one delicate piece of jewelry at a time, is making a difference. And for her, that’s the real value.

Support Karen Krieger’s Campaign

To view Karen’s work or make a purchase, visit her page at https://local-good.com/artist/karen-krieger-studio/