Womens Shelter Jewelry Project Sponsored by Seattle Metals Guild

    On November 11th, Micki Lippe of the Seattle Metals Guild will host a sorting party in her home for the Women’s Shelter Project. Guests at this special party will spend several hours sorting through donated jewelry from around Puget Sound. These jewels will be sorted by type, by value, and by state of repair. Those jewels of high value will be set aside for the Women's Shelter Project public sale scheduled for next year. Those in need of repair will go home with jewelers who will donate their time to fix them. Most of the jewels, however, will be sent to local domestic violence shelters, as well as to the Dress for Success program.

Womens Shelter Project

The Womens Shelter Project sprang from Micki’s desire to use her time and talents to provide support to women in her community. “I’ve had friends who have been abused. This is something I’ve always had empathy for,” Micki told the Seattle Times. After more than 20 years doing this, Micki Lippe continues to find joy in giving back to her community through the Womens Shelter Project. At the shelters, a woman might receive a jewel on their birthday. Shelter staff may also help her children wrap a jewel to give her for Mother’s Day. Additionally, a woman may need a brooch or necklace to dress up her interview outfit. Certainly, many occasions arise in which jewelry makes the perfect gift, an unexpected luxury in a life otherwise marked by pain and difficulty. “This is the best recycling you could ever do,” Micki says. {source} In addition, the proceeds from the annual sale of antique, vintage, and other high-value jewels provide unrestricted grants for a few select programs. This year, the Women's Shelter Project sale raised $15,000 for several local shelters. Undoubtedly, the sorting days are busy and many hands make light work. However, Micki told me that what project really needs is more donations and more donation drop-off points.  

How to Donate Your Jewelry

Every woman's jewelry box holds untouched jewels in its dark recesses. Perhaps her heirloom jewels hide there in the dark. Those should stay put. However, what about those earrings her former mother-in-law gave her? You know, the ones she forgot about and never thinks to wear any. Maybe they never fit her style. Or maybe they bring up painful memories. If you own jewels lingering in the back of your jewelry box, consider donating them to the project. Embarking upon its third decade, the Womens Shelter Project now provides donation sites around King and Kitsap Counties. The Project continually seeks donations and more places to set up donation drop off boxes. For more information about donating your jewels or providing a permanent drop off point in the Puget Sound area, reach out to Micki. Find her contact information on the Seattle Metals Guild website.