AAOTE is Aspiring Artists of the Earth, a woman-owned, mission-based, small business. In 2004 I melded my entrepreneurial tenacity with my creative spirit to offer handmade unique gifts, decor, and jewelry at reasonable prices. AAOTE began wholesaling our curated collections in the first year of business.
Being born in Bucks County, with its rich history in the arts and appreciation of creativity, and comprehensive roots in community service, I grew up knowing that we must give back as we grow. I'm grateful through years business we've been able to donate over $25,000 to non-profit organizations and community leaders working to heal our society and environments.
AAOTE operates out of my family's old hosiery mill located along route 313 in Dublin, Pennsylvania. Our roof isn't the original roof but it's still at a point where if we don't address things now, it'll be so much more costly to do so later.
We need a new roof on a large section, and to repair other large sections of our building. It's been a real tough few years for reasons outside of the obvious inflation but community has been consistent in providing continued support of our offerings. However, there are no excess finances to cover this huge expense and insurance will not cover it.
The initial goal was to subcontract all of the work however thanks to some awesome friends we're going to take on applying the coating to flat roofs. This creates a HUGE savings and now leaves just the new large sections of shingles on the docket for the pros.
Financing has been secured for this huge invoice and the new roof is being installed week of April 10th! Hallelujah! However, We'll be chipping away at debt for some time so I'm keeping this fundraiser open. The uplift you offer in-support of this creative work that lives to uplift is something I'll be forever grateful.
Achieving this new fundraiser goal allows us to pay for the fully licensed and insured contracting firm to replace the huge portions of shingle roof with new shingle, and replace any plywood, preserving AAOTE's mission-driven business, and allowing us to expand on our community activities like jewelry making classes, parties and team builds, as well as a space for artists to offer their work for sale, for many years to come.
In addition to this building housing AAOTE's home base and jewelry production studios. It's home to AAOTE Gallery and Bead Vault where we offer a USA-made gift shop, and host jewelry making classes, parties, and team builds. We also offer flameworking opportunities in the glass shop. We added the Bead Vault side of the shop in March 2024 and folks have been loving a local, independently owned bead shop being open in the area. It's a fabulous opportunity to be a source of inspiration for our community.
I founded AAOTE to create for a living to share my heart and soul into the gifts we exchange with our loved ones, as well as to embrace and showcase the work of my fellow creative ones. In our mass-produced world, it's special to find something truly unique, beautiful, well-made, and reasonably priced. I love when my customers resonate with the good vibes I infuse into the work. Thanks to the support of so many, AAOTE is in its 21st year of business!
If any donors of $50 or more would like, donate listing your name, email (info@aaote.com) me your name and mailing address and I'll ship you a goodie bag full of jewelry, accessories, and small gifts equaling the value of your donation. You can even re-gift the goodies to a charity raffle or auction to amplify your donation's positive impacts.
Thank you for considering donating to help AAOTE preserve history by repairing the roofs on our 1940's hosiery mill, allowing it to continue to be a hub of creative inspiration in our community. Learn more of what we do: aaote.com
