Today I am announcing a new feature: the Regretsy Featured Seller Award! Why should Etsy be the only place where everybody gets a trophy?

The first Regretsy Featured Seller Award goes to Etsy seller Myjewelryrewards, for outstanding achievement in store photography. There really is almost too much to choose from, but here are some of my favorites.

Make sure you also add the button to your Etsy store.

Congratulations!

The April’s Army charity shop on Etsy is open once again and ready for business!

April’s Army is one of the largest teams on Etsy, and is comprised entirely of Regretsy members.

During the last week of each month, participating sellers set aside at least one handmade item to benefit a needy Etsy seller we’ve chosen. ALL profits go directly to the person in need.

Last month was our third sale. The team raised a record $7,160.00 to help an Etsy seller pay off debt accumulated during her late father’s long battle with cancer.

This month, we’re raising money to benefit Etsy seller Mary Thomas:

“My husband and I live in a very rural area, where jobs are few and far between. He is a construction worker, and can go for months without steady work. Fortunately, I had a pretty good job, and we were making ends meet.”

“Then in October of last year, I was suddenly laid off. The two of us immediately started looking for any kind of work, and within 6 months had put in over 100 job applications. In April, my husband got a temp job, and we hoped we were back on track again.”

“Instead, he wound up in the ER with a stress fracture in his foot. Because he was a temp, there were no benefits and no job security. He lost the job, and there was nothing we could do.”

“He has now broken his foot again, and are looking at surgery and well over $1,000 in ER expenses. Now we are facing eviction, and even had our utilities shut off. We have exhausted our financial resources. ”

“Sales in my Etsy shop have been our only income since mid-May. It seems that no matter what we do, we can not get back on our feet.”

Mary’s situation is pretty dire. But here’s what makes it especially poignant: April’s Army was her idea.

Mary came up up with the idea of this team, and within a few days had rallied hundreds of sellers. Now there are over 1,000. Every penny we have raised in the last three months is because of her. Even as her life became more and more difficult to manage, she has served as the captain of this team, tirelessly working to help others.

I’ve come to know a lot of the people on this team, and many of them are in difficult circumstances. It’s very hard to make a living as a crafter, particularly when you’re competing with resellers and having to fight for the small amount of exposure Etsy offers its customers. But the people on this team come back every month and donate their handmade pieces to benefit people even less fortunate. And every month, Mary comes back to lead them.

So this month, we’re going to help Mary, because she’s earned it. And because we need her to keep being our captain, and making things better for other people who need our help.

There are three ways you can help this effort.

1. Visit Mary’s Etsy store, and purchase something directly from her. She makes all kinds of wonderful soaps, jewelry and other fun things, and nothing is over $15.

2. Make a contribution via Mary’s web site.

3. Visit April’s Army on Etsy. Everything in the store this month was made and donated specifically to benefit Mary. A great group of talented sellers have given so much of themselves, and there are some incredible things for sale.

Even if you can’t afford to buy anything or don’t see something you want, please take a moment to visit these stores and show some love for these sellers. They have been unbelievably generous with their time and talent. And you can always share the link to the April’s Army Etsy store.

I’m now in the process of choosing a recipient for September’s effort. If you know an Etsy seller who needs help, let me know!

And click here to like April’s Army on Facebook, and get news, updates and sneak peeks of upcoming inventory!

Thanks to everyone for their kindness and support.

Click to find out . . .