Many schools and non-profit organizations have an annual auction fundraiser. As part of the auction, the children participate by creating an item to be donated to the fundraiser and sold to raise money for their school. SMASHING TIMES® has helped implement many auction projects, and the results have been fabulous! All ages are appropriate. Even the littlest tiny tots can participate in some way. The key to success is planning and beginning the projects early.

The first point to be decided upon is the budget. Some schools ask parents to give a small amount of money per child to offset the cost. At other schools, one or two parents may underwrite the entire cost.

Next, a project needs to be chosen. There are endless options. For example, birdbaths, bulletin boards, mirrors, tables, outdoor benches, vases, trays, stepping stones, etc. A design or theme is sometimes used, like the school logo, "under the sea" or "things that fly".

Then materials will be selected. Besides the mosaic materials that SMASHING TIMES® regularly offers like broken glass, china and tile, children often paint their own tiles for auction projects (which we glaze and fire) for a personal touch. As well, children can be asked to bring a colorful plate or dish which we will break and tumble. These collections of shards make great mosaic material, and the children have fun recognizing their own contribution when the project is complete. Sometimes children are asked to bring a bit of memorabilia, like a lucky penny, a seashell or a shiny pebble to include in the project.

When these initial decisions have been made, SMASHING TIMES® will send all required supplies with instructions to the school where the parents in charge of the project (and sometimes teachers) oversee the children's participation. We have found that this is the most effective way to have all children take part in a project. Parents are welcome to come back to SMASHING TIMES® to complete projects or for general guidance.

Parents may grout projects at home or SMASHING TIMES® will grout for an additional fee. Other final touches like painting frame edges, mirror and wire installation, grout sealer application for outdoor items, etc. can be done by parents or by SMASHING TIMES®.