By Joanie Cradick

Some of you who are new to the organization may wonder what to donate to the annual conference for our silent auction. I was in the same spot once. I’d wondered where in the world people found such artistic treasures. Obviously, some had made theirs and I’d rue my talentless fingers and limited imagination. Other folks would bring items that were store bought and I wondered if they frequented exclusive shops to find such nifty items. The goal of the auction is to make money. It is the organization’s sole money-making activity. So, keeping that in mind, I realized it was important to bring items which would generate a flurry of bidding. To use a teenager’s vernacular, I noticed almost all of the “hot” items at the auction reflected nature or birds. Some items, such as bird feeders, rain gauges, thermometers and trail-monitoring aprons, were useful. Other items were decorative. Made of wood, metal, china, cloth and stained glass, they were painted, sculpted, carved or hand or machine-stitched. I didn’t think there was a hermit whittling bluebird items in a woodland retreat or a bluebird store nestled in some coastal resort, so I listened and asked where folks found such special items. The key, I learned, was to keep the auction item tucked into the forefront of one’s mind during the year. (You know, like that leftover donut dripping with chocolate frosting that tugs at you from its box on the counter until you eat it?) Some folks, I learned, spotted unique items on vacation - in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas or Hawaii. Others spied a surprisingly-gifted artisan and arranged for him or her to create a one-of-a-kind piece featuring a bluebird or another feathered friend. And still others adapted a skill or groomed a talent to create a prized item. For instance, Marty Van Ert adapted her embroidery machine to create lovely bluebirds on towels, shirts and hats. Connie Conover, our all-time chief bluebird box maker, is another who adapted his skills to create chalet-style birdhouses which have brought a hundred dollars - or more - apiece. And BAN past president Bill Seibert began carving, developing a longheld interest he’d harbored over the years. His walking sticks and spirit houses now incite bidding wars at our conferences and Christmas parties.

For some, finding the perfect item to donate is an art; for others, a game. If you’re at a loss, ask a board member for tips or visit a bird store to spur your imagination.