This fundraising initiative began with my collection titled Fruiting Bodies, which is an homage to the queer community that I had the privilege of bringing with me from Miami, Florida to Baltimore, MD. In times of strife, this community has uplifted and tended to each other. This is a true testament to the ways in which queerness is a way to hold one-another with care. This collection and the items sold in relation to it will be a fundraiser for several non-profit organizations and mutual aid resources in South Florida, where there is much work that needs to be done to ensure safety and liberation to young queer people and communities.

I continued to explore queer futurity through my work as a micro-resident at The Steel Yard in Providence, RI. Through archival and community research, I have made several jewelry pieces inspired by my time within this community, and will selling them to fundraise for queer collaborators on this project and community organizations. Several other pieces of jewelry will be made in the future to give back to Black queer collectives in Baltimore, MD as well.

Over the past several years, legislation targeting the rights and safety of LGBTQ+ people have gotten increasingly aggressive. Queer people across the United States have become targets of bills that infringe on our very right to exist. Every time a piece of jewelry or a garment is purchased, 70% of the proceeds will be donated to an LGBTQ+ resource or program in South Florida. As a member of this beautiful community, I thank you for your purchase!

To acquire a piece of handmade jewelry, please send an email to sarahlleiva.studio@gmail.com with details of what you wish to purchase, as well as desired delivery methods.