Attention all artists, knitters, crafters, tinkerers, and people who generally like to make stuff: how would you like to engage in your hobby while earning money for your favorite charity—as well as some prize money (in the form of a JoAnn gift card) for yourself?

JoAnn Fabric and Craft Stores are hosting a “Craft for a Cause Contest 2010” just with this idea in mind. With a very simple premise and an easy way to participate, the contest allows entrants to do what it is they do already—make stuff!—and enter in the contest at the same time.

Entering is really simple. Just make something you want to make and give it to the charity of your choice. It could be a basket for a soup kitchen, a sweater for an elderly care project, a blanket for an animal shelter—whatever you like. You have to use stuff you bought from a JoAnn store, and it has to be useful. So as much as your creative found art might inspire people living in a women’s shelter, you might be better off creating practical things that residents can use in their lives—such as clothing, blankets, pillows, etc.

Each time you give a donation, take a photo of it. Be creative, because this photo will be voted on by other participants and viewers in order to have you considered for the win! So take a photo of yourself giving the gift, of someone receiving it or wearing it, or of any other creative pose that you can think of.

After voting is over (voting will end December 4, 2010), the top five runners-up will each receive their own $1500 JoAnn Fabric and Craft Store gift cards. What better way to keep at your passion—and possibly spend on making even more donated items, too?

The contest runs August 15 through October 30, 2010, so you have plenty of time to enter—and tons of opportunities to boot. The holiday season—with toy drives, Thanksgiving baskets, and clothing drives—as well as school season are both here, and winter is just around the corner. What better ways are there to make some of your goodies and donate them to a worthy cause?

Entries are judged on creativity, usefulness, and quality—all in relation to the charity they are being donated to. Charities with the most donations will be eligible to win up to $50,000. The top three charities will be voted on at the store’s website to win.

Even teens can enter this worthwhile contest—the age limit is 14. For more information, visit the Craft for a Cause website.