Gift ideas

[Madge]

So, we create unique and quirky art by the bucket-load, but what do we do with it, apart from putting it into memory albums, making ATCs or perhaps making greeting cards?

With Christmas only 6 months away (I know - I'll slap myself) perhaps we should get organised and create some original gifts for family and friends.

I have two ideas so far....

1) Make boxed sets of note-cards - say 12 cards with 4 different designs, tied in pretty ribbon. A great way to spread our art around! Look now for inexpensive boxes in the sales and make the cards to fit - much easier than making cards then trying to find boxes.

2) For special people - how about creating a 2007 calendar? Print off 12 letter-size pages with your own artwork and a calendar template at the bottom. You could get it spiral-bound or devise your own binding - that would need looking into. If you create 3 designs per month, starting now, you'll have your pages ready well in time.

More suggestions welcomed!:)

[skyescrapz]

Brilliant ideas, Madge! I love both. I especially like the calendar one. Hmmmm... might have to consider that for my family folks. I'll put on my thinking cap and see what I can come up with for additional ideas in this category. Great thread!

[Vania16]

I'm hoping to make some jewelry for gifts this year - Fiddlette has some great faux soldered charms that I want to try and I did a 7 gypsies bracelet for myself last year that everyone in my family seems to want, so I'm on the hunt for more of those. Oh, and I did a t-shirt for my dad last year - I'm thinking of designing a couple to order from CafePress as a gifts.

[Madge]

Ooh Lisa, I need to know more about the 7gypsies bracelet please. :) xxx

[webchyck]

How 'bout creating a CD of wallpaper they could use for their computers? Our art should be seen, shouldn't! One would have to create properly sized images for computer monitors, but that would be a fun project! Love the other ideas so far!

[Vania16]

Here's a link to a photo of the one I made . . .

http://www.scrapartist.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=3739&cat=500&ppuser=90

It comes as a little kit with the links, clasp and clear plastic to cover the photos - you just put in your paper and photos and put everything together. I bought mine at the 7 gypsies store that used to be in Phoenix, but it's not there anymore. I know 2Peas used to sell them and I've seen them a few other places online, but I haven't looked for a while - you might just have to do a google search. They have ones that come with words already in them too, but I got the version they call naked so I could put my own designs in it.

[kygirl]

These are such great ideas. I love the notecard idea, and Lisa, that bracelet is gorgeous.

Refrigerator magnets make great little gifts and they're so easy -- mount art on chipboard, sand the edges, ink if you want, and add magnets to the back.

[akissling]

The slides are lots of fun and make great ornaments. I just added lots of ultrafine glitter!!! I have done the actual soldered kind and they are fun too! I love the combo of glass, paper, metal and glitter!
Donna, love the new name and avatar!
I also made family atcs for my Mom and Dad to pin up on a small memory board bought at homegoods.

[Madge]

What great ideas. This is like a focus group! Quirks rule. :)

Lisa, I love your bracelet. I feel the need now. :rolleyes:

[skyescrapz]

I just bought one of the 7 Gypsies bracelets at the Expo over the weekend to make for someone. I just thought it was the coolest. I can't wait to put it together!

[kygirl]

So excited about doing one the bracelets -- just bought one off E-Bay for $1.04 (I love bargains). They're available at 2 Peas for those who are looking.

[Nevermore]

For two years in a row I have done calendars. They have all been layouts of Max but they have generated a huge demand (last year I had to double my order). I get a local photocopy store to print them on neat paper and to spiral bind them. Costs me about $12 (Cdn) per and I got 40. I was thinking this year of maybe doing one of my quirk pieces but I can tell you I won't need 40 of those!!!!!!

[CathyRose]

Lots of great ideas! I love the notecard idea. I have a folder thingy that is good for gifting cards in, it eliminates the need for a box. Stamping up sells them, but I bet there is a free template somewhere. Also at the rubber stamp store they sell clear plastic boxes for embellished cards that would work very well for presentation too. I make paper cards all the time, I don't know why it didn't occur to me to design one and reproduce it!

[Kazadoodle]

Further to the fridge magnets - you can also use old CD's - make a mini LO and stick a magnet on the back -

Or, make an indoor windchime thing - string them together with crystal beads

That Bracelet looks cool - I have some dangle photo frames for a bracelet - Blue Moon sells them, along with other bead makers

[nicole hinrichs]

great ideas ladies,

here is a cost reducing suggestion on printing calenders.

I have my lo printed 10x15 cm at a photolab, take it to a copyshop, where I enlarge the picture to lettersize, the quality still shoul be good. glue them to cardstock. bind them as you want.

another gift idea, print a lo on iron on sheet and make a pillow out of it.
just an idea.:) nicole

[skyescrapz]

another gift idea, print a lo on iron on sheet and make a pillow out of it.
just an idea.:) nicole

Or you could iron it on a tote bag or tshirt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mishou]

Great ideas guys!!!

Last year I did the Cafe Press thing. Calendars, mugs, magnets, etc. But no way am I doing that again! I was completely satisfied with the products but it just cost too much. Being from Canada, I have the exchange rate to worry about but also the stupid border taxes, or whatever it is they charged me when I went to pick up my parcel at the post office. SO, this year I'm opening my own cafe in my living room called "Meesha Press". :D So keep the ideas coming, I need them!!

Also, on the calendar note, last year I bought this desktop calendar template thingie from Heather Ann Melzer. It's blank where the photo goes and just has the numbers for the days. They're tiny so that when you print them out they fit in a CD case. There's a way to flip the cover of the CD case backwards and it makes a little stand. Then you slip the calendar sheets in the slots that usually hold the CD pamphlet . . . know what I mean? LOL It's hard to explain. But it's super cool. Made a couple last year and they were huge hits. Really cheap too. You can fit at least 2 months on one 8x11 for printing and then all it takes is an empty CD case.

[lisacohen]

I also bought one of the 7gypsies bracelets after seeing Lisa's project (although mine was more than $1 - gotta check eBay next time - LOL!) and also the charms that Fiddlette used to make her charms but I haven't used them yet. I love making jewelry and haven't done it in a while so it will be so nice to be able to combine my love for digital arts with making wearable art. :-)

Lisa

[webchyck]

I purchased that same template from Heather Ann Designs and made a calendar for my MIL. You can see the pages here (http://webchyck.blogspot.com/2005/12/calendar-for-other-grandma.html), but they're not in the CD case, which really is cute once it's flipped back and displayed. MIL has hers out on an entry way table.