i've written this post for all people who make & create personalised items to be intended as gifts:
.... you will relate to me on this today i am sure!
if you are someone in my life to whom i have given a handmade gift there is no need to be offended by these comments ... be complimented that i love you to give you something that i have spent time making just for you!!
i have made many many gifts for people over the years
in fact i have a secret hope that on the day they all celebrate my life after i'm gone i hope
that they all bring along the things i've made
& painted & sewn & pottered & designed & taught & crocheted & printed & framed & photographed & knitted & quilted & any combination of the above ... & loved making...
yes i have loved the creative process in every piece ...
i hope i'll be able to look down (?) & observe!! ...
(sorry not meaning to sound sombre but its the only time i can think that it would happen
i'm really not narcissistic!!)
i'm not sure however in the 'receiving' of gifts ...
if some of the 'intended recipients' have really understood what's involved
in making a handmade personalised gift!!??
you see it needs to thought of as a gift in the first place ...
then all options considered ...
then an item & design & pattern chosen to be 'perfect' for the intended ...
then the correct materials chosen & gathered ...
tools gathered & accessible ...
then the making ...
hands & heart at work ...
and the finishing ...
then it doesn't quite stop there :::
the maker holds their breath until a said 'look' of some sort of 'joy' is seen in the eyes of the 'intended' ...
its quite involved & the response by the 'intended' should be in line with their personality & be genuine & hopefully positive .... only thing is ... that many people don't quite get this as perhaps they have never really been involved themselves in hand made
& so i have learnt not to struggle with the seaming personal non-reaction but in some cases to simply not go back again to be wounded once more ...
... the making is so personal that to feel that its not been understood as a gift from the heart & perhaps seen as a cost saver (!!!!!?) is heart wrenching
... j'adore heartfelt handmade gifts ... in fact i was spoilt rotten recently with some ....
this is a gorgeous purse / pouch made by the very talented Karen from And so, I sew ...
whom i have been getting to know & adore ... in person!
Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou Karen
i love this gift because i know she knows i love handmade & all my personal reasoning behind the why ... as well as they just simply make nicer gifts ... i love it because she has picked a favourite hue of greens ... & i'm not sure she quite knew at the time but i adore that fabric line too ...
i love it also because it was specially made just for me!
as for intended use ... its now home to my growing collection of crochet hooks ... so i can take it places & others can admire & comment!!
again green ... noticing a theme here?
people must know me huh!!
this one was made by one of my SIL's
she's rather clever with a crochet hook ...
these covered coins are USA currency all adding up to 40 cents in total ...
... a quarter & 2 nickels & 5 cents
appropriate & i love it
anyway when it comes down to it ... i love giving handmade ...
5 comments:
those puppets are soooooo cute!! love your words too. i think regardless of the reaction the giver gives, human beahviour will always ensure they think of the giver. whether that item is used,played,cuddled,washed,displayed or dragged out of the cupboard when moving house!!
I GET IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Enjoy Christmas. xxx Sam
You are most welcome! Heart and hands at work sums it up for me, and I love that you love that fabric line - the colours are very you - it's one of my favourites too.
The thought that someone might think you give handmade as a 'cheap' option is a bit heartbreaking isn't it - as it takes far longer to make most gifts than to choose something off a shelf.
I love the necklace and the notion behind it - and the puppets!! Aaaah so cute.
You are most welcome! Heart and hands at work sums it up for me, and I love that you love that fabric line - the colours are very you - it's one of my favourites too.
The thought that someone might think you give handmade as a 'cheap' option is a bit heartbreaking isn't it - as it takes far longer to make most gifts than to choose something off a shelf.
I love the necklace and the notion behind it - and the puppets!! Aaaah so cute.
I love giving and receiving .... mostly I've always had good reactions because the people I've given to are close friends who appreciate what I've done and know the work that goes into it. I appreciate hand made for that very reason ... I know how much work has gone into making it. I love the purse that is so pretty.
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