Buy Handmade? Or Ask For Handmade?

There is a big push among crafty types to buy presents handmade, either DIY or from another crafter. I think for the most part this is a great thing. It keeps money out of the hands of big business and supports someone in your community. But what about people who don’t want handmade things? They want brand names, DVDs or gift cards. I mentioned in my last post that I was unable to keep to my goal to buy handmade/or diy, and this was a big reason why. People didn’t want handmade things.

So when I was forced to let people give me gifts for my wedding, I decided to change my perspective. I didn’t want them to spend mush, so I ended up asking everyone to make us something. We got awesome stuff! It was such a good idea. A close friend learned to embroider so she could make us something beautiful. It meant a lot to both of us. Another friend made me stationary, and attached the originals so I could make copies. A very cool, very me gift.

So for next year, instead of committing to buying handmade I will commit to asking for handmade.

Keep Up the Imagination,

Melissa

Edited: December 21st, 2011

The Beast

I haven’t been doing so great on my promise to give only hand made gifts this year, but I did just finish a pretty large birthday present for my Step Dad, Larry.

Brian and I have been working on this painting of his truck for a few months now. It’s a bit late but it is finally done! A lot of work and long hours went into this but it was worth it to see how happy it made him.

Brian did some awesome detail on the skeleton:and the license plate:

The Beast is a bit of a nick name for the truck. It is 30 years old. Originally bought for only $800, and still manages to start up on cold winter days.

Not sure if I will be able to get around to anything else this big for presents this year. I guess I should start now if I want to at least be able to do Christmas handmade.

Edited: August 14th, 2011

Handmade Gift Update

The first handmade gift of the year is done and gifted! I made my Dad a scarf in Toronto Maple Leafs Blue. One down so many more to go. May/June are big months for gifts so I have a lot to work on. One that I am really excited about is a large painting for my step dad. He has been driving around in this old black truck for almost 20 years, the truck itself is older than that but he redid a lot of it. It’s loud and the radio doesn’t always work but he loves it.

For his Birthday in July I am going to try to make him a large painting of the front of the truck with a skeleton behind the wheel. The skeleton will probably be Brian’s contribution to the gift. I have no idea how to draw trucks or cars, they aren’t cute little monsters! But I love that this will be a great gift and it will be a challenge to my skills. I’ll be updating with practice drawings and progress, he isn’t an Internet user so I’m lucky to be able to post about this one as I go.

Edited: March 28th, 2011

A Handmade Year

It’s been awhile since either of us have updated, I wish we had exciting reasons like art shows and massive craft success but that isn’t entirely true. Regular boring day to day things have kind of taken over from blogging. However, no more of that, I hope!

I have a bit of a challenge I am going to try and complete this year. It’s kind of a resolution of sorts. Every year, usually in November, I start thinking how cool it would be to have a handmade Christmas. At this point it’s a little late to pull out the craft supplies and make all those gifts. So this year, I’m starting way early! I’m also expanding my dream, not just a handmade Christmas but a handmade year. Here are my rules:

• All birthday and holiday gifts (mothers day, fathers day, Christmas) will be handmade
• Gifts can be bought from other crafters, but only if I am running out of time to make something
• All wrapping paper, tags, and packaging will be handmade, or again bought from other crafters.
• The exception to this may be for non-family and non-close friends, such as colleagues or acquaintances, (I have a nice box of re-giftables for these types)

This is a pretty loafty goal, but I’m aiming high and hopefully it can be done!

The other massive craft project this year is our wedding! We plan on doing the decor, invites, food….everything ourselves, with help from family and friends. A pretty big DIY undertaking. I’ll be posting pictures and ideas as we go.

I’m working on two presents now. One for February and one for July. I can’t post pictures of gifts until after these birthdays have passed but I will try to keep you updated as the year goes.

Edited: January 17th, 2011