…a slight twist to my usual crafty antics, but a fun challenge!
A friend of mine is currently living overseas, and won’t be home until after Christmas. She contacted me with a view to getting something for both her sister and her mother.
Her sister’s gift was pretty straightforward. She wanted a photo album, something “a little bit chintsy, but antique chintsy rather than Cath Kidston.” This was a bit of a challenge actually, as it’s such a subjective thing! So we looked at different papers for the cover (all done online, you have to love the internet) and eventually one was chosen and the album was made. Here it is, antique chintsy covers, red coptic binding, with a gorgeous red lining to complement it.
I’m really pleased with this, as the flowers are red – the images of the paper on the website it was purchased from made it look very pink, so the red was a big relief!
The second commission was something a little bit different. Her mother had recently started taking art classes, so she wanted me to put together a package of sketching materials (“just basics, but nice basics”) together with a sketchbook.
I happened to have an artist’s box that I wasn’t going to use (brand new, but sadly unloved by me as I keep my bits and pieces all over the place in a very disorganised manner!). So I checked, and a re-bound Moleskin sketchbook fitted very nicely in the bottom compartment. So the finished kit comprises a one-of-a-kind sketchbook (made with a recycled Moleskin cover, revamped with a strip of gorgeous fuchsia leather along the spine), three Caran Dache pencils, two drawing pens, eight sheets of pastel paper (two each of four different colours), and two watercolour postcards. A nice yet simple mixture of materials and tools to play with, and a lovely box to keep them in:
I have to say that I really enjoyed putting this package together, and had a lovely time in the art shop today trying to decide which five pens/pencils I would put in the box (there’s so much choice, and I’m like a child in a sweetshop when I go into an art supply shop).
Of course, as these items will be sent directly to their recipients I’m also in charge of the gift wrapping and cards. The giftwrap I’ve chosen is a silver, white and black one with snowflakes on it. Pretty, festive, and elegant. The cards are handmade, although not by me, and I chose some snowflake cards from gooseberrymoon.
These will be wrapped up and then posted out next week so that they arrive in plenty of time for Christmas.
I am the one lucky enough to have such a talented friend!
With this being my first Christmas away from home I needed some special gifts, and I knew just where to turn.
Having something made bespoke is truly a joy and completely worry free even though all communication had to be done over the internet (don’t you just love the internet?!).
I was sent pictures at all stages of the process, and given regular updates as to the progress of the gifts. Even last minute changes of the mind were accommodated with grace and patience.
I am so delighted with the outcome, both items are as wonderful as I could have hoped them to be and I just know that the recipients will be delighted. The recipients of these gifts are special to me, and not only did I feel that was understood – I felt that they were special to the Gift Shed also, and so was I.
I couldn’t be happier.
Anna.
Beautifully crafted as usual.
Sheila.
I love both of these things. A custom-made art box is such a lovely idea.
Hello,
I am the recipient of the artsist box and I just wanted to say how much I adore the gift. It was so well put together, the pens and pencils are a dream to work with and the box is a lovely place to keep it all.
I love my sketchbook – it is beautifully crafted and I’m pleased that it is something uniquely re-used for me. I have already started planning a few larger pieces in it.
Thank you so much to my lovely daughter for arranging such a wonderful present for me, and also to you for putting it all together with love and attention.