And Many Moooorrrrreeeeee...
Birthday time!
It came…my birthday is in June and it has been a fun time celebrating another year around the sun with my many loved ones.
I am so thankful for another year of the good times, but I am even more grateful for all the creative struggles, exciting discoveries in the studio (even the accidental ones) and learning more by digging deeper within. With each passing year, I can see just a bit clearer that the hard parts need more attention paid to them and the will power to work through them can likely give a fantastic reward.
Gift giving for the visual artist in your life
Do you have a creative person in your life that is hard to buy a gift for? Maybe a crafter, painter, potter or artsy person? Sometimes gift buying can be a struggle to purchase for these folks because what do you get that person who sees things just a bit differently? Well, I thought it would be fun to write out some great gift giving ideas that I try to pull together for those artsy and creative people in my life. I hope this helps you settle in the next time gift buying for that special friend gets stressful.
When you go to a boutique, big box store, garage sales, wherever you find yourself shopping - look for the small things that could be a fun little something that you saw and thought of them. It is a great feeling when you hear the message “hey, I saw this and thought of you.” (Not all gifts need to large, in fact, I prefer giving small handheld things most).
Make something! Yep, we creative folks love handmade items. Even if “there is not a creative bone in your body”, you can create something (and I wholeheartedly disagree with that statement by the way- we are all creative, just in different ways).
What to make??
card
postcard
small canvas painting (keeping it abstract can be fun!)
ornament to hang (pre cut - just paint it)
painted flower pot
stretchy beaded bracelet with a phrase or inside joke between you
air dry clay - roll out and cookie cutter a small dish
melt crayons on a small canvas
key chain
decorate a picture frame
make a small book (zine) with a copy paper and a stapler and write in the pages stories or fun things about your friendship.
It really does not matter - it can be funny or sweet or silly and the point will be received. A special gift indeed is homemade.
Field trips to museums, specialty art stores or a unique place for lunch can be a fun way to celebrate your creative friends’ birthday. This is a fantastic idea and I enjoy these special times so much with my friends!
Art supplies!! Most likely your creative friend loves the fun small sketchbook, cool colorful pens and cute little coloring supplies. I always try to keep small cutesy art supplies around just for those fun little birthday gifts.
Get creative in your packaging! Wrap your gifts with unique paper or even create your own wrapping paper with whatever supplies you have on hand. Use saved ribbons, yarn or twine to wrap it and make the bow. Fun packaging is great eye candy!
A recent trip to a new place - I love beach combing and finding glorious treasures from the sea! ~Martha’s Vineyard, MA June 2022
Extra Extra!
Please enjoy this extra coloring page as a gift for you this month!
June 2022
This month’s coloring page of bookmarks and fun drawings for you to:
Print, color and cut out!
It has been a wonderful month filled with lots of different activities like my own children finishing middle school and graduating high school, some traveling with my family and seeing friends every chance I get. For my gift from my hubby this year - bags of clay! It was exactly what I wanted. As a high school art teacher, I have some time away from the classroom at the present to rejuvenate and part of that process for me in getting my hands deep into clay creating as many ideas as I have time for. I always over plan my summer, but it always seems to work out as it should.
No matter your birthday month, may you find time to celebrate yourself and what you get most excited about in this world!
Stay creative~
Hannah