Let the rest of the world worry about Thanksgiving and recipes for pumpkin banana bread. There are more serious issues at hand - like what you are going to make this year to give as holiday gifts.
But it’s barely November – why fuss about this topic now? Isn’t that what the month of December is all about?
Here is a Crafty Chica secret: If you wait, my dear, for Thanksgiving to pass before you decide to tackle a crafty shopping list, you will suffer. Why? Because all the best shades of paint, glitter and fabric will be lonnnng gone. The prettiest glass beads will be cleaned out and there will be nada of those handy silver 6mm jump rings you’ve come to depend upon. That’s because the die-hard d-i-yers will have already been there. Do you know some people began making their holiday cards in August?
Anyway, you must go now - before Thanksgiving - to purchase your supplies, while most of everyone else is distracted with cornucopia centerpieces. Not to mention, you'll need the extra weeks to work on finishing everything. Who wants to rush during December, there are cocoktail parties to attend!
Before we begin, we must acknowledge that giving handmade works of art is a tricky deal. It can be hit or miss. Not everyone will appreciate the hours, sweat, cuss words and tears you put into that sumptuous skinny scarf that you not only knitted with novelty yarn, but also embellished with hand stitched beadwork. For them, Target gift cards come in handy. Your one-of-a-kind creations not only consume a lot of your time, but also a lot of energy and enthusiasm. Don’t let that be wasted. Give to the grateful! I have a friend who made a beautiful item for his mom and found it months later at her house in the same box, still half wrapped. Heartbreaking!
So now that we got that down, let’s get organized. Sit down with a Quad Venti Mocha (OK, a cup of hot tea will do nicely as well), and a notepad. Create a gift list with three headings – first tier gifts (parents, spouse, kids, best friend), second tier (extended family, close friends) and third (hostess gifts, co-workers, etc). Now write down the names under the proper headings. Usually first tier gifts are specifically made to the person’s personality. Second and third, you can set up a little production plant in your home and adjust the colors to fit the recipients. My tip on first tier people on your list: Handmade items make wonderful starter gifts – they stretch out the climax to the opening of the main present! Plus, it’s just always fun to open multiple gifts.
Now that you have your list, come up with a list of projects to match. Think of things to make that are more clever than costly. Don’t overextend yourself. Take a simple idea and put your twist on it. Come up with three basic plans that can be tweaked to fit each person. Make that shopping list and spend pre-turkey day time collecting the supplies. Look for coupons in your local paper, as well as online ads, eBay, supply swaps, etc.
Don’t know where to start as far as ideas? Here are some of my favorites that fit well with anyone who is grateful for personalized handmade goodies.
1. Crafty kits with a finished sample. Who doesn’t like to have artsy playtime? Think of a fun kit idea – like a little rock and roll shrine kit that comes with a cigar box filled with nifty art supplies and pictures that the recipient can use to make the project. Or maybe:
- a knitting gift basket for your sister who has talked about wanting to learn for the past two years. You could put a gift card for lessons from a local store (or from you!), plus yarn, needles and a book or video.
- A set of terra cotta pots filled with bottles of paint, texture crème, pictures to decoupage on and so forth.
- A beading kit. Paint a jewelry box and fill it with beads, string, findings and charms. -
- A card making or altered book kit that comes with the basics.
Remember though, the impact for giving a kit type of gift is to include a finished version. That way the person will be able to use their kit once they see how wonderful yours came out.
2. Personal accessory holders. Knit, sew or glue together holders for portable music players, cell phones, pdas, notepads, checkbook, jewelry case and cosmetics. Hint: Mint tins make great ear bud holders. They also make a great mini sewing kit for the office, car or classroom.
3. Framed art sets. Buy a box of cool note cards in an ooo-la-la theme, and then some 5x7 frames (I HEART those inexpensive ones at IKEA). You’ll also need to pick up some of your favorite handmade or scrapbook paper. Cut the scrapbook paper to fit in the frame. Use a glue stick to affix the note card in the center of the piece of scrapbook paper. I personally like to sew the pieces together for a more textured look. Insert into the frame. Do this with three other frames, so you have a matching set of four. Wrap these up or tie them together with a fluffy ribbon to give as a set!
Hey, instead of note cards, you could even print power words from your computer and frame them – like “mighty, wonder, grace, passion”. Personally, I’m a little burnt out on “hope, faith, imagine, laugh” quips. There are zillions of juicy words to choose from. You could even put a weird word and then put the definition too. Or you could pick goofy slang words to conjure up smiles or words that describe the person you are giving it to. You get the idea!
4. Decorated journal set. Buy three blank journals in three different sizes. Embellish the front of them differently, but in a way that they are still coordinated. If you are up for it, paint some bic ballpoint pens with acrylics and varnish them (yes, I've done this before), and then add them in the gift set. Paint or decoupage a big papier-mâché box to hold them.
5. A “Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That” gift card pocket book. Make a mini book that has pages with pockets, so you can insert gift cards – like $5 from Starbucks, $5 from Michaels, $5 from Barnes & Noble, $5 from the movie theater, etc.
These ideas are just to get you thinking. The most important item on your agenda right now should be to score your supplies early before it’s too late.
What ideas do you have? Post them here so we can all share!
Kathy Cano Murillo is a syndicated craft columnist, author of five artsy creativity books and is a Latina artist from Phoenix, Arizona. You can see more of her work at http://www.CraftyChica.com.
Crafty Chica: A fresh perspective on Day of the Dead
Friday October 07th, 2005 04:24 AM
Honor the dead, appreciate the living By Kathy Cano Murillo, special for GetCrafty.com
October is the month of ghosts, pumpkins and thanks to Tim Burton, a very sexy Corpse Bride. It’s also the time of year when creative folks like us think about Dia de los Muertos. The mainstreamers shop for pumpkins and candy corn, while we count down the days for November 1 and 2nd so our deceased loved ones can return for a visit. We oooh and aaah over funny Mexican skeletons sculptures and buy our sugar skull molds. It’s a win-win situation! The spirits come home for a day, and we get to have a fabulous fiesta with the preparations.
For the past 15 years, I’ve massed produced skeletons in every way, shape, form and amount. My husband and I set up five to six installations around the city and pridefully wink at each other for our unique theme ideas. We answer questions, teach classes, make custom orders and sell our work at fiestas and art shows.
But this year, the vibe is different.
Last month I was taping some segments for a national craft TV show, and my episode was on Dia de los Muertos. I had three fun and perky projects ready to go, one of them a La Catrina cigar box shrine. (La Catrina is an iconic Jose Posada image from Day of the Dead, the lady in the Victorian hat)
The night before my taping I was in my Burbank hotel room, ironing my clothes for the morning, when I noticed the news. It was Day Two of the New Orleans disaster. The footage was horrifying. I remember being so exhausted from the energy I had put into prepping for the show, and then when I saw what these other people were dealing with, I couldn’t stop crying. I kept thinking how I had to go into the studio the next day and make a festive and colorful “La Catrina” box?
I did make it through the day thanks to the great show host and friendly staff, but in my gut, I felt so weird. Almost guilty. It was just such a touchy topic for me with all the tragedy going on. I can’t explain the feeling. Celebrating death as part of the cycle of life just didn’t feel cool at that moment.
The cincher? All of the projects and supplies I used for that Day of the Dead taping - I packed them in a box and left them at the studio to be shipped home.
That box never made it to my house.
Somehow, it got lost and no one can find it. I’m not asking for any Twilight Zone music here. I just think it is quite fitting and a sincere wake-up call from the universe for me to stop and appreciate what the true meaning of Dia de los Muertos is all about.
Even though I know all about the topic, sometimes I have to remind myself of it's core intent.
It’s not about thinking of a new and fantastic craft to make or throwing the hippest party. It’s simple. It’s just about giving love to those who have passed on, with or without fluffy skulls or pretty paper banners. It’s about remembering to offer love and affection to those who are still alive, so we won’t have any regrets later.
It’s about celebrating the cycle of life – before and after we pass on.
Sure the preachy-preachy stuff sounds great on paper, but actually taking the time to look someone in the eye and say “Thanks!” or “I hope you have a great day!” or even "I love you" – it’s so easy to take for granted!
My other reminder: Every Sunday morning at 6:30 a.m., I leave my house, fuzzy-eyed and grumpy to take my 87-year-old Nana to her three favorite destinations: church, breakfast at Denny’s and then three hours of grocery shopping. She has a squeaky walker and insists on choosing her own groceries, right down to the eggs in the carton (“I like the bright white ones!” she says). I swear, every Sunday morning at 6 a.m. I think of an excuse to back out. I’ve had some good ones and have even used a few of them. But as much as I hate to drag myself out of bed at that ungodly hour, at the end of the Nana adventure, I feel good. Because I know she feels good. I often have visions that one of these days she isn’t going to be here and I’ll be pissed at the times I cancelled.
So I decided to bend the rules this year. I’m making two shrines: one for the living, and one for the dead. They both will have shiny candles, twinkling lights, fresh flowers, beautiful images and sentimental thoughts for those who are dear to me. However, while the latter ofrenda will rest above my fireplace, the former one will stay put in my heart and mind so I can try my best be grateful the living. Not only with Nana, but also to the sweet co-worker who always asks me if I want anything from Starbucks, to my sister who takes my kids to the movies whenever she sees that my husband and I are swamped with art orders.
So this year when you are making calaca (skulls) crafts or assembling your altar – stop, take a deep breath and close your eyes. Remember that the roots of these rituals date back more than 3,000 years when the Aztecs lined the skulls up in rows and regarded them as trophies representing death and rebirth. It was serious bizniz...
It really does make everything clear and so much more meaningful. I know from first hand experience!
***
Kathy Cano Murillo is a book author and artist from Phoenix, Arizona. You can see more of her work at www.CraftyChica.com
Oh, to live the life of a bohemian artist. No clocks. No 9 to 5. No cable TV bills. Just a creativity carnival 24/7. Sweet, huh? It’s called living the artful life, and anyone can achieve it with the right frame of mind.
These days however, that kind of boho bliss is hard to come by if you need to pay rent, are addicted to shopping (art supplies!) or just like to keep the fridge stocked. Don’t feel bad. It takes some artists and designers years before they can achieve that level of freedom, and even then – yes, that 9 to 5 is there as well, except it comes in stressful random spurts when the electricity bill is due.
Basically we are all in the same sequin-encrusted situation: making the most of our time - making every action count, as well as appreciating the moments that fly by so fast. Take this as your wake up call to slow things down a bit and add that bohemian spirit into your days, without taking away from your chores.
If you are serious about giving up modern life, there are ways to succeed. For the past decade, my husband and I have made a living from selling art, writing, and performing music. We knew going in that our lives would consist of cozy quarters, used cars, mucho coupons and lots of hustling for gigs. There have been struggles, but overall, it’s worth it. Here are a few ideas I’ve learned that will help you live an artful life, even if you do have to "clock in" every day.
1. Saturate your space. Think of the places where you spend the most time – your desk at work, your computer center at home, a bedroom. How are these places decorated? Do you feel like you tolerate the environment, instead of enjoying it? Not good. Take a weekend to paint your walls in a cheery color or hang up saris or large pieces of fabric to cover the space. Take some of your favorite postcards or pictures and frame them or attach them to long pieces of string and hang them from your ceiling. If you are at work, paint a large piece of art paper that you can use to line the top of your desk. Glue jewels on your stapler. Surround yourself with objects that make you happy.
2. Come up with a personal mission statement. Ew, that sounds kind of corporate. It’s not really. This is just a short summary or sentence of the kind of person you want to be. No one should live day-to-day, just because they have to. Think about your goal here on Earth and put it into a saucy sentence. Use lots of glittery, bouncy words to make you sound like a great person to be around. Now stencil it on a canvas or wall, or use it on your letterhead or business cards. Put it someplace where you can see it every day. Soon that message will just ooze out of you so much that you’ll want to go paint or do something else creative.
3. Do something unexpected at least once a day. This will make life more interesting. It can be as small as ordering something different on the menu, using a weird art supply, using a new word or visiting a relative/friend out of the blue. Going outside of your routine will give you sense of spontaneity and will bring on fresh perspectives. You can think about how you felt at those times and use it in your artwork or writing.
4. Force yourself to be creative for at least five minutes a day. It’s harder than it sounds. It’s fine to be a couch potato now and then, but you know when you have that gut feeling of guilt when you know you can be making better use of your time? Listen to your gut. Turn off the TV, crank up the stereo so it filters all through your house and redecorate your living room, go paint a chair or glue rhinestones around the doorframe to your bedroom. If that’s too much, then jot in your journal or make a collage on a page. If you are stumped on an idea, go window-shopping. Not to spend money, but to get ideas of things to make. Challenge yourself to make your own version of something really cool in the store. Go to a thrift store and buy some cheap things that you can revamp.
5. Keep a crafty area set up at all times. You’ll be more likely to make things if you have a workstation set up and stocked.
6. Fill your house with your creations. This is a way to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Hang your paintings, put the pillows on the couch, etc. Invite your friends over for a mini-art show. In fact, have them bring some of their pieces as well!
7. Have a crafty potluck. Pick a theme, like “Frida”. Invite some friends over, have a dress code (eyebrows!) and tell them to bring supplies that they don’t use or want. Someone else will love them! Choose a project that fits with the theme for everyone to make using the potluck supplies. Hostess sets out basic tools, guests bring a dish of food and a favorite CD. Pop in the movie or soundtrack and have fun!
8. Visit a local artist studio. Call your local arts commission to see when there are open houses. Visiting another creative person’s home or studio will get your juices flowing. Ask the artist questions about their work and lifestyle. You can also check out farmers markets for artists or go to arts festivals. Heck, sign up to be in one!
9. Practice sketching or take lots of pictures. Even if it is stick people with smiley faces, try sketching what you see. Too chicken? Then take a camera with you at all times to capture kooky moments. When you get home, write funny captions to go with each one, or at least put them in a photo album. Better yet, decorate them with photo-coloring pens.
10. Use food as art. When you put your food on your plate, balance out the colors, slice up a bright fruit like a kiwi or mango and it them around the border. Always use your favorite dishes to eat off of and drink from the "good" glasses, don’t save them for company - you are worth it!
11. For one day, make a batch of small art items and give them out. Make little sliding shrines from matchboxes and glue in fortune cookie messages. How about marble magnets or lapel pins? Pass them out to whoever you encounter that day. It will be a nice surprise for them!
12. Pay it forward! Karma. It’s your choice. Do you have an absolute favorite pen or pair of lucky scissors? Let them go - give them to someone else to enjoy. Chances are, your new artful life will help you find a worthy replacement!
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Kathy Cano Murillo is a nationally syndicated craft columnist, artist, journalist and book author. See more of her work at CraftyChica.com or email her at Kathy@craftychica.com
