rakukuku Posted December 7, 2015 Report Share Posted December 7, 2015 So how many of you give your work as Christmas gifts to your friends? I do occasionally but not a lot as I never know if its something they would really like or if its just another dust catcher. What do the rest of you do? rakuku Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PRankin Posted December 7, 2015 Report Share Posted December 7, 2015 I'll be giving my pottery to two friends that have admired and commented on it in the past because I know it will be appreciated. I'm in the process of making surprise gifts for my three grown children and I'm sure they will like them so don't tell them, its a surprise! Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeU Posted December 7, 2015 Report Share Posted December 7, 2015 I've made gifts of nearly every decent piece I've made over the last year or so, but that's not a ton of stuff. Each was matched, in my estimation, to the recipient's sensibilities, to the degree to which I thought I had a good shot at being in their ball park. I never gift anything that has any characteristics, whether a technical flaw or my own quirks, that I don't care for myself. So far so good! This holiday season I am making some unique personalized amulets for some friends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronfire Posted December 8, 2015 Report Share Posted December 8, 2015 Definitely as this is the first christmas we are involved with pottery. My sons are involved with medieval sword play and have emblems or crests so they are getting beer mugs with their emblem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benzine Posted December 8, 2015 Report Share Posted December 8, 2015 I've done so the last couple years. This year, I'm taking a break from it. I don't want to be expected to make new and different things every year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted December 8, 2015 Report Share Posted December 8, 2015 Those days are long gone. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJR Posted December 8, 2015 Report Share Posted December 8, 2015 I give small rimmed bowls with a candle as teacher gifts. I need about eight. Used to give pottery to the sisters, but both have moved away to Toronto. We don't exchange gifts any more. I would gladly give pieces as gifts if it were appreciated. I think it is. TJR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evelyne Schoenmann Posted December 8, 2015 Report Share Posted December 8, 2015 Not really, no. We don't exchange gifts any more among family. I gave my hand surgeon a Chawan because she asked me a lot of questions about them during surgery She loves it. Evelyne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denice Posted December 8, 2015 Report Share Posted December 8, 2015 I have only given a few pieces over the years, I did make a medieval chess set for my son when he was 8. I still have it and the original molds that I made for it, I keep them thinking it would be a good gift again. Denice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flowerdry Posted December 8, 2015 Report Share Posted December 8, 2015 Not consistently, but yes, I do. This year I'm giving a soup bowl with a quilted microwave bowl holder, also made by me. For those of you not familiar with the bowl holders, I make them out of 100% cotton materials so they don't melt in the microwave. You put the bowl plus the holder in the microwave, then you don't burn your fingers taking it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy Eberhardt Posted December 8, 2015 Report Share Posted December 8, 2015 I have a pair of those bowl holders you speak of, Flowerdry! They were a gift to me from my dear friend and partner in all crimes fabric. She's so much more clever with needle and thread than I am. For those who don't have any of these wonderful little bowl holders, find a fabric artist in your area and ask them about it. Then, BEG them to make you a few. You'll be glad you did! Worth their weight in gold if you do a lot of microwaving of soup, stew, hot oatmeal, or, whatever! As for gifting of my wares: That's just about all I do! Other than some little do-dads I make for myself, almost every piece I make is for a specific person. I'm not at that stage (and seriously doubt I shall ever be) where the things I make are worthy of actual money changing hands. I know that the pieces I do gift are much appreciated. Like my work in fabric, so much of my heart goes into each piece, because it is being made for a person I either love, admire, or hold in high regard. My entire focus during the creative process is on THAT person. As such, I know the person receiving it, will appreciate the effort. I wouldn't make a piece for someone I didn't know, or didn't like. The only time that money has changed hands for my work in pottery has been when I donated eight assorted bowls to our local Grange for their annual Harvest Dinner and benefit auction this past autumn. Much to my amazement, they fetched $25 each for the simple functional bowls and a whopping $75 and $85 for the two yarn bowls that I donated. Hmmmm......maybe I'm selling myself short here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted December 8, 2015 Report Share Posted December 8, 2015 Years ago, yes, then no as I determined that I could afford nice gifts. Now I have returned to giving many of my pieces. I give mugs to a local restaurant for the wait staff. I give nieces and sisters pieces that they might have mentioned over the year. I also give to friends mugs or bowls. All in all, I enjoy doing it, do not sell at shows, but do get returns in other ways. Life is good, giving of myself is one of the luxuries I enjoy. bst, Pres Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdobay Posted December 8, 2015 Report Share Posted December 8, 2015 Ha, I am one of those people who gets total agita over the whole giving and reciveing gifts.. Will they, wont they like it, should I, should I not? ugh just thinking about it is already stressing me out lol, but I did just gift one of my bird houses to my mother for Hanukah. Other then that, I just give it to them if they tell me they really like a piece Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph Fireborn Posted December 9, 2015 Report Share Posted December 9, 2015 I am planning on giving a lot of pots this Christmas, but I have been asked to make them. SO... we will see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clay Butterfly Posted December 9, 2015 Report Share Posted December 9, 2015 I'm making most on my Christmas list a present this year. Handmade presets are always welcomed! Who wouldn't want pottery for Christmas? I've got mugs lined up and I'm planning on making lace impression cheese boards with a selection of cheeses to go with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laughlin Posted December 11, 2015 Report Share Posted December 11, 2015 I'm surprised and interested that so many replying here don't give their work as gifts. May I ask why not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chilly Posted December 11, 2015 Report Share Posted December 11, 2015 If you worked in a different trade, would you give your "work" as gifts. Think barman, waiter, hairdresser, banker, police officer, traffic warden, teacher, welder, flower arranger, test engineer, factory worker. I guess that just because you make and like something you may not want to impose it on your family. At least not year on year on year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alabama Posted December 11, 2015 Report Share Posted December 11, 2015 I might not give my pottery as Christmas gifts anymore, but do give year round for various reasons. Some of those reasons to get out of a slump, to make a prototype, to test a new technique. I make primitive pottery for the local humane shelter annual auction. I try giving 12 pieces...one a month. I figure someone really has to like the stuff in the first place to make a bid!! See ya, Alabama Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc McMillan Posted December 11, 2015 Report Share Posted December 11, 2015 When we used to give gifts at family gatherings and did the whole steal thing, I would have been drawn and quartered if I didn't bring a piece. It was fun to watch the pot get "stolen" a few times and the ultimate happy victor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJR Posted December 11, 2015 Report Share Posted December 11, 2015 I'm surprised and interested that so many replying here don't give their work as gifts. May I ask why not? After a life time of making pots, it is difficult to give the same gift every year. Would you want a pair of UGG boots every year for 40 years? Although the relatives love my work, I always feel like they would want me to spend money on them. Unless they specifically make a request, I don't give pots any more. TJR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted December 12, 2015 Report Share Posted December 12, 2015 Funny TJR mentioned UGG boots I have given my family ugg boots for the past 40 years By now they never have to wonder what they may get only what color and will they fit as I never pay attention to size as I only buy the sale sizes I feel they can trade the sizes with each other I know they would like something else but UGG sums up my whole xmas feeling so I,m sticking to it. Maybe I,ll make a ceramic UGG boot holder for each next year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted December 12, 2015 Report Share Posted December 12, 2015 My husband is getting some new espresso cups. He loves them. Marcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rayaldridge Posted December 14, 2015 Report Share Posted December 14, 2015 For many years I made a special Christmas pot for my wife, marked with the date and some sappy sentiment. She still uses those pots frequently, and on the occasions when one broke it usually made her cry. As an example, one year i made her a porcelain teapot, and had our youngest son dip his hands in blue slip and apply them to the sides of the piece. I expect she'll want to keep it for a while. Right now I'm inflicting pottery gifts on anyone insufficiently wary, since I'm attempting to clear out a bunch of older works that are cluttering up the house. So far no one has seemed ungrateful, but they might just be trying to be nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bciskepottery Posted December 15, 2015 Report Share Posted December 15, 2015 After I ran out of family and friends to give my pottery to, I started selling it. Only way I could justify making more was to get rid of what I had already made. Whether giving away or selling, it makes room for new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benzine Posted December 15, 2015 Report Share Posted December 15, 2015 Funny TJR mention UGG boots I have given my family ugg boots for the past 40 years By now they never have to wonder what they may get only what color and will they fit as I never pay attention to size as I only buy the sale sizes I feel they can trade the sizes with each other I know they would like something else but UGG sums up my whole xmas feeling so I,m sticking to it. Maybe I,ll make a ceramic UGG boot holder for each next year Oh you.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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