Chris Campbell Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 I am interested to know who gives their own work as gifts? I seldom give mine ... for many illogical reasons ... so I wonder how they are given and received. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler Miller Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 I do, but I feel weird about it, like a guy working in a chocolate factory give out boxes of chocolates, or a car salesman giving out branded hats and tees. I know this isn't how others perceive my gifts, it's my own insecurity that makes me feel that way. I should probably change that--irrational hangups don't do anyone any good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhPotter Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 Everyone who has gotten my pottery this Christmas has presented me with a bunch of OOOHs and AAAHs. Not many "crafty/ artsy" people around here. I have no problem giving my stuff for presents. I do try to find out their predominant color in the kitchen, den, or wherever then try to match up when glazing their piece. This is the first year for me to produce anything - perhaps future years will be different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benzine Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 I do constantly. My older sister, always wants wares as gifts. I usually give a gift card to her as well. Because obviously it took work on my part, but nothing too much. This year, Inmade cookie jars, for each of my wife and my parents, and siblings. I had quite a bit of time into them total. As I mentioned in another topic, Ina,so made a tea set, for my daughter for Christmas. The wood storage box took most of the time. And every year, I make a mug for the students, who invite me to their Graduation party. They love receiving something they can use, and that I made. I have students, from years ago, that have told me, they still regularly use their's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen B Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 Yes, but only the best pieces. I couldn't bear to go to their house and see an imperfection glaring at me. The best thing is when I go to a far-away friends house after several years, and they point out something I made. Usually I forgot I made it and enjoy the momentary objectivity of seeing the piece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMCook52 Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 This is the first year that I have had enough nerve to give my work as gifts. My daughter-in-laws have asked every year for the last three years for casseroles - this was the year!!! My skill is still evolving so I hope the girls will like them. I guess what really changed my mind was when one of my daughter-in-laws had taken some of my rejects from the shop and had them on her kitchen table - I nearly had a heart attack!! Anyway, I hope all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callie Beller Diesel Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 I actually had several relatives buy things from me for other relatives this year, and I gave my sister a bowl she'd had her eye on. The purchases were all beer steins, mugs and serving bowls. I don't *think* I'll be scared to see it at the dinner table later. I figure if I sell it to the public, I shouldn't shut out my Fam. I have given pots in years past, and I gave the best I had to offer. It might look dated now, but when I see it in use, I'm not sad to see it at all, because it's a bit like a time capsule. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bciskepottery Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 Giving your own work is not unlike going back in time to when all/most gifts were hand-made (okay, waaaay back). And, if you are comfortable giving a piece, then go ahead. You know, that old "It's the thought that counts" line. If you are not comfortable, then don't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 When we were starting out, I gave paintings and pots for Christmas to family. They seemed to love them, and they always had them hanging around their homes most of them are still in use. I did feel bad about giving my pieces as gifts worrying they were not good enough to give to those I cared for so. As we became more well off, I stopped doing it, buying gifts. Then in the last few years, I have returned to giving pots as gifts, they love them, and look forward to the gift exchange. I have three sisters, and my Dad's wife, that I make all the same, teapots one year, batter bowls another, mixing bowls etc. I usually give the single men/boys something in the way of mugs or ice buckets or such-again my pottery. I don't know, but I think a lot of the younger folks appreciate gifts that come from a piece of the other person. Pots are part of me, and a natural gift that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cavy Fire Studios Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 I ONLY give my work as gifts. My guinea butt is BROKE, haha! Saves me my pennies to use supplies I already have a surplus of. :3 Besides, everyone I give my art to as a gift loves it and chomps at the bit for more, hehe! I'm a lucky rodent that way... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 I give my work sometimes for very special occasions..like a wedding. Sometimes I will make something special for a friend that I know will appreciate the thought behind the special gift. But mostly I don't. Marcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 It rare these days but I did for a nieces wedding and a nephew as well. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeU Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 I've always given my art (paintings/photography/ceramics) as gifts for the special people in my life. Makes them feel good, makes me feel good. I am selective about which pieces go to which people, so there is the highest probability of a good match. And usually I give it just once, or spaced way apart--not an annual repeat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firenflux Posted December 25, 2014 Report Share Posted December 25, 2014 I make cups, ornaments or other baubles for my employees every year (at my "real job"). I also give my work in whatever white elephant type gift exchange we're doing. Sometimes alone, and sometimes coupled with other things. This year we got one of those nice alcohol gift sets and I'm including a shot glass I made as part of the set for the family exchange. Most of my friends and family are more than willing to buy stuff from me, but I feel better giving it to them as a present. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSC Posted December 25, 2014 Report Share Posted December 25, 2014 I give my work to those i know will enjoy it. My brothers and their wives like pottery and are getting vases this year...last year it was bowls, year before ornaments. My sis got sent some snowflake shaped trinket plates to decorate her table. They seem to like them, my one sis in law makes sure they are signed as she is in hopes I'll be famous one day lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusty Posted December 25, 2014 Report Share Posted December 25, 2014 we give it to those who like pottery, we actually asked the ones we were not 100% sure about. Our family knows were artsy and love creating, we have small paintings in most of their homes and here comes the pots..we actually have 2 big orders from family rite now and a small half dozen mug order.. I hate to charge family as they have helped me so much over the years but they insist to pay.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChenowethArts Posted December 25, 2014 Report Share Posted December 25, 2014 If the adults in my family didn't get a mug for Christmas, they would probably think something is wrong. My lovely and gifted wife takes the mugs an combines them with coffee/hot chocolate and other goodies and makes a special package for each person. It is a tradition that I think might turn weird if I/we switched to something like a bowl...maybe we should ask -Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Bridge Pottery Posted December 26, 2014 Report Share Posted December 26, 2014 I had to stop giving my work to family as after three years I decided they probably had enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babs Posted December 26, 2014 Report Share Posted December 26, 2014 I don't ,do give thro the year to Daughter as she gives great hints,son doesn't return stuff given inpots, platers or casseroles so think he keeps what he needs... Christmas, like Chris, I have some strange thoughts, insecurities??? and with some, haven't seen the houses they live in.I'd be perfectly happy with the recipients,if there were any, passing them on,bake fo folks instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammule Posted December 26, 2014 Report Share Posted December 26, 2014 I still give a select few some work. One of which is my father who is a rough and tumble mechanic who lives a very simple meager life, BUT has always had a fascination with fruit juicers. This one nicety juxtaposed against the grease stained knuckles has always intrigued me. I make him one every year. His matter of factness about my first attempt years ago was refreshing. My journey of clay has weirdly allowed us to get closer. (He made me my first wheel, without ever seeing one before. His way of saying "I approve son".) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denice Posted December 26, 2014 Report Share Posted December 26, 2014 I think I have a couple of times, the only one I can remember giving is a small sculpture to my sister in-law, it just seemed like it was something she would like. I found out last year that she throws or gives away any presents I have given her over the last 40 years. ( I have never really liked her) Denice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chantay Posted December 26, 2014 Report Share Posted December 26, 2014 I only give things to my siblings and best friend. My best friend likes to come over when I open the kiln and pick though all the seconds before they get to the trash can. My family cracks me up. When visiting my brother I looked around for the mugs I had sent. He had it put away with the 'good' dishes. I asked, what the h....? He didn't want to risk breaking it. I haven't had time yet, but I plan to send him a set of four soon. No need to worry about breakage. My sister gave me a bowl this past summer. It was from 24 years ago and my first foray into clay. I don't have any others from that time, it was nice to have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugaboo Posted December 26, 2014 Report Share Posted December 26, 2014 I have given things I have made as gifts for years. In my family, which was very large growing up, some had a lot less money than others so the rule was everybody pulled a name out of a stocking at the family event in July and that is the person you handmade something for. It didn't matter what you made knitting, quilting, painting, dolls, clothes, pottery, jewelry, etc you just had to make it yourself. As an artist I have had friends request a certain piece for Christmas. I have given small items like a tin of cookies and a small ornament or something to my mailman, garbage man, delivery people, etc. For the first time this year I did up a gift certificate for my daughter for a shopping spree in the Pugaboo Stockroom. She's grown now and I wasn't sure what exactly she would want or need so doing this she gets to pick whatever it is that she wants. She browsed the shelves today and let me know she would make her choices tomorrow. I will keep track of what she selects and next year make pieces to compliment whatever she picks this year to add to her set. Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtRoads Posted December 26, 2014 Report Share Posted December 26, 2014 I have gifted a lot of my pieces to family members. And they really seem to appreciate it. My family has always been my biggest supporters in any business I've owned. And they especially support the pottery business. They all like to entertain and carry dishes to lots of church and other club and professional association meetings. And these dishes are always presented in my pottery. Almost every week someone comments on seeing my pieces at some event or the home of a family member. My nieces host quite a bit at their homes and I've helped them plan tables, using mostly my pottery. I give them one or two larger pieces every year. And a couple of smaller pieces too. My family buys a lot of my pottery for gifts too. In fact it's the only wedding gift they give now. Surprisingly they are still requesting more personal gifts too. Example my aunt will order a certain piece for her daughters and tries to pay full price for it. Surprisingly they haven't gotten enough of it. I make these small dessert bowls that are fabulous for serving homemade ice cream, bread pudding, banana pudding, cobblers, etc. My aunt and three nieces said they would love to have about 50 of them. I give them quite a few along and they buy some as well. Give to each other as small gifts. And I've started collections for their children. I know my work isn't that special, compared to a lot of potters on this board, but my family thinks it is and want pieces passed down. If something ever happens to me, the terms of my will state that the studio will be locked immediately and all pieces divided among the family. My work is regarded as a family heirloom, whether or not it has value. My family has lots of passed down items. Glad to know my pottery will be added to that group. One of the reasons I keep gifting them pottery. You know it's not my pottery that is special .... it's my family. Explains why they appreciate it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Bridge Pottery Posted December 26, 2014 Report Share Posted December 26, 2014 When you make it yourself it never feels as complicated or special as it really is. I am always forgetting this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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