This year, I decided to let some of the artists and crafters that I admire most choose their favorite handmade picks for the Modish gift guide. I asked them each to choose three gifts that they'd like to give, and one that they'd like to receive for themselves.
What resulted was a wide range of gift ideas ranging from the practical to dreamland "if I had all the money in the world and could give any gift" territory, but it's fun to dream this time of year, to think of what gifts the people in your life might treasure the most... and it's fun to see how the individual styles and tastes of each artist I asked to participate shine through in their selections.
Now, on with the first round of the wonderful picks! These were selected by Erin Tyner, Wendy from Moop, Irena Sophia, Esther from Essimar, Ivey from Enso Jewelry, Jennifer from Swallowfield and Marianne S.
1: For my furry friends, I would select modern collars from Classic Hound like this mod red martingale collar.
2: For my friends who love painting, design, photography, architecture or all of the above I would choose prints from the very talented Leah Giberson including this Pool Side Divided diptych.
3: For the young at heart, my first stop would be the whimsical creations of Abby Glassenberg. Her penguin and egg soft sculpture is one of my favorites.
4: And for myself, I already have one of Freshie & Zero's beautiful lariat necklaces, but I wouldn't mind owning another!
1: For someone who likes an organized and interesting desk- Rvee by Paige Russell
2: For my friend who wishes he had a different job this jar of optimism buttons by Reed Seifer to keep things in perspective
3: For my husband, a Yokoo warmer. We live in New England, where it is mighty cold. I have a Yokoo warmer, it keeps me warm. If my boy also had one, then we would be
twinz (and also nerds).
4: What I would like to receive- this wool felt military jacket by Stewart Randolph. Maybe, if I ask really nice...they will make me one.
1: For my special boy who is an Anime buff, I am picking three prints; they are dirt cheap and I think they will look perfect as set - print 1, 2 & 3 by Monster Gallery
2: For my found sister in Barcelona, to find a way in her heart - Walking Home by A Rabbit Girl
3: For two little girls to become wise and beautiful - Horned Owl Pillow by Lolley Land
4: and for me, I would love to receive this completely romantic print from my sweetheart - Wounded in Love by One Tin Drum
1: This is a gift I would love to receive- Letterpress color study piece by Alex Fuller.
2: I would give this one out to my friends from the east and west coast, my fave poster from delicious design league.
3: This is a cool gift idea/concept by seed of servo, my fave shirt.
4: i also appreciate the good machinery's work- she is my friend from Italy.
1: This Ruffle Rump Dog Sweater by Hoverfly would be super for my sister in law's doggie. Yes, we give pet
presents, we're kind of crazy like that.
2: My
Mom's fairly nice but big-box cognac leather bag is probably giving
out, and this Betty Bag by Pursecution would be so awesome. I'd be borrowing it all the time if I still lived
at home, so it would keep giving.
3: My
husband and I have a thing about crows. We love watching them march
around the neighborhood lawns, the intelligent and mechanical way they
move. This Raven tie by Cyberoptix would do nicely.
4: I have hardwood floors, and we live in MN. Bottom line - no
amount of slippers/socks/footwarmer things are too many. I'm embracing my slide toward middle age in wanting these Tabi slippersocks for
Chanukah.
1: I love all of Amanda Blake's work, but I am especially tickled that she is offering wee custom portraits from your photograph. What a special gift.
2: I'm a huge fan of Maria Vettese's many talents, and especially like this small edition photograph and print collaboration she did with Camilla Engman . The city bear is my favorite. (I think my mom would love a membership to her Card Society, too.)
3: I was tripping around Etsy the other night and made a nice discovery - Lulubug Jewelry. I'm smitten in a big way with Sue Urquhart's designs, especially the work made of concrete, like this or this. I can think of several people who would adore one of her necklaces.
4: What would I like to get? I think Abigail Percy's sweet chestnut earrings are pretty perfect.
1: Handsewn and embroidered hedgehog from Apple and Eve for a little girl or boy or just a lovely person with big heart
2: A small artwork from Krisblues for a friend. I so love the little reminder this one has - "follow your heart" - we all need this in our daily life.
3: These earrings from Tani Nova Crochet for a female who appreciates uniqueness and has got soft spot for fiber
4: And if I get some hand spun yarn like this from Terra Bella Spun from santa, I'll be in 7th heaven :)
