The Art of Giving and Getting Art Gifts

Posted on 12/11/12 by Jen Urso » No Comments

When it comes to gift-giving, artists have never been like other people. It’s a hit to your pride to shop at Macy’s for a sweater when you could (should) be at home, crafting up that perfect one-of-a-kind gesture.

Christmas socks…a good gift, but…you could do better.

If you have an artist friend, it is likely you will be given something unique. This can have something to do with several factors: (1) occasional bouts of “poorness;” (2) an overactive sense of “do-it-yourself-ness;” and (3) the simple fact that artists have a lot of crap they’ve made that is currently taking up space in their house/studio/shed/rented storage space/parent’s house.

The following is a handy guide to artist gift-buying, and yes, receiving.

The Giving Artist

Here are a few things you might find cleverly gift-wrapped, “just for you:”

A Piece of Old Art. An obvious choice. For those who aren’t artists, it might (literally) shock you to find out how many things an artist has made in her lifetime: sets of prints; small drawings: little crafted wooden boxes (this also applies to architects): glass or metal lamps from that time she went through that phase where she made lamps; or a framed (failed) photograph of a generic thing that will look good above your kitchen sink. If you have an artist friend and haven’t yet received something like this, just wait.

Some gifts you might receive from artist Jen Urso

Handcrafted Utilitarian Object. I have, in the past, crocheted cup cozies and screen printed placemats. You may receive a lopsided ceramic bowl or a t-shirt imprinted with their “symbol.” This category could also include self-made objects like bookends, napkin rings, ashtrays, wind chimes, tote bags, clocks and anything made of felt. TIP: Remember to always have these objects out and put to good use next time your artist friend comes over.

Some honorary mentions include:

• Homemade food (When there are no more old artworks to give and your artist friend has run out of craft-making ideas, it’s always fun for her to pretend she’s a chef.)
• A plant
• A gift card to FilmBar
• A Phoenix Art Museum membership
• A Heard Museum membership
• A Desert Botanical Gardens membership
• A donation made in your name to Oxfam
• Booze (Case in point: I almost bought a bottle of Japanese whiskey because the packaging was so nice)

For the Artist who has…Not a Lot

Similarly, a little creative thinking can go a long way when buying for an artist friend. Here are a few gift ideas that will bring a bit of joy:

Booze. Not crappy booze but good booze: the kind that might cost more than $10 a bottle. I have never met an artist who doesn’t like to have a drink every now and then. Given the attention most artists give to subtlety and detail, they can be wowed with a gin that’s bubbled, not boiled; whiskey made in 1 gallon batches at a time; or just a well-designed bottle with a wax stamp and an interesting font. This tasteful booze will assist during the next period your artist friend is doubting her self worth and wondering why she labors over this stuff to begin with.

Health Insurance. An idea for those with extra cash. Most artists are self-employed or work part-time which means having to foot the bill for their own insurance. More often, it means going without while hoping the table saw doesn’t ricochet a piece of wood back into your head. While an artist may be morally conflicted by the generous gift of a cashmere sweater, she would greatly appreciate subsidized healthcare and affordable birth control.

Some runner-up options could include:

• A gift certificate for a massage
• A book on some obscure subject they once mentioned
• A gift card to a grocery store (Handy during those “poorness” bouts.)
• Scrap wood
• Decorative paper
• A gift card to their favorite (local) coffee shop
• A blank notebook
• A moss garden

Artist to artist

Artists giving gifts to each other is almost a perfect storm. Maybe one artist doesn’t believe in the rampant commercialism of the holidays so refuses to take part in giving something of monetary value. She will choose, instead, to enact an action on your behalf, carefully documenting it via video, an online slideshow or a series of drawings.

While the other artist may be covertly (not creepily) drafting impromptu sketches of her friend for the past week, which will be given in a well-decorated, sealed envelope.

Remember that shopping for or receiving gifts from an artist will always be slightly more interesting than the Chili’s gift card you might get from your boss or the Christmas socks you might get from your mother. Artists are maybe (likely?) working out some end-of-year issues with those projects that never quite got off the ground but which could be perfect if wrapped with a festive bow. I have resisted sewing, constructing or drawing anything for anyone this year but I have been eyeing up some mason jars and the possibility of canning my own food.

Bottom line: whether you’re an artist of a friend of one, it’s best to be prepared for anything.

Tags: art, artist gift guide, booze, Christmas, gifts
Posted in Arts, Arts & Culture, DPJ Blogs, Shopping |

Things are Open Christmas Eve!

Posted on 12/23/09 by Si Robins » 1 Comment

Are you gonna be Downtown on Christmas Eve? Well, not everything is boarded up. Hopefully you don’t have last-minute shopping to do. Hopefully you don’t even have any last-minute food to buy for your feast. But, if you’re a-slackin’, or if you’re just looking for something to do on your day off, you do have options.

The Heard Museum Shop (2301 N. Central Ave. in Midtown) is open until 3 p.m., and it’s full of unique American Indian art and gift ideas.

Bunky Boutique (812 N. 3rd St. in Evans Churchill), home to an array of clothes, jewelry and accessories, is open from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., and is a perfect stop for the fashionista in your life.

Made (922 N. 5th St. in Evans Churchill) will be open and dishing out its usual trinkets and artsy goodies for the home. It’s a perfect spot to stock up on stocking stuffers and presents for those people who are entirely too difficult to shop for.

Local Breeze will be serving brunch and lunch on Christmas Eve.

Across Roosevelt Street, Tammie Coe Cakes (610 E. Roosevelt St. in Evans Churchill) is open until 5 p.m., and can save you from arriving to your Christmas destination dessert-less. Though it’s far too late to order custom cakes, Tammie Coe still provides a good selection of ready-to-purchase (and awesomely delicious) sweets.

Hopefully you aren’t stuck cooking the holiday feast, but if you’re stocking up on grub last minute, the Urban Grocery and Wine Bar (14 E. Pierce St. in Evans Churchill) will be open from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., and it can provide you with fresh, local fare that’s sure to  be a hit at the dinner table.

Need a good thank-you gift to bring to the festivities? Lola Coffee‘s Roosevelt location (1001 N. 3rd Ave.) is open 7 a.m.-2 p.m., and its house-roasted espresso beans complement any meal nicely.

If you get hungry, Local Breeze (606 N. 4th Ave. in Roosevelt), just a few blocks from Lola, is open for brunch and lunch until 2:30 p.m.

And, if you need a beer after a hectic day of preparation, Lost Leaf (914 N. 5th St. in Evans Churchill) opens at 5 p.m., and it’s open on Christmas, too!

Know of more places Downtown that are open during the holidays? Comment and share!

Tags: Bunky Boutique, Christmas, Downtown Phoenix, Heard Museum, Local Breeze, Lola Coffee, MADE, Urban Grocery and Wine Bar
Posted in Bars, Coffee Shops, DPJ Blogs, Evans Churchill, Midtown, Restaurants, Roosevelt, Shopping |

Santa is ‘Swingin’ into Town on December 17

Posted on 12/15/09 by Yuri Artibise » No Comments

Tis the season for friends, family and fun (and a little shopping). Come and experience all these and more at Get-Your Phx-Mas, the swingingest Christmas event this side of Vegas! The event, part of the monthly Get Your PHX events, will be held on December 17 at Phoenix Metro Retro from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

This special holiday installment of Get Your PHX will feature catered food and drinks, plus live music from special guests Surfside IV, a local band that plays swingin’ surf guitar sounds, circa 1965. To help offset the costs of the food, drinks and band, guests are asked to bring a $5 or $10 donation.

The goal of Get Your PHX is to highlight and support those who pioneer new restaurants, stores, bars and event spaces in Central Phoenix. Organizer Ken Clark wants to provide a boost to business owners who “put their sweat, tears and wealth on the line to make life great Downtown.” It is also a chance to meet others who want to get the most out of Phoenix.

Phoenix Metro Retro is an amazing mid-century modern furniture store that is owned and operated by Heidi and Doug Abrahamson. The store offers a wide selection of vintage mid-century modern furniture and home furnishings at affordable prices. Heidi is also an accomplished silversmith, whose modern-style jewelry can be found at select stores throughout the Valley. She operates a studio inside the Metro Retro building.

Phoenix Metro Retro is located at 708 W. Hazelwood St. in 7th Ave./Melrose — 602.279.0702. For more information about the event (and to RSVP), please check out the event’s Facebook page.

Tags: Antiques and Collectibles, Christmas, Doug Abrahamson, Downtown Phoenix, Furniture, Get Your Phx, Heidi Abrahamson, Innovate, Ken Clark, Mid-Century Modern, Phoenix Metro Retro, Shopping, Surfside IV
Posted in 7th Ave/Melrose, News, News & Events, Uptown |