how to gift contemporary craft
with the craft council of bc
who is the gift for? for what occasion?
Craft is emotional! Think about the person you are buying for, what feelings come to mind when you think of them? Joy, laughter, comfort, passion, intimidation, admiration, warmth? What do you like about them, why do you relate to them and what makes them special? If you’re really stuck, think about you! What kinds of gifts do you like to receive? Gifts that you can use everyday, or indulgences that you wouldn’t buy for yourself? Are you known for your avant-garde hyper modern taste or perhaps you are detail oriented and show thoughtfulness with symbolic gifts and gestures? In the end, a gift is always a reflection of your relationship with another person.
okay, how much do you really like this person?
Just kidding!
A great, thoughtful gift can be found for any budget as long as you are clear on what amount you are willing to spend. Telling shop staff your budget (give or take $10) can help them narrow the search for you. When understanding pricing, consider the nature of handmade gifts. An individual is behind each piece, and they crafted it with skill and care, this informs the pricing of contemporary craft.
what is their style?
This one could be tricky, but consider what they wear, how they decorate their home. If their Instagram had a mood, what would it be? Consider aesthetic in binary terms and work your way out: often an individual will lean towards: gold or silver; colour or neutrals; practicality or for-fun. There is a lot of overlap in aesthetics and different pieces of craft can be styled in different ways. Often an individual’s aesthetic may be a combination of these – if you can’t choose one, think of a top two!
minimalist
neutrals and earth tones ·
simple lines and organic shapes ·
often functional ·
calm, clean and neat
funky
bold shapes and colours ·
colour blocking, textures and patterns ·
statement pieces that are one-of-a-kind ·
work that has interesting stories or meanings behind it
modern
chic, sleek and cutting edge ·
blacks, whites and chromes or silvers ·
architectural shapes ·
aesthetic that is challenging conceptually: referencing specific art movements or ideologies
playful
sweet, thoughtful and understated details ·
charming imagery ·
often symbolic in nature ·
considerate colours and forms; might consider how colour informs mood
what is the nature of the gift?
Does your loved one prefer the practical and functional? Have they mentioned that special piece they just can't stop thinking about? Do you want to evoke a memory or feeling with your gift?
functional
can be used in everyday life ·
connected to a function: cooking, clothing, storage ·
mugs, vases, minimalist jewellery, wallets/bags, scarves and knives
indulgent
something one might not buy for themselves—a special treat! ·
bold jewellery for special occasions ·
fine craft for display: sculptural pieces, ornate vessels, hanging or framed textile work
symbolic
a piece of craft you bought for someone because it reminds you of them or of a special time ·
souvenirs often fall into this category, such as pieces that represent the distinct natural beauty of BC ·
symbols such as hearts or certain animals might reflect how you know someone
craft is tactile!
What is your loved one's go to material? Think about the dominant materials they use to decorate their home, or what they wear. You can either add to their go-to material, or introduce them to a new medium!
ceramics
often functional/practical ·
a wide range of prices, can be quite affordable ·
often evokes feelings of grounded-ness and comfort
glass
both functional and aesthetic ·
often a wide and playful range of colour and pattern ·
glass has a lot of movement, and works with light
wood
good for curious minds and tactile thinkers. people who like wood can imagine the tree and then think, how was this made? ·
each type of wood adds distinctive interest and reminds people of the natural world
metal
oftentimes jewellery, but also knives, spoons + chopsticks ·
can be both refined and industrial
high quality materials can be more expensive ·
often symbolic
playful
many fine details to notice ·
textures are often subtle, soft and comforting ·
can be framed pieces, sculptural or wearable ·
don’t forget that paper is a fibre! we carry many beautiful handmade art cards
If this still didn't help, we have gift cards!
