Last Updated on October 11, 2021 by Kimberly Crawford
Chain stores target consumers relentlessly at Christmas but retail is not the only gift-buying option. For distinctive gifts, find the gallery, artist or crafts person.
Unique gifts are not hard to find and need not be expensive. Unlike mass-produced items, a piece of original art or hand blown glass is something that will be treasured for a lifetime.
Instead of heading to the mall come Christmas shopping time, think about selecting something truly unique for that special gift.
Small Pieces of Hand Blown Contemporary Glass May Not be Expensive
#1. Unique Optic Contemporary Hand Blown Glass Pendant Light
Available from Amazon
#2. Black Hand Blown Ornaments
Available from Etsy
There is a perception that original art or art objects are exorbitantly priced but this is not necessarily true.
While a major piece of art from a well known artisan may indeed be beyond the average pocket, there are many other dedicated artists and craftspeople creating work that is unique and reasonably priced.
Observing the process of molten glass being transformed into a solid object in the hands of a skilled glass blower is a magical experience.
The ancient art of glass blowing dates back to Roman times when only the very wealthy could afford to own pieces of glass made from sand and minerals with the addition of a stabilizing element. Much the same ingredients go into the glass art made today.
A small dish, sculpture or paperweight in jewel-like translucent colors may cost less than $100 but it will be a unique one-of-a-kind piece, or part of a limited production.
Other pieces may cost many thousands of dollars, representing not only a gift for today, but an investment for the future. Each piece of hand blown glass is as individual as the glass blower whose blowpipe and vision combine to transform molten liquid into solid art objects.
An Original Painting Makes a Unique and Special Christmas Gift that Lasts More than a Lifetime
#1. Hummingbird oil painting
Available from Etsy
#2. SUNNY GOAT — PALETTE KNIFE Oil Painting On Canvas
#3. Hammocks in Sunny Courtyard
Available from Etsy
#4. Original oil on canvas
Available from Etsy
Artists around the globe create works using oils, acrylics, watercolor and mixed media, from miniature pieces to imposing wall-sized art. As a general rule, larger paintings are more costly than smaller works and oil paintings are more expensive than acrylics or watercolor.
Paintings may be sold framed or un-framed – an unframed piece that can be rolled is a good idea if the gift is to be posted. Whether boxed or in sheets, canvas is a light material that is ideal for couriering or posting by mail.
Many artists will produce work on commission: a piece commissioned especially for the recipient would be a very original gift that is likely to be treasured for a lifetime and handed down through the generations.
Ideas for a commissioned piece of art could be a portrait, a landscape of an especially loved area, a favored flower, loved pet or property.
Artists will negotiate price, style and size of the finished painting. Purchasers should understand that an artist’s expression is what makes the work interesting and original and that the finished product may not be an exact representation of the subject.
It’s a good idea to have a written agreement so that both artist and purchaser understand the details of the commissioned work.
Original pieces of art have been created by people who are passionately interested and knowledgeable about what they do. The spirit of the artist is inherent in the gift in a way that cannot be achieved by mass production.
