Gift Ideas for Crafty Creative People

This topic struck me as I approached my most recent birthday and was considering gift ideas for my own wish list. Some of my Etsy friends and I joke that if we were broke, we'd rather spend our last dollars on craft supplies than food. Whether or not this is true, the bottom line is that I'd almost always rather get craft supplies than just about anything else for any gift giving occasion. This is true for many crafty people. The next time that you are shopping for a relative or friend who loves to create, consider one or more of the following gift options. In addition to the basic supplies, there are a number of other common gifts that many crafty people enjoy receiving.

This is one of the most obvious suggestions here, but it is rarely gets tiresome. Consider supplies that people will use up frequently. Even when these items may seem boring, such as thread or quilt batting, sometimes they are the most useful. Alternatively, consider higher end supplies, such as a nice set of paint brushes, that people may not splurge on for themselves.

One place to start with the gift of a class is in a medium that you know that someone prefers. For example, if the recipient has an interest in jewelry making, consider a class at one of the local bead shops. Don't forget to look at classes online at well. This can be a great option if there aren't a lot of stores in the area or the person lives far away and it's hard to purchase something locally.

Sometimes taking a class in a new medium or picking up a class that provides general artistry techniques, such as daily inspiration, can be a welcome change of pace. For example, a couple years ago I took two torch lampwork classes. While I am not planning to use this technique regularly, it was still an enjoyable experience and gave me a much greater appreciation for this type of work.

This may not sound like the most exciting option, but we all know how much easier it is to work on just about any project when you have the proper storage for your supplies. The investment in storage items and the time it takes to organize with them will pay off many times over. Consider the supplies and available storage space that the gift recipient has when selecting items.

Not everyone who creates also sells their items, but many people do take part in at least one or two craft fairs or other local events every year. Building a solid table display is a lengthy, ever changing process. I have greatly appreciated the time, effort, and items that people have provided for me for my display over the years from sewing tablecloths to designing banner layouts.

A gift certificate is always a good option when you aren't sure what to get for someone. A craft related gift certificate will be a little more personalized than something like a Target gift card (which believe me, I'm still always happy to receive). Consider big box stores, local stores, and online stores.

Even in the age of Etsy, Pinterest, and numerous blogs, there is nothing like having art books for inspiration, too. Many books provide professional, organized content that many online sources do not. Additionally, for those of us who spend a lot of hours on the computer for work, it is refreshing to have an inspirational resource that does not involve screen time.

Until I got into beadweaving, I had no idea how many craft specific magazines there are out there. There are at least half a dozen popular beading magazines that have sections or space devoted to beadweaving. This level of detail in magazines is true for many craft niches. Many magazine subscriptions are much less expensive than individual magazine copies so it's worth splurging on the entire year.

I'm sure it's not a surprise that I often give handmade gifts that I've made myself. However, sometimes I choose to give handmade gifts that I've bought from others, too. Just as I enjoy giving these gifts, I also enjoy receiving these gifts, whether they are made by the gift givers or by others.

I frequently discuss how important it is to brainstorm ideas for any kind of creative project from cooking to jewelry making to writing. Providing someone with a beautiful notebook or journal for their brainstorming can make the activity more enticing. Consider making or decorating one yourself or purchasing a handmade one.

Joining a craft association can give you prestige as well as numerous opportunities for networking, friendship, resources, conferences, and much more. What you will be able to gain from one of these organizations is often well worth the fees.

While I typically create art entirely from scratch, there are a few types of projects where I enjoy kits, particularly cross-stitch. When I finished my undergraduate degree, I was engaged and some good friends gave me a wedding cross-stitch kit, which was very thoughtful for several reasons. If you don't want to give a kit that will make a single project, look for inspiration kits such as these kits from Kelly.