Creative gifts for creative-types

It’s no secret I am an art lover. Yes, photography is what I do, but I truly love to create in so many ways: sewing, cooking, coloring with my kids, designing, decorating my home, finding fun clothing items at the thrift store – the list is endless. So of course, creative gifts are my favorite to find and give.

If you have creative-minded friend and family, or if you yourself are wanting to incorporate more creativity into your daily life in the coming year, I’ve put together a list of ideas you can use to inspire your gift giving (and receiving) this holiday season.

Creative gift ideas for the creativity-lovers in your life

Art Classes

Giving the experience of an art class is such a good creative gift.

Classes you can do from anywhere:

There are so many options for online art classes. One artist I have followed for a while on Instagram who I think is a great teacher is Andrea Nelson. You can visit her instagram page here: https://instagram.com/andrea.nelson.art/ and here’s her link for online art tutorials and classes: https://www.patreon.com/andreanelson

Local options:

I recommend checking out the classes available at Studio Channel Islands, located at 2222 Ventura Boulevard in Camarillo. They have classes for both children and adults, and all classes are taught by working artists. Here is a link to sign up for classes: https://studiochannelislands.org/edu/

Clay Studio + Gallery in Thousand Oaks offers both adult and children’s pottery classes. They have a shop with pottery for sale, and they also have summer camps.

Books

Start with The Art by Natalie Papier 

This is such a beautiful book, and it’s a really different way to think about how you decorate the spaces you inhabit. As you can tell from the title, the entire concept is to start with the art and let that inspire the rest of your space. It gives thoughtful ideas about how to find and use art pieces that are meaningful to you and how to not only highlight those items in your home but use them to inspire the way you choose everything else for your space – from paint colors to fabrics and prints.

I have to share on a personal note that one of my favorite artists (who I met when we lived in Virginia) has her work featured in this book. Her name is Theodora Miller. You can check out her beautiful work here: https://www.theodoramiller.com/

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

Whether you’re a lifelong creator stuck in a rut or new to the idea of working art into your everyday, this is a really cool book that can make you break out of the ordinary and into the extraordinary. The author gives concrete advice and instruction along with regular “assignments” to get yourself out of your comfort zone and learn to rid your mind of noise so the creative thoughts that are being tuned out can come through more clearly. This is not just a book you read, but one you do.

Steal Like An Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative by Austin Kleon

This book is a very quick read. It’s sort of like a little coffee table book – full of meaningful quips and reminders about what it means to be an artist and how all great ideas are inspired by previous great ideas.

Wreck This Journal

I personally think this would be a great gift for anyone. This journal gives specific instruction on what to do to it so you can express yourself on every page freely. No writer’s block and no hand cramps.

Art Supplies

When it comes to the kinds of art supplies you can gift, the list is endless, and it can range from pricey to thrifty. Here is a quick idea list for you:

• camera
• watercolors and watercolor paper
• pipe cleaners
• fresh crayons
• colored pencils
• sketchbooks
• hand lettering markers/how-to books
• mobile or desktop subscription to Adobe Suite (or just Photoshop or Lightroom)
• stickers
• stamps and ink pads
• pastels
• puff paint/tie dye kits/items to puff paint or tie dye
• clay
• cross stitch/embroidery kit
• beads/jewelry-making supplies
• Extraordinary Things to Cut Out and Collage
• Scalloped edge scissors

Art

Duh. I don’t know why I didn’t start with this but oh well, we got to it eventually.

Hit up farmers markets to find work by local creators, purchase a gift card from your favorite family photographer, or, make something yourself.

Wait, I just realized why I didn’t start with this. I think the art we choose to hang and display in our homes can be really personal. I would say physical art is only a good gift if you know the person you’re giving it to really well. So if you’re not sure what your receiver’s style is, I’d stick with something like a gift card or a low-stakes art piece that doesn’t require a permanent spot on the wall.

Now go forth and get your art on

I hope this list helps you add a little extra fun to your shopping this year. I’ll leave you with a quote I read recently that I loved: “Support living artists. The dead ones don’t need it.”

Creative gift ideas for creative-types

Erica Hurlburt is an award winning Ventura County Photographer who specializes in newborn, family and school photography. Her style tends toward cleaner, classic images, both in how they’re composed and edited. Her goal in every session is to keep things relaxed and fun and to create images that are both meaningful and unique.

Erica serves clients in Camarillo, Ventura County, Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks, Westlake,
Malibu, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Ojai and beyond.