IRONWOOD LEATHER

Cave Creek, Arizona

GIFT IDEAS

We all have one.  Some of us have several.  Those people who are tough to buy for -- the ones who, by merely having a birthday or a special event in their life, add a ridiculous amount of stress to our own.  We love 'em -- don't get me wrong -- but we just can't find a good, appropriate, meaningful gift for them.  Maybe they're wealthy and they buy themselves whatever they need; maybe they're picky; maybe their tastes are simply so different from our own that we just can't decide what to give.  Maybe we're secretly harboring passive-aggressive thoughts and jealousy that prevents us from giving from the heart.  Perhaps you gave them a $25 department store gift card at Christmas and they gave you a $25 restaurant gift card and something inside you said, "Wow.  That didn't make sense."  Whatever the reason, there's a good chance that a one-of-a-kind, custom, perhaps even personalized tooled leather gift will delight them. 

There are good tears and bad tears when you give someone a special gift. The good tears are the ones we aim for:  where someone opens their package, holds the gift to their face and smells that wonderful leather smell, and then touches the tooling and says, "This is beautiful.  And it's so special!"   In this day of mass-produced discount-store sameness, a hand-tooled leather gift will distinguish itself.  The recipient will know you took the time to have something special made for them.  If they don't care for western patterns, consider something with a Celtic, wild rose, sunflower or stamped graphic pattern.  If you know of a specific theme or design that has special meaning for them -- whether it's hummingbirds or butterflies -- I may be able to create something that reflects that theme.  Really stuck?  Email me for possible ideas at Marcy@IronwoodLeather.com ... ideas are free (except for the ones so good you want to voluntarily send me a $25 gift card).  Significant events are often unique and personal; commemorating them with a unique and personal hand-crafted gift does them honor.

So, for a special event in the life of that challenging gift recipient in your life, I did some brainstorming for you:

Possibly the most versatile item you can give for a variety of occasions is a simple spirit pouch.  Also called a "medicine pouch" or a "possibles bag," it can hold tiny symbolic items; things that are thoughtful, useful, or simply silly; or a small gift item such as cosmetics, a pocket-knife, or dog-biscuits for a new puppy.   If someone is going through a tough time, even filling a spirit pouch with chocolate or other "comfort" items can brighten a gloomy day.   Spirit pouches are readily customized and it's a pleasure being part of something that signifies caring and compassion ... there's never enough of it, so let's make some more.  Plus, you'll enjoy filling them for your recipient; that in itself is a creative process.

If time is of the essence (or did you procrastinate?) items such as tooled accents for cards or notebooks are quick, understated, and lovely.  Other items, depending on complexity and materials involved, may take longer. 

Please note ... 50% down required on all customized gifts.  All sales final.

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Copyright 2009 Marcy J. Miller

Text and images are the property of Marcy J. Miller and may not be used without permission.