11-09-2015, 11:00 AM
Since we have a fairly large family and there is always a lot of expensive travel involved to get everyone together for the Holidays, our tradition for the last 10 years or so has been "Stocking stuffers only." Sure, we bend the rules a little - like SWMBO says, "...diamonds fit in a stocking just fine!" 
But for the most part, it's the inexpensive, smaller stuff that always seems to be more thoughtful, more appreciated, and more likely to be remembered years from now. I can't tell you how many times we have heard "You know I still use the xxxxx all the time that you gave me, and every time I use it I think of you."
So, since November kind of snuck up on me this year , I had to find some time this past weekend to get a jump on the Holidays.
Nothing really overwhelming. Mostly "kit" stuff for the cousins, nieces, nephews, etc.
The Bottle caps were a lot of fun. The mechanism is from Rockler. The wood is cherry. I thought it would be clever to make the openers into bottle caps. They're about 3-1/3" in diameter and fit perfectly in your hand...
The pizza cutters and vegetable peelers are also kits from Rockler. The coffee scoop and one-hand peppermill kits are from Woodcraft.
The Pizza cutters are maple, the peppermill is cherry.
The jewelry is either Corian scraps or home-poured dyed epoxy resin. The findings are from Michael's.
When it comes to this kind of stuff, it's pretty much more about usability and function to me. I learned long ago that if you make it "too beautiful", with exotic woods and impeccable gloss finishes, the recipient is afraid to use them and they end up sitting in a drawer or in a cabinet somewhere and never get used. Personally, I'd rather see the gifts used every day. There are times when simpler is better, and "handmade" is more meaningful than a "work of art."
Like SWMBO says, Sometimes, it's more about the thought and the perception. Your turning projects don't always have to be masterpieces to be appreciated. Sometimes the simplest gifts - to the right person, for the right reasons - are more valuable than anything else you could give them.
But for the most part, it's the inexpensive, smaller stuff that always seems to be more thoughtful, more appreciated, and more likely to be remembered years from now. I can't tell you how many times we have heard "You know I still use the xxxxx all the time that you gave me, and every time I use it I think of you."
So, since November kind of snuck up on me this year , I had to find some time this past weekend to get a jump on the Holidays.
Nothing really overwhelming. Mostly "kit" stuff for the cousins, nieces, nephews, etc.
The Bottle caps were a lot of fun. The mechanism is from Rockler. The wood is cherry. I thought it would be clever to make the openers into bottle caps. They're about 3-1/3" in diameter and fit perfectly in your hand...
The pizza cutters and vegetable peelers are also kits from Rockler. The coffee scoop and one-hand peppermill kits are from Woodcraft.
The Pizza cutters are maple, the peppermill is cherry.
The jewelry is either Corian scraps or home-poured dyed epoxy resin. The findings are from Michael's.
When it comes to this kind of stuff, it's pretty much more about usability and function to me. I learned long ago that if you make it "too beautiful", with exotic woods and impeccable gloss finishes, the recipient is afraid to use them and they end up sitting in a drawer or in a cabinet somewhere and never get used. Personally, I'd rather see the gifts used every day. There are times when simpler is better, and "handmade" is more meaningful than a "work of art."
Like SWMBO says, Sometimes, it's more about the thought and the perception. Your turning projects don't always have to be masterpieces to be appreciated. Sometimes the simplest gifts - to the right person, for the right reasons - are more valuable than anything else you could give them.
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Czarcastic (Steven)
Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.
Czarcastic (Steven)
Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.
