A to Z Challenge: G is for Gift Giving and GIVEAWAY!!!

As a crafter or artist of any kind, your talents will be sought after whenever anyone needs an artist of your skill set. I have been asked many-a-time at work to be involved in projects—or take them over—if they are of an artistic nature, but that is a post for another time.

What gives me the most fulfillment when it comes to my talents is sharing them with others. Gift giving is an excellent way of doing this.

When a birthday comes up, or the holidays are just around the corner, there have been many years when funds were low and I wasn’t sure how I’d be able to afford buying gifts. I am sure I’m not the only one who’s been in this boat.

During times like these, I thought about the person I was to buy a gift for. What were their likes? Would they appreciate a homemade gift?

I’ve given framed illustrations as gifts, Popsicle stick picture frames with pictures of the recipient’s kids inside, knitted baby blankets, slippers, and crocheted amigurumi (of course). These gifts were received with more appreciation than any store-bought trinket ever would have gotten.

The friends and family I give these handmade gifts to, realize all the hours I put into them. They appreciate the work that goes into making each one.

When my friend had her first child years ago, I made him an amigurumi lion (pattern available for free from Demonstrative Bears by Cynthia Sickler on Ravelry). As you can see in the picture to the left, the little lion is still holding up beautifully after four years of enjoyment. After that gift, I made his mom a box jellyfish (pattern courtesy of Edafedd on Etsy).

More recently, I decided to make him IlDikko’s pattern on Etsy for Henri le Frog. I have bought many patterns from her shop and they never cease to amaze me in the way they are crafted. Even though I know how to write my own patterns, I still enjoy supporting other artists and buying their patterns as well. No sense in re-inventing the wheel if it has already been done so well by another crochet artist!

When my friend’s son received the frog, he immediately started making him jump around, tossing him into the air shouting, “Weeee!” He puts treasures inside the frog’s mouth, since it opens a bit on top. Best of all, he appreciates the gift, and knows I made it just for him.

Now and again, he’ll still bring out the lion I made when he was born, or the jellyfish that didn’t stay in his mom’s hands long—commandeered as soon as it was brought home. These are the stories I love hearing. The happiness that my art can bring to others. Their gifts cost me practically nothing to make but the responses they get are priceless.

As a thank you to my followers, I would like to do another giveaway! I have crocheted one of my own creations that is ready to ship to the winner: a crocheted dog who I like to call Inuki (Japanese origin: Inu means dog. The word is often seen in anime as the name given to a pet dog).

There are many ways to get your name put into the hat for this one. Some of the entries can be done once per day as well, so keep them  coming, and good luck!

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