Seems nowadays the best gifts are the ones which are handmade with love. Gifts are very personal, especially given the occasion. They are also great to encourage someone or just make their day better. Everyone loves to get gifts and it truly feels even better to give them.
Today, I'd like to share with you a few gift ideas that are not only really cool (at least to me) but affordable. We all have lots of friends and family which can get a little pricey when you're trying to buy presents for everyone. With the vast tastes out there, where do you even start?
I have a few go-to items I like to use for special occasions. They all can be created and are made by hand to order. Ohhh, sounds expensive....don't leave just yet. You may be surprised!
Custom gifts are everywhere, just google custom gifts and watch the page will fill with a ton of suggestions from shirts to mugs to whatever you can imagine. I'm sure you can find someone with the skills to create it for you.
Ok..on with the list. Now, I'm not gonna lie, this is a small self-plug opportunity.
Earlier, this year I started an Etsy shop and have had some tiny, very small success. With a total of eight sales(actually, 12 or 13 now Whoop!)...I tell ya..I'm killing IT!!
One of my favorite things to make or personalize is coffee mugs. When I first started in this business I bought a huge box of mugs to practice and learn on. There is a slight learning curve, as there is when anything new. Such as ghosting, or placement issues, and of course, it wouldn't be complete without numerous printing issues. However, after suffering through the process, I believe I've got it for the most part.
Anywho, back to the mugs. After learning how to use the machine and print and apply it correctly I was ready to design. Let's preference for the next part by also saying I am not a professional Graphic Designer. I just play one on social media.LOL!! Sorry, I couldn't help myself.
So, yes I am no designer per se...but I have learned how to do a few things. When I first was learning I started on the free programs like Inkscape and Gimp. Once I got pretty comfortable with those I moved up to the big boy toys and bought Adobe Illustrator. Just a monthly subscription, it doesn't get too exciting there and they really don't give you any more options than that.
After the switch, I found the program extremely difficult to use. Maybe, I am used to doing all the stuff myself and so having a program where you just click a button seemed just too difficult for my little brain.
Like if you want to put text in a circle in Inkscape you need to first create a circle, and then create the text. Select both the circle and text and apply the text to a circle. You aren't done yet, oh no! Now, you have to adjust the circle and text to fit and look right.
With Illustrator you create text, select it, and under object pick envelope> make and wrap. Then pick which one like Arc, or Arch, Flag, Wave, etc.. and adjust the amount with the slider button.
Now, I explained that to you because Adobe sounds much faster and easier but for me believe it or not, Inkscape was just more comfortable and easier to make things, for me.
Ok, so back to the mugs. I ended up making a bunch for family and friends from church.
This was my first design which I made using Inkscape. As of today, it is still my best seller!
My passion is creating designs based on scripture and my belief in Jesus Christ. I try to take scripture or truth's from God's word and make them into visual art. Trying to display it in a way that would cause unbelievers and believers to seek God.
This mug I call Which Way and was inspired by a message I heard from church. We all have a choice to make, with every decision. Which way are you going to take God's way or My way?
Here is another design I made. I used Adobe for this one. The scripture I choose was Psalm 33:12.
There are numerous other gifts you can make as well. It is really too big of a list to name all the items but I will list a few below.
As mentioned above Coffee Mugs, T-shirts, Hoodies, Pillowcases, Koozies, Glass pictures, cutting boards, phone cases, coasters, and so much more.
What equipment will I need to make these?
You'll need a sublimation printer, sub-ink, sub paper, heat tape, protective Teflon paper, and a heat press. Plus, the design or image, and a product to apply it to.
Right now, I just offer mugs, clothing items, and some vinyl items decals, window lettering, bumper stickers, stuff like that.
You can check out my shop page on Etsy For more examples of products you can create or buy as gifts.
If you'd be interested in a video on how I make or create designs using either Inkscape or Adobe? Just comment and let me know. If I get enough or even one..LOL, I'll make one for you!
Keep in mind though, I am not a super great designer and don't know it all!
Thanks for reading, I feel this post was really pointless and meaningless. The fact that you are still here amazes me!! You should be find something better to do with your time. :)
Just kidding...thanks all!! <3 b="">
Today, I'd like to share with you a few gift ideas that are not only really cool (at least to me) but affordable. We all have lots of friends and family which can get a little pricey when you're trying to buy presents for everyone. With the vast tastes out there, where do you even start?
I have a few go-to items I like to use for special occasions. They all can be created and are made by hand to order. Ohhh, sounds expensive....don't leave just yet. You may be surprised!
Custom gifts are everywhere, just google custom gifts and watch the page will fill with a ton of suggestions from shirts to mugs to whatever you can imagine. I'm sure you can find someone with the skills to create it for you.
Ok..on with the list. Now, I'm not gonna lie, this is a small self-plug opportunity.
Earlier, this year I started an Etsy shop and have had some tiny, very small success. With a total of eight sales(actually, 12 or 13 now Whoop!)...I tell ya..I'm killing IT!!
One of my favorite things to make or personalize is coffee mugs. When I first started in this business I bought a huge box of mugs to practice and learn on. There is a slight learning curve, as there is when anything new. Such as ghosting, or placement issues, and of course, it wouldn't be complete without numerous printing issues. However, after suffering through the process, I believe I've got it for the most part.
Anywho, back to the mugs. After learning how to use the machine and print and apply it correctly I was ready to design. Let's preference for the next part by also saying I am not a professional Graphic Designer. I just play one on social media.LOL!! Sorry, I couldn't help myself.
So, yes I am no designer per se...but I have learned how to do a few things. When I first was learning I started on the free programs like Inkscape and Gimp. Once I got pretty comfortable with those I moved up to the big boy toys and bought Adobe Illustrator. Just a monthly subscription, it doesn't get too exciting there and they really don't give you any more options than that.
After the switch, I found the program extremely difficult to use. Maybe, I am used to doing all the stuff myself and so having a program where you just click a button seemed just too difficult for my little brain.
Like if you want to put text in a circle in Inkscape you need to first create a circle, and then create the text. Select both the circle and text and apply the text to a circle. You aren't done yet, oh no! Now, you have to adjust the circle and text to fit and look right.
With Illustrator you create text, select it, and under object pick envelope> make and wrap. Then pick which one like Arc, or Arch, Flag, Wave, etc.. and adjust the amount with the slider button.
Now, I explained that to you because Adobe sounds much faster and easier but for me believe it or not, Inkscape was just more comfortable and easier to make things, for me.
Ok, so back to the mugs. I ended up making a bunch for family and friends from church.
This was my first design which I made using Inkscape. As of today, it is still my best seller!
My passion is creating designs based on scripture and my belief in Jesus Christ. I try to take scripture or truth's from God's word and make them into visual art. Trying to display it in a way that would cause unbelievers and believers to seek God.
This mug I call Which Way and was inspired by a message I heard from church. We all have a choice to make, with every decision. Which way are you going to take God's way or My way?
Here is another design I made. I used Adobe for this one. The scripture I choose was Psalm 33:12.
There are numerous other gifts you can make as well. It is really too big of a list to name all the items but I will list a few below.
As mentioned above Coffee Mugs, T-shirts, Hoodies, Pillowcases, Koozies, Glass pictures, cutting boards, phone cases, coasters, and so much more.
What equipment will I need to make these?
You'll need a sublimation printer, sub-ink, sub paper, heat tape, protective Teflon paper, and a heat press. Plus, the design or image, and a product to apply it to.
Right now, I just offer mugs, clothing items, and some vinyl items decals, window lettering, bumper stickers, stuff like that.
You can check out my shop page on Etsy For more examples of products you can create or buy as gifts.
If you'd be interested in a video on how I make or create designs using either Inkscape or Adobe? Just comment and let me know. If I get enough or even one..LOL, I'll make one for you!
Keep in mind though, I am not a super great designer and don't know it all!
Thanks for reading, I feel this post was really pointless and meaningless. The fact that you are still here amazes me!! You should be find something better to do with your time. :)
Just kidding...thanks all!! <3 b="">
