Today I shall tackle another group near and dear to my heart: craftinistas. This is for all of your loved ones who just can't get enough of the crafting bug.
Craftinistas
The Print Gocco is a home silk-screening kit. It gives all of us day-jobbers a new outlet for creativity … that looks professional. The starter kit gives you enough supplies for 5 originals (designs) and virtually limitless prints. Refills are easily available. Available at DickBlick for $139.
If you're in the craft, you know about Xyron. They make incredible little machines that apply adhesive, laminate, and make magnets all without heat or electricity. The Xyron 510 does it all, all you need are cartridges for each task, which are easily interchanged. You can make tons of stickers, magnets, and laminated dodads from each cartridge. They are great for scrap-booking, card-making and about a zillion other things. This guy (the Xyron 510) sells for $35 on Amazon. It's big brother, the 9-inch Xyron 900 sells for $91.
I bought one of these awesome badge/button makers at the E.A.T. Shop in NYC (just down the street from the E.A.T. Deli -yummy scrumboes, by the way). It's such a cool grown-up (ish) toy!! You can design all your own buttons. I made Matt one that says “No. I don't want your credit card.” for when we're in Old Navy or Target and they bug us about getting their credit cards. Sells for $21 on StuffKidsLike.com.
I'll harp on a bit more about magazines now. They're still cheap. They're still the gift that keeps on giving throughout the year. And you can find one perfect for your crafty friend, no matter what his/her particular interest in craftiness is. A couple of suggestions for general craftiness: Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Kids, Readymade Magazine. Search the magazines on Amazon and find titles you never knew about.
Boxes, bins, and general miscellaneous storage make great gifts for crafty types. We usually have way more stuff than we know what to do with and are always looking for another something to store stuff in. The one pictured, is an ArtBin brand carrying case (they make nice stuff) from Dick Blick, which sells for $16. But you can go on the ultra cheap here and head over to your local dollar store or Big Lots where you're sure to find a wide variety of boxes with handles and without for storing just about anything under the sun.
I can't think of many things better than getting a craftinista started on a brand new craft. Give your crafty friend a certificate for lessons from you or from the local community center. I've been taking pottery for months now and I really enjoy it. One session, 6 weeks, costs me $70 and it's money well-spent.
It may seem like I placed TiVo in the wrong category, but I swear, it'll make sense in a minute. Crafting time is also perfect TV watching/listening time. And what can make TV better? TiVo of course! Yes, I know that there are tons of DVRs out there now, but TiVo is the best interface, and lots of cool features like actor search and recommendations. They practically give the boxes away now if you find the good rebates ($50-$200, depending on the recording hours if you don't). You can get a life-time subscription to TiVo for just $300 which is yours until your box dies. Monthly is $12.95 or $6.95 for the second (and third, fourth, fifth, and sixth) box(es). Now you'll never miss another episode of Crafters Coast to Coast!
Last, but certainly not least, don't forget SUPPLIES! All crafters need these super-important consumables for their crafting. Buy something high quality that they might not buy for themselves, or when in doubt, a gift card to their favorite supply store will surely be appreciated.