About This Blog...

Admit it. (That's the first step.) Many of us are bad gift givers, restricted by budget, time, and - let's face it - interest. Uncomfortable admission #2: most of us are frustrated - perhaps even misguided - artists. Somewhere there's an insane part of us that believes we can paint, write, sculpt, etc. (We don't know why.) Well, I have embraced my pseudo-artist and vowed (to at least attempt) to design and make all of my gifts. Oh, yes. I have descended into madness, and this blog tells the story.

One day, I realized that I could channel my varied interests and hobbies by creating personalized gifts for my friends and family. These would be gifts that really meant something because each project would be designed with the recipient in mind. Over the last couple of years, I have made everything from ridiculously psychedelic Cheshire Cat pillows to mosaic photographs to sibling bracelets; you name it. I love to learn and use new art forms and techniques.

Over time, word of mouth has led some people to commission customized gifts from me, which is flattering and fulfilling. Still, I get the most pleasure in knowing that I will no longer be subjecting my loved ones to pre-packaged, impersonal gifts.

Instead, each piece I create becomes a unique expression of the relationship between the giver and the receiver. Each gift bears an emotional imprint - a physical manifestation of the act of creation - of both joy and pain intertwined.

All that being said, mi blog es su blog. As I share my tips, ideas, and experiences, please feel free to leave your mark and share your stories, anecdotes, and opinions as well.

The 3 Best Blogs, According to an Extensive Survey of People My Age Who Are Me

1. Neil Gaiman’s Journal. Though I don’t consider myself an avid fan of many contemporary writers, Neil Gaiman is the great exception. He is a wonderfully mad writer, creating vivid and disturbing worlds that most people would only otherwise enter by way of that vague moment of dreaming just before waking. Gaiman’s relentless creativity and extensive use of allusion make his work particularly entertaining and rich. This blog, now just one part of his Web site, began as a blog about his writing process for American Gods. In it, he talks about the various projects that he’s working on and offers random thoughts and observations.
2. Etsy is a Web site for showcasing and selling handmade products. They feature all kinds of art, clothing, jewelry, etc. It is also a great how-to and supply resource. Their blog features stories on artists, trends, and tips for marketing your own products.
3. Flight Tracker. The Flight of the Conchords is a comedy-musical duo from New Zealand, comprised of Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement. They have a highly successful comedy series on HBO that gives a fictional account of their lives as aspiring musicians in New York. One of the quirkiest and most beloved fictional characters on the show is their only fan, the disturbingly obsessed Mel. This is Mel’s blog about Bret and Jemaine. It is as funny as it is surreal.