Gifted by Bespoke Custom Gifts

Why I'm not sending my mom a Mother's Day gift

Fri, 09 May 2014 13:32:00 -0400

As the owner of an ecommerce site, I probably shouldn’t be saying this, but I truly think the most meaningful gift you can give your mom is a hand-written note or card–one in which you take the time to write down a few thoughts about what makes her special, or what she’s taught you, how she’s inspired you, or why you love her. Even if it wasn’t all perfect, hopefully there are some positives you have to offer her. Long after the flowers have died and the breakfast in bed has been consumed, that card will have a special spot in her desk or bedside table, where she can reread it and treasure it and know there are some things she did right.

This photo is of a picture my son made me probably in kindergarten. It sits prominently on my desk and makes me smile every time I see it. The truth is I would rather have one of these than just about any other gift you could name!

And don’t worry, my mom’s birthday is on May 20th, so she’ll get a combined birthday/Mother’s Day gift of some sort from me, but the thing I feel best about giving is the card I sent her (even if I did have to pay extra for Priority Mail to get it there on time!)

I just discovered amazing family (and pet!) portraitist Mimi...

Thu, 10 Apr 2014 08:55:00 -0400

I just discovered amazing family (and pet!) portraitist Mimi Vang Olsen via a great story in Remodelista about the home of two writers I love, Ayelet Waldman and Michael Chabon (their Craftsman home in Berkeley looks just as writerly and enviable as you’d imagine, without being at all over-the-top). I love how this very detailed portrait includes pictures of all their books as well as so many decorative elements from their home (look at the detail on that rug and sofa!) Truly a portrait of a whole life, not just a family. Looking for more about the artist, I came across this great profile of her in the NY Times and the many famous people she’s painted. Wouldn’t it be fabulous to be able to commission her to paint your family? But now it seems she is focused almost exclusively on dog and pet portraits! She has a small storefront on a charming stretch of Hudson St. in NYC. I look forward to checking it out.

Coasting Along

Fri, 04 Apr 2014 11:45:43 -0400

The NYT recently had a fun feature on the resurgent popularity of coasters, which they attribute to the cocktail culture converging with the artisan/maker movement, with coasters offering the perfect mini-canvas.

They included our clever new Coastline Coasters by Reed Wilson:

But we also have a LOT of other fabulous coasters, many of which can be custom-designed and personalized for a fantastic gift.

1. For example, woodworker Brad Weckesser’s wood map coasters can be laser-cut into the shape of any state or country, then they’ll etch a heart by your favorite city, and even add a date or name at the bottom if you’d like. These would make a fun wedding favor or a great gift for anyone:

2. Or create a completely custom set of 50 letterpress coasters in the shape, design, monogram or text, and color of your choice–a glamorous housewarming gift!

3. Jazz up the patterns and colors with this custom set of 4 reusable hard-backed coasters:

4. Help guests keep track of their drinks at a party with these “Hello My Name Is” coasters that you can write on with a dry-erase marker, and then wipe clean after the party:

5. Or have some fun with these pick-up line coasters:

6. The list goes on and on, but if you’re itching for spring, an effortlessly elegant hostess gift are our letterpress Flower Coasters, fetchingly packaged in a clear box tied up in ribbon and ready to gift.

The Art of Mapping--Old and New

Mon, 31 Mar 2014 12:20:05 -0400

We’re excited to introduce the work of artist/engineer Dan Linden, who creates modern-day city maps through laser-cutting or etching stainless steel, as well as foam and wood to create 3-D maps that trace city streets, rivers and parks in intricate detail. In shimmering stainless steel against a matte black mat and frame, they have bold graphic impact. And the 5" x 7" framed maps are only $32.

Dan hails from Columbus, Ohio–and that’s also where Anne Holman is from. Anne’s our featured artisan whose draws on her prodigious collection of antique and vintage maps from all over the world to create beautiful custom sterling silver map jewelry. Coincidence? Perhaps not … Dan says he was inspired not only by his hometown, but also its thriving art scene. As he explains, “There is something extremely strong in the connection between people and their hometowns. When friends looked at the Columbus Cut Map, they were intrigued and curious about the strange intersecting lines and spaces, but when I look at it I know almost every road."

Dan also takes custom order requests for any city in his larger map sizes of 18” x 24" high-density black EVA foam or 34" x 36" wood.

If you're a rabid fan ...

Tue, 10 Sep 2013 11:52:59 -0400

I kind of love the idea behind this new site, Slater Zorn–clothing and accessories that are color-keyed to your favorite college team! More sophisticated than you’d think. Yes, you’d have to be a pretty rabid fan, but remember, I’m married to a man from Alabama … Roll Tide is not tossed around casually in our house!

PRIDE OF PLACE We’ve always loved art and items that are...

Tue, 21 May 2013 11:28:00 -0400

PRIDE OF PLACE

We’ve always loved art and items that are about a specific place–where you’re from, where you live, where you love to visit–such as maps and place names. MoMA has just curated their Destination: NYC colllection, and it’s pretty cool (things made in NYC, not just things that say New York). Lots of great stuff here, but we’re betting everyone in the rest of the country is pretty sick of everything always being about NY and how cool Brooklyn thinks it is. So come to Bespoke to have whatever place you call home celebrated! BTW, we found some fantastic new letterpress maps based on old city maps at the National Stationery Show yesterday–you’re going to love them! (There’s a lot of stuff based on states–all 50 of them–out there right now too.)

Bronx magnet. NYC Graffiti Lucite Bangle from Alexis Bittar

Reaching out in tough times

Sat, 23 Mar 2013 13:57:00 -0400

A beautiful and important post by Grace Bonney on DesignSponge about the importance of reaching out to friends who are experiencing a death, serious illness, divorce or other difficult situation in their families. Good suggestions both in the post and in the comments, which led me to this excellent post from The Podge Files on “What to say when you don’t know what to say.” Whether it’s a handwritten note (not a “like” on Facebook!), a meal, or helpful gesture or small gift, it means so much to know your friends are there to support you.

Photo by Jen Huang

Wow, the art of the love letter is still alive … . Take...

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 12:05:45 -0500

Wow, the art of the love letter is still alive … . Take inspiration from this smitten, talented fellow at Terrain.

I can reveal this because my dad doesn’t read Tumblr: For...

Sun, 13 Jan 2013 23:33:10 -0500

I can reveal this because my dad doesn’t read Tumblr: For his birthday, I’m having a wooden puzzle custom-made by Liberty Puzzles from this beautiful photo he took in Jackson Hole, Wyoming this past year. My folks have really gotten into wooden puzzles, but you can also have regular cardboard jigsaw puzzles made of your pix (or say, your kids’ artwork) by sites like Shutterfly for much less money (about $20; the custom wooden puzzles are $115-$145).

My name is Jill, and I'm an over-gifter.

Sat, 01 Dec 2012 13:57:08 -0500

I can’t help it. I see something that would be SO perfect for my lit-major niece, my gourmet cook husband, my fantastic sister, my entire writers’ group … I have to buy it for them. Even if I have already bought them several gifts already. If it’s someone close to me, I might pick up gifts for them all year long as I find them, and then not remember come Christmas just how much I’ve accumulated (got that trait from my Nana) or remember where they are at all. Better is to give someone a gift when I find it, “just because”–and anyway, aren’t those unexpected gifts the best ones of all? I love finding the “perfect” gift for someone–and even if it’s not, well, it gave me a lot of pleasure! When those boxes arrive, if it’s as if I’ve gotten a gift myself.

PHOTO BY CHRIS EVERARD VIA A GIFT-WRAPPED LIFE.

When friends are going through a tough time, I often make them...

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 12:38:00 -0400

When friends are going through a tough time, I often make them some variation of this CD/playlist. You can access it on itunes here (and feel free to use my cover art, above!):

Things are Gonna Get Better

Better Things by Dar Williams
Breathe (2AM) by Anna Nalick
Bright Side of the Road by Van Morrison
Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) by Kelly Clarkson
Suddenly I See by KT Tunstall
Sydney (I’ll Come Running) by Brett Dennen
Be OK by Ingrid Michaelson
Sweet Inspiration by The Derek Trucks Band
In the Sun by Michael Stipe and Coldplay
I Don’t Ever Give Up by Patty Griffin
I Release You by Niki Haris
Another Day by Jamie Lidell
There’s Hope by India.Arie
Instant Karma by U2
Dog Days Are Over by Florence + The Machine

How about you, what are your favorite pick-me-up songs, or ways to help a friend going through a really tough time?

Max Greenfield's funny, very expensive list of gifts for guys

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 00:00:43 -0400

Max Greenfield's funny, very expensive list of gifts for guys

Grove can take a photograph, image or text of your choice and...

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 10:19:00 -0400

Grove can take a photograph, image or text of your choice and laser-engrave it on a leather cover for your Moleskine notebook. A great gift for anyone who still loves to take notes via paper and pen, like me! The custom covers are $79. via Shelterific

Here’s one of the NYC baby photos, from Brian Dorsey...

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 13:31:35 -0400

Here’s one of the NYC baby photos, from Brian Dorsey Studios. Fantastic!

Distinctive baby photos

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 13:23:22 -0400

Distinctive baby photos:

Love these baby photos Ceci of Ceci Style had taken of her son, Mason, really showing off their city. A great alternative to the standard studio portraits–show something about where you live!

theatlantic: “This is how Maurice Sendak sometimes sent his...

Fri, 25 May 2012 23:49:00 -0400

theatlantic:

“This is how Maurice Sendak sometimes sent his letters. Just imagine getting one.” (via Letters Of Note)

The Wisdom of Others

Wed, 09 May 2012 15:26:21 -0400

I love this idea–perfect for a graduate, a couple about to get married or have a baby, or a friend facing a tough time, like illness or divorce. It’s a new site/product called “The Wisdom of Others” which helps you solicit quotes and advice from the recipient’s family and friends, and then turn them into a nice hardbound book. It’s a very personal gift that I think would be incredibly meaningful. They start at $29.95, or $14.95 for ebooks.

I remember my sister making me a “Nothing Book” (a blank book before journals became so popular–anyone remember those?) filled with quotes and photos she had selected for me, all hand-written. It still sits on my bedside table, one of my most treasured possessions because of all the thought and care that went into it. Whenever I need a lift, I love to page through it!

We also have even prettier handbound books from Rag & Bone Bindery that are designed to fill in with similar sentiments, such as “12 Wishes for Baby” and “12 Wishes for Your Marriage” and “12 Ways You Made a Difference.” These would make it even easier to create a book, especially at an event such as a shower–and they’re beautiful!

What a gift does

Thu, 03 May 2012 11:57:00 -0400

One of my inspirations in starting my gift site is that as much fun as it is to get a gift, I have absolutely no doubt that, for me at least, I get way more enjoyment out of giving one. That is why I loved the event Gentri and Kaityln, from isavirtue, came up with called “Send Something Good.” It was so much fun to pack up a box of little unexpected treats for someone I didn’t know–but was getting to know through her blog, Dear Life … From a Mom of Boys. The more I read Tracy Jensen’s heartfelt blog posts, the more excited I felt about getting to send her a package. Because if anyone has EVER deserved a gift, it is Tracy. We are both moms of boys, but while I have two, she is raising FIVE, including a beautiful little boy with spina bifida. She has so many challenges to deal with, and yet when you read her words, there is always a bright, strong spirit shining through–being honest about what’s hard, but never giving up. She is an inspiration! And the very definition of a mother, in all its heartbreaking challenges and glorious rewards. Tracy wrote the nicest blog post about receiving her package at just the right time–that it made her week! Well Tracy, you made mine!

Photo

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 20:43:26 -0400

Such a great idea!

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 19:22:00 -0400

I am so excited about participating in the “Send Something Good” project dreamed up by Gentri Lee and running on Kaitlyn’s blog, isavirtue. Who doesn’t love getting an unexpected package of specialness in the mail? Wouldn’t the world be a great place if everyone came up with such wonderful random acts of kindness? It’s like a “Secret Santa” only not at Christmas, for grownups, and we’re encouraged to really get to know the other blogger we’re sending a special package to so we choose something they’ll LOVE. I encourage you to think about doing this on your own–just sending a friend or relative a little special unexpected something “just because.” Those are the kinds of gifts that really mean something, because they’re not expected or “Hallmark-ed,” they’re genuine gestures from the heart. You might just make someone’s day!

We are encouraged to share a few things that we love to help our giver learn more about us. So here goes for me:
1. I am obsessed with paper, gift wrap and stationery. I simply cannot resist beautiful gift wrap, ribbon, letterpress cards, notebooks, scrapbooks, etc. etc.
2. I love books.
3. I appreciate handmade things.
4. I love fabrics (even though I can’t sew), especially vintage florals (i have a collection of 40s vintage barkcloth florals), and bed linens.
5. I love flowers (lilacs, peonies, old roses). And chocolate. The two biggest cliches but they always work for me.

I’ve included one image here, or please check out my Pinterest page for more visuals! :-)