will this possibly be the most fun and the most random assortment of gifts yet? yes & yes.

in my mind, creatives and makers can be almost anyone. however, I obviously can’t let this list go on forever, so my hope with this list is that if you or someone you love is always in search of a new creative endeavor, or has been searching for a slower-paced hobby to replace scrolling, this gift guide will be the place to spark the ideas!

SEWING & QUILTING:

01 / a sewing machine

perhaps one of the most universal and useful creative tasks out there is learning to use a sewing machine. I asked for this one for my birthday this year after watching hours of Courtney Weston’s YouTube & IG tutorials, and I have to say, I’ve felt so empowered learning how to use it! I’m someone who loathes being a beginner at anything, so learning to sew has been a realllll test in patience for me. But I’ve so enjoyed getting to be creative with it! I’ll link a few videos here that have been particularly helpful in this learning process:

Beginning Sewer Video / Improve your sewing / 5 Beginner Sewing Projects

check out Rooney Clothing & Sewing Patterns for more!

02 / a cutting mat

so that you don’t damage your table/surfaces! bigger is better I’ve realized, as I’ve made quite a few cuts in our dining room table.

03 / a rotary cutter & scissors

sharp blades are imperative for sewing, so having scissors that are for fabric only is crucial! a rotary cutter also makes life easier when you’re cutting straight lines- I’ve found it super useful for quilting!

04 / patchwork ruler & quilt square guides

if you are wanting to get into quilting, these tools are so useful to have on hand as guides!

05 / gift cards for fabric stores or pattern shops

if you’re unsure, gift cards are a great idea for creatives, rather than purchasing specific fabrics or patterns. this allows them to truly drive the vision for their projects! here are a few great places for gift cards:

JoAnn Fabrics – if there’s one local, JoAnn has a great selection for beginners!

Blackbird Fabrics – more special, unique prints, colors and materials!

Rooney Sewing Patterns

Anna Allen Clothing Patterns

POTTERY

06 / a pottery wheel

I’m embarrassed to say that this exact pottery wheel has been sitting in my garage dormant for the past two and a half years, completely untouched. I was SO excited to dive into pottery and when the wheel arrived, I found myself smothered by imposter syndrome and literally never touched it. don’t be like me. pottery seems like such a therapeutic art form & I’m challenging myself to actually pick it up in 2024. so join me on the adventure!

therefore, I am by no means an expert in the world of pottery, but my dear friend Amanda shares some great resources on her TikTok! but, here are a few more items that I know would be helpful if you want to start learning:

07 / clay

there are different kinds of clay depending upon what you want to make! I’d suggest doing a bit more research before committing to a specific kind.

08 / tools & an apron – you’ll want these!!

PAINTING

09 / monogramed palette & paint water cup

okay, if you have someone in your life who loves to paint, this is the CUTEST little set i’ve ever seen! I love how it’s personalized, but still so chic and simple.

I also came across this acrylic & dried flowers paint palette and I’m in awe! it is stunning and would make such a special gift for anyone in your life who paints.

10 / mini watercolor set

I’ve seen these all over Tiktok, and they make such a great little kit to take on the go! I love that these make painting anywhere creativity strikes a bit more attainable than trying to bring along oil paints, an easel, and a canvas. you could pair them with one of these watercolor workbooks from a small artist shop for an even more complete gift!

OTHER IDEAS:

11 / Toolbox or Toolbag

For the DIYers! I never thought I’d be one to geek out over a toolbox/bag but these ones from Character are SO adorable! I’m all for simplification and organization, so I love that this Carry All set allows everything to stay in one place and minimizes clutter that inevitably comes with projects. Suddenly I need a lilac toolbox to take along to my design jobs??

12 / polaroid printer

this nifty little device prints your iPhone photos as mini polaroids! I have a polaroid camera myself, but I always forget to bring it along or restock the film. I love that this allows me to just use my phone but still get the look and feel of polaroids. also, you end up wasting less film in the long run by knowing what the photos will look like before printing!

I also love the idea of adding in one of these photo albums with the gift! these mini albums hold over 250 photos and come in so many cute colors! & don’t forget the film 🙂

Books for Creatives:

+ the creative act: a way of being

+ Practicing Presence: A Mother’s Guide to Savoring Life through the Photos You’re Already Taking

+ Mastering the Potter’s Wheel: Techniques, Tips, and Tricks for Potters (Mastering Ceramics)

+ Create Anyway: The Joy of Pursuing Creativity in the Margins of Motherhood

xx

Hayds