Bridal Party Gift Ideas: Art

Maria of The Pied-A-Terre, who is getting married in October (yeah!), recently commented that she is looking for bridesmaid gift ideas. Like many people, I l-o-v-e giving gifts. Reigning myself in on hostess and bridal party gifts was actually one of the tough parts of my wedding planning. (And I didn't do a very good job at it. )

Giving art as a gift may be risky, but I adore the idea. If you know the recipient well enough to buy what they'd like (not what you'd like), I think it could be a pleasant surprise. (And much better than a candle. I believe that candles should never be given for anything other than a polite hostess gift. Anything scented is off-limits to me -- too personal.) If you buy something reasonably priced, they can enjoy it during its shelf-life and won't feel obligated to keep it for the rest of their lives. Here are few random pieces found in my Google Reader and bookmarks:

• These Motivate prints from Orange Beautiful would be great for someone with a home office and a sense of humor. I think that I need one to hang above my alarm clock!
  

{Source: Orange Beautiful}

• I can't imagine a gift from MadeByGirl EVER bombing:

{Source: MadeByGirl}

• I went through a huge folk art phase in my late 20s. During that time, I bought several pieces from Canadian artist, Helene Lacelle - Neon Matisse. Her pieces are odd and bright and whimsical. And she is COOL! I still have the cards that she sent me from Christmases past.

 

{Source: Neon Matisse eBay shop}

• And these are a few of my favorite pieces from the Renegade Handmade shop in Chicago.
  

{Source: Renegade Handmade > Art}

• Next time you have about four hours to kill, type "letterpress art" into etsy. Oh my. There's just so much!

{Source: luludee}

 

{Source: cindytomczykart}

• Hometown Shout-Outs: I love ANYTHING that gives mad props to a hometown with something other than a black and white skyline photo. That being said, I have been debating whether I can buy this poster for ages now given that Manhattan is not my hometown. I know exactly where I'd hang it.
  

 

{Source: Three Potato Four}

 

{Source: Louella Press}

 

{Source: Michele Maule}

{Source: Ork Posters!}

• Don't forget to celebrate their iconic celebrity crushes! I'd get this for my friend that LOVES Bruce:

 

{Source: SchroederJim}

 

{Source: Lake Illustration}

• I can spend a whole year documenting my favorite pieces from the 20X200 site.

Would you ever give art as a gift?