No matter what the gift-giving occasion that's being shopped for, saving money seems to be the highest priority on everyone's mind these days.
No matter what the gift-giving occasion that’s being shopped for, saving money seems to be the highest priority on everyone’s mind these days. This list of gifts is not all-inclusive by any means, but should serve as a reliable go-to guide for cost effective mixed-media artist gift ideas.
Top Gifts for Artists
- Canvas: While stretched canvas is an obvious choice for the fine artist on many shopping lists, canvas board lends a sturdier work surface for mixed-media artists who prefer working in layers or with weighty materials. Canvas boards are available in most discount stores, as well as craft stores, for $5.00 and under.
- Used magazine lots: eBay and Etsy are both great shopping resources for used magazine lots, as well as magazine page lots. Listings generally run between $.99 and $9.99 for auctions and buy it now items.
- Used book lots: Again, Ebay and Etsy are great shopping resources for used book lots. Don’t forget about thrift stores, yard sales, and flea markets for single book sales as well.
- Adhesives: Mixed-media artists use a wide variety of adhesives including glues ticks, white glue, gel medium, rubber cement, and hot glue. When shopping sales, as well as for small containers, it’s possible to purchase these adhesives anywhere between $.25 and $7.99.
- Punches: Punching for altered books, art journals, and a multitude of other projects is considered old hack for many mixed-media artists. Most art and craft supply stores sell small punches ranging from $1.00 to $5.99. Try searching through Ebay for punches in lots or single auctions, as well, for rock bottom deals.
- Ephemera: Mixing paper ephemera into collage pieces, assemblage, paintings, and 3-D pieces is fun so long as the materials do not run out! Keep the mixed-media artist on your list stocked up by searching for lots on Ebay and Etsy. These items are also available in antique stores, at estate sales, and sometimes at flea markets.
- Paint: Typically, mixed-media artists find benefit working with water-soluble paints such as tempera, acrylics, and watercolors. Some acrylics and tempera paint are available as low as $.99 per tube or bottle. Small watercolor sets are available as low as $9.99 or less.
- Fibers: Pieces of fabric, yarn, thread, felt, and other fabric store finds are important staples in any mixed-media artist’s studio for projects ranging from paper making to sculptures to painting. Hunting for bargains on these items isn’t impossible, particularly for those hunting through flea markets and yard sales. For example, embroidery floss is available as low as $.15 a piece at some discount stores.
- Oddities: Buttons, zippers, gems, broken tiles, miscellaneous game pieces, and rocks may seem like trash to some, but these oddities, as well asmany others (pieces of screen, ruined records, old keys, etc.) are treasures for the mixed-media artist. Sometimes these items can be found for free or in lots up to $9.99 depending on where you look.
- Toolkit: Wait. What? A toolkit? Yes! A small toolkit containing the basic essentials is important because mixed-media artists like to hammer, cut, measure, hack, twist, and bang things around until they find their vision. Discount super stores carry small toolkits for under $10.
This list is meant to get the shopping wheels turning during gift giving occasions. Make sure to be on the look-out for paper that may be on clearance, as well as other treasures specifically geared toward the mixed-media artist being shopped for. Remember, if it seems odd or unusual, it might be the perfect gift!
Copyright Jenn Greenleaf. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.
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