Art gets gifted at new LeRoy Neiman exhibit

What happens when a work transforms what could well be a commercial art piece into a personalized gift? The current exhibition at the LeRoy Neiman Center for Print Studies Gallery, “For You,” explores this specific transformation. Curator Grayson Cox was inspired to organize this exhibition because of a John Walker painting that was created as a gift for Walker’s son. Cox said, “Many artists make things as gifts but this painting is interesting to me because it’s a serious investigation, as in a viable commercial piece, but one that was always meant only for his son.” Art is usually created for the consumption of the general public, and the display of works that are created for specific people as gifts makes this exhibit unusual. The works displayed in “For You” have inherently lost their commodity value since they have been personalized. “Often, art is made for the artist or to be sold. I am interested in how the transfer of content and value changes depending on if there is or is not an intended audience,” Cox said. The five artwork-gifts are displayed around the one-room gallery, and each piece probably would not have been displayed in a public gallery if not for Cox’s investigation of the value and production of artworks-as-gifts. Located across the room from the Walker painting that begins the exhibit is Birgit Rathsman’s gift-artwork for her father, reflecting the words “for you” in the work, words that are also prominently painted in the Walker piece. To the right of the Rathsman piece, Paul Branca’s giant phone card paintings are the least personalized gifts on display here. Each canvas is a giant version of the phone card it contains. Branca noticed that while giving away the paintings to immigrants in Jackson Heights in 2004, people were indeed more likely to pick out the ones containing images that resonated with their own identities. For people with family and friends abroad, the phone cards are their common source of global communication. The images are modeled off the ubiquitous images on the phone cards, and the exact recipient for each painting was unknown. The other gift-artworks on display could be understood as more personalized than the Branca pieces, but Branca’s works literally lose value when the phone card expires, thus fitting in with Cox’s concept of value in a way that the other works on display do not. Some of the works take the form of historically mass-produced gifts and make these objects into personal forms of exchange. By making his art into individualized postcards, Jesse Weiss transfers value to often valueless objects, and manages to create a special network of exchange through his art. Weiss’ personalized postcards are displayed here along with blown-up cell phone photos taken by the recipients of Weiss’ postcards. The cell phone photographs record the homes in which Weiss’ postcards have been displayed, a testament to the new kind of value taken on by these simple but meaningful gifts. Weiss elevates the medium of the postcard, which is generally viewed as a disposable object, and Weiss’s cards are cherished by those who receive them. The artworks displayed reference to the ways people communicate with loved ones: over the phone, through a letter in the mail, by taking a photograph, by painting a picture or wall. The effort of gift-giving results in both a loss and a gain, thus making the gift a fascinating subject to explore. Cox specifically referenced the Bozhkov piece as “a very powerful focal point and a gift to everyone who had the chance to watch him do it.” The outcome of the performance component of Bozhkov’s work has been left on the gallery floor, below his piece. By displaying these works to the public, Cox has created his own sort of gift for gallery visitors. “I was interested in how the audience could somehow benefit from this,” he said. “Maybe they would have a sense that they were witnessing some special kind of exchange once they saw the work and … ask about the stories behind the pieces, which are all very unique.”

Publish Your Own Book with Blurb for the Ultimate Holiday Gift

Personalized gifts are always a hit with family and friends. This holiday season, consumers can easily and affordably publish their own bookstore-quality books with Blurb®, the creative publishing and marketing platform that enables anyone to design, publish, share and sell bookstore-quality books starting at just $4.95.

“Creating a book with your own content – whether it’s photos, stories, family recipes, or other meaningful material – is a highly personal and rewarding experience,” said Eileen Gittins, founder and CEO of Blurb. “Your book is truly a priceless gift for family and friends.”
To create and publish a Blurb book, start by downloading Blurb BookSmart® software from http://www.likepersonalizedgifts.com. BookSmart is free, runs on a Mac or PC, and offers a wide variety of book layouts created by professional book designers. Customers enjoy complete creative control, down to the pixel. Users can create their own page layouts or utilize Blurb’s PDF to Book workflow to design books using the application of their choice, save the file as a PDF, and upload it directly to Blurb.

Blurb books are available in a variety of sizes. For a complete list of sizes and pricing, please visit www.likepersonalizedgifts.com.

Blurb recently introduced a flat-rate shipping option, which significantly reduces shipping costs for customers ordering between 1 to 5 books using U.S. Ground. Flat-rate shipping for 1-5 books using U.S. Ground is just $6.99.

Quite a Character Finds Niche in Personalized Gifts for Kids

Quite a Character was founded on the belief that children deserve (and appreciate) unique, fun, distinctive gifts. Over the past year, the company has built a unique, creative business around its customized production process.

Quite a Character is the brainchild of Patricia Rosensteel, who has found a way to combine her artistic talent with her entrepreneurial spirit.

Quite a Character creates personalized t-shirts that combine a photo of a child’s face with one of six caricature bodies to create a fun, whimsical, one-of-a-kind illustration. The custom illustration is then transferred onto a high-quality tee in the child’s size, for a unique children’s gift.

The process involves two steps, which allow for the creation of customized shirts — one at a time — and which also help assure the extraordinary quality of the finished product, at an affordable price.

The process of creating personalized shirts begins when the client uploads a child’s photo through a simple online system. Quite a Character uses customized digital imaging techniques to process the photo, and then combines it with one of six unique caricature bodies, which the client chooses when he/she places the order.

Once the image has been approved, it is transferred to a high-quality 100% organic t-shirt. This provides the fun, vibrant colors that children love, while ensuring the durability that parents demand. Quite a Character t-shirts are made to hold up well to lots of wear — and to be keepsakes for years to come.

This customized production process is unique to Quite a Character, and has helped the company create a niche market for its personalized gifts for kids.

Entrepreneurial Family Creates Website to Design Personalized Sports Letter Art

Long Island, NY (PRWEB) October 20, 2009 — Daughter-parent team Laurie, Denis and Rosemary Conway created Letters that WOW, an online art boutique where customers can design their own interest-related art using various backgrounds, themes and letters and have it printed and framed into a striking, statement-making art piece. The idea was originally conceived by Laurie who, after viewing a photo of a box of chocolates and seeing the letter ‘L’, had an artistic vision to create a high-end, personalized piece of artwork reflecting an individual person’s passion.

After bringing the idea to her father (a veteran of the market research and IT fields) and mother (a creative and decorative spirit), the three set out to create a sample piece different from other personalized, hobby-based artwork on the market. After completing the process of choosing sports themes, backgrounds, letter design and framing options, the three determined that the actual ‘creation’ of the product was one of the factors that made the idea so special.

The family created an easy-to-use website where customers can log on to www.likepersonalizedgifts.com to create their personalized sports art. The final image is printed on canvas using archival printing methods, gift-wrapped and delivered to the recipient in a beautiful, upscale presentation. “We’ve made it simple and easy to create your own customized artwork, yet the finished product is a fine-art masterpiece,” said Laurie Conway. Customers love logging-on to create personalized gifts for family, friends and co-workers. They also make great group gifts, such as a team presenting to a coach.

The quality of the artwork is due to the family’s specialized process, combining graphic design, photography and digital technology printed on fine art canvas with archival inks. Each set of photographic letters is designed by their talented artist and a professional photographer provides high-resolution background images. Current themes include golf, football, baseball, soccer and basketball, and plans for additional sports and other life interests will be added on a regular basis.

The size of the art piece varies by the number of letters selected but averages 35″ x 13″ when framed. There is a 13-letter maximum for each piece; however, they do accept custom orders.

The family also is dedicated to giving back to the community by donating artwork to various charity auctions. Recently, the family had success working with representatives of the American Cancer Society, who auctioned a Letters that WOW piece signed by 37 pro-golfers from the recent U.S. Open at Bethpage Black for $1,050.

A framed personalized art piece is a great gift item for birthdays, holidays and other special occasions. Passionate sports enthusiasts, youth and adult athletes, coaches and soccer moms will enjoy having a one of a kind keepsake to proudly display in their home or office. The pieces range from $89 (unframed) to $209 – cost depending on framing option chosen.

Digital Photo Frames-Personalized Christmas Gifts at ILoveChinaShopping

Cheap Christmas Personalized Gifts probably make up the bulk of your Christmas shopping this year, but don’t give up hope you can always have a great Christmas without all the fuss about money.

Christmas is my favorite time of the year, and the best thing about the holidays is having the get togethers. If you happen to be on a budget Christmas doesn’t have to be a irritating and disturbing time if you spend what budget you have wisely. Low prices presents don’t have to be tacky and nasty; there are a lot of excellent bargains that can be purchased if you surf online or go into the high streets. For example one of the best ideas is to Wholesale Digital Photo Frames that will go down well and save you getting dear items.

7 inch Digital Photo Frames may be a comparatively cheap Christmas gift. You can offset the low price by adding a precious picture in this 7 inch Digital Photo Frames. This could be an excellent cheap Christmas presents which has great sentimental appeal what is for many of us still the necessary reason for celebrating the Christmas Time.

Script and Scribble New and Exclusive Personalized Holiday Themed Gifts, Photo Cards and Stationery

Script and Scribble Announces the Release of the Holiday 2009 Catalog
Personalized Stationery and Gifts

has an exciting new product line for the 2009 Holiday Season. Script and Scribble has unique items and is always searching for and creating new and one-of-a-kind products. The new holiday catalog and online store have many exclusive and new products that are not available anywhere else. Celebrate the Christmas season with printed photo cards, attached photo cards, or personalized gifts they will never forget. Beautiful gift tags can add an elegant and unique touch to presents this holiday season and make memorable keepsakes. The holiday gift stickers and return address labels are also a must have.

Script and Scribble’s personalized holiday-themed gift selection includes many new unique, handmade, and hand-painted items that are exclusive to Script and Scribble. Send family and friends Christmas, Chanukah, or New Year’s cards with pictures of your precious children printed on quality card stock. There are so many types of personalized gifts for everyone on your list like address books, paperweights, calendar pads, notepad sets, scrapbooks, and even photo notebooks. There is an extensive selection of calling cards, note cards, sketchpads and personalized journals in a variety of new designs with magnificent graphics.

Script and Scribble carries a large assortment of new and exclusive personalized Chanukah gifts . The Hanukah photo cards, invitations, labels and stickers are available in a variety of colorful designs. The personalized Dreidel and Menorah placemats, melamine plates and bowls are sure to be memorable gifts and a nice addition to any party.

Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without one of Script and Scribble’s personalized hand-painted ceramic plates and precious ornaments. A gift from Script & Scribble will make each family member feel special this holiday season. There is an incredible selection of personalized Embroidered and Appliquéd Gifts including aprons, bibs, blankets, towels, and even handmade custom kids loungewear. Newly added are the handmade holiday-themed appliqué shirts and an array of charming new designs of personalized Christmas stockings . Hand-painted Cookies for Santa ceramic plates will thrill the little ones. We have new Holiday-themed melamine plates, bowls, platters, and placemats to add to the holiday festivities. Personalized coffee mugs, mousepads, clipboards and custom rubber stamps come in many holiday and non-holiday versions.
The kids personalized lunchbox and stationery set is a great gift idea that every child will love. It comes with matching note cards, address labels, round stickers and even a pencil. There are quite a few new items for the children in the family including embroidered towels and robes, chore charts, bag tags and personalized canvas art for the bedroom. Teacher gifts are appreciated more when they are personalized – like hand-painted ceramic mugs, adorable teacher notepads, paperweights, or bookmarks. The Custom People Collection is a huge hit, where you custom design stationery, stickers and gifts, with characters that look like members

Jelly Belly Launches Gag Gift Candy Site

Ideal for parties and special occasions, pranksters will enjoy endless possibilities to send a funny personal message. A mix of Centipede and Rotten Egg flavored jelly beans makes the perfect Halloween party mix–and yes they really do taste like their names. To make it your own customized gift to punk a friend, add a photo or artwork and a personal message on select containers, then choose your frightening selection of flavors or colors of BeanBoozled jelly beans.

Or, make it a party game with all 20 flavors of BeanBoozled jelly bean flavors, but here’s the catch – you won’t know which ones are which! The black licorice bean looks exactly like the Skunk Spray bean! Strawberry Jam might also be Centipede flavor. You may think you’re biting into a Coconut, but what you’ll be biting into could actually be Baby Wipes. The only way to find out what beans you’re getting is to eat them!

Personalized gifts may be ordered one at a time or in larger quantities for a party.

At MyBeanBoozled.com containers range from a small bag, perfect for large events, to a clever bean-shaped tin and a generous 6-oz. candy jar. Simply upload the image or choose from Jelly Belly’s image library, then adjust it into position as you see fit. Clip art of Mr. Jelly Belly in various themes is a fun option.

Drag and point features on the site allow you to choose the font and color of the text, enlarge or reduce images to fit the container, even match the colors of jelly beans to your theme.

MyBeanBoozled.com ships to U.S. addresses, including U.S. territories, and APO, FPO and DPO. Orders are shipped within 24-48 hours.

Jelly Belly Launches Gag Gift Candy Site

Introducing gag gifts that will actually gag the recipient can be customized with your own message at MyBeanBoozled.com, a new site from Jelly Belly Candy Company. Personalized gifts of gruesome Jelly Belly® BeanBoozled® flavors will delight fans of the weird and wild in flavors of Canned Dog Food, Skunk Spray, Baby Wipes and seven more wild jelly bean flavors to choose from.

Ideal for parties and special occasions, pranksters will enjoy endless
possibilities to send a funny personal message. A mix of Centipede and Rotten
Egg flavored jelly beans makes the perfect Halloween party mix–and yes they
really do taste like their names.  To make it your own customized gift to punk
a friend, add a photo or artwork and a personal message on select containers,
then choose your frightening selection of flavors or colors of BeanBoozled
jelly beans.
 Or, make it a party game with all 20 flavors of BeanBoozled jelly bean
flavors, but here’s the catch – you won’t know which ones are which! The black
licorice bean looks exactly like the Skunk Spray bean! Strawberry Jam might
also be Centipede flavor. You may think you’re biting into a Coconut, but what you’ll be biting into could actually be Baby Wipes. The only way to find out what beans you’re getting is to eat them!

Gifts may be ordered one at a time or in larger quantities for a party.At MyBeanBoozled.com containers range from a small bag, perfect for large
events, to a clever bean-shaped tin and a generous 6-oz. candy jar. Simply
upload the image or choose from Jelly Belly’s image library, then adjust it
into position as you see fit. Clip art of Mr. Jelly Belly in various themes is
a fun option.

Drag and point features on the site allow you to choose the font and color of
the text, enlarge or reduce images to fit the container, even match the colors
of jelly beans to your theme.

New store will open at Sikes

Located in the mall’s center court near Pacific Sunware and Gordon’s Jewelers, the store features Things Remembered’s popular walk-through kiosk design. A news release said its innovative design allows for enhanced consumer-product interaction and easy access to the store’s personalized gifts. It also incorporates award-winning jewelry display cases and other displays that showcase a variety of engravable gifts for all occasions and recipients.

“Things Remembered has helped consumers incorporate special meaning into really great gifts for more than 40 years, and we are excited to begin creating special moments for the shoppers of the Sikes Senter Mall,” said Amy Myers, Things Remembered vice president of creative services. “We look forward to celebrating all of the year’s special moments with the area residents. Whether it’s a birthday, holiday, business milestone, wedding, anniversary or other occasion, we have a personalized gift to meet every need.”

In addition to its own products, Things Remembered will personalize all shoppers’ favorite things, no matter where they were purchased.