Teacher Gift Ideas

Years and years ago I was a classroom teacher.

I loved my students (mostly) and the parents (generally) but I dreaded the end-of-the-year gifts. Sometimes, rarely, there would be the handwritten note from a parent or child. Those were my favorites and I still treasure them. Once I received a plant to tuck into my home garden. It was a pretty verigated sedum. That was really nice. I was often given home-baked goods (yummy!) and once even a hand-made bird house that I adored. Usually, though, I received Best Teacher Ever mugs filled with candy. Or Best Teacher Ever tote bags. There were countless Best Teacher Ever tee-shirt-clad teddy bears and stuffed cats and, once, a Best Teacher Ever throw pillow.

Now, perhaps all my students imagined me at home over the summer, sipping tea in a mug from from my Best Teacher Ever mug collection, casually reclining on my Best Teacher Ever throw pillow while I contemplated a wall of Best Teacher Ever tee-shirt-clad teddy bears. Perhaps they could see me, heading out the door for fun summer activities with my Best Teacher Ever tote bag casually slung over my arm, a second cup of tea in my Best Teacher Ever travel mug.

They were wrong.

While I did appreciate the sentiment, the pre-printed platitudes made me feel like the WORST teacher ever. Heck, I was an ART teacher. What about making me a drawing? Something out of paper mache? A note saying "Thank you for teaching me not to cut my hand off with the X-acto knife' would have been pretty cool.

Now, I'm on the other end of the gift-giving. My daughters both have had wonderful teachers at their Montessori school and we are about to jump up to a new room for both of them. For the last 3 years they have each been with these wonderful women who have taught them so much and had such a profound influence on their lives. Of course, I can't just give them mugs, or tote bags, unless they are some amazing locally-crafted goodness. I will write those notes, and so will my daughters, but I'll also give them jewelry. I'll make something myself, and hope they like it.

If you have teachers that need gifts soon then you may want to check out these projects. I promise all of them are way better than the World's Best Teacher tee-shirt you saw at Target last week.
Yes, I've written about this before. It's kind of a personal mission of mine to end junky teacher gifts!

Teacher Gifts!

Aggh! it's almost the end of the school year. In my annual effort to save the teachers of the world from the gifts I used to get when I was in the classroom* here are a few links to great and not-too-spendy projects you can make (or your kiddos can!) to say thanks to favorite teachers or other adults who make their days. Remember the attendance office lady who looked the other way on the fifteenth time your child was late? or the bus driver who actually has sing-alongs with the kids? That is going above and beyond.

And if your children are home schooled (lucky-ducks!) then you can make gifties for the public library librarians who find them seventy four books about squirrels or medieval castles, or the cool girl at the coffee shop who spends twenty minutes teaching your budding engineer about the fluid dynamics of the espresso maker.
Seriously, lets all make a gift for someone who makes our parenting lives just that much easier.

The ideas:
Betz White has a pattern for great nest and egg brooches or barrettes to make. Very sweet and a nice take on the ubiquitous bird theme...these make up fast, too!

How about a quick Memory Frame pendant? Don't put a picture of your child, no matter how cute they are. Instead take a piece of their artwork and reduce it on a color copier to the appropriate size. That lopsided sheep in a boat will suddenly look very au courant when sealed behind glass and hung from a silk cord. Add a note on the back (also reduced!) that says thanks for being my teacher and you have the gift that will get worn AND shown off.

And finally, what about a beaded lanyard? If your child's teacher has to wear one of these, why not make it pretty? You can string up beads in the teacher's favorite color, or the school colors, and attach a badge clip hook to the end. This is a gift that will get used!

I am going to go raid my studio this weekend and see what we can come up with...the teachers and librarians in our lives are pretty great.

*Stuffed bears and University of Oklahoma coffee mugs. I was in Texas. Parents asked where I went to school and I said "OSU" so they bought me Oklahoma gear. Problem is, I am from Ohio, so "OSU" means Ohio State University!

It's Teacher Gift Time

Do you have children who have teachers? If so, you know that spring means Teacher Gifts. Now, before you rush off to Rite Aid and get a teddy bear holding a coffee cup filled with stale caramels that says 'I luv my teacher', please reconsider. This person taught your child. They were there on the days you kinda-mighta-sorta thought that your child was a bit sick but sent them to school anyway. They were there when your child was bitten by the classroom lizard. They were there when your child peed their pants during the presentation of the 'what I learned about paramecium' unit. They have been thrown up on, ignored, adored and laughed with all year.*

They deserve better. Heck, they deserve the best.

I have written about this before, but honestly, it's a good topic to revisit.

Give those teachers really nice handmade gifts. It doesn't have to be a hand-knit cashmere sweater. It doesn't have to cost a lot. It should say 'hey, I noticed you all year and appreciate what you do.' This year, I'm in favor of the casual bracelet. Everyone is wearing them right now and teachers do tend to be pretty casual most days. Plus, bracelets are a great summer accessory so they can wear them NOW.

Here are some suggestions from our Tutorials Page, you can click the picture for the instructions.

That first one is a bit more classic, the second one can be customized with a special charm that is perfect for the specific teacher. That last one is a larger-scale and can be for a guy. Actually, the light blue one on the bottom WILL be for my husband on Father's Day. Don't worry, he never reads the blog.

Are you too busy to make a gift? No, no you are not. You don't want to have to bring the lizard home for the summer, do you?

*Note: my daughters would want me to tell you that these things did NOT happen to them. They are made up examples. Fictional, as the girls would say!

good morning-

We are enjoying a remarkably cool spring here in North Carolina. The weather has been pleasant, the mornings have even required a nice cotton cardigan. The temperature can't fool the calendar though; the school year is winding down and full summer is approaching. 

Our work table has been filled lately with people creating gifts for teachers and friends. This is a time of transitions and good-byes, and passing along a bit of a gift can ease the separation or mark the passage. In this past week, I helped a mom make a necklace for the kindergarten teacher who took special care with her son. She knotted some stone beads into a simple strand that will be worn for years. I also helped a young woman make a bracelet for the little girl she's been babysitting. The college-bound sitter was recognizing that she'll miss the child as much as she is missed by the child, and the bracelet contained charms that will be meaningful to both. It's a lucky joy of my job, this helping with works of the heart.

 

Right now, I'm working on my own teacher gifts. My girls will make an item or two, but I always want to add a bit more to the package. I've got an idea or two already, and all this week I'll be sharing pics and stories about handmade gifts I love on our store Instagram account. 

 

We do still have some bead bundles and beads left over from the final Elaine Ray trunk show. The bundles are discounted bead groupings put together by me, personally. They are inspirational mixes of Elaine's shapes and glazes. I'll post some pictures of the ones we still have available on our facebook page and below in this newsletter. Call the store to purchase a bundle if you are interested; they are one of a kind and can't be re-made.  

I'm off to make coffee. Have a wonderful, crafty day-

P.S. At the advice of a talented young friend, I'm going to be posting my letter on our store blog each Tuesday. This content also appears in our store newsletter. It is free, and I send it out each Tuesday morning. If you'd like to subscribe to our weekly store newsletter, click here to find out how.

Thanksgiving Day crafts for the whole family

I write about this every year. I can't help it. Somehow spending a whole day in the kitchen, drinking red wine and sprinkling sage on anything that doesn't move makes me want to be crafty. I take that feeling out on my dinner guests. I call it Forced Crafting.

Since they come back each year, I guess they like it, too.

If you are spending Thanksgiving with family and want to do something other than talk about politics or football or, heaven forbid, hit the 'early bird' sales, you need to craft. It's the best option. After the dinner is over just commandeer the dining table for an hour or two of MAKING THINGS. Your family and guests will thank you.

I promise.

 

Try making decopatched soap dispensers. Load up on some inexpensive pump-style soaps and get a mix of decopatch papers and glue. Cover the dining room table with an old shower curtain. Turn on some jazzy music. Get your uncle to do the paper-tearing, and let the kids cover the bottles in glue. Watch this video to prep for the experience. These make good teacher gifts, by the way!

Warning: this IS messy. Fun, but MESSY.

Create tiny snowman ornaments. This project is not messy. This project involves sticking a piece of wire through some felt balls. And using a permanent marker. These tiny snowmen are perfect for tying on gifts or just hanging around the house as snow-day good luck charms. See the tutorial for info. 

 Read a few more ideas here. 

Newsletter message, June 9, 2015

Greetings! How is your summer going? Yes, I know that the season technically starts on the 21st, but here in North Carolina the weather is already toasty. I've developed a strong relationship with my sandals. Our evenings on the porch now involve a fair amount of cricket chirping, mixed in with the frog songs.  ahh... I'm excited to welcome summer. I look forward to some lazy days. I am planning a big studio sorting; my girls both need new desks (they currently use junior-sized, 1970's school desks) and my bead collection needs some tidying. I like to take crafts with me on trips. Doing that requires a bit of pre-planning and packing. My problem is that I often don't unpack until the night before the next trip. I'm hoping to get ahead of my self and sort things out so that I'll be ready for an adventure. I like to use a big bag with several clear storage bins and lots of zip-up bags for tools and supplies, but it may be time for a new way to travel. Speaking of travel and places I love, today's Try It features one of our NC charms. This leather-and-chain bracelet is a nice little token to accompany you on your summer adventures. Did you know that Ornamentea will be 16 in September? We are already planning our Sweet 16 party, and of course, you are invited. I'm thinking that a lot of my chill-out time this summer may involve a new Pinterest page...Ornamentea's Big Sweet 16!  If you are on Pinterest, won't you follow us and help me plan it? Find our Pinterest page here.  I'll see you soon- Make it at the red table...

Try this, today Create a sweet friendship bracelet with an NC pendant today at our work table. This leather bracelet is accented with linen and brass chain. The technique can be adapted for necklaces and scaled up, for greater drama.  Join us today, 10-6, to make this bracelet for just $4. After today, the Make-N-Take kits for this bracelet will be $5 each.  (psst...these make wonderful teacher gifts!) Tell a friend to meet you here to Try It!

Breakfast and Beads We start the weekend early. We open at 8:30 every Fridaymorning and would love for you to join us. Whether you are grabbing the supplies you need for that weekend out of town, or you can stay a while and join us for a cup of coffee and a bit of making at the work table, we would love to see you. Breakfast & Beads is every Friday, from 8:30-10:30, with coffee and breakfast treats.  Invite a friend to meet you here.

Pop-Up Fabric Shop Sunday - Tuesday If you quilt, sew or stitch, you'll want to join us for this 3-day pop-up Fabric Shop. This collection of designer fabrics is all printed on 100% cotton, so it's perfect for summer wear. Look for the prints you see here, plus 100's of others. I've already got one mix-up tote bag from a blend of these, and I feel another one coming on! pop-up Fabric Shop 3 days only, June 14-16 opens Sunday at 12 noon! read on to the end of the email for free fabric coupon!

take a class to create something new

Friday night Craftcycle Party create a chevron denim cuff Save $5 with the code DENIM click to learn more   Saturday make a statement create a layered necklace and learn several knotting and finishing techniques  click to learn more

check out our class listing here

this week's new items and restocks:

we've received several new styles of daggers and drops, plus a few restocks ask to see our stone cabs...these are fab for that stone-setting class you are taking! vintage rhinestones, PLUS lots of other new beads are on the wood trays... back in stock- black, tuquoise, cream and crystal rosary chains see them here back in stock waxed linen cording see it here new charms are in the charm mix bin!  lots of new Toho beads are here, they'll be on the site by next week back in stock, LOTS of Decopatch papers, all the way from France...come see them back in stock, metal beads including these favorites the text above was excerpted from our weekly store newsletter...you missed coupons, sale notices and some other fun...don't miss the next one, sign up at the link in the sidebar of this blog!

Handmade Holiday Party reminder

Tomorrow, October 17, 4:00-9:00 Join us for our annual holiday gift-making kickoff. Make handmade gifts they want to receive. see this season's new projects FIRST  visit with bead artist Lisa Daly (she's moving to Portland in a month!) a fun, almost-all-ages class showing you a great project to make for teacher and friend gifts (register right here) free color templates for holiday projects take $5 off any class you register for at the party, learn a new technique and then make your gifts with it special prices on some of your favorite jewelry supplies watch a ceramic pendant-making demo with Helen, 4-6 pm only fab new stones and beads, new fibers, new inspiration refreshments, drawings for gift certificates, fun of all kinds enjoy spiced pear martinis and other treats from April at Happyfoodwine   Interested? RSVP by clicking the link below!

SALE: All Day Friday Swarovski crystal strands and bagged crystals 50% off!

Designer's Downtown Market this weekend!

This Saturday we will have another Designer's Downtown Market here in Glenwood South. There will be artists from all over the Southeast with handbags, jewelry, handmade soaps, outdoor art and dog collars. I am hoping to pick up a new favorite tee shirt and maybe a springy tote bag. I might even get organized enough to pick up Mother's Day and end-of-year teacher's gifts.

The Market takes place in the parking lots of Ornamentea, Get Dressed and Hipsteria right here on West Street in Raleigh. We open early, at 9:00, when the market starts. There will be lots of parking in the area and the weather will be lovely.

To learn more about the market, click here.

Of course, we always have some special marked down items on Market day; this year look for some nifty vintage decor items, bead strands at 1/2 price, discounted books and magazines and probably a few more things I am forgetting to mention.

See you Saturday!

Newsletter: panic mode! only 9 days left!

Are you in panic mode? I am. What is it about the end of the year that makes me feel this way? I'm not only trying to get gifts made and wrapped, I'm also trying to get my closet cleaned out and go through a giant pile of paperwork on my desk. Why? Those un-opened junk mail envelopes and half-read magazines will still be there in a month.  Somehow, at the end of the year I feel like I want to finish all my tasks. I like the idea of waking up, on New Year's Day, with a clean slate for the new year. That is an unobtainable goal, I know. The urge is strong, though.  With that in mind, I'm going to be doing some giveaways on the blog this week and next. Look for a copy of a magazine, two books, a kit and more. You can help me clean off my desk by entering all these contests, on the blog and on our instagram and facebook pages.

As the year ends we are also preparing to bid good-bye to a long-term Ornamentea staff member. Ndidi Kowalczyk has been an integral part of Ornamentea for over a dozen years. She's seen us go from the tiny store on Glenwood and a few strands of beads to a rainbow of sparkle, classes, events and fun. Ndidi is a talented artist and a generous teacher. She is leaving us to devote herself, full-time, to her enameling and metalsmithing work. I will miss her skills, her wisdom, her humor and her support, but I am also so very excited to see what comes out of her creative hands. While she might prefer a more discrete exit, I am letting you know so that you can stop in and say a final hello to her on our sales floor. If you want to make sure you keep up with her artistic work, be sure to follow her facebook page at hothouse posey. I'll see you soon-

Create sweet felted ornaments with a video tutorial

I love these felted ornaments created by Heather Powers. She's a talented designer and teacher, and I can't wait to sit down and watch her video tutorial for making these sweet ornaments. They would be an easy, fun craft to create for holiday gifts. I know lots of folks who would love one of these tied on their package. 

Check out Heather's video tutorial here.

Check out our felting supplies and wool roving here or stop in to the shop.