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Everyone has experienced a similar situation where they have to present a particular individual with a gift and they are one of those people who seem to already have ‘everything’. Whether it is a gift for a birthday, anniversary, holiday, special event or other special day, finding just the right present seems impossible. All of their hobbies, interests, needs and personal style have all been taken into account yet there still doesn’t seem to be a gift that is ideal for him or her. This type of situation is becoming more and more common and has caused the retail community to offer an option to give as a gift that is universally acceptable for any occasion- the gift certificate.

A gift certificate is really nothing more than a piece of paper or a small card that is similar is size to a credit card that can be used at a particular store or a family of stores and is valid for a specific amount of money. Instead of presenting a person with an item that he or she may not like or need and have to go through the process of returning the item. Basically, a gift certificate offers a person the promise of receiving something that they have always wanted or something that they might not have purchased for themselves when they choose to redeem their gift certificate.

Gift certificates aren’t being used just for gifts anymore. Many businesses are offering a gift certificate to its employees as part of incentive and reward programs. Employees who meet a certain quota or who have an outstanding attendance record will often be able to choose a gift certificate as a bonus for any type of superior achievement. A gift certificate may also be part of marketing programs that are designed to arouse the interest of new customers and provide them with just enough purchasing power to get them into a position of shopping from a particular company.

Almost everyone is beginning to recognize how universally pleasing a gift certificate can be in a number of situations. Churches and organizations that need to raise money have begun to offer raffles in order to receive a gift certificate. Gift certificates are also part of many reward programs on the Internet and through mail order businesses in order to keep customers coming back to shop.

Gift certificates are available for more than just common retail stores. A gift certificate can be purchased from a restaurant, a movie theater, sporting event, candy store, pizza parlor, book store, fast food establishments, lingerie shops, video rental stores and much more. One of the most popular types of gift certificates in recent years is a gift certificate to a spa. Most spa gift certificates can be purchase for a single service or for a full day’s treatment.

source: ezinearticles.com

One of those interesting issues that doesn’t seem to come up a lot is what do you do if you receive a gift that you wish that you hadn’t. The gift can either be one that is something you just can’t use, don’t appreciate, or if it is just unacceptable; not all gifts are appreciated in the light that they were given. Fortunately, there are some options.

You can donate the gift to a worthwhile charity. This is best for gifts that have some practical value, and can be used by anyone. Gifts of tools, clothes, and food are best for this option, and will usually be accepted; food may have some restrictions, but some church groups, especially those with food closets, will accept a wide variety of food. However, art gifts or gifts that were made especially for you cannot be dealt in this fashion.

You can give it to someone you know that would appreciate the gift. It’s not advisable that you do with too many of your gifts, as it just seems impolite. However, for some of your gifts, this is acceptable. In some ways, this is probably the best way to deal with gifts of art, especially if you someone appreciates the piece of art more than you do. At the same time, if you think that your gift will benefit some other person greater than you would, and there is an obvious need, this is usually actually seen in a good light.

Although it may be rather rude, you can throw the gift away. There’s just some gifts where this is unfortunately the best solution, especially if the gift is obviously unacceptable. It won’t happen often, but sometimes you just get a gift where there really is no other option. In some rare cases you may wish to give thee gifts to the authorities, but throwing it away is usually the best option.

Options to avoid are selling those gifts, especially on internet auction blocks. It stretches the limits of what is acceptable for gift-giving, and can cause some issues top arise between the gift giver and accepter. It’s okay to sell the gift a few months down the road, but it’s just weird. The same applies to destroying the gift, especially if it was just given. The gift is yours to do with as you please, but if you stretch that, feelings may be hurt. Also, if you do re-gift the gift, try not to give it back to the person; unless it’s a running joke between the two of you or your group, this is extremely rude thing to even consider.

Keep in mind that you don’t need to tell the original giver; once given the gift’s eventual fate is up to you. Once a gift is given, it is truly yours. Do what you feel you need to do without any guilt.

source: ezinearticles.com

A frugal gift is measured first by it’s usefulness. Speaking from my own experience, I would say that my most appreciated gifts are those that I not only find useful, but that I would have had to purchase myself at some point. With that in mind, the frugal mind that is, the gift actually serves two practical purposes; It is useful and saves me money.

If you are a frugal gal, this task will be much easier for you. If great minds think alike, the same is true of frugal minds. Simply look within yourself. The frugal gal can get excited about the most ordinary of items. For the rest of you, here’s a little help.

Although you may question some items on the list, remember, the frugal gal enjoys frugal things! She looks to get the best value for her money and this IS what makes her happy! It just makes sense that providing a practical frugal gift that may also save money, will make her happy. Isn’t that what great gifts should do? So here’s to happiness and the pursuit of the frugal lifestyle! Happy holidays, happy birthdays, happy Mother’s day, etc. etc. etc….

FRUGAL GIFT BASKET IDEAS

Some of these unique gift baskets might seem odd or unusual to the average person. If you’re a frugal gal, you’ll completely understand. The rest of you will just have to trust me.
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THE LAUNDRY GIFT BASKET

For the frugal gal who holds onto things until they fall apart (or even after they fall apart).

This is the gal who has a laundry basket held together with duct tape, tied together with string or rope, or repaired several times with other various ingenious methods.
Probability is, she may not even have a laundry basket. I have several produce boxes (they are extremely strong, especially banana boxes) that make wonderful laundry carriers! And, they are free.

Fill a sturdy laundry basket with one or two boxes each:

* Arm and Hammer Washing Soda
* 20 Mule Team Borax
* A few bars of Fels-Naptha Laundry Bar Soap

I say “sturdy” basket because it will inevitably be put to the test by a frugal gal! If your frugal gal doesn’t need a new laundry basket, you can give these gifts in an appropriate size traditional gift basket or just gift bag ‘em.

This is a great gift for anyone who doesn’t mind saving money. And, I don’t know anyone who minds! I would mix up one batch and put in a tightly sealed container. (You can make a decorative container yourself i.e. – a quart mason jar and some decorative fabric banded over the top. Tie with pretty ribbon.) Place with the laundry detergent ingredients to get them to try it and started down the right path. Include the following Laundry Detergent Recipe with the Laundry Basket Gift.

source: ezinearticles.com

Choosing gifts for coworkers can be challenging. It seems as if it is always someone’s birthday, anniversary or a major holiday. You certainly do not want to spend everything you make on gifts, but the occasions for gift giving can pile up. Many times, you do not know coworkers as well as you do the other gift recipients in your life, but you can find ways to determine what to give and what to spend.

Give a Gift As a Group

One of the most often chosen methods of gift giving at a work or office is a group gift. A designated person gathers the money from everyone in the office and purchases a chosen gift. This can work well for several reasons. No one person carries a large financial burden for the gift. You may be able to get a nicer gift as a group than you would on your own because of a larger dollar amount available. Most important, no favoritism is shown because everyone participates.

Giving Individual Gifts

If your workplace doesn’t do group gifts, you may feel obligated to purchase a gift for your coworkers on special occasions. Many times, you may be genuine friends with your fellow worker and want to give a gift, but other times it may be due to obligation. When this is the case, you will want to keep the gift simple. For birthdays, anniversaries or similar occasions, a greeting card may be all that is needed. A card signed by everyone in the office does the job as well as ten different cards.

Keep in mind, while there are etiquette rules you may want to follow, you are not obligated to buy everyone a gift. You do not have to purchase a gift for the new guy you never met who works two floors below you.

Small Personal Gifts

When giving personal gifts to coworkers, you can choose a gift that is small but says you thought about that person, such as engraved pens, stationery, a book, lotion, something they need for their desk, flavored coffees or unusual tea with a cute mug. It takes little time and effort to personalize a gift by adding a handmade card, thoughtful note or colorful ribbon.

source: ezinearticles.com

With the holiday season upon us, it is time to make up that shopping list. Like many of us your list is probably made up of friends, family and people who have helped advance your business and/or career. We take the time to send gifts to the people on our list to express our gratitude to them.

Gift-giving is an excellent way to Thank a customer or client for their business and to help build business and professional relationships. Receiving a gift makes us feel good and consequently, makes us feel good about the person who has given us the gift.

One of the keys to good gift-giving is in knowing what is and what is not appropriate. Sending a gift basket to one of your customers for a referral they sent you is appropriate. Sending a Christmas themed gifts to a client of the Jewish faith would not be appropriate where a Kosher gift would be. When it comes to business and corporate holiday gift giving it is best to give gifts that are without holiday themes, do to the varying religious and personal beliefs. An exception to this rule is if you know the receiver’s personal or religious beliefs, giving a gift that reflects their beliefs makes the gift more personal and creates a lasting impression. Give gifts that people will use. The trend this year is to return to the classics. Nearly everyone loves receiving edible gifts. Food gifts such as chocolate or fruit baskets, special cookies, and even wines are always appreciated and will probably be taken home to the family and friends, with your company getting a mention for providing the gourmet treats.

The reason Gift Baskets are one of the most popular gifts to give because you can never go wrong with food and edible gifts. People love receiving delectable treats, delicious chocolates, fine wine and cheeses and other gourmet foods the recipient of the gift cannot find in their area. Gift Baskets are filled with a selection of gourmet delights making them a great gift for a group of people such as Doctors office staff or employees at your child’s day care center. With today’s focus on the environment and healthy eating, fruit gift baskets are the perfect gift for anyone on your list. Fruit Baskets are holiday neutral, healthy and are well received by everyone. As with any gift basket, fruit baskets come in different sizes and offer a large selection of different fruit and other healthy snacks.Today gift basket designs and themes are almost endless. They are now created with themes focusing on kids, infants, relaxation, sympathy, health, thank you, Wedding, house warming, corporate promotion/marketing, the list is almost endless. Pretty much if you need it, it can be created.

source: ezinearticles.com

Good Morning,

I have been mulling over the question of how one learns to appreciate art, fabric art in particular, and how to educate the public about art quilts.

First of all, art quilts as an art form is a relatively new concept in the art world. Textile art has existed a long time in the form of woven tapestries or sewn garments. Quilts have also existed a long time and have even been decorated with embroidery even as they were used as bedspreads on beds for warmth. Some garments were quilted and used under armor and other outerwear to keep people warm.

Traditional American quilts flourished in the 1800s and were mostly used for practical purposes although they were very artfully hand sewn and embroidered. A lot of women made quilts for their trousseaus and also telling family histories such as births, marriages and deaths. Still, they were mostly treasured as family heirlooms handed down for several generations. Today, museums and private collectors pay huge sums for antique bed quilts so in that sense, they are now art.

The modern art quilts (to be hung on the wall) evolved in the early 70s, through the 80s and the 90s. Many women were interested in their grandmother’s quilts or quilts their mothers made for them and had learned sewing and hand embroidery since they were young, but wanted to find new ways of expressing their creativity using fabrics of all kinds. The notion came that maybe we could make quilts that would strictly be for decorative purposes to be displayed on the walls in homes, hotel lobbies, offices, restaurants and other public spaces.

There was a lot of experimentation taking place at this time using traditional cutting or sewing techniques and designs in new expanded ways where blocks were not all the same but different. Some artists even used blocks of different sizes to be sewn together in creative ways. Many started coloring, dyeing and printing their own fabrics which then were cut up in various ways and reassembled to form a new graphic image. Some used one piece of fabric and embellished it with more fabric sewn directly onto the top, either appliqued by hand or machine. Some added colorful hand stitching as part of the design.

Sewing techniques became innovative also because of new sewing machine technology where lots of machine stitching and embroidery became part of the overall design, not just used to quilt two layers of fabric and the batting together. This trend continues today with many fabric artists using free motion (random stitching) to highlight areas of design or even be an intricate part of the graphics.

source: ezinearticles.com

Contrary to popular belief Pop Art actually started in the UK in the 1950′s and not in the USA in the 1960′s as most people assume. One phrase espoused by art historians which fairly describes the origins of modern pop art is that pop art was born in England and grew up in America . Now aged well over 50, the good news is that Pop Art is very much alive and kicking and looking very sprightly for its age. In fact, in more recent times there appears to have been something of a renaissance of young pop artists around the globe – again finding its origins in the United Kingdom and, once again, moving west to the USA .

Many small galleries, websites, eBay and even more traditional décor retailers are now featuring a range of affordable pop art paintings. So what’s so new about this? Pop Art’s been around for a long time hasn’t it? Isn’t it old school?

Some would argue that the recent and re-explosion of the retail trade in the sale of original Pop Art paintings is the post-modern realisation of Warhol’s vision of the role of art within modern society. Warhol’s work in democratising art production and ownership were naturally hindered by the physical limitations of the amount of art he could personally produce. This inspired Warhol to set up his Art Factory (a studio production team mainly producing screen prints of Andy’s original designs in the earlier years and a fully autonomous art machine in later years).

However, one might argue that Andy Warhol’s achievements in canonising pop art, whilst of course outstanding for the work of just one man, didn’t fully realise the mandate of a pop/popular post-modern art form in that they were inextricably enmeshed with his personality and artist-as-celebrity status. Industrialist art emancipates art from the modernist notion of the struggling artist working magic in his lonely garret and returns instead to an earlier model of the art studio collective producing art to order.

One might therefore adopt the belief that this earlier pre-renaissance model of art production, rather than being outmoded, tallies more with a post-modern realisation of the role art occupies in society and defies the now archaic modernist notion of the artist as inspired genius. That’s why this author contends that we young new breed of Pop Artists have truly democratised art production and ownership – claiming it back from the aficionados and beard-stroking critics who stole art from the people from whom it finds its genesis.

Once was the time that every abode was adorned with original art from the first daubs on cave walls to the highly decorated homes of the Egyptians through to the intensely decorated artefacts of the Celts. Pop art in one sense has reduced art to the mundane (Warhol’s Campbell Soup can being an obvious example) and yet, simultaneously, elevated popular culture, media and celebrity itself to the lofty heights of art.

The most encouraging thing about this new-breed of pop artists is the way it offers, at last, real art back to the people at a price every working man or woman can afford – a price dictated by the labour involved in its production only and free from the price hikes that galleries would make in order to preserve it for the very elite.

source: ezinearticles.com

Art Therapy was developed in the 1930′s when psychiatrists studied artwork to see if there was a link between the art and the illness of their patients. The principle foundation of Art Therapy is based on the belief that the creative process involved in the making of art is healing and life-enhancing. Through creating art and reflecting on the art products and processes with an Art Therapist, one can increase awareness of self, cope with symptoms, stress, and traumatic experiences, enhance cognitive abilities, and enjoy the life-affirming pleasures of artistic creativity.

Art Therapy is used to treat depression, anxiety, anger and aggression, substance abuse, oppositional tendencies, posttraumatic stress, attention deficit and hyperactivity, and self-injurious behaviors (American Art Therapy Association).

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
(American Art Therapy Association)

What is Art Therapy?

Art therapy is a human service profession which utilizes art media, images, the creative art process and patient/client responses to the created art productions as reflections of an individual’s development, abilities, personality, interests, concerns, and conflicts. Art therapy practice is based on knowledge of human developmental and psychological theories which are implemented in the full spectrum of models of assessment and treatment including educational, psychodynamic, cognitive, transpersonal, and other therapeutic means of reconciling emotional conflicts, fostering self-awareness, developing social skills, managing behavior, solving problems, reducing anxiety, aiding reality orientation, and increasing self-esteem.

Art therapy is an effective treatment for the developmentally, medically, educationally, socially or psychologically impaired; and is practiced in mental health, rehabilitation, medical, educational, and forensic institutions. Populations of all ages, races, and ethnic backgrounds are served by art therapists in individual, couples, family, and group therapy formats.

Where Do Art Therapists Work?

Art Therapists work in private offices, art rooms, or meeting rooms in facilities such as:

o hospitals–both medical and psychiatric

o out-patient facilities

o clinics

o residential treatment centers

o halfway houses

o shelters

o schools

o correctional facilities

o elder care facilities

o pain clinics

o universities

o art studios

Art therapist may work as part of a team which includes physicians, psychologists, nurses, rehabilitation counselors, social workers, and teachers. Together, they determine and implement a client’s therapeutic, school, or mental health program. Art therapists also work as primary therapists in private practice.

How do I choose an Art Therapist?

Each Art Therapist works differently. Some may specialize in a specific area of interest or with a specific population group. Because Art Therapists theoretical background differ, some may focus on assessment and diagnosis, some may uses Freudian theory, or Cognitive Behavior approaches, or Jungian theory, etc. Some may focus on the art making process rather than the finished product. When you are choosing an Art Therapist you need to ask questions and state what your specific needs are. This will help you clarify if the Art Therapist is right for you.

source: ezinearticles.com

Mural paintings are the valued treasures of Kerala. These fresco paintings are classified as ‘Frecco-secco’. The paintings are done on walls that are completely dry and a lime medium is used. It originated from the Dravidian art of Kalamezhuthu. This traditional painting has a history back from 9th to 12th century A.D.

White, yellow, black, red are the pure colors to be used as per ‘Shilparatna’. Ocher yellow, Ocher red, white, bluish green and pure green are the primary colors in Murals.

The dyes for its preparation are made out of vegetables, chemicals etc.

• White – from lime
• Black- carbon soot of lamps
• Red and yellow- minerals
• Blue- indigo ferra
• Deep red- lac

A fine coating of resin is done after the painting in order to make a shining appearance. Flat, medium and fine types of brushes are used to paint the colors. The colors are mixed in wooden utensils. The foundation is done with dung cryons and then the paintings are done.

Hindu temples also hold murals on the themes derived from the religious texts. The Kanthaloor temple and the Trivikramapuram at Thiruvananthapuram, Ajanad at Idukki have the oldest frescos in Kerala. some other places with murals are- Thiruvanchikulam (Kerala’s own tradition of murals), temples at Vaikom, Ettumanoor, Thrikkodithaanam and Sri Padmanabha Swamy Temple Thiruvananthapuram.

The churches in Kerala also display many murals on Christian themes. Some of them are churches at Mulanthuruthy, Chepad, Edappalli and Vechur.

The unique works of Kerala frescos provide an excellent architectural style. The deep study of it will provide one with valuable information about the art and culture of Kerala. The murals that concentrate only on icons give an incomparable beauty to it.

Source : articlesbase.com

Paintings in India have a long and glorious history in India. Some of the oldest works like those of Raja Ravi Varma have acquired the antique status long ago and are rarely in circulation. Desi paintings India has a number of variations. The cultural heritage of the nation itself being so very ancient and vibrant, it is only natural that art has flourished in this land for several centuries. India boasts of world class painters in modern times too. For a broad classification, one can divide these works into murals and miniatures. Murals are the larger works found on solid structures such as temples, palaces, or caves. Some of these date back to 5500 BC. The paintings at Ajanta & Ellora are classic examples of Murals. Miniature paintings have largely been executed on perishable mediums like cloth or paper. Some representative forms of Desi paintings India are dealt with in greater detail below

Madhubani Painting

The origin of Madhubani painting is shrouded in mystery. But, many believe this to have originated during the time of Ramayana. This is practiced largely in Bihar, India in the Mithila region.

Rajasthani Painting

Rajasthan is another Indian state. Rajasthani painting is another variation of Desi paintings India and is supposed to have flourished in the royal courts of Rajputana, India during the 18th century. Colors used for these works in those days often posed a great challenge. Plants, minerals, conch shells and other ingredients had to be processed over several weeks to obtain the desired colors. Certain colors even involved the processing of gold, silver and precious stones.

Mughal Paintings

Mughal paintings enjoy a distinct place for itself. The unique blend of Islamic, Persian and Indian styles give them the seat of honor. In those days technology was nowhere in sight and the only means of recording major events in the visual format was through artists and their paintings.

Source : articlesbase.com