Once again, the Holidays approach. We want to find the perfect gift for a parent or grandparent, for a friend or a neighbor. Many of us want to find something unique for that special person, or for the person who seems to have everything. Perhaps we want to give a gift that is not just a purchased item, but one that also is wrapped in heartfelt love and caring. Have you considered a homemade, personalized gift? You don’t need to stock up on equipment or possess special artistic talents to create your own gift for that special someone in your life. Check out the array of opportunities in our own community! You don’t have to venture very far to find a business that allows you to create, with professional assistance, your own personalized gift. Here are a few options that you might consider to make this holiday season both clever and bright.
Fire It Up is a painting and pottery studio located on Hixson Pike in North Chattanooga. You can create a gift on your own,(and you can bring children!) or schedule friends for a group activity. Choose from plates, bowls, spoon rests, ornaments, soap dispensers, picture frames, and an array of other items. Get your inspiration from design books and stencils; plenty of idea books are available in the studio. You can make items that are both useful and decorative. No need to call ahead - walk-ins are welcome. You will create and paint your item, leave it to be glazed and fired, and return to pick it up, ready to wrap and give. If you want to bring the kids, they can make hand or foot prints and create animals such as butterflies, horses and zebras from them. You can even make a treat jar or dog bowl for a pet! The time it takes to create your gift varies, from thirty minutes to an hour (if you include a small child), up to several hours if you wish to develop a more elaborate project. The average cost is $20, with a price range of $5-$65 depending on the item chosen. Call 756-6555 for more information.
Have you ever watched a glass blower and become enraptured with the color and intensity of the creation of the final glass product? At Ignis Glass Studio downtown, you can make an appointment to blow your own glass ornament. It only takes about fifteen minutes to create a unique Christmas ornament, and you get help from the experts. Chris Mosey is the primary glass artist. With help from him and his assistant, you will move from raw glass to a beautiful ornament that you blow yourself! They walk you through the process in which you choose your own colors and set up your project. You can make one ornament or create a whole set. Children may participate, but they must be at least ten-years-old to blow the glass. Any child is welcome to choose colors and watch. You are welcome to come and watch other people make their ornaments, and you can come with a group, such as a family or business to create a project together! An ornament costs $30. Ignis Glass is located at 1604 Carter Street, Suite 100, in the Plow Building, but will be moving soon to a new studio facility complete with retail gallery. Call 265-2565 for information.
Many people have a favorite pet that must not be ignored during the holiday season! For that pet or pet lover, head down to Aunt Sue’s. They furnish the basket, and you shop around the store to fill it up. Choose from bowls and treat jars, snacks and toys. You collect the goodies for your gift basket, and they will wrap it for you. You also can buy a yard stone for someone who lost a beloved pet this year. It can become a serious memorial or include a funny pet saying. All kinds of gifts are available for both dogs and cats. The average goodie basket cost is $60. Aunt Sue’s is located at 1420 McCallie Avenue, and can be reached at 622-6261.
For people who love to sew, weave or knit, or those who have watched a relative or friend do so with envy,
Yarn Works is offering classes this fall to tap into the artist in you. Two
holiday mini-workshops are scheduled at their studio at 3069 South Broad Street. Each class is two hours long. They take place on four Saturdays: November 10 and 17, and December 1 and 8. These classes are available to variety of age groups. Some of the classes include needle felting a Christmas ornament for adults, weaving coasters for any age, creating felted balls and bead ornaments for teens and up, a Shrinky dink course for children, and creating polymer clay ornaments for all ages. There will be a fee of $10 to $20 per class, depending on the materials needed. Find more specific information on their web site: www.yarnworksinc.com or call Yarn Works at 758-4215 to sign up. You will lack in neither choice nor ideas when you visit Clay and Stitches, a make-it-yourself store in East Brainerd. Choose from over 3000 items to create that perfect gift! Craft a kitchen serving piece, a jewelry box, or decorate a clock. Create a gift for a grandparent, a new baby or a best friend. All kinds of outdoor yard items and trinkets are available. If you wanted to make a personalized clock, for example, you would choose from a variety of plates; drill a hole in its center, affix the hands, and pencil on your design ideas before making them permanent with paint. Assistance is available with decorations and the proper use of tools. There are sponges and stamps, or you can bring your own computer pictures to use as decorations. After you design and paint your pottery, you will leave it at the store for three to four days to be glazed and fired. The average price is $12 to $20, (with a low of $3 for add-ons of magnetized items), ranging up to $100 for an item such as a large platter. Come at your convenience to produce your gift. Clay and Stitches is located at 6331 East Brainerd Road, and can be reached at 648-5555.
Another option in town that will both build your crafting skills and allow you to create your own gift can be found at Folk Heart. Here you have an array of classes from which to choose. Try to create your own candy dish, or make a snow man out of a flower pot. There are classes to learn how to quilt and to make wall hangings. There are beading courses to design items such as watches, bracelets, or earrings. Folk Heart has several on-going clubs, such as its doll club which meets once a month. Classes that walk you step-by-step through the crafting of gifts are available days, evenings, or weekends. In many of them, you can complete your gift in only one session. Average cost is $15 per class; some have a supply fee as well. Folk Heart is located in Northgate Mall, next to Piccadilly. Contact them at 877-1316.
No need to travel far or spend too much time or money to boast the perfect present, ready in plenty of time for the holidays. Perhaps this is the year to develop your hidden and underutilized talents. Anyone can give a gift of talent and personality to someone they love this year.