| In my fifty-something years of gift-giving, I recall | | | | material options. Some may offer various wood |
| many a holiday season or special occasion, traipsing | | | | species or synthetic materials. By combining the |
| about malls or specialty shops looking for that special | | | | category, model, and material selection, you should |
| gift that was just right. Often, my mind's eye even | | | | be able to find a selection that matches your "gift |
| had a vision of what I was looking for. Eventually, I | | | | vision". |
| typically tired of the quest and settled for something | | | | The custom crafted pen is but one example of gift |
| that was "available". In this article, I offer an | | | | ideas that can be crafted to order. If you need some |
| alternative to "settle for what they have" and | | | | inspiration, type in "gift" or "gifts" into your search |
| encourage you to seek out a craft professional to | | | | engine to find sites that will provide categories of gift |
| create your vision. | | | | ideas. You will find a variety of categories such as |
| My most recent experience was my wife's last | | | | gender, occasion, age, etc. Once you settle on an |
| birthday. She loves doves. You know; the birds. I had | | | | item type, imagine what you would like your gift to |
| in mind to buy her a crystal dove she could admire | | | | be like. Would you change the color, or maybe the |
| on her desk at home. I visited all the department | | | | material it is made from? What would make it just |
| stores and special shops I could find throughout most | | | | perfect for the recipient you have in mind? |
| of the day. I found several crystal figures; none of | | | | Now that you have developed your "gift vision", type |
| which were bird-like, and finally gave in to a crystal | | | | in the key words that will lead you to your custom |
| butterfly. | | | | crafter. If your vision is a crystal dove, like my |
| The next time I know what I want; I'll follow my | | | | introductory example, the words "custom crafted |
| own advice and look for an artisan to craft my vision. | | | | crystal dove" should do the trick. |
| Since everyone's "gift vision" is different, it might not | | | | As you explore the various sites, you can tell a lot by |
| always be easy to find a professional to craft your | | | | the presentation of the site itself. Is the site visually |
| gift locally. Well, that's why Al Gore invented the | | | | appealing? Is it easy to navigate? Does it offer |
| internet. Oops, lost half of you? Seriously, there are | | | | security endorsements and a secure server for |
| likely to be at least dozens of craft professionals for | | | | payments? Positive answers to these questions are |
| any gift type you are considering, on the internet. | | | | likely to reflect well on the character and attention to |
| Let me give you one example where you can find a | | | | detail the artisan provides in their product. Just |
| large variety of artisans; that is, custom crafted pens. | | | | remember. There's more to consider than just |
| Sure, you can go to your local Hallmark store and | | | | whether a nice photo is displayed and the options |
| probably find a nice variety. But, if you really want to | | | | you want are available. |
| make an impression, explore some of the many | | | | Make you next gift-giving experience truly personal |
| internet sites by typing in something like "wood | | | | and rewarding by having your vision crafted. In |
| pens", "custom pens", or "exotic pens" into your | | | | review, the simple steps are: |
| favorite search engine. | | | | (1) Imagine your gift in your mind's eye |
| Sites vary in terms of models and material options | | | | (2) Refine the details |
| offered. The best of them will offer various models | | | | (3) Search the internet for potential artisans |
| within the major categories of ball point pens, roller | | | | (4) and critically review the web sites and the |
| ball pens, fountain pens, and even pencils. Look at the | | | | product you are searching for. Once you have tried |
| detail page of offerings that appeal to you and be | | | | this approach to finding a gift, I think you might |
| sure the model is offered with a variety of body | | | | adopt it as a favorite. |