Planning The Perfect Gift For Clutter Free People
If you have a difficult time finding the right gift, then you're not alone. Over 80% of Americans say that even when they have time to think about the proper gift (and enough money to buy something good) they still feel they've failed-getting their loved one something unneeded or even unwanted. As we all know, an unwanted gift turns into one thing: clutter. The person can't throw it away because they feel like feelings will be hurt, so it sits around and collects dust.
I thought I had come up with a pretty good solution when I started making lath art. It's flat and can be put on the wall-up and out of the way. Within two years, just about every close family member had a classic Dan Engel art piece hanging in their homes. I would have thought they were humoring me, back when I was new at this, except that they continue (even today) to tell me how much they enjoy the piece and how every visitor to their home comments on it.
But to me, giving artwork as a gift still creates a problem. It's something extra-something that needs a place. It's still clutter, even if it's 'good clutter'. When a friend approached me about a project he wanted to do, it gave me an idea for a whole new zone for lath art. My friend wanted a giant lath picture (Star Wars theme) to go on the swinging door of his entertainment stand. Art that enhances the furniture instead of taking up room on the wall.
I was thrilled with the idea, and immediately went to work on it. It turned out great, and he still has the entertainment stand today (eight years later). Since then, I've done kitchen cabinet doors (which you can see on my website), murals, china cabinets, and even headboards.
Some of my customers have asked me for ideas; many of them have something very specific in mind that they want. In fact, lots of people have sent me pictures and asked for them to be turned into lath art creations for their homes.
Fitting a lath art creation into a cabinet door or other piece of furniture is a perfect idea for the person who doesn't want clutter. It can be something that fits in with the room's theme, or something completely different-like a picture of something that's already collected. I've done everything from lighthouses to Disney characters. So far, I've had 100% success rate with both gift givers and gift receivers. Every so often, I have to call my friend with the Star Wars door, and thank him for the good idea.
I thought I had come up with a pretty good solution when I started making lath art. It's flat and can be put on the wall-up and out of the way. Within two years, just about every close family member had a classic Dan Engel art piece hanging in their homes. I would have thought they were humoring me, back when I was new at this, except that they continue (even today) to tell me how much they enjoy the piece and how every visitor to their home comments on it.
But to me, giving artwork as a gift still creates a problem. It's something extra-something that needs a place. It's still clutter, even if it's 'good clutter'. When a friend approached me about a project he wanted to do, it gave me an idea for a whole new zone for lath art. My friend wanted a giant lath picture (Star Wars theme) to go on the swinging door of his entertainment stand. Art that enhances the furniture instead of taking up room on the wall.
I was thrilled with the idea, and immediately went to work on it. It turned out great, and he still has the entertainment stand today (eight years later). Since then, I've done kitchen cabinet doors (which you can see on my website), murals, china cabinets, and even headboards.
Some of my customers have asked me for ideas; many of them have something very specific in mind that they want. In fact, lots of people have sent me pictures and asked for them to be turned into lath art creations for their homes.
Fitting a lath art creation into a cabinet door or other piece of furniture is a perfect idea for the person who doesn't want clutter. It can be something that fits in with the room's theme, or something completely different-like a picture of something that's already collected. I've done everything from lighthouses to Disney characters. So far, I've had 100% success rate with both gift givers and gift receivers. Every so often, I have to call my friend with the Star Wars door, and thank him for the good idea.
