The Miniature Muse Gifts for Christmas, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Weddings, or any gift-giving occasion!
Finding the perfect gift for those special people in your life can be tough, stressful, and let's be honest...It can be overwhelming. I know when I'm searching for the perfect gift, I find myself going down not just one, but 10 too many rabbit holes, comparing products, looking through reviews, trying to find something they don't already have, something they'll actually use and won't just throw in storage somewhere with guilt of not using or liking it. I want to get them something they'll actually love, you know? It's hard enough on one person's birthday, but Christmas? The stress can take all of the joy out of gift-giving!
I'm here to take away that stress and uncertainty, and to bring back the joy of gift-giving for any special holiday or event with products perfectly tailored to your loved ones, products that are custom-made, 100% one-of-a-kind, and guaranteed to be loved by its recipient.
#1: Custom Pet Portrait
Do you have someone in your life who has a beloved furry friend? Get them a custom-made pet portrait!
Speaking as a dog mom, we LOVE our fur babies. They are a huge part of our lives and so very loved by us. From birds and rabbits to hamsters and guinea pigs to dogs and cats, you can find artists who paint portraits of all kinds of pets! Etsy is an amazing place to go for this. There are so many styles of pet portraits out there: silly portraits putting your pet in (for example) renaissance style clothing and hats, loose watercolor pieces, digital renditions, artists who turn your pet into an anime character, large canvas portraits, and of course, detailed miniature pet portraits by me at Sweet Pea Paintings Co. No matter what style you are looking for, you can find an artist who does it on Etsy! TIP: Size is something that should always be considered when gifting artwork. Everyone's space is different after all. I like to air on the side of caution and select a small size, one that can be put in a table top frame or a miniature frame to allow for placement anywhere in the home. Smaller pieces also have the option to be matted and placed in a larger wall-hanging frame while larger pieces themselves leave the recipient with less placement options.
#1.5: Custom Pet Portrait Memorials
Help your loved ones keep their furry friend's memory alive with a sweet memorial painting.
While a devastating topic, sometimes one's best furry friend is no longer with them. I know how hard it is. They truly become a member of your family. Getting a portrait made of them can be a truly thoughtful and special gift - one that, when the grief begins to pass, they can look at and be reminded of all of the good times they had with them. In a very small way during this hard time, they can be immortalized through a beautiful work of art.
#2: Paintings of Passions or Hobbies
For that loved one who is super passionate about this, that, or the other!
Do you have a loved one that loves a certain movie, TV show, or book series? Do they have a favorite band or artist? Do they have a favorite sports team or player? Do they love to cook or have a specific dish that is special to them? Do they love to play an instrument? Are they obsessed with cars: sports cars or old models? Get a painting made of their most favorite things.
You might be amazed to know what incredible paintings can be made from the things we love. My first ever gift to my now husband, was a miniature painting of an old P-51 Mustang. He was not only touched by my paying attention to his interests, but blown away by receiving artwork so specific to them. TIP: For those of you who have curated your homes to a specific aesthetic (like myself), paintings of smaller sizes are more unassuming. I mean to say that even if the painting is of something completely out of the realm of one's home aesthetic, they don't break it - but add little details of what brings the recipient joy. They can be framed to match any style, fit in any space, stand alone or be set in groupings, and are all about what is special to the person receiving it.
#3: A Special Place. A Special Moment. Honeymooners, travel enthusiasts, nature lovers, and more!
This idea can be wide ranging and one I love to use for newly-weds, travelers, or nature enthusiasts. I have been commissioned to paint wedding venues, honeymoon destinations, or even moments or objects at weddings that held special meaning. These pieces can make incredible wedding gifts or anniversary gifts for your spouse.
When we travel, there is often a place that just changed our lives and took our breath away. Getting paintings made of these places can be an incredible gift to that loved one who has traveled and fell in love with a specific place. Think traditional Filipino Banca boats nestled on the sea shore overlooking the gorgeous Philippine islands. Or, a little villa resting atop a hill set against the breathtaking French countryside. Hone in even more and get paintings made of specific and favorite sites seen, like Kinkaku-ji (The Golden Pavillion) in Kyoto, Japan, the magical La Pedrera - Casa Mila in Barcelona, Spain, or The Secret Garden of Changdeokgung in Seoul, South Korea.
For all of your nature enthusiasts, gift pieces of their favorite national park. I can't even begin to express how many spectacular paintings can be created from the countless and wondrous locations within parks like Yosemite, Glacier, Zion, and many MANY more.
TIP: Simply search Etsy for custom landscape paintings (or any type of artwork you want to find) and you will find a massive variety of styles, sizes, and price points. Pay special attention to each description of each item you check out though! Sometimes they are actually digitally created "paintings". These digitally altered photographs look like paintings, but are often less expensive. It can be a great option if you're shopping on a budget! Below are five paintings depicting special travel locations, honeymoon destinations, and a wedding venue!
#4: Portraits
Portraits are some of my favorite pieces to paint. Capturing the personality of the subject, the energy of the moment, and even creating moments that never happened but we wished could have been. I have had portrait commissions of all kinds, mother-daughter graphite drawings, portraits of grandparents holding grandchildren they never got to meet, a special moment like graduating from college, newborn portraits, children's portraits turned into Christmas ornaments, and memorial pieces. After all, what's more precious than those special moments we get with with people we love?
#5: A Rendition of Their Favorite Classic Painting
Do you have an art lover in the family?
There are so many things you can do with this idea. You can order replicas/prints of classic works of art as they are. You can order silly versions of classic paintings, like Van Gogh's Starry Night, but with Avocados swirling in the night sky instead of stars. You can pay an artist to create their own rendition of a classic piece of art. The final product can be stunning and a unique homage to the recipient's favorite piece of art. This is an aspect in art I specialize in and one I am developing an entire series around for my upcoming solo exhibition, "Miniaturizing the Masters". These pieces can run higher in price depending on what you are asking the artist to do. They're classics for a reason after all!
#6: Hand-Painted Christmas Ornaments
When you love Christmas...You LOVE Christmas.
I am such a Christmas girlie. I love the aesthetic around the holiday. I love the colors, the lights, and all of the beautiful little things associated with the season. A favorite theme to paint are Christmas related puns...I love me a good pun, and Christmas puns are some of the best. I've received Christmas themed pet portraits, grandchildren on Christmas morning portraits, and depictions of Santa Claus, and so much more. For those loved ones who are totally Christmas obsessed, these make the perfect gift! Prices can range with hand-painted Christmas ornaments and you can find a massive variety online!
CHRISTMAS TIP: If you decide on the framed painting ornament route, consider having the piece put in a frame that can be hung with twine or ribbon on the tree, but that can also sit on a table top when the holidays are over. That way, the painting (if not necessarily Christmas specific) can stay out all year long!
#7: Line Paintings
Birth Flowers, Zodiac Signs/Constellations, Animals, etc...
Line paintings make amazing simple and sweet gifts, and are often far less expensive. Line paintings can be simplified versions of pretty much anything! I find my most successful line paintings are those listed above: birth flowers, Zodiac signs or their constellations, various animals, and alcoholic beverage depictions! If there is a holiday you are gifting for such as Christmas, get a line painting made that is Christmas themed and turn it into a fun little stocking stuffer! Have a friend who loves fall? Get a Fall themed line painting: pumpkins, falling leaves, even Halloween or Thanksgiving related pieces!
I sell my miniature line paintings for $12 each or two or more for $10 each.
What Does Sweet Pea Paintings Co Offer?
Here at Sweet Pea Paintings Co, I offer my clients fine, gallery quality artwork for affordable prices. Buy finished, exhibited work right from my website OR simply fill out a Commissions Form to get started on the process to have me create custom work for you or a loved one! I am an artist that specializes in small works, with my most popular sizes being my true minis at 2.4cm x 2.4cm, or small 2.5"x3" pieces. However, I can paint any size in between and up to 3"x3". Each piece is expertly crafted to your specifications, with consistent communication, optional updates, and FREE shipping.
In addition to work sold across the US, Sweet Pea Paintings Co has exhibited and sold work in:
Art 111 Gallery, Downtown Colorado Springs
Hunt + Gather, Downtown Colorado Springs
Rich Designs on Washington Ave, Colorado Springs
Art Academy & Frame Company on North Academy, Colorado Springs
Pricing Information for Sweet Pea Paintings Co
My work ranges anywhere from $12 line paintings to $1,000 for my most intricate renditions of classical works of art. Most commissions sit between $75 and $200 for detailed work.
Etsy: Finding the Artist Right for You Custom artwork is such a personal gift holding so much sentimentality and thought. Etsy is, in my point of view, the best place to go for any of the above mentioned ideas. You will find an artist who can create whatever you are wanting in any style and at various price points.
Check out the following tips on how to find the best artist for you:
#1: Choose what exactly you would like painted and search according to what that is. For example: Custom pet portraits, Custom Landscapes, Custom family portraits, etc. I say this because not every artist you will come across will paint anything. In fact, many artists on Etsy have their one or two specialty subjects to paint. For instance, a landscape artist may not offer portrait paintings. You might be thinking, "But it looks like you paint a variety of subjects?" You would be correct, my specialty is not a subject but a size. At Sweet Pea Paintings Co, you can commission me to paint most anything, so long as it is 3"x3" or smaller!
#2. Consider the style in which you want your piece painted and add key words to your search, such as: Realism Custom... Animated Custom... Black and White Custom... etc.
#3. What size piece are you looking to get made? Many artists offer a variety of sizes. If you see a style you like, click the listing and check to see what sizes they offer. Sometimes, if they don't offer a specific size you are looking for (within reason). you can reach out to the seller and they may be able to work with you. I have done this numerous times for clients by making a listing specifically for their specifications that they alone can order. Not every artist will though!
#4. Start favoriting shops that meet your requirements and compare. Compare quality, compare pricing, and note their shipment timeframes! You don't want to order a piece that won't arrive in time after all! If you are shopping on a tight timeframe and absolutely want to get something custom made - it is absolutely possible. I have had a client who inquired about the possibility of three pieces being created and shipped within three days. Some artists, like myself, can take short notice work, we just may charge a rush order fee.
#5. Sizes and Framing: As mentioned earlier, I HIGHLY recommend gifting smaller size artwork as smaller sizes can be framed to easily (and more inexpensively) match any style, fit in any space, stand alone or be set in groupings. Smaller work does not have the pressure of being a focal point in a home but an incredibly sentimental, unique, and special accent. Smaller pieces can be framed in little table top frames or matted and framed in larger wall hanging frames. The versatility of smaller work is incredible for gifting.
Thanks for Reading!
Comment below and let me know what custom gift ideas you love, have gifted, or been gifted! To stay up to date on all of our latest blogs, subscribe and become a member of The Miniature Muse group, where you can share all of your ideas, projects, and thoughts with this growing community!
I bought several of your constellation line paintings during the last Paris Market! SO affordable and a really cute stocking stuffer idea. My teens will love them.