Valentine’s Day is associated with romance, and it is one of the most popular days for gift-giving to loved ones.  Valentine’s Day has been celebrated in the United States since the 1700s, but its origins date back to Ancient Rome.  The timing of the day coincides with a pagan festival celebrating fertility as well as the time when people believed that birds started their Spring mating season.  St. Valentine himself is a mysterious figure, with several origin stories, all with a romantic theme.  The date itself was selected by Pope Gelasius in the 5th Century, two hundred years after the death of the saint, and it has always been associated with love and romance.

Choosing an Intentional Valentine’s Day Gift

In modern times, a Valentine’s gift to your loved one celebrates the romance of your relationship.  Given this opportunity, many go with the “traditional gift” of chocolates or flowers.  These are certainly promoted heavily as the go-to gift for the day.  While easy they are by no means your only option.  Why not give a more intentional gift — one that reflects thought and care for your loved one?

Having trouble coming up with a unique gift?  Here are some tips for shopping for your Valentine.

Notice the Colors Your Valentine Loves

Buy a gift that shows you noticed the finer details.  What colors does your Valentine wear?  Does your Valentine wear accessories like scarves or hats in this color?  Clothing or accessories in a favorite color will always be a winner.

Look Beyond the Obvious When Choosing Jewelry

Does she wear jewelry like necklaces, bracelets, earrings or rings?  Does he wear any jewelry?  Does she prefer silver or gold?  And does this jewelry come out for special occasions or the daily wear?  Notice the style of the jewelry — does she wear statement pieces or dainty/minimalist jewelry?  Jewelry comes in many styles and varieties, noticing these distinctions about your Valentine’s preferences can help pick a winning gift.

Alpaca Silver and Rose Quartz Necklace From Brazil

Listen for Clues About Preferences

Your Valentine may not give you specific clues about what she or he wants for the special day, but you can pick up clues about likes and dislikes.  Pay attention to comments about clothing, accessories, jewelry, music, books to see if you can get a sense of what will go over well when it comes to selecting a gift. 

Choose Gifts Based on What Brings Joy

If your Valentine has activities that bring joy, a gift that relates to the activity will be welcome.  Has she travelled recently?  Does he have a hobby like cooking or gardening?  Is your Valentine a collector?  Try selecting a gift that shows you pay attention and want to contribute to something that makes the recipient happy.

Reverse Painted Glass Jewelry Box From Peru

Why Intentional Gifts Make Valentine’s Day Memorable

All of these suggestions have one thing in common:  paying attention.  Try getting your Valentine an intentional gift — one that shows you took the time to carefully consider your loved one’s interests and preferences.  This will always have a greater impact than a generic present.  For this Valentine’s Day, consider making this effort and see how your Valentine reacts to your gift.

Now that you’ve got some clues on what to get, do you need some help with finding that perfect, unique gift for your Valentine?  Contact VirtuArte today and we can assist you select from an array of beautiful options.

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Planning Ahead for Intentional Gift Giving

However, no matter when you give your gifts, to be an intentional gift giver, you need to prepare.  Waiting until the last minute can lead to buying the first available thing that remotely fits, and often it is received that way.  In addition, personalized gifts that are either custom-made or specially ordered require ample advance planning to assure an on-time arrival.  This will be even more important this year.  Items may take longer to arrive due to the pandemic.  Instead of a rushed, less personal approach to demonstrating your appreciation for valued clients, partners, vendors and employees, consider taking some concrete actions now to prepare for the Holidays. These same actions can also help you with gifts for family and friends.

Start With a List of Valued Relationships

It may seem obvious that you should have a list of people to whom you want to give gifts this year.  But often, we keep that list in our heads, where it doesn’t get any action.  Instead, write it down.  Go through the valued relationships that you have in your business and write down the people who make that relationship happen.  Next to each person, write a few things that you know about the person.  Jot down hobbies, interests, personal style and other details that can help you come up with a unique gift that will be well received by this valued person.

Do Your Research to Personalize Every Gift

If you find that the information is sparse, then start listening and paying attention to details about this person.  For example, if she’s a woman, then note her jewelry style — gold or silver?  Dainty or statement? In conversation, has this person mentioned a book or DVD that they might enjoy receiving?  How about a favorite sports team or a love of theater?  Does this person prefer beer or wine?  Tuck this sort of information into the back of your mind and add it to the list you’re already developing.  Knowing what your gift recipient likes and dislikes will go a long way towards making sure that the gift you pick will be treasured or never seen again.

Create Gift Options That Reflect Personal Preferences

For each person on the list, write down one or two things you might want to give that person.  Try to tie the gift possibilities to that person’s interests.  Play around with ideas that fit different gifting budgets.  Consider whether there are issues like special orders that make purchasing a little more complex.  Now you have a shopping list, well in advance of the gifting season, and you have the time to buy the perfect, unique gift that will truly demonstrate how much you value the relationship.

How VirtuArte Supports Strategic Holiday Gifting

It’s not enough to have a great list.  You’ve taken some great, concrete steps towards giving memorable gifts.  Now it’s time to start searching out and buying the gifts themselves.  Instead of waiting until the last minute, set aside time to make your purchases so you aren’t rushing just before you want to give the gift.  This year, there may be limited quantities of certain items.  We’ve all seen what has happened with workout equipment.  By being deliberate and intentional in your gift-giving efforts, you will find that this important part of your gift-giving plan takes less time and results in some great successes.

Hand-delivering gifts adds to the gift experience, but if you can’t ship your gifts as early as possible.  Due to the pandemic, UPS, FedEx and especially USPS have been stretched.  We’ve all experienced delays in getting our packages during the year.  Add to this an election year with the increased number of mail-in ballots, and end-of-the-year shipping could experience further delays.

Do you need some help with your Holiday gift plans?  Contact VirtuArte here to set up a free consultation.

The post How to Create a Thoughtful Holiday Gift Plan That Builds Lasting Relationships appeared first on VirtuArte.

The Christmas Countdown is down to the minutes instead of hours. The last-minute rush is one of the hardest ways to go about getting holiday gifts taken care of in the midst of all the rest of your holiday activities. We at VirtuArte believe that impactful gifts can happen throughout the year, and may even be more memorable if given well before or after the holidays, so don’t rule out putting your shopping on pause until January to find the perfect, meaningful gifts.

But we understand that you may have committed to gifting during the Holidays. So, we wanted to recommend some beautiful VirtuArte options.

1. Aquamarine Jewelry Set

Designed and handcrafted by one of VirtuArte’s most popular artists. Nilson de Assis lives and creates one-of-a-kind jewelry in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. At the age of fifteen, Nilson dropped out of school and went to work in a handbag fabrication workshop.  He later apprenticed with an artisan who worked in brass, and it is here he first discovered his creative talents. Nilson began creating exquisite jewelry and handbags using left over materials from the workshop.  Nilson crafts his jewelry from semi-precious stones, brass and alpaca silver, a metal alloy first created in the early 1700s.  Developed in the Far East, alpaca silver quickly became valued throughout Europe and South America. The featured set is made from silver and unpolished aquamarine.

2. Pearl Jewelry Set

The artist of this set, Jan Van Schiek, hails from the Netherlands, but he took a trip to Bali and fell in love with the local materials. He has stayed in Bali, living in the world-famous Indonesian artist colony in Ubud. Also known as “Jan the Rubber Man,” he works with talented Balinese and Javanese silversmiths. Together, they create styles that are classic, Art Deco, art-nouveau and Scandinavian inspired. Jan’s designs are truly unique, original and unusual works of art.  The pieces reflect his belief in keeping jewelry in its “simple, natural and honest form.” This set is typical of his style, made of rubber and silver, featuring pearls as the centerpiece 

3. Peruvian Box

In San Juan de Lurigancho, a town outside of Lima, a group of artists has embraced a blend of European and traditional art using the technique of reverse-painted glass. The process was brought to Peru by the Spaniards and adopted and adapted by the indigenous people to create unique, lovely pieces. The technique involves taking glass, painting over the back and setting it into wood. This box would be great as a jewelry box or a terrific receptacle to store tv remotes on the living room table.

How VirtuArte Helps With Holiday Gifting

If these possibilities seem like a good match for a client, please contact us about making a purchase. If you are inspired but want to see more options and you live in the DC area, please consider joining us at a special holiday shopping event on December 21 and 22: https://bit.ly/2PYo1HX

The post Last Minute Holiday Gifting Ideas That Still Feel Thoughtful appeared first on VirtuArte.

Courtesy of Wikipedia

I will be traveling with a group sponsored by the International Folk Art Alliance, an outreach travel program organized through the International Folk Art Market (IFAM), an annual event in Santa Fe, New Mexico whose mission is to “create economic opportunities for and with folk artists worldwide who celebrate and preserve folk art traditions.”  I had the pleasure of attending the annual event last July, and I will be making a return trip this Summer.

As a center of folk art, Oaxaca is known for the variety and beauty of its indigenous arts.  For example, I will be meeting with artists such as Manuel Cruz Prudencio, who carves from wood and paints creations known as alebrijes.  I had pleasure meeting him and purchasing one of his creations at the IFAM 2018 in Santa Fe.  I am looking forward to seeing him in his studio and learning more about his process.

I will also be meeting with another IFAM connection, Magdalena Pedro Martinez, a talented sculptor who works in black clay that is unique to Oaxaca.  She sculpts women in traditional dress, including precious couture details that are being lost to modernization, preserving the knowledge and creating unique works of art.  To round out the trip, I will also be meeting with artisans who specialize in textiles, jewelry and pottery.

My trip will be the subject of posts of photographs and videos on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram to showcase the beautiful artwork and the amazing people of Oaxaca.

While traveling, I will be looking for items to add to the VirtuArte collection.  VirtuArte prides itself on offering our clients a curated array of unique, distinctive gift opportunities created by artisans from around the globe.  In keeping with the VirtuArte vision, I will be meeting with the artisans, learning about the history behind their work and exploring their process.  This in-depth knowledge will enable VirtuArte to offer targeted gifts, with interesting, engaging back stories that will be included as part of the gift, making each one all the more memorable.

I am SO excited about this trip and sharing all of my discoveries, that upon my return I am hosting the VirtuArte — Experience Oaxaca Event.  If you would like to be one of the first to know when registration goes live for this event then register here

You will have seven (7) days before the rest of the public to secure your spot (and spots are limited).  My events are sought after tickets.  I will be talking about the trip, serving food and drinks from the region and showcasing new additions to the VirtuArte collection.  This is a great way to ensure you are in!

Also, for anyone saying they want to be on this VIP list, I will be sharing some special private content with you, including photographs of Oaxaca, videos of the artists I’me meeting and their works of art and a “sneak peek” of some of the items I’m bringing back with me.

I can’t wait to share my trip with you.

Best regards,

Debbie

The post VirtuArte Travels to Oaxaca to Source Unique Artisan Gifts appeared first on VirtuArte.

Can you believe we’re already through two-thirds of the month of June?  Where has the year gone?  For me, June is a month of many celebrations — my sister’s birthday, graduations, Father’s Day, and weddings are ones that come to mind right away. These moments are the perfect opportunity to think beyond the expected and explore unique gift ideas that make celebrations truly memorable.

Choosing the Easy Gift Versus the Thoughtful Gift

Like most people, when I was invited to a wedding, I would find out where the couple was registered, go to that store, pick an item from the registry, and have it shipped to the couple.  I often took the easy route and selected a place setting of their silverware or dinnerware.  I hardly put any thought into the gift and it showed.  I’m sure when the couple used my gift, they didn’t remember who gave it to them.

A VirtuArte Wedding Gifting Experience

Recently, Barbara, a VirtuArte customer, was going to a wedding and wanted to give her friends a gift from VirtuArte.  I asked her if she had looked at the wedding gift registry.  She told me they had asked for dishes, glasses, salad servers, serving bowls, and a wine decanter.  After hearing what the couple was requesting, I made the following suggestions:

Barbara made the selection.  I wrapped the gift, included the handwritten card about where the item came from, the artist, and how it was made, and shipped it to the bride and groom.  A few weeks later, Barbara called to tell me she had received a beautiful thank you note from the couple.  What stood out in the note was the couple told her whenever they used the serving plate, the couple would think of her and remember their wedding day.  This is exactly what you want a gift to do.

How to Choose a Unique Wedding Gift

If you find yourself in need of a wedding gift this month:

1. Take a look at the wedding registry
2. Select an item similar to what is being requested but is unique.  It can be handcrafted, have a story, or come from a place the couple visited.
3. Wrap it beautifully and include a handwritten card.  The gifting experience starts with how the gift is presented.
4. Ship the gift to the couple or take it to the wedding.

What’s a gift you’ve received from someone that really stands out?  That makes you remember the person who gave it to you every time you see it?  Thoughtful, unique gift ideas have that kind of lasting impact. Share a photo in the comments below or on the VirtuArte Facebook Page.  I can’t wait to see them!

The post Giving Unique Gift Makes Every Celebration More Meaningful appeared first on VirtuArte.

This coming Thursday, the 15th of February, I’m leaving for Cuba, a country I’ve wanted to visit for a very long time to experience its culture, history, and Cuban folk art.  I want to see Cuba before it all changes.  I want to see the architecture, ride in a classic car, experience the culture, etc.

Did You Know These Facts About Cuba?

Did you know?

1. Cuba has a 99.8% literacy rate, which is one of the highest in the world.
2. Cuba is the largest country in the Caribbean in terms of population.
3. There are only 90 miles of ocean between Cuba and the tip of Florida.
4. Cuban food is a mixture of Spanish and Caribbean dishes that incorporates a lot of spices.  Many traditional meals include black beans, shredded beef, rice and plantains.
5. Dance is very important in Cuba.  The Botero, Mambo and Cha Cha were invented in the country.

Traveling To Cuba

In November 2017, the travel rules for Americans were changed once again.  Americans must now travel with an organized US-owned company tour group.  I am going with the International Folk Art Alliance, whose mission is to celebrate and preserve living folk art traditions and create economic opportunities for and with folk art artists worldwide.

One of the reasons I chose this trip was the focus on the art and culture of Cuba, with a particular emphasis on the folk art of Cuba.  I am visiting Santiago de Cuba, the second largest city located on the southeastern coast of Cuba; Baracoa, located in the Guantanamo Province near the eastern tip of Cuba; and, of course, Havana.

Exploring Art, Culture, and History in Cuba

The Itinerary Includes …

In each location, I will visit the historical sites, such as San Juan Hill, where Teddy Roosevelt famously fought during the Cuban/Spanish/American War; the Plaza de Armas, the site of the oldest Spanish fortress in the Americas; and El Finca Vigia, the estate of Ernest Hemingway.  I’m looking forward to seeing these sites; however, more important to me are the visits to museums and contemporary art spaces, attending dance performances and concerts, and most of all, the visits with local artists.

Copyright: Kobby Dagan

Discovering Cuban Folk Art and Artisans

Cuba has a tradition of painting, woodworking and papier-mache.  On the itinerary is a visit to the:

1. Community Project of El Grupo Bayate — paintings
2. Studio of Leandro Gomez — sculptures
3. Casa de la Cultura
4. Taller de Grafica Experimental — etchings, lithographs, woodcuts and collagraphs
5. Studio Art Brut — all mediums
6. Artisan Market, at the Central Cultural del Almancenes San Jose — handicrafts
7. Studio of Sandra Dooley — paintings
8. Studio of Guillermo Estrada — paintings

Bringing Cuban Art Into the VirtuArte Collection

Throughout the trip, I will be looking for new artists and pieces to add to the VirtuArte collection.  I can’t wait to see what I find.  Periodically check out the VirtuArte Facebook page.  I plan to post photographs while I’m in Cuba.

If you’re interested in hearing about my trip and seeing what new pieces of art I found, then “save the date” Tuesday, 27 March 2018.  I will be speaking that evening at the VirtuArte Gallery. More information to follow.

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