There are so many creative people out there churning out
goods and services that are readily available to us. If you’re up for an online shopping
experience beyond just “add to cart,” here are some options to get some unique
items made just for you.
Google “custom house portrait,” and be amazed at what
artists are rendering from photos of homes.
You send them a street view picture of your home, and they create a
drawing or painting fit for framing and hanging proudly on your wall. See the different artistic styles out there
and pick one you’d like to have as a keepsake of the place you call home. You can also find artists who will replicate
a family photo, baby portrait, or picture of your pet in your chosen medium for
a special work of art.
Retain a special memento from a milestone event in custom
wall art, jewelry, or a fabric keepsake.
Find an online designer who makes items you can customize with names,
dates, and events like for a graduation, marriage, or birth. Customizable signs and framed art can be
fitted with your monogram, family crest, or wording you choose. Necklaces and rings can be made with dates
and initials for the day you got married or had a baby or added a new grandbaby
to the family. Have throw pillows made
with your initials, wedding date, imprint of baby feet, or any silhouette that
can be printed from an image you provide.
Outdoor items like welcome mats and garden stepping stones
can be customized for your home with your family name, initials, special
saying, or scripture. Serving pieces
like acrylic trays can be monogrammed and make nice additions to your dining
space or given as memorable gifts. Items
with family names that say “Established” with a date are great wedding
keepsakes, like printed chalkboard, cutting boards, and framed art.
Get a one-of-a-kind collage made with your chosen photos in
a variety of options like on canvas, wooden letters, or shadowbox style. Go beyond store bought to just-for-me with
blankets, baby onesies, bracelets, and candles, cookies, and cups all
customized to your specifications.
You pick a material, and there’s likely someone out there
turning it into something personalized - metalwork, wood, fabric, glass, and the
list goes on. A little detailed shopping
can have you receiving a package you can’t wait to open when you’ve decided to
truly make it your own.
DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star May 18th.
