I love the deer! Very cute.

I think they are all great and perfect for the exchange, I especially like the pine cone.

Love the deer! The light color will contrast nicely against greenery. The pine cone would kinda' disappear on a traditional green tree.

I like the deer one, would hang 3 of them together.

All three are great, I'd be thrilled with any one of them!

Rusty

I like all three! Especially the deer just on charm.

So, is the group Artists or "artists"? Actually, it doesn't matter. These groups--both kinds--can get snobby judgy especially of newbies. The deer shows off your skills, and has the most charm. The willow, which I'd guess is more demanding, and is really beautiful, probably isn't sparkly enough to compete with glitz, but might be highly valued by those who know what they're looking at.

For impressing and being accepted, I'd think the Polish Stars would stand out in any group, unless they're a really common thing where you live. I've never seen anything like them before, closest being paper beads. Something bright colored like the red and white one, which would stand out on any tree would be ideal. Perhaps not as demonstrative of your skill level, but just as a something new to put on a tree, I think it would be a winner for almost any taste and hold its own amongst shinier cousins.

I like the deer! I've seen those paper stars before, but never anything resembling close to the reindeer. Very unique!

All of the ornaments are lovely. There is no way that you would find something even remotely as good in the $5 range. Do you know of any online instructions for the Polish stars? My 15 year old daughter does a lot of origami and may be very interested in those ornaments.

Your hand made deer is beautiful. I think anyone you exchange with, would be proud to own that! (or any of the hand made ones you have!)

All of them look awesome! I love the deer and pine cone. I'm not in an "artist" group but I would definitely hang them on my tree.

Thanks for all the replies and encouragement! I really appreciate everyone's input because I've been grinding over what to do. The deer is my twist on a pattern I found on-line several years ago and I've never seen anything like it before or since. Luckily I had printed the pattern because I think the origin website is long gone.

tishtoshnm, my sister found the instructions for the Polish Stars on-line a couple years ago... here's a link to a youtube tutorial. I don't know if it's the one she used, but I looked at enough just now to see that it looks right. I just searched on "Polish Star tutorial", in case you want to search for a different one. It takes a little time to get the hang of it, and a long time to make an ornament, but they are "easy". :)

plllog, now I'm wondering what the difference is between an "Artist" and an "artist". lol! I have been associated with the city art community center for years (I instruct basket weaving, have done presentations, and did one show). The 'art association' is loosely affiliated with the art center and hosts their meetings there. Many of the people in the art association recognize my name, but that's about it. They seem to be primarily painters and photographers -- many are art teachers -- I suspect they think I'm inferior to them, if that's what you mean. lol!

I never told you all that I did finally win one of those fancy Division ribbons at the State Fair this year!!! :) It came for this basket -- which is handwoven in 4-ply waxed linen, and I entered it in one of the miniatures competitions. I blacked my name out on the sign. :p

Here's a better photo for seeing the basket:

BTW: how are these exchanges usually done? totally random selection or do two people exchange with each other?

Hmmmm, the deer looks pretty lightweight, and I'm sure one similar would fit in a little padded envelope and come to Canada............... :-)

PM, that basket is gorgeous! Congratulations on the win, and that ribbon that's so many times bigger than your entry!

I'm jaded from all my years in the art biz, I'm afraid. I hate the whole bit about jockeying for position and those who consider themselves to be Artists. Funnily enough (hem, ahem), the really successful ones are down to earth and pretty normal. Those who are more in the pro-am realm but think they are tiptop can be real pains.

Re the definitions, too many 2D artists consider their media superior because they're worthless. That is, there's no intrinsic value in a smallish piece of fabric, wood, metal or paper and a few pigments, so the total worth of framed art is based on the image (and marketing value of artist's reputation, etc.). Still, oil painters look down on acrylics painters, both look down on watercolorists, and none give pastels their due. Then there are the photographers and digital artists. They all tend to look at high craft, artisan work, and 3D media fine art all as if they're hobby crafts and "loving hands at home" regardless of the content, statement or impact, and make no differentiations. It's all nonsense, of course. It helps that you have an established name, but there's almost definitely snobbery to overcome when you're a mixed group like that.

Since you based the deer on an established pattern, I would skip that for the group. That can be leveraged into a snob snub.

An alternative might be to get a plain colored ball and knot a quick net over it, with a tassel. Something that looks conventional but hints at your skills. It's the interesting but conventional aspect of the paper ornament that I thought would go over well too. OTOH, given that you're from similar circles with the art center and all, and they may already be aware of your work, the willow pinecone, if it were understood and appreciated, would be something to really treasure.

PM, that basket is lovely, and I'm not surprised that you won the ribbon with that, it's perfect.

I also like the deer and the paper ornaments, but the willow pinecone is different than anything I've seen before, it's very unique.

I'm not an artist, or a photographer, or a crafter, so I'm probably not much of a judge of such things. I do hope you have a good time at the party, though, and that they are nice and not snobby. Heck, I'd have to take cookies, LOL, that and cake decorating is as close as I get to art!

Annie

"-----Since you based the deer on an established pattern, I would skip that for the group. That can be leveraged into a snob snub.----'

Or you can give it a little change? Including the red nose? :-)

BTW, weaving is an established art form.

dcarch

Dcarch, a little change doesn't do it. Art snobs will yell COPY at the least provocation. Then they start endless partially informed copyright discussions.

The pine cone then. It must be unique enough!

Give the pinecone, then you can send me the deer LOL THey"re all lovely. Your little basket is gorgeous!

I vote for that adorable, angular, modern and well done reindeer.

haha! Thanks, everyone!

Annie, I've been wanting to win a big Division ribbon since they started awarding them a few years ago. I wondered whether it would be as big as Bud's! I don't think it is, but it sure is pretty. :)

plllog, now that you've filled in some of your background I understand where you're coming from. When I say that many are 'art teachers' I mean that they are teachers in local schools... to rugrats with fingerpaints and tempera. :O) We're in podunksville... the "city" isn't large enough to have its own art museum. I don't believe that any of them regularly sells their art -- I did sell my baskets at one point, but only to donate all money to charity. The group may be a mini-parody of what you describe -- but I doubt it. I think they're just artistic/creative people who are bored in podunksville. :O)

jasdip, I know you're somewhere in Canada, probably near Toronto, and I once checked into the postage costs to send you something... I believe it would have been $86 postage to send a small box, so a bubblewrap envelope should cost under $50 to mail. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll check............ ETA: it looks like it would cost $24 to send you a bubblewrap envelope! :p If you'd just drive halfway -- like I've suggested before -- we could meet up in two hours and have lunch or dinner too. :)

I'll obviously understand the group better once I see the ornaments that everyone else brings (assuming they're opened at the party???). But all this talk about yelling "COPY" re the deer: this ornament exchange isn't a juried
competition and there certainly aren't many (any?) ornaments you could purchase for
under $5 that will be unique/one-of-a-kind!!!

OH! I get it. The school types might be jealous of your standing as a working artist and artisan, but they're not likely to be the copyright snobs. :) Never mind all that. Choose the one you want to give and that you think will be most appreciated. And have fun! :)

plllog, now you know why I didn't know the difference between Artist and artist.

But wait... you can't just throw out there with "all my years in the art biz" and not tell what that's all about! Are you an Artist?! if so, can we see something of your work?! If you don't want to go public, can you send me a msg here? :)

PM, I think your ornament question was perfectly appropriate to the group, but I'll take the personal bio private. :) Except, you're not set up for messages. Feel free to message me.

I msg'd you my email addr! :)

Thanks, everyone, for your input and encouragement! I'm going with the deer... wrapping it wasn't easy. lol! I ended up making a cardboard backing then tried to get it into paper without crushing it. It looks huge, but it weighs nothing. :)

Anyone would be thrilled to get that gift!!

Lovely! I like the impact that the large, flat package has too. :)

Thank you both. I'm thinking it will have to be forced on someone due to its odd and large size. lol! I still have no idea how these will be exchanged.... I'm hoping to get a little fused glass, alcohol ink tile, or miniature painting. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!

Dinner will be at a long-established Italian dive with good food and excellent housemade desserts. I'll report back later. :)

Have a great time. If I could show up, I'd love to have that deer!

Thank you, artemis! Just back from the party and here's the booty (don't know why it's sideways!):

They were selling raffle tickets to raise money for their scholarship fund and I won the DVD in that. I got this handpainted ornament in the trade -- I love the way they did the scarf! An older man got the deer and he definitely liked it!

The buffet had green salad, bread, eggplant parmesan, greens (Italian style w/ escarole, garlic, ham, crumbs & parmesan), baked chicken, roasted potatoes, and roast beef. The dessert tray had small pudding-filled cream puff type shells and cannoli.

I was asked to do a show of my baskets at the city art center. :) They'll phone me to set up the month. They're giving me the library room -- the only exhibit room on the ground floor. Nice. :) But, plllog, they definitely don't consider me to be an artist -- I was told that they want me to do a show because they want to display more crafts. :p

Had a great time and the food was very good. Next year it's the Polish Star for sure! lol!

Thank you, mdln! I have toyed with the idea of selling on etsy.... when I sell my baskets I donate all proceeds to my niece's memorial scholarship, so I will always consider any request! There are actually 3 scholarships given in her name every year and I haven't donated in awhile* so I'd love to sell something for that now. I think I corrected my settings so you can msg me about it, if you'd like!

If I do sell on etsy (or elsewhere), I want it be *different* from any of the other stuff you see there. I'm working more with willow lately -- homegrown organic -- and think I'm coming up with some great ideas and implementations. :)

ETA: when we lost my niece I got through it by weaving.... 18 months straight with lots of nights in the wee hours. I was raising serious money for her new scholarship fund by selling baskets -- many were custom requests, some handpainted, etc., but I also designed a 'line' of baskets in her name -- they were very different and very popular!!!

I, too, would be interested in your future projects/etsy, etc. and I am set up to receive messages.

I am glad you went with the reindeer and hope you will let us know if you start selling again.