It's just about time for the annual Gift From The Universe project. I normally start it on Black Friday, but with it being later than usual this year, I'm starting it on Friday Nov. 22nd.
Being a maker that has issues with extreme capitalism can be challenge. I want to make beautiful things and have people buy them. I have bills to pay and dreams to fulfill! But being materialistic for the sake of expectation or status or obligation is not for me.
Some years it felt like fun to participate in sales or do special promotions and in no way to I judge my fellow makers or business owners that enjoy jumping in on that. (If you line up at a store and trample other people to buy a tv, yes, I totally judge you, but if you're reading this, chances are that is not you anyway) Several years ago I realized how bad it felt to me and on a whim I started a project. Without much thought or planning, I offered up prints to be sent to loved ones, anonymously, for free! The prints were even mystery prints!
Gift giving can feel so special. When I find something that feels just right, I'm that kind of person that loves to give a gift early because I can't wait for them to get it. Or finds something at an off time and send it just because.
It can also feel terrible. A stressful obligation because someone else expects it. Or even that you want to give a gift to someone, but the panic and stress of the holidays takes the joy out of being able to do so thoughtfully. The last minute "fuck it, here's a gift card" that I have done so many times finally fell by the wayside because I decided I was just not going to play that game anymore and anyone close enough that expected that of me didn't know me very well anyway.
I've thought of so many scenarios that leave me feeling frustrated around this whole time of year - maybe you recognize some of these:
Buying something too expensive because the other person equates money spent to the amount of love given.
Giving something you actually think the other person might not like, but... you "had" to get them something anyway.
Wanting to give something but feeling like the other person will be obligated to give you something back... or will feel guilty when they didn't or didn't have the money or energy to give anything in return.
A broken relationship that will result in a "return to sender" envelope or package
Receiving something that you don't like at all and feel like that person didn't even try to be thoughtful or just felt that obligation to just buy something.
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I am all for thoughtful and meaningful gifts and experiences. I'm all for surprising someone will a silly pointless gift because you think it will make them laugh, or you know that receiving gifts is their love language and literally getting mail will just make their day. I am all for that weird gift that makes you wonder WTF and then a few days later you're convinced it is the best present you've ever been given.
And really, none of this applies to children to whom simply opening a present is a delight. Watching a small child completely lose their shit over a single pair of socks is truly amazing, only later for them to realize there are more than that one pair and it's mindblowing and adorable.
So how does this all relate to this project? The idea of giving something free, without taking credit or getting acknowledgement - giving something out of love without money being involved... what does that feel like? How might it expand your own heart or what might it mean to someone to receive a gift that simply tells them they are loved. No need to give a thank you or send something in return. What is it like to receive something that feels like a whisper from the Universe. Maybe they think they know who it is. Maybe they think of 10 people who might have sent it. Maybe they are right or maybe not. Some people try to guess (and often guess correctly), but some people simply feel the compassion of a random act of kindness, a mysterious moment of love and a reminder that they matter to someone and if they don't know who it is, it could be anyone.
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Interesting in supporting the project financially? Read on:
The first year I did the project, I supplied everything and donated my time. I hadn't really thought about shipping, the labels and envelopes and all the extra stuff. A couple years ago I opened it up to supporters to help fund the project and had such amazing help.
If you'd like support the project instead of sending a print or two - you can check out the donate page.
There is also be the opportunity to sponsor the project by choosing one of the sliding scale options. You can cover your own shipping cost, yours and 1/2 support, or full support, covering the regular price of the print + shipping. Full support/purchased prints don't count towards the 100 free ones that get mailed.
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See some of this year's design choices below!
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A little end note - What do I get out of this? It makes me feel like a conduit for love and yes, it does help to get my artwork out in the world which is something that feels important too. Being able to remind people of beauty in the world is one of my missions in life. Expanding in love is another.
Feeling loved is something I have found challenging. I know if I got one of these, it would make me feel loved. It is easy for me to love and send that out to the world. Being empathic, I can also very much feel when one person loves another. This project helps my heart to expand and feel love in all kinds of ways.
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Instructions and details in the listings:
Anonymously gift a piece of art to a loved one!
Choose what support level works for you, enter their address and I ship directly to them. Read below for all the info.
This is 1 of 8 image options. See full collection here. For this project, all prints are 5 x 7, frame not included. Any item at any time can be sent anonymously.
Each print will include the message card shown in the photos. It says:
A Gift From The Universe - You have been anonymously gifted this artwork so that when you see it you will be reminded that you are loved beyond words.
- Choose the image
- Please limit to 2 if choosing any option other than full support
- Full support option - send as many as you want!
- Include recipient name and shipping address as I will be shipping directly to them (see FAQ below if you don't have the address)
If sending to more than 1 address, placing separate orders is really helpful for me. If you place 1 order for multiple prints, please give clear instructions on how you want them to be mailed. Thank you!
*please note, sometimes autofill puts the shipping address same as the billing - you can add the recipient's address in the note to seller box if that is easier for you.
Prints will be shipped within 2 weeks of ordering, many will be ship faster. All will be shipped by Dec. 6th. Tracking info will be sent to the email provided. The return address says Gift from the Universe and is my PO Box. Shipping cost is either free or by location/service chosen.
Free and sliding scale options will be available through Giving Tuesday, Dec 3, or while supplies last. There will be a minimum of 100 prints available and potentially more if more donations are received. Full support options are always available.
FAQ
Want to help sponsor the project and just make a donation? That would be lovely and can be done through this listing.
Regular purchase/larger size: All prints are available for regular purchase in 5x7 or 8x10. See prints here.
Gift yourself a print. In past years I've asked that prints only be given to others. Last year, I opened it up to giving one to yourself. Yes, this is essentially me giving away free prints, but sometimes the person you need to love the most is yourself. If this feels like what you need, please gift yourself a print and know that you are loved.
I can really send one for free? If you are in the US, yes! Int'l shipping is not yet feasible. I cover everything else up front, sponsors help with different support levels. New this year is a sliding scale, which I love and feel like adds to the community aspect of the project. We are at all different levels of financial stability. The sliding scale allows those more to help those that have less send a print to a loved one, allowing all to participate where they feel most comfortable. Donations of any amount can also be made, starting at $3.
Can I send more than one? Yes, but my ask is that each customer only sends 2 free prints - you can pay for as many as you'd like.
I don't know the address of the recipient, will you just mail it to me? I can. Part of the project is that it is anonymously sent directly to the recipient. So for the free ones, I do love for them to be mailed directly to them, however in some cases if the art can be given anonymously in person (ex: secretly left on a co-worker's desk), I'm happy to mail it to the "giver". It is my hope that the spirit of the project is honored.
Can I send it to someone that I live with? Yes! Just make sure the recipient's name/name with the shipping address, is different than the your name/buyer's name.
Background story of the Gift From The Universe project: It started several ago when I wanted to do something other than a Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale. Gift giving can be filled with so many mixed emotions. At the core, I believe giving a gift is a way to show love, but it can be overshadowed by obligation, guilt and expectation. There is so much pressure to buy things around the holidays, and sadly the message is often that bigger and more expensive means more love. If you've ever been the recipient of an expensive, thoughtless gift, you know that is not the case. Or maybe you've been on the other side when someone expects you to get them something and you just buy something random even when you can't afford it (This was me for many years). Participating in this project is a way to give love without the concern for cost, without the need for recognition or reciprocation. It is a free art print sent directly to the recipient and includes the note shown above.
It can be easy to feel like no one cares. We all need reminders from time to time that we are loved and that we matter. And not just by another human, but by something much greater. The recipient won't know who sent it, even the return address just says A Gift From the Universe.
Ideas of who to send one to - here are some specific examples from past years:
- Someone who just needs to know they're loved
- Estranged family member
- An overworked healthcare worker
- Child's teacher
- Single mom doing it all
- Friend going through a divorce or a just a rough time
- Teenager struggling with depression
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Make any purchase a gift from the universe by adding this listing to the cart with any other item.
Each print is hand signed by the artist. The gold or silver metallic is added by hand after printing.
They are printed on archival, acid free paper- 100% cotton, cold press natural (no whiteners) - it matches the paper I use for most of my original drawings. And cotton is a more sustainable, eco friendly alternative to wood pulp.
Printed in my studio with an Epson SureColor p800 with UltraChrome HD ink
*other sizes can be printed upon request.
