The gift creation process

“I contemplate a tree… then as I contemplate the tree I am drawn into a relation, and the tree ceases to be an It. The power of exclusiveness has seized me…. what I encounter is neither the soul of a tree nor a dryad, but the tree itself.”

Martin Buber

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Observing a person is like looking at the tree described by Martin Buber. Just as the tree cannot change its location, a person cannot break away from his roots i.e. his past.  The leaves, flowers or fruits of the tree reflect it’s changing, every year, and symbolize its perpetual renewal. In this delicate balance between that which is extant and permanent and that which is constantly renewed is the inspiration for creating the gift. All the discoveries create a gift that is unique, an expression of the individual, their being and not only in the descriptive sense.

When I’m asked to make a gift for someone, I follow the signs and cues left over the years and use them to outline their personal circle in a new way.

First step – Interview and consultation regarding the gift

Questionnaire

The process of making a gift is the process of searching and learning for the giver and for me, who prepare it. In order to get the process going, before our first meeting, I will send the giver an email with a questionnaire. The questionnaire is designed to outline characteristics of the recipient and describe their interests, nature and uniqueness. Responding to the questionnaire is definitely recommended but not mandatory.

Meeting

A gift is like an encounter with yourself through the eyes of another person.

This process begins with a face to face meeting between myself and those who have decided to give a personalized gift to a loved one. In this session we devote ourselves to a joint observation, searching the personal being of the recipient and  re-examining a kind of  layer of ‘dust’ that has accumulated with the passage of time.
For me, this meeting awakens my curiosity and sense of discovery towards this person that I have heard of for the first time.

In the first meeting we also explore the possibility of expanding the circle of participants in the gift. If the giver is interested, we will contact friends and relatives and include them in the process of creating the gift, and together we’ll create a web of memories, stories or everyday habits that make up that special person.

We will conclude the meeting by discussing a theme for the gift and the manner of its execution – the gift can be an object, installation or collection of items. In some cases we can even formulate a preliminary idea in the first meeting.

If the gift giver is content with the first meeting and wishes to make the gift on their own, there will not be additional meetings.
In this case the first meeting will have a separate price quote.

Second Step – Choosing the concept and design of the gift

Usually the gift giver wishes to continue working together on the gift. In these instances, two weeks after the first meeting, the giver will receive a document describing the concept of the gift, the creation process and its initial cost.

If the giver accepts the proposal there will be no charge for this stage as it is included in the budget for the gift. If for some reason the giver decides not to proceed then they will be charged a fee for the time spent in researching, designing and drafting a proposal

Third Step – Approval of the gift making process

Approval of the concept, the overall budget for creating the gift and a summary of the joint working process.

How much does the gift cost?

Given the unique nature of these gifts they are essentially priceless.  However, their cost is determined by work hours, preparatory processes and the materials required for the creation. It’s important to take into consideration that every gift is one of a kind just as the person for whom it is created, and it may evolve during its preparation. Thus a certain degree of flexibility for the gift budget is advisable. Naturally, the giver will be informed in advance of any changes in the process and whether this has implication for the gift budget.