 |
    
    
April's
Articles for Giftware News:
back
to articles>>
The Gift Industry—All
about occasions.
The Gift Industry makes its money on occasions—birthdays,
Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day, Mother’s Day—even
the Fourth of July—all of these occasions are the raison
d'etre of the gift industry. Making an occasion of everyday has
been a personal favorite of mine!
This weekend I had another glimpse of the Industry and how it
truly does enter into all of the moments of our lives. Take the
ubiquitous photo frame—a present day staple of our décor.
Picture frames and photo frames are bread and butter to most retail
gift shops—from sterling silver, to ebony to velvet swathed
or jewel encrusted—from expensive and luxurious, or cheap
and cheerful—photo frames have become a favored part of the
way we live. We can capture the moments from our busy lives and
stop them still—to revisit at our leisure.
As picture taking has become easier and home printing more common,
the frame business has had nowhere to go but up. From Craft stores
to quality boutiques, we can find what we need to hold our memories.
This weekend I had the opportunity of shopping for photo frames
for a memorial service. Funerals and memorial services have become
a place to celebrate people's lives, and remember the journeys
they have taken—photographs are an important way to recognize
a person's unique path through their times. Tables, altars, and
walls filled with photographs and framed mementos become a tribute
to the deceased, expressing love and respect. On this final day—we
wanted our pictures to look fabulous!
We chose photographs, family snapshots, baby photos, awards and
posters—they all reflected the life lost, and all needed
photo frames. From a prized wedding photo to a colorful political
sign, each called for a different size and a different style;
finally each unique memory found its frame.
I couldn't help thinking about frames—and the gift industry—and
all of the diverse moments and occasions where we are present.
As a designer, it makes me want to be sure that my designs merit
the occasions where they are invited. Designers of photo frames—don't
you agree?
Victoria, British Columbia
April |
|
|
