Do any of you crafters get gift requests from friends/family/co-work ers?

Contributor: CS2012 CS2012
A few days ago my Mom put in an order request as she put it. She told me she wanted me to crochet her a table runner for her birthday. So I was wondering how many of you get gift requests and do you enjoy it when you get gift requests.
Answers (public voting - your screen name will appear in the results):
Yes, I get gift requests and love it.
CS2012 , Ghost , MeliPixie , Curiouscat , LAndJ , Breas , ellejay , arduous , SneakersAndPearls , Mirachaya , GONE! , hem , SimpleHedonist , So Long Ya Doofuses!
14  (54%)
No, I don't but would love to get gift requests.
kinksters
1  (4%)
Yes, I get gift requests but wish I didn't get so many.
spiceboy , LadyEarlGrey , Starkiller87 , sodapin , AlianneCimorene
5  (19%)
Other (please explain)
switzerland , deltalima , glasskitten , mistressg , no.one.special , Kenneth Fort
6  (23%)
Total votes: 26
Poll is closed
01/12/2012
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Contributor: spiceboy spiceboy
People don't realize what an undertaking something is when they ask! If it's a family member or close friend it's fine but I hate when a casual acquaintance sees me crocheting and suddenly it's like WOW, can you make me a hat FOR FREE? Um... NO. Maybe if you provide the yarn...
01/12/2012
Contributor: Ghost Ghost
I don't mind when my family asks me to make things for them (usually pictures in pen and ink, charcoal, oil pastel, watercolor, etc.). It's cheaper to use my supplies sometimes (I have a huge stock) than to buy giftcards or whatever.
01/12/2012
Contributor: MeliPixie MeliPixie
I make quilts (just a beginner, so it's no big deal) and have made one for each of my grandmothers at their request. I made a kimono for my roommate, and one for my sister, and I made a stuffed neck pillow puppy for my boyfriend. I have a list of others who want things, too. Makes me feel good ^_^
01/12/2012
Contributor: switzerland switzerland
i'm not a crafter but i'm a baker, and i definitely get requests!
01/12/2012
Contributor: Curiouscat Curiouscat
I paint with oils, and sometimes paint digitally on my computer. I've gotten alot of requests for both. It's nice, and flattering. But I really like to do my own thing most of the time, so kinda stifling when I know someone wants me to do something for them, so I feel like I can't paint to just paint and have fun.
01/12/2012
Contributor: LAndJ LAndJ
I get gift requests mostly from my sister and sometimes baking requests from my boyfriend's co-workers.
01/12/2012
Contributor: Breas Breas
Usually from family members yes. It's not a constant thing though.
01/12/2012
Contributor: ellejay ellejay
I enjoy the requests I get, though there aren't a huge amount! Probably for the best...I'd get too overwhelmed.
01/12/2012
Contributor: Starkiller87 Starkiller87
I always get asked for paintings but I get overwhelmed. I dont want to rush them so I usually tell them that I can see what I can do but dont expect anything for a LONG time.
01/12/2012
Contributor: LadyEarlGrey LadyEarlGrey
I really don't mind for the most part when people ask me to make them things but when it gets to be a busy time of year, like Christmas, and people start asking it can get overwhelming. Most of the work I do, like paintings or drawings, take weeks to complete. But, if it's a photo or small sketch I'm usually okay with it.
01/12/2012
Contributor: deltalima deltalima
Quote:
Originally posted by spiceboy
People don't realize what an undertaking something is when they ask! If it's a family member or close friend it's fine but I hate when a casual acquaintance sees me crocheting and suddenly it's like WOW, can you make me a hat FOR ... more
Exactly!
01/12/2012
Contributor: arduous arduous
I only get requests from close family members who appreciate the effort that goes into a handmade gift, so I don't mind them. I might mind if people asked more frequently or gave me deadlines, but everyone seems almost scared to ask!

I did make something for a close friend awhile ago. His roommate looooved it and he (my friend) asked me to make a pair. That kind of pissed me off, and I had to do some educating.
01/14/2012
Contributor: sodapin sodapin
Quote:
Originally posted by CS2012
A few days ago my Mom put in an order request as she put it. She told me she wanted me to crochet her a table runner for her birthday. So I was wondering how many of you get gift requests and do you enjoy it when you get gift requests.
My dad always "commissions" paintings from me either out of random or to give as a gift to my mum or himself. Unfortunately, he never really specifies what he wants D:
07/03/2012
Contributor: kinksters kinksters
well,,, on second thought, idk if i'd really like to get them...
07/11/2012
Contributor: SneakersAndPearls SneakersAndPearls
I don't mind as long as I'm not being requested to do something that will take forever and a day. A neighbor came over once and asked me to fix some seams that had come undone. No problem. If I was asked to do a handmade quilt for king size bed...then we may have a problem, especially since a simple twin size takes me weeks, and a more elaborate queen takes me months!
07/24/2012
Contributor: Chilipepper Chilipepper
Knitting is asked for very rarely because people think I'll snark about it. I generally really do like knitting scarves for people, as long as I know what colors they like and they don't give me a deadline. I'd like for them to buy the yarn, though, so they get exactly what they want. I'd only do it for those who'd really appreciate it.

Baking, on the other hand, seems to be open season by everyone and they don't care if I snark about that or not. They're under the impression that I'm rather good at it (I'm never satisfied with how it turns out) and it's asked for around the holidays every year. At least it's appreciated.
07/24/2012
Contributor: Mirachaya Mirachaya
I get gift requests often,which I happily take on when I can for family and friends, however its worse when those come from people I don't know who see my art.
07/25/2012
Contributor: GONE! GONE!
Yes, people ask for art, jewelry, and crocheted goods from me. Sometimes I'm happy to oblige.
08/26/2012
Contributor: hem hem
I get some requests, but I feel like I make people things (usually pieces of visual art) voluntarily for various occasions more frequently than I do by request. The requests are frequently from people I don't know as well.
08/27/2012
Contributor: glasskitten glasskitten
I never get actual requests... could have something to do with the fact that I draw only nudes... but my parents used to attempt to volunteer my talents (without even clearing it with me first!)to their friends. Musta made them look stupid when I wouldn't do what they volunteered me for.

Oh well...
09/01/2012
Contributor: SimpleHedonist SimpleHedonist
For many years my art/craft was my primary source of income. I never had a problem gifting excess inventory to friends or family... in fact I loved to!! For the last few years I have been out of that business and still get lots of requests for things. I don't mind, but liked it lots better when I could just let my friends "shop" for free, lol!!
09/01/2012
Contributor: mistressg mistressg
Yes, I get requests. Sometimes I love it, sometimes it's stressful.
09/01/2012
Contributor: no.one.special no.one.special
Yes, and I rarely comply with them because so few people in my life (other than my fellow crafters) appreciate the time and expense devoted to my hobby.

I once had a neighbor tell me I should sell handknit socks at the flea market for $3 a pair (he was admiring the ones I had on, made of Dream In Color Smooshy). I told him, "Chris, these took me three weeks to knit, and the hand-dyed yarn I used cost me over $20. I'll keep knitting for myself. You can go sell them at the flea market. I'll teach you for free." It shut him right up!
09/10/2012
Contributor: So Long Ya Doofuses! So Long Ya Doofuses!
I usually get jewelry requests from my family and because they are family, they expect a grand discount even though they "want to support me". My pricing system, as a result, has become quite botched. Plus, I'll make things and they'll be like "Oh that's so pretty I'll buy it from you when I have the money with me!" and it never comes and I have all sorts of stuff I need to sell now.
09/15/2012
Contributor: Kenneth Fort Kenneth Fort
Don't like it. Being pushed is not ideal for doing things that are strenuous and might not turn out very well even so.
10/01/2012