SPRING GIFTS 2013

ABOUT BESPOKE CUSTOM GIFTS

BespokeCustomGifts.com is a distinctive new e-commerce site that offers a fresh, modern take on personalized gifts, curated from up-and-coming artisans and the cream of vendors. The site was founded by Jill Kirchner Simpson, an interior design writer for such style-setting magazines as In Style and House Beautiful; iconic companies such as Ralph Lauren, Eileen Fisher and Martha Stewart;and co-author of ten books for talented designers such as Alexa Hampton andMary Emmerling. She turned her editorial eye to e-commerce when she couldn’t find a one-stop online destination for custom-made, meaningful, one-of-a-kind gifts.Here are some of our picks for this spring’s gift occasions, including Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Wedding and Graduation gifts. Please visit www.bespokecustomgifts.com to see many other great gift ideas for every occasion.

Contact: Staci Dolgin-Rubinstein, SDR Communications, 847-549-0712; staci@sdr-communications.com. COVER IMAGE: : PERSONALIZED “LOVEBIRDS” PLATTER, $115

MOTHER’S DAY

Does she have a favorite saying, a piece of poetry or child’s artwork she loves? Artist Tina Roeder can engrave anything—including a handwritten letter, a list of special dates, all the grandchildren’s names, a piece of music or a child’s drawing—on her sterling silver necklaces ($135) and cuff bracelets ($225) for a could-only-come-from-you, extra-special memento.

An old-fashioned locket by Emily Rothschild offers a cutting-edge way to keep her most precious photos close to her heart—inside the 24K gold-plated locket is a mini 2GB USB drive. We can engrave both the locket and/or the flash drive, $175.

Using dots and dashes of gold, artist Rebecca Coagan Sharlatt can spell out a name or message in this custom-made Morse Code Name Necklace, $80, or longer Morse Code Message Necklace, $100.

Tell her she's got style, right down to her toes: Our exclusive monogrammed Converse sneakers are a fun mix of high and low. Why wear someone else's label when you can wear your own? $90

Personalized wooden recipe box and cards, $35 for box; $12.50 for cards. Matching tea towel, $19.50

Give her a gorgeously monogrammed and beautifully scented linen and lavender travel lingerie bag (with separate pockets for clean and dirty lingerie; $50), or tissue cover ($40)--little luxuries she'd never buy for herself. These also make terrific hostess gifts for a weekend visit.

Monogrammed glass perfume bottle, $54.

A chic golf tee bag ($34), or yoga bag ($65), monogrammed just for her.

Initial grab bag, $26, super big, and great for beach/pool, organizing, or toting lots of stuff anywhere. Patent leather monogram pill case, $35.

Monogrammed glass vanity jars, $25, $32 and $40.

FATHER’S DAY

For the globetrotter—or the one who left his heart in his hometown: Sterling silver cufflinks made with snippets of antique maps. Artist Anne Holman can track down obscure towns and far-flung countries in her extensive collection of old atlases, $119. A great gift for grads (featuring their college town), too. The sleek stainless-steel keychain by Sherry Truitt also features a vintage map of the area of your choosing, $32.

Leather Fly Fishing Log and Fly Case—The Log lets him track his greatest catches,along with notes about the location, weather, hatches and more, $45 personalized.The Fly Case will protect and organize 20 of his best-tied flies, $30 personalized.

Personalized letterpress coasters in a wide range of motifs and typestyles, $58. Silver travel clock with monogrammed leather case, $92.

Was To Kill a Mockingbird or Tom Sawyer his favorite book? David Vissat’s uniqueliterary birdhouses use vintage books for the roof, pages to decoupage the sides,and a clever perch related to the tome (a twig slingshot for To Kill a Mockingbird; afaux cigarette for Catcher in the Rye; a corncob pipe for Tom Sawyer), $120.

12 Ways You Made a Difference: Let your dad know the impact he’s had on you with this hand-bound simple-to-fill-in book. Inside are pages with prompts such as “I don’ttell you this enough . . . ” and “The best advice you ever gave me . . . .” A gift from the heart that is bound to become a treasured keepsake, $29.

This handsome silk tie pattern is actually a city map. Choose from 9 different cities, whether it's his hometown, current home or favorite place to visit, $59.

WEDDING & ENGAGEMENT

Jessica Rust’s “True Love” subtly personalized plates, platters and mugs feature birch trees with the iconic symbol of love: a heart encircling the couple’s initials and year “carved” into the trunk. Her “Lovebirds” series features a pair of birds above an airy tree, with the couple’s names and wedding date. (From $62 for a set of 4 mugs to $75 for a serving bowl or set of 4 dessert plates, to $115 for a platter).

Create a personalized wedding print. Choose from among artist Jennifer Hill’s many city-inspired graphic patterns, then add your own custom text including the couple’s names, the date, place and other special details about their wedding, $65.

This hand-blown glass vase is like a three-dimensional photo album. Glass artist Jenny Gaynor can take your favorite photos and embed them into glass, for a vase that brings special memories every time you look at it. This also makes a great anniversary or special birthday gift. Tell the story of a courtship, marriage, honeymoon or family. From a bud vase that fits 15 photos for $150, to a rectangular vase with 24 photos for $250, to a grand vase that tells a life story in 54 photos for $500.

Personalized wedding prints from Alexander & Co., based on the wedding location--beach, mountains, vineyard, garden, $200.

Even if most of their correspondence takes place via email and text, any couple can still use a beautiful set of personalized letterpress stationery (for all those thank-you notes, for starters). What we love about this stationery wardrobe in an elegant silk-covered box is that you can choose different styles for each of four sets of 25 cards—so one for the couple with their new married names, one for him, one for her, and one more casual. Set of 100 custom letterpress-printed cards and envelopes, $180.

A sweet shower gift: Monogrammed lingerie/laundry bag, $38, and shoe bag, $35.

Is she headed to the big city to start a new job (or look for one)? Help her make her mark with a bright, bold Area Code Tote in 212, 213 or 415, $80.

GRADUATION

Set of 3 interchangeable phone cases for iPhone 4/4S and 5, including one the recipient can personalize with a photograph or monogram, $40.

Create a personalized graduation print: Choose from among artist Jennifer Hill’s many city-inspired graphic patterns, then add your own custom text including the graduate’s name, university, place, date and other special details about their college experience, $65. Similar prints are available for great wedding or baby gifts as well.

Reach for the stars: This sleek brushed brass Constellation Cuff Bracelet by Julie Nolen has a subtly elegant form of personalization: A series of small holes represents the brightest stars in the constellation for each sign of the zodiac, $50.

Girls just wanna have fun: Monogrammed canvas flask, $40.

Big & Bold Initial Notepad—at 8½” x 7” and 300 pages thick, these will never get lost! Nice enough for a letter, big enough for a mousepad, classic enough for men or women, $32.

TEACHER GIFTS

Personalized Coffee and Tea Mugs: Choose from the skylines of 6 cities, and add therecipient’s name or text of your choice, $32.