Gift Certificate Box
 

I've done several commissions now with women clients who want a portrait of the kids and plan to surprise their husband with the end painting.

But when men are concerned, I've been faced with husbands who would like to buy a portrait commission of the kids for their wife, but they know that their wife would probably like to be part of the process.

As my average commission is about $3000, I felt there needed to be a way the husband could give the commission with the pomp and circumstance befitting of something with such a pricetag. So I've created a gift certificate which is actually afixed to a box, which one opens like a briefcase. On the top is a private message, and below is the gift certificate, and tucked behind the certificate is a pocket area where info on me and my work is tucked in.

It costs about $50 in materials to put it together, but it's to help encourage a $3000 project to happen, well it's well worth it.

I think I'm about to get a commission this way as a results of a bunch of friends pitching in together to give a gift to a friend who is remarrying.

Hope this is helpful to others.

Linda

the inside

Here's a close up of the specialty papers I apply first to the inside. Then I float mount on foam core the certificate and message. the message and gift certificate I put together in Illustrator and just printed out on glossy paper.

There are several links to specialty paper sites in my Resources section: http://portraitartist.com/resources/desktop.htm

That is a nice idea Linda! :)

Where are you getting the box? Are you buying locally or off the Internet?

http://www.papermart.com/ has a great selection of all kinds of packaging including boxes with all kinds of coverings, bags, wrapping, etc. You may need a resale tax ID, I'm not sure. Their shipping rates are reasonable and I think the minimum was $50 last time I bought from there.

They have over 1 million boxes and 10 million bags in stock. They're in California.

The box is from the local Dick Blick store, and it costs about $40 retail, so I'll be sure to check out that paper store for an alternative...

Thanks Cynthia too for the resource for papers.