The Gallery of Life - What is the spiritual purpose of fine art prints as greeting cards?

Greeting cards. Have you ever really pondered our real intention when sending greeting cards? Of course, you might reply. We want to celebrate; we want to offer inspiration; we want to console; we want to communicate. We often choose landscape photography or nature photography as the basic foundation of our greeting as these scenes display a fabric of life that is both beautiful and peaceful.

Yet, our intentions with greeting cards can have a spiritual purpose. Our greeting can inspire a be-attitude: be happy, be hopeful, be courageous, be comforted, be aware that you are not alone. These are all attributes of character development and reminders of our strength and courage during times of celebration and during times of adversity.

Ultimately, greeting cards connect us to each other as immediate family, extended family and a global family. So, when choosing unique greeting cards, have a new level of consciousness concerning its potential. The magic of your selected beautiful scene and inspirational thoughts may literally be your contribution to change our world, and make it better, one person at a time.

About The Author
H. Veronika Gaia is a teacher, writer and nature photographer. She believes that every person can make a difference in our world and that PeacemakersArt.com provides opportunities for you to make your contribution by purchasing with a purpose. Veronika sells inspirational nature photography art as greeting cards, motivational posters and fine art prints with peaceful intentions for self awareness, human potential and community service. Please visit her website at http://www.PeacemakersArt.com/.

How to Make a Greeting Card

Making your own greeting cards can be both fun and rewarding. Many people cherish home-made greeting cards because they are a true expression of yourself and the person you are making it for.

The first step in making a greeting card is to determine who you are making the greeting card for. What interests does the person have? What is the person's hobbies? Is the person your friend, family member, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, grandparent, parent, husband, wife, or significant other?

The next step to making a greeting card is to decide if you want a funny greeting card or a sentimental greeting card. If you want a funny greeting card, you will want cut outs of cartoons, or you might want to draw your own cartoons. If you want a sentimental greeting card, you might gather cutouts of flower pictures. If you want a Christian greeting card, you might cut out some pictures of crosses or bibles. If you can draw your own, that's even better. But not everyone is an artist!

You also need to decide why you are sending the greeting card. Is it for a birthday, anniversary, thank you, sympathy, holiday, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, or other occasion? Maybe the greeting card is just because you care. If you want to send a birthday card, a picture of a birthday cake might be best. Or a picture of a flag for Independence Day greeting card would be nice.

The next thing you have to do is write the copy for your greeting card. You can choose a poem you like or one that you know the person getting the greeting card will like. You could also write your own poem. You should remember though, that when you copy someone else's poetry onto your card, you cannot sell the card. Copyright laws forbid you to sell someone else's work without permission. But for the purposes of just making a greeting card for a loved one, copying a favorite poem, saying, or scripture is more than acceptable.

Now that you know what you will put on the greeting card, who it is for, and why you are sending it, the next step is to gather all the materials you will need to put the greeting card together. You will want to gather cut outs of any pictures you want to include, as well as scissors, paste or glue stick, construction paper, crayons or markers, a pencil for outlining (in case you make mistakes), and don't forget your creativity! You may also want some lace, ribbon, doilies, pretty material scraps, paints, and other items.

The most important thing to remember when creating your own greeting card is that the sky is the limit! There is no right or wrong way to make a greeting card. The only thing limiting your greeting card possibilities is your own creative mind! So break out those old magazines, poetry books, comic books, and cartoon strips, get those creative juices flowing, and make the best greeting card ever! Your loved one is sure to enjoy your hard work, effort, and how much you care showed by your handmade greeting card for years to come!

How Cards Are Made

Have you ever wondered how greeting cards are made? Let's explore some of the many ways cards are created.

Many people get pleasure from creating their own cards. There are various types of paper one can use to make a card. There are also various types of ink, paint, accessories to attach, writing styles, cartoons, markers, and even crayons that one can use to make a card. Some people get very inventive when creating cards. Even feathers can be used to give a card that special touch. When making a card, it's really all about your own personal style and what you wish to convey to the recipient of the card.

There are those, of course, who pride themselves on making cards from their home computers. It's interesting how many types of paper you can buy to make a card. The graphics available for cards are of an astounding quantity and quality. Of a more personal interest are the photos you can imprint into your own card creations. This sort of card-making is especially fun during the holidays. It will give your cards that personal touch like no other and a warm memory for someone to add to their scrapbook or photo album.

Some artists enjoy printing on cards using calligraphy pens. It takes a special talent to produce quality work using a calligraphy pen. Such a card would convey thoughtfulness and care to the recipient. It would say how much the person wished to please by their time and effort put into making the card. It would involve much more than just what the card would say. It would also involve finding the right tools to make the card one of quality. Special paper is required for perfection in calligraphy, along with hours of practice, the right pens, and the special ink that must be used.
Children get much joy from creating cards. A loved one or friend would hold such a card dear to their heart. A simple piece of typing paper and a crayon can produce a wonderful work of simplistic art only possible through the eyes and hands of a child. Even more joy can be derived when children are allowed to delve into finger-paints or glue and accessories. Buttons, yarn, tiny wooden figures, magazine cut-outs, craft foam figures and alphabets, glitter, and even material can turn an ordinary piece of cardstock into a card of wonder!

Many people, however, still prefer the age-old choice of cards created enmasse by the seemingly endless card companies. These companies provide convenience. They save people time, effort, resources, and money. They have also, no doubt, saved many husbands, wives, in-laws, or even children from being put in the "dog house"! Unfortunately, some people just aren't good with words, emotions, or aren't artistically talented and are relieved that they can rely on the card companies. Some people may even be unable to write and can count on the card companies to produce just what they wish to say. Suppose you were inconvenienced with a broken arm? Buy a ready-made card and save the day!