[This is from my newsletter, Creative Intelligence. Sign up here to get future issues emailed to you as soon as they come out.]
This month, in honor of the holidays, I’m shaking up the normal format. Instead of focusing on a particular aspect of trend + color design, I’m sharing some of my favorite color-related things that make perfect gifts for people who love color, including yourself. :)
~~~~~
Before we get to the list, this month marks Creative Intelligence’s two year anniversary. Wahoo! I really appreciate each of you that read this newsletter, and I especially love the conversations and connections that have come from so many of you personally reaching out. Please keep it up!
If you’re curious, here are the top issues since the start:
Now, the list!
Gifts for Color Lovers
A Dictionary of Color Combinations: This little book has 348 unique, gorgeous color combinations. It’s derived from the original 6 volume book created by the Japanese painter and designer Sanzo Wada in the 1930s. I constantly find inspiration in its 2, 3, and 4 color groupings. CMYK codes and cutout swatch pages are included for every color.
A Dictionary of Color Combinations
All Roads Circle Tees: I adore these tees - the simple, minimal graphic color play and the soft, comfortable fit. There are a range of different colors (of tees and circles) to choose from. I have the slate/chartreuse and cobalt ones and wear them all the time. These sell out often and are currently on sale.
All Roads Circle Tee in Fluro Pink
Jenna O. Studio’s Color Dot 2025 Wall Calendar: Jenna has this awesome Instagram account, where she shares sweet color palettes inspired by feelings and moods, and gives each color the most perfect name. She designs an annual wall calendar too where each month has an aptly inspired color dot palette.
Jenna O. Studio’s Color Dot Calendar
Color-Aid Paper: I started using this paper years ago when I was in design school. I love it still; it’s by far my favorite colored stock to use for art + design projects. High quality, dense pigmentation, substantial but workable. I favor the 220 swatch packet in 6” x 9” sheets which includes 24 hues, 4 tints of each hue, 3 shades of each hue, 16 grays, black, white, and 10 supplemental colors.
Color-Aid Paper
Yellow Owl Workshop Color Swatch Earrings: How cool are these? I love how whimsical these color swatch earrings are. This shop has several different color designer-inspired earrings, necklaces, rings, socks, and cards. They’re all fantastic. I have had a pair of the color wheel + grayscale earrings for years and love them.
Yellow Owl Workshop Color Swatch Earrings
Ohuhu Dual Tip Color Markers: My husband, son, and I have a long-standing tradition of only making handmade cards for each other. It’s one of my favorite decisions we’ve made. Every major (or minor!) event is celebrated with each other’s creativity. These markers are our go-tos for our cards. The colors are beautiful and blend incredibly well; plus there are dual tips for fine or brush strokes.
Ohuhu Dual Tip Markers: 120 set
Paint Chip Poetry: A good friend gifted this fun game to me recently. It combines two of my favorite things (color + writing) into a non-competitive, creative game. Each player has a hand of cleverly-named paint chips. A prompt card is drawn at the beginning of a turn with a phrase like “worth waiting for” or “the key to happiness”. Players write a poem with their paint chips based on the prompt’s inspiration, and then share with the group.
Paint Chip Poetry
Emily Van Hoff Fabric: Emily Van Hoff is an amazing textile artist who creates beautiful, colorful pieces with incredible, unexpected textures and shapes. I’m so inspired by her work which ranges from gorgeous wall hangings in interesting forms to mini fabric color compositions. I am especially excited about getting some of her new quilting fabrics, releasing soon. Sign up on her site to get notified when new work drops (she’s shooting for another release before the end of the year); they sell out fast.
quilt made from Emily Van Hoff’s soon-to-release fabrics
Do Book Co’s The Creative Library Book Bundle: Designed to help creative entrepreneurs, makers, and doers work smarter and create positive change, Do Book Co’s guides are written by experts whose stories and ideas have inspired others. I love this particular book bundle focused on design, which also sparks new ways of thinking and doing in the realm of color.
Do Book Co’s The Creative Library Book Bundle
Lisa Congdon Cross Stitch Kit: I am such a fan of Lisa Congdon’s art. Her color combinations, bold graphics, and distinct typography convey such immense joy. She has so many fantastic prints and products (including many awesome collabs) but I especially love her cross stitch patterns. I am currently working on her Brightside Kit design, but I love this Find Small Joys one as well.
Lisa Congdon’s Find Small Joys Cross Stitch Kit
Do you have a favorite? Or have a recommendation for another color-inspiring gift? Please share! And happy holidays!
