Last Minute Gift Idea #2 - Anne Taintor Gifts

You may have heard of Anne Taintor or you may already be a fan.  If not, you are in for a treat.  Anne is an artist who specializes in taking vintage images, embellishing and adding a relevant sentiment, usually on the humorous side..

Anne graduated from Harvard in 1977 with a degree in Visual and Environmental Studies. After college, she focused on collage, and her work always incorporated a subtle humor and playfulness. For years, Anne’s art was more of a sideline than a full-time occupation. But in 1985, she was a single mother searching for a way to spend more time at home with her daughter than her job in cartography permitted, and she began to develop a line of collaged pins and magnets. The new collages combined vintage images with Anne’s own interpretation of what these men and women might really be thinking. They were instantly a hit with Anne’s customers, though it took a little longer for her to be brave enough to “quit her day job”.

In 1999, with her daughter away at college, Anne and her husband moved to a tiny town (population 80!) in Northcentral New Mexico.  She spent 12 blissful years in NM balancing growing her business with healthy doses of hiking, swimming & camping.  Anne was elated to return to her home state of Maine in 2011 in order to spend more time with granddaughters and other family and to re-kindle her love of gardening and shoveling snow.  She now lives and works in an eclectic antique house in Portland and continues to cherish making all you smart women and men smile.

Anne's artwork is very unique, humorous and fun.  Take a look at these vintage ladies, gentlemen and children tagged with quirky comments - usually sentimental or funny.

I selected the large melamine tray and the matching mini-trays for review in the "Born To Be Wild" option.  This picture features several women in vintage 40's - 50's era swimsuits laughing and running hand in hand through the water - just another fun day with the girls!  Very cute and a great conversation starter.   The melamine was very sturdy and just the right amount of glossiness.  The colors were vivid but the image was softened for a great vintage feel.  

I used these recently when I entertained.  My kids especially went nuts over these.  I got 101 questions about the dishes - where did they come from, did I know who the ladies were, where were they, etc.  This would be great for your own entertaining, as a hostess gift, white elephant party gift, or as a present to someone that loves something different and/or likes to entertain.  

Anne Taintor also sells numerous other images and products including magnets, note pads, bags, barware, clothing, cards and more.  Make sure to pop by her website and check out her great selection of quirky items.  While you are there make sure to enter the monthly caption contest!


Disclosure - I received products for review purposes.  I did not receive monetary compensation and was not obligated to write a positive review.  All opinions expressed by my own.