I'm an artist, and a chick!
Maybe I can help:
Gift certificates to a art supply store. Period.
I received three gift certificates this past X-Mas: two were to two different art supply stores, one for my favorite clothing shop. I soooo appreciated these since being creative, meant I could do my own shopping.
If this gal thinks like I do; she'd appreciate this. I'd present it to her not in a card, but get one of those packets of blank cards (for "make it yourself" greeting cards), and slip the gift certificate in the box as nice added surprise.
Hope this helps!