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Gorgeous Gifts for Valentines Day - Artisan Handmade

 

 

Valentine’s Day will be here before we know it.  When you walk into most stores shortly after Christmas (or sometimes before!), hearts, cupids and other items in pink and red will assail you from every direction.  Flowers, candy and gifts are exchanged between loved ones throughout the United States and in many other countries around the world . . . all in the name of St. Valentine.  Although the exact history of St. Valentine is shrouded in mystery, February has long been celebrated as a month of romance.  Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both ancient Roman and Christian traditions, with other traditions thrown in for good measure. 

 

 

Heart Washcloth PDF Crochet Pattern Designed by Jacki of Christie Cottage

 

 

The Catholic Church actually recognizes several different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.  The two most famous, however, were a priest and the Bishop of Terni (or they might have been the same person - records aren’t very clear).  They (or he) were beheaded by Emperor Claudius II on the outskirts of Rome.  While imprisoned, Valentine was supposed to have tutored (or fell in love with) Julia, the blind daughter of the jailor.  According to legend, after they prayed together one day, God restored Julia’s sight.  On the eve of his execution, Valentine is said to have written a note to Julia and signed it, “from your Valentine.”  Although the truth behind all the legends is very ambiguous, the stories all spotlight Valentine’s appeal as a heroic, romantic figure.  By the Middle Ages, Valentine would become one of the most popular saints in England and France.

 

 

 

Sugar and Spice, Old Fashioned Valentine Card Art Designed by Colleen of Colleen Cornelius

 

 

At the end of the 5th century in an effort to Christianize an “un-Christian” Roman celebration, Lupercalia, Valentine's Day was officially declared as February 14th by Pope Gelasius Iraced as far back as the 6th century B.C., Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus. The festival was filled with animal sacrifice, feasting, drunkeness, nakedness, the whipping of women with strips of bloody goat hide, matchmaking, and coupling  - all to ward off evil spirits and to promote fertility.  Most scholars believe Lupercalia was celebrated February 13-15.

 

 

 

Cherries Jubilee Lampwork Glass Galaxy / Globe Pendant Necklace Handmade by Charlotte of Covergirlbeads

 

 

It was not until the end Middle Ages (476 AD – 1453 AD) that February 14 definitively became associated with love. One reason is that In France and England, it was commonly believed that February 14 was the beginning of the bird mating season.  The English poet, Geoffrey Chaucer, picked up on that with a very popular poem written in 1375, called "Parliament of Foules."  Two lines say, "For this was sent on Seynt Valentyne’s day / Whan every foul cometh ther to choose his mate.”  Some say Chaucer "invented" Valentine's Day because of the poem.

 

Written valentines didn’t begin to appear until after 1400. Although there is some controversy about this, the oldest known Valentines poem still in existence today was written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans.  He wrote it to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London for 25 years following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt.  The poem is part of the British Library's manuscript collection in London, England.  The earliest surviving valentines love letter was written by in 1477 by Margery Brews to her fiance, John Paston.  In it she called him "her right-beloved Valentine" and signed it "your Valentine, Margery Brews." 

 

 

 

Set of 24 You and Me Perfect Pair Valentine’s Tags Handmade by Natalie of adorebynat

 

 

In Great Britain, Valentine’s Day began to be widely celebrated around the 17th century.  By the middle of the 18th century, it was common for people of all social classes to exchange small gifts or handwritten notes.  Printed cards began to replace written letters by the early 1900s.  Americans probably began exchanging handmade valentines in the early 1700s. In the 1840s, Esther Howland, known as the “Mother of the American Valentine.” began selling the first mass-produced, intricately detailed valentines card in the United States. Today, according to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated 145 million Valentine’s Day cards are sent each year.

 

I hope you enjoyed this short history of Valentine's Day.  And also hope you enjoy each and every one of the artisan handmade items featured here.  Many are one of a kind and all will make a wonderful Valentine's gift for a loved one.

 

 

Genuine Ruby and Original Watercolor Glass Tile Heart Pendant with Chain Handmade by Roxanne of watercolorsNmore

 

 

 

Blue Hearts, Flowers and Love Enamel Earrings with Sea Glass Beds and Crystals Handmade by Linda of VictorianStyleTreasures

 

 

 

Crocheted Red Valentine Sweater and Headband for a Newborn, 0 - 3 Months, Handmade by Pamela of MagdaleneKnits

 

 

 

Pink Quartz Heart and Dendritic Opal Gemstone Bracelet Handmade by Suzanne of RivendellRocksSedona

 

 

 

Nurses are the Heart of Healthcare Collectible Thimble for Mom Handmade by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions

 

 

 

Wirewrapped Love Necklace Handmade by Linda of LinorStoreDesigns

 

 

 

Lightweight Polymer Clay Hearts and Flowers Earrings with Czech Glass and Swarovski Crystals Handmade by Catherine and Seamus of Shadow Dog Designs  

 

 

 

Jasper Heart Pendant on Silver Chain Handmade by Jacki of Christie Cottage

 

 

 

Crying Black Cat Old Fashioned Vintage Style Valentine Designed by Colleen of Colleen Cornelius

 

 

 

Pink with Black Dots Large Hole Lampwork Beads / Art Glass Charms Handmade by Charlotte of Covergirlbeads

 

 

 

Set of 240 Valentine’s Day Candy Sticker Labels Fit Hershey’s Kisses Chocolates Handmade by Natalie of adorebynat

 

 

 

Aquamarine Swarovski Crystal Birthstone Necklace Handmade by Roxanne of watercolorsNmore

 

 

 

Red Valentine's Hearts on White Enamel Earrings with Lampwork Beads and Swarovski Crystals Handmade by Linda of Victorian Style Tresasures

 

 

 

Vintage Moonstone Heart Earrings with Pearls and Siam Red Crystals Handmade by Pamela of MagdaleneJewels

 

 

 

Hand Painted Forget-Me-Not Flower Pendant with Gemstones and Sterling Silver Necklace and Earrings Set Handmade by Suzanne of RivendellRocksSedona

 

 

 

Heartbeat Collectible Thimble Handmade by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions

 

 

 

Valentines Day Gifts Handmade by Linda of LinorStoreDesigns

 

 

 

Enamel Blue Heart, Millefiori Flowers and Copper Spirals Earrings with Czech Glass and Swarovski Crystals Handmade by Catherine and Seamus of Shadow Dog Designs

 

 

I hope you enjoyed each and every one of these uniquely special handmade creations - any of which will make a perfect Valentine's Day gift!  If you would like to make my day and the day of the talented artists featured, please leave a blog comment.  And any promotion you can do will be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

 

My contact information:

 

Indiemade shop:  Shadow Dog Designs

Indiemade blog:  Shadow Dog Designs’ Blog

Blogger Blog:  Shadow Dog Design’s Blogger

Twitter:  ShadowDogDesign

Pinterest:  Shadow Dog Designs

Instagram:  Shadow Dog Designs

Facebook:  Catherine’s Personal Page

Facebook:  ShadowDogDesigns - Jewelry

Tumblr:  Shadow Dog Designs

Flickr:  Shadow Dog Designs' Photostream

 

 

 

SHADOW DOG DESIGNS

Beautifully Unique Handmade Jewelry

for the Discerning Woman

 

 

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Comments

Beautiful!

Beautiful Valentine's Day collection, Catherine. Thank you so much for including my gift tags and candy stickers. Will share.

Thanks

Catherine, thanks for including my work in this lovely Valentine's Day collection.

Tweeting now, all pinned to valentines day @linorstore

Thank you Catherine

Tweeted, pinned, post to fb profile, fb group, Instagram, and tunblr each item and the post
Happy sales all
CC

So Many Wonderful Handmade Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

All of these Valentine's Day gifts have been shared around the world and scheduled for more posts. Thank you for including my collectible thimbles with all of these pretty gifts. May the lizards give the desert dog a work out today! Happy sales to all.

Valentines2023

Thank you Catherine for hosting another Blog of wonderful Gift Ideas.
Thanks for including my Moonstone Earrings and Newborn Valentine Sweater among your Treasures.

Tweeted and promoted all!

Beautiful

Thanks, Catherine for hosting such a beautiful Valentine's Blog. Thanks for including my heart earrings.

I have pinned, tweeted, and scheduled tweets

Thanks

Pinned and tweeted post
M
Tweeted all. Pinned those I could

Thanks

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