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Handmade Valentines Day Gift Ideas

 

 

On February 14 each year, candy, flowers cards and gifts are exchanged between loved ones not only here in the United States but also in other countries all around the world to celebrate Valentine's Day.  The Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately 1 billion Valentine's Day cards are exchanged each year, the second most popular card-sending holiday after Christmas (about 2.6 billion cards).  How did Valentine's Day develop?  Here's a short history:

 

 

 

My Sweetheart Handcrafted Dichroic Textured Fused Glass Heart Brooch Handmade by Jo of Umeboshi Jewelry Designs

 

 

The early origins of Valentine’s Day date to possibly ancient pre-Roman times but, most certainly, Roman times from a festival called Lupercalia.  Celebrated at the ides of February (February 15), 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 began each year when members of the Luperci, an order of Roman priests, would gather at a sacred cave where the infants Romulus and Remus were believed to have been cared for by a female wolf (lupa). The priests would sacrifice a goat, for fertility, and a dog, for purification. They would then cut the goat’s hide into strips, dip them into the sacrificial blood and run naked or nearly naked counterclockwise around the Palantine Hill, gently slapping women and crop fields with the goat hide. Roman women were not disgusted but welcomed the striking since it was believed that the touch of the bloody hides made them more fertile in the coming year.   

 

 

 

Turquoise Howlite Hearts and Antique Copper Leverback Dangle Earrings Handmade by Kathy of KatsAllThat

 

 

Lupercalia survived the initial rise of Christianity.  But, by the end of the 5th century, the festival was seen as being “un-Christian.”  Pope Gelasius declared only “vile rabble” participated and declared February 14 as St. Valentine’s Day to celebrate the martyrdom of the Saint(s).  Lupercalia continued for awhile longer, grew more chaste but gradually died out. Since the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred, no one knows which one Pope Gelasius named the day after.  There are legends for all three, all emphasizing a heroic, sympathetic and romantic figure.

 

 

 

Hand Knit Red Cable Scarf with Heart Fringe Handmade by Cathy of CraftingMemories1

 

 

It was not until much later that Valentine’s Day became definitively associated with love. During the Middle Ages, it was commonly believed in France and England that February 14 was the beginning of mating season for birds.  This belief added to the idea that the middle of February should be a day for romance.  Popular verses in the 14th century by Dame Elizabeth Brews, Geoffrey Chaucer and others furthered the idea of romantic love.

 

 

 

Celtic Love Symbol Claddagh Earrings with Amethyst and Unakite Handmade by Mary of PrettyGonzo 

 

 

Written Valentine’s didn’t begin to appear until after 1400. The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem, “Farewell to Love,” written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife, Bonne of Armagnac.  He wrote it while imprisoned his first year in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. He went on to spend another 24 years as a prisoner! The poem, which is rather dark and not cheerful at all, is now part of the manuscript collection of the British Library in London, England.   

 

 

 

Dark Red Crystal Heart Earrings with Pink Accents, Valentine Gift, Handmade by Connie of TheSingingBeader

 

 

I hope you enjoyed this short history of the beginnings of Valentine’s Day.  I also hope you enjoy all the Valentine’s Day gift ideas featured here, all individually handmade by talented artisan friends.  If something catches your eye and you want more information, please either click on the photo or the highlighted link under the picture to be taken to the item in the artist's shop.

 

 

 

Love is in the Air Valentines Hanging Hand Towel With Hand Knit Topper and Ties Handmade by Sharon of HollyknitterCreation

 

 

 

Pink and Yellow Lampwork Bead and Swarovski Crystal Necklace and Earrings Jewelry Set Handmade by Julie of Blue Morning Expressions

 

 

 

Red Swarovski Crystal Heart and White Glass Pearl Bracelet Handmade by Sharon of BlondePeachJewelry

 

 

 

Crochet Red Hearts and Flowers Table Topper, 16 Inch Square, Handmade by Ruth of RSSDesignsInFiber

 

 

 

Large Black and Ivory Cameo Pendant Handmade by Jacki of Christie Cottage

 

 

 

Watercolor and Genuine Ruby Glass Tile Heart Pendant Necklace Handmade by Roxanne of watercolorsNmore

 

 

 

Lampwork Glass Heart Focal Bead in Coral, Ivory and Fine Silver, 20mm, Handmade by Charlotte of Covergirlbeads 

 

 

 

Kumihimo Valentines Beaded Bracelet in Ruby Red and Pink Czech Glass Beads Handmade by Pamela of MagdaleneJewels

 

 

 

Inlayed Gemstone Heart Pendant Necklace with Red Jasper, Malachite and Mother of Pearl Handmade by Suzanne of RivendellRockJewelry

 

 

 

Red Charm Bracelet for Valentine's Day Handmade by Linda of lindab142

 

 

 

Hearts and Paw Prints Valentines Earrings for a Dog Lover Handmade by Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs

 

 

 

Watermelon Fused Dichroic Glass Square Post Stud Earrings Handmade by Jo of Umeboshi Jewelry Designs

 

 

 

Rustic Hammered Hearts and Light Siam Red Swarovski Crystal Earrings Handmade by Kathy of KatsAllThat

 

 

 

Wire Weave Jasper Heart Pendant Handmade by Cathy of CraftingMemories1

 

 

 

Blue and White Necklace with Silver Heart Pendant and Matching Earrings Handmade by Mary of PrettyGonzo

 

 

 

Dark Denim Blue Swarovski Crystal Heart Earrings with 14k Gold Filled Posts Handmade by Connie of TheSingingBeader

 

 

 

Ruby Red Hand Knit Valentine's Day Hearts Dishcloth or Washcloth Handmade by Sharon of HollyknitterCreation

 

 

 

Red Rose and Blue Bead Bracelet and Earrings Coordinated Jewelry Set Handmade by Julie of Blue Morning Expressions

 

 

 

Red Heart Dangle Earrings Handmade by Sharon of BlondePeachJewelry

 

 

 

Garnet Red Irish Crochet Heart with Beaded 3D Red Roses Handmade by Ruth of RSSDesignsInFiber

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

Watercolor Print Bougainvilleas Glass Tile Pendant Necklace Handmade by Roxanne of watercolorsNmore

 

 

 

Purple Heart Lampwork Glass Bead with Plum Silver Band Handmade by Charlotte of Covergirlbeads

 

 

 

Black Hearts with Silver Filigree and Swarovsi Crystal Necklace Handmade by Pamela of MagdaleneJewels

 

 

 

Cubic Zirconia Crystal Butterfly Oval Focal Necklace with Swarovski Crystals and Silver Chain Handmade by Suzanne of RivendellRockJewelry

 

 

 

Red Heart Earrings Handmade by Linda of Linor Store Jewelry

 

 

 

Colorful Hearts and Flowers Valentines Earrings with Purple Lampwork and Amethyst Handmade by Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs

 

 

Again, I hope you enjoyed each and every one of these unique handmade creations!  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:  ShadowDogDesigns

Indiemade blog:  ShadowDogDesigns’ Blog

On Fire for Handmade shop:  Shadow Dog Designs

Artfire studio:  ShadowDogDesigns

ArtFire Blog:  ShadowDogDesigns' Blog

Google+:  Catherine ShadowDog

Facebook:  ShadowDogDesigns - Jewelry

Twitter:  ShadowDogDesign

Pinterest:  Shadow Dog Designs

Flickr:  Shadow Dog Designs' Photostream


 

SHADOW DOG DESIGNS

Beautifully Unique Handmade Jewelry

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Comments

Valentine Blog

Catherine, your Valentine blog post is fabulous! I so enjoyed reading the short history you provided. It is an honor to be included with all of these beautiful Valentine items. Sharing!

So Many Sweets!

Thank you Catherine for the promotion of these sweet Valentine's gift ideas and including my blue heart earrings and my hammered red earrings. Will be promoting

Thanks

Tweeted and and pinned all that had 500 or less characters in their title

Appreciate the promotion

Thank you, Catherine!

Such a lovely blog about Valentine's Day! Wonderful gift choices here. Thanks so much for showing my Valentine's Day heart earrings. Sharing....

Happy Valentine's Day!

These beautiful handmade gifts will ensure a happy Valentine's Day. What lovely gifts to give and receive. Thanks for sharing all of these mini masterpieces and Happy Valentine's Day to everyone.

Valentine Blog

Thanks Catherine!!! Wonderful items. Also very interesting history of Valentine’s Day. I always thought it started during Victorian times. OK. Off to promote!
Thanks
Pam

LOVEly Selections

Thank you, Catherine, for taking the time to put this blog together. I know it takes a lot of time. Also, thank you for including my scarf and pendant. Shared, pinned and tweeted all.

What a great selection of Valentine's Day Heart Gifts

This is an amazing collection of hearts just for those sweethearts on Valentine's Day. thank you so much for including my rose petal necklace set and my rose bracelet set. Have shared everything with everyone! Big treats to Le Moose from Little Harry :)

Wow! Lots of Valentine Goodies Here!

Thanks so much, Catherine, for this interesting history and hefty Valentine's Day gift collection. Will share everything to pinterest and do some tweeting too. Plus promote the blog itself. Happy Friday treats to Sir Moosie from Sir Gonze! :)

Gorgeous Blog

Thank you Catherine. It's a beautiful blog. I've posted everything on Google +, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Beautiful Designs

Thanks so much for including my Valentine's Day bracelet and earrings in your blog post. The other designs are lovely.

Pinned all https://www.pinterest.com/2001Shopaholic/shopping-women/

Love the history of holidays, too.

Thanks for blogging about all

Thanks for blogging about all this Handmade for Valentine's Day! -- And for including my "Hearts and Flowers Table Topper" -- Sharing!

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