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Make It An Artisan Handmade Valentines Day!

 

 

 

Before we know it, Valentine’s Day on February 14, will be here with hearts, cupids and items in pink and red assailing us everywhere.  Across the United States and in many other countries around the world, candy, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine.  Although the history of Valentine’s Day and its patron saint is shrouded in mystery,  February has long been celebrated as a month of romance.  St. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman traditions. 

 

 

 

Red Hearts on White Enamel Valentine's Day Earrings Handmade by Linda of VictorianStyleTreasures

 

 

 

The Catholic Church actually recognizes several different saints named Valentine or Valentinus. The two most famous, however, were a priest and the Bishop of Terni (or they might have been the same person),  beheaded by Emperor Claudius II on the outskirts of Rome.  While imprisoned, one was supposed to have written a letter to a young girl he had fallen in love with; perhaps she was the jailor’s daughter.  Legend has it that he signed the love letter “from your Valentine.”  Although the truth behind all the legends is 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.

 

 

 

Colorful Heart Decorative Thumbtacks / Corkboard Pushpins for Bulletin Boards Handmade by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions

 

 

 

Valentines Day was officially declared as February 14th by Pope Gelasius I at the end of the 5th century in an effort to Christianize an “un-Christian” Roman celebration.  Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus. Lupercalia was celebrated on February 15.

 

 

 

Red and Pink Crystal Heart Valentine's Day Earrings Handmade by Connie of Thesingingbeader

 

 

 

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 mating season of birds.  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.  

 

 

 

Hand Crocheted Pink Cloche Hat Handmade by Andrea of Andreas Designs

 

 

 

Written Valentines didn’t begin to appear until after 1400.  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 the short history of Valentine's Day.  And also hope you enjoy each and every one of the artisan handmade items featured here.  Most are one of a kind and will make a wonderful Valentine's gift for a loved one.

 

 

 

Aquamarine Swarovski Crystals Wild Heart Dangle Earrings Handmade by Kathy of KatsAllThat

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

Floral Lampwork Hearts and Peridot Swarovski Crystals Artisan Bracelet Handmade by Pamela of MagdaleneJewels

 

 

 

Shiny Medium Red Lampwork Glass Beads Handmade by Charlotte of Covergirlbeads 

 

 

 

Pink Winged Hearts Valentine's Earrings with Swarovski Crystals Handmade by Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs

 

 

 

Pink Swarovski Pearl Beaded Valentine's Bracelet Handmade by Linda of VictorianStyleTreasures

 

 

 

Teddy Bear Valentine's Bangle Bracelets with Charms and Swarovski Crystals Handmade by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions

 

 

 

Engraved Word Love Earrings with Black Onyx Hearts Handmade by Connie of Thesingingbeader 

 

 

 

Hand Knit Boho-style Scarf Handmade by Andrea of Andrea Designs

 

 

 

Red 3-Strand Memory Wire Cuff Bracelet with Dangles Handmade by Kathy of KatsAllThat

 

 

 

Crystal Dangle Earrings with Gold Wires Handmade by Jacki of Christie Cottage

 

 

 

Bold Sterling Silver and 14K Gold Grecian / Egyptian Wire Prap Bracelet Handmade by Roxanne of watercolorsNmore

 

 

 

Black Hearts Necklace with Silver Filigree Accents and Onyx Swarovski Crystals Handmade by Pamela of MagdaleneJewels

 

 

 

Shiny Light Pastel Pink Lampwork Glass Beads Handmade by Charlotte of Covergirlbeads

 

 

 

Hand Painted Red and Purple Hearts and Flowers Earrings with Aurora Czech Glass Handmade by Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs 

 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed each and every one of these unique handmade Valentine's Day 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:  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 Valentine's Sweetheart Gifts

Thank you Catherine for the very interesting history and theory of Valentine's Day. Also, for putting together this extra promotion. All have been tweeted and pinned. The blog is shared on FB. Happy Valentine's Day!!

Thanks so much, Catherine!

Thank you for the extra promotion on your interesting Valentine's Day blog. Love all of the beautiful artisan handmade gift ideas. Pinned and tweeted.

Thanks

Thanks will promote.

Pretty Valentine's Day Gifts

What a nice selection of gifts for Valentine's Day! I enjoyed reading the history of Valentine's Day, Catherine. Thanks so much for writing the blog and giving us another opportunity to share our handmade goods.

Thanks

Thanks I promoted all

Thank you Catherine

Thanks Catherine for the history of Valentine's Day. What a wonderful blog for this special day. Thanks so much for sharing.

I have pinned :

https://www.pinterest.com/jnldesigns/valentines-gift-ideas/
and will be sharing more later.

Thank You From Me and Little Harry

I have shared all of these wonderful Valentine's Day gifts to everyone. Happy sales to all and special treats to Le Moose!

Valentines Day Blog

Thank you Catherine for including Black Hearts Necklace in your lovely Valentine Blog!!
So many wonderful gift ideas. Pinning and tweeting all!
Thanks again!!!

SHARED AND THANK YOU!

Catherine,
Thank you for putting the time and effort into this blog post, I loved the stories about Valentine's Day beginning.
I shared all the creations on Twitter, and on Pinterest board 2021-Handmade Shopping Guide.

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