Happy Valentines Day - Artisan Handmade Gifts!

 

 

Valentine’s Day will be here before we know it.  Walk into a store shortly after Christmas and 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 Christian and ancient Roman traditions. 

 

 

 

Red Hearts on White Enamel Valentine's Day Earrings with Red Lampwork and Crystals Handmade by Linda of Victorian Style Treasures

 

 

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) 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.

 

 

 

You and Me Go Together Like Love Valentine’s Day Stickers / Labels, Set of 30, Handmade by Natalie of adorebynat

 

 

Valentine's 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.  Traced 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.

 

 

 

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

 

 

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.

 

 

 

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

 

 

Written valentines didn’t begin to appear until after 1400. The oldest known valentines poem still in existence today (although there is some controversy about this) was written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London (for 25 years!) following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt (it 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." 

 

 

 

Personalized Heart Note Card for Valentines Day / Wedding / Anniversary / Birthday Handmade by Diane of Daisyblu

 

 

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.

 

 

 

Sparkling Indian Pink Crystals and Sterling Silver Necklace Handmade by Connie of Thesingingbeader

 

 

 

Valentines Day Cupid Earrings Handmade by Linda of lindab142

 

 

 

Heart Washcloth PDF Crochet Pattern Designed by Jacki of Christie Cottage

 

 

 

Sweet Valentine - Valentine's Day Candy Pattern Leggings Designed by Colleen of Colleen Cornelius

 

 

 

Red and Pink Large Hole Lampwork Glass Flower Beads Handmade by Charlotte of Covergirlbeads

 

 

 

Lavender Heart and Circles Enamel Earrings with Purple Lampwork and Crystals Handmade by Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs

 

 

 

Fire Patina Bronze Heart Valentines Earrings with Pink Lampwork and Swarovski Crystals Handmade by Linda of Victorian Style Treasures 

 

 

 

"You are the Icing on My Cupcake" Free Valentine’s Day Printable Designed by Natalie of adorebynat

 

 

 

Sterling Silver and Gold Filled Wire Wrap Grecian / Egyptian Bold Statement Cuff Bracelet by Roxanne of watercolorsNmore

 

 

 

Pink Quartz and Rose Heart Pendant Necklace with Pink Quartz and Pearls Handmade by Suzanne of RivendellRocksSedona 

 

 

 

Beaded Floral French Bouquet Custom Photo Album - Can Be Personalized - Handmade by Diane of Daisyblu 

 

 

 

Engraved Love Valentines Earrings with Black Onyx Heart and Red Czech Crystals Handmade by Connie of Thesingingbeader 

 

 

 

Silver Hearts Valentines Earrings with Red Velvet Glass Beads Handmade by Linda of lindab142  

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

Valentine Leopard Pattern in Natural Colors Graphic T-Shirt Dress Designed by Colleen of Colleen Cornelius

 

 

 

Shiny Medium Red Lampwork Glass Beads Handmade by Charlotte of Covergirlbeads

 

 

 

Pink Opal Czech Glass Hearts and Flowers Earrings with Purple Amethyst Handmade by Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs 

 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed each and every one of these unique 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!

 

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Beautifully Unique Handmade Jewelry

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