Monday Mosaic: Happy New Year!

curated by Susanne of enchantedhue

May 2015 be filled with happiness, love, success, joy, creativity, health, and new beginnings.

A Very Happy New Year from all of us at Boston Handmade!

Yin Yang Sterling Silver Pendant by CristinaHurley

Tiny Original Collage Art on Wood by JessicaBurko

Desert Sunset by jbarrows

SuginTextiles

West Roxbury by ChrisLangPhotography

Chocolate: Assemblage of Computer Parts and Collage by Melsplace

Olive Tray - Pickle Tray - Cracker Tray - Snack Tray by jilljburns

Willow Green & Gray Open Weave Infinity Scarf by Loomination

Blue and Grey Leather Clutch by LidaBrookeDesigns

You Can Have It All - Mixed Media Collage by McDonaldMixedMedia

Silver Flower Ring Daffodil Ecofriendly Recycled Sterling Silver by Beryllina

Snow Dyed Silk Scarf by enchantedhue

Pretty Peacock Print by thepatternedpeacock

Jasper Copper Ring by PrunellasWorkshop

Drop Pearl Earrings With White Freshwater Pearls by Linkouture

Orange White Mini Chevron Zig Zag iPad Ereader Pillow Stand by abigailleigh

Simplicity Bracelet - Silver - Lush Beads Industrial by LushBeads

Embroidered Tea Cozy - with Steaming Kettle in Red and Aqua by straynotions

Gaga Fingering Weight Yarn by ladydyeyarns

Boston Skyline Print- 5x7- Boston Photography by LucieWicker

A Creative Way to Do Boxing Day

by Jessica Burko

Bus Box made by the Gee-Burko Family

At our house we celebrate Hanukkah, at my In-Laws house we enjoy a little Christmas, and after all of that we have our own version of Boxing Day where we craft art, toys, and musical instruments out of all the brand new boxes we have received during the month.

Actual Boxing Day is celebrated in the UK and has a debatable set of roots according to a variety of sources... Boxing Day started because a ‘Christmas Box’ in Britain is a name for a Christmas present... Boxing Day was a day off for servants and when they received a ‘Christmas Box’ from the master... A box to collect money for the poor was placed in Churches on Christmas day then opened the next day, Boxing Day... Great sailing ships when setting sail would have a sealed box containing money on board for good luck and if the voyage were a success the box was given to a priest, opened at Christmas.

Regardless of how you celebrate Boxing Day consider flexing your creative crafting muscles and think about empty cardboard boxes as blank canvases on which you can paint, draw, or make a bus (see above photo). You can cut boxes up to make flowers, to make collage shapes, a spinning mobile, or the letters of your name. With a little imagination you can use your empty gift boxes, ripped wrapping paper, and any other recyclable items around your house to make something fun. Wishing you a great Boxing day!

Merry Merry to you

Christmas Robins by The Patterned Peacock

Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas today and joy throughout the holiday season!

Stay crafty,
Your Friends at Boston Handmade

Handmade Weekend Plans

by Liz Stewart of Lush Beads

Looking to do some handmade holiday shopping this weekend? I have 2 suggestions for you.

Western Avenue Studios has 245 working artist studios, of which you can expect to find 100-125 open during this weekend's Holiday Open Studios from 12-5PM. There will be snacks for sale in the loading dock area so you can fuel up to visit 5 floors in 2 buildings full of art and fine craft. I'll be in my studio A-205 with my Industrial jewelry from 12-4 on Saturday only, but feel free to stop by on either day! Other great places to visit in the building: Made in Lowell, The Loft Space, and Mill City Glass Works.

On Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon, I will be exhibiting for the first time at Gift Local Lincoln. The event will be held at Bemis Hall, 15 Bedford Road, Lincoln, MA.  Stop by and visit me along with 20+ other handmade artists on Saturday evening from 6-9PM, or Sunday afternoon from 1-6PM.  My fellow Western Ave artists Arlette Laan and Joelle Felyce will be there as well!

Monday Mosaic: Chilly Scenes of Winter

curated by Sharon Fischer, Stray Notions

I hope you all are having a lovely beginning to the holiday season.  I spent Thanksgiving with lots of folks and no power on the actually day --- cooking was an adventure but the views and textures were gorgeous.  Today's mosaic was inspired by the colors in this photo.

 

1. Photographic encaustic art, Jessica Burko

2. Yin Yang Sterling silver pendant with 18 or 20 inch leather cord, Cristina Hurley Designs

3. Small Brown and Blue Cross Body Bag, LidaBrookeDesigns

4. Kiva, Jon Barrows

5. Snow Birds, North Square- 8x10- Photo Print, Lucie Wicker Photography

6. Violet and Gray Double Infinity Scarf - Handwoven Cotton - Openweave, Loomination

Boston Handmade at JP Crafts Fair THIS Saturday!

by Lucie of Lucie Wicker Photography

Kickstart your holiday shopping THIS weekend! The annual holiday JP Crafts Fair is happening this Saturday, December 6, and some of your favorite Boston Handmade members will be there:

Up on the stage in our usual spot will be:

Enchanted Hue

Jon Barrows Art & Photography

Lush Beads

The Patterned Peacock

Stray Notions

In the hall:

Linkouture

Loomination

We will also be have some fantastic Boston Handmade items to give away so will not want to miss out! Bring your shopping lists and see you there!

First Church in Jamaica Plain

6 Eliot Street

Jamaica Plain, MA

02130

(click here for to see this location on Google Maps)

11am to 5pm

Cyber Monday: Handmade Style!

by Susanne of EnchantedHue

These are some of the Cyber Monday special deals members of Boston Handmade are offering TODAY and good through midnight so get some handmade goodness for the holidays...

Save 20% on Linkouture handcrafted jewelry all day! Use coupon code 20OFF2014.
PLUS the first 5 people who spend $200 or more will receive a $20 gift card to spend in 2015

Chunky Silver Bracelet by Linkouture

The Patterned Peacock offers free shipping to all US addresses. Use coupon code FREESHIP

Monogram Christmas Gift Tags by The Patterned Peacock

20 % off each order from Stephanie Cave Design. Use coupon code SEWSMALL

Custom Christmas Stocking with Monogramming in Festive Burlap by Stephanie Cave Design

25 % off on street art inspired yarn by Lady Dye Yarns. Use code ldycyber14

'Meadows' Superwash Merino by ladydyeyarns

15 % off all fine jewelry by Cristina Hurley. Use coupon code CYBERMONDAY15

Sterling Silver Hammered Texture with Emerald Wedding Set by Cristina Hurley

Free shipping on orders over 25 $ at LushBeads. Use coupon code LUSHFREESHIP25

Short Standoffs Silver Pendant by LushBeads

Happy shopping!

The Definitive 2014 Holiday Show Round-Up for Boston and Beyond

The official start of the 2014 holiday season is upon us! Our members have been feverishly handcrafting objects, art, wearables, and housewares for your gift giving joy!

Many of our friends and fans have been writing to ask about our semi-annual, pop-up, Boston Handmade Holiday Gallery, and we're sorry to tell you that we will not be producing a gallery this year. We were saddened to come to that conclusion but we were unable to find a suitable venue, and without a home, a gallery we could not make.

The 2014 Boston Handmade Holiday Card designed by The Patterned Peacock

BUT FEAR NOT! The vibrant and talented members of Boston Handmade are showing and selling original, one-of-a-kind, and limited edition handmade work all over Massachusetts from now through the end of December. And when we say, we've got you covered, we really mean it. Between all of our individual holiday show schedules we have a show that will fit any date and location that you seek including shows in 20 different local towns. There is guaranteed to be an opportunity near you to find us and shop handmade this holiday season:

Loomination by Leanne Tremblay

13th Annual Craftland Show
Friday, November 28 - Wednesday, December 31.
Mondays - Saturdays, 10am - 6pm, Sundays 11am - 5pm
212 Westminster Street, Providence, RI
Loomination by Leanne Tremblay

Small Business Saturday at Cristina Hurley Jewelry
Saturday, November 29, 12 - 5pm
Cristina Hurley Jewelry
554 Washington Street, Canton, MA 02021
Cristina Hurley
 
Holiday Festival of Crafts
Friday, November 28, 10am - 5pm
Saturday, November 29, 10am-5pm
Sunday, November 30, 10am - 4pm
Worcester Center for Crafts
25 Sagamore Road, Worcester, MA
Loomination by Leanne Tremblay

Enchanted Hue by Susanne Guirakhoo

Artopia!
Sunday, November 30, from 1-8 pm
Marriott Custom House
3 McKinley Square, Boston, MA 02109
Hacker Creations by Melissa Glick
Linkouture by Bev Feldman
Enchanted Hue by Susanne Guirakhoo

Methuen Festival of Trees
Tuesday, December 2, 5 - 9pm
13 Branch Street, Methuen, MA
Loomination by Leanne Tremblay

The Cup Show
December 4 - 24, Tuesdays - Saturdays, 10am - 5pm
Worcester Center for Crafts, Krikorian Gallery
25 Sagamore Road, Worcester, MA 01605
Early Bird Designs by Jill J. Burns

Art by Jessica Burko

ART 100 BOSTON
December 5 through 22, Opening Reception: Friday, December 5, 6 - 10pm
Piano Craft Gallery
793 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02118 
Jessica Burko

Concord Giftopolis
Friday, December 5, 6:30 - 11pm
7 Eagle Square, Concord, NH
Loomination by Leanne Tremblay

Beryllina by Laurie Lynn Berezin

ArtSpace Maynard Holiday Sale
Friday, December 5, 5-8pm
Saturday, December 6, 10am-5pm
Sunday, December 7, 12-5pm
ArtSpace Maynard
63 Summer St, Maynard, MA 01754
Beryllina by Laurie Lynn Berezin

Early Bird Designs by Jill J. Burns

Fire Works Open Studio
Friday, December 5, 4 - 8pm
Saturday, December 6, 10am - 8pm
Sunday, December 7, 10am - 3pm
The Fire Works Pottery Studio
38 Harlow Street, Worcester, MA 01605
Early Bird Designs by Jill J. Burns

Stray Notions by Sharon Fischer

17th Annual JP Crafts Fair
Saturday, December 6, 11am - 5pm
First Church Jamaica Plain
6 Eliot Street, Jamaica Plain, MA
Loomination by Leanne Tremblay
Jon Barrows
Stray Notions by Sharon Fischer
The Patterned Peacock by Dana Garczewski
Linkouture by Bev Feldman
Enchanted Hue by Susanne Guirakhoo

Totally Bazaar II
Saturday, December 6, 12 - 6pm
Mill No. 5
250 Jackson Street, Lowell, MA
Loomination by Leanne Tremblay

Hacker Creations by Melissa Glick

Craftershock 
Saturday, December 6, 11am - 5pm
Worcester Roller Derby
34 Suffolk Street, Worcester, MA
Hacker Creations by Melissa Glick

StART at the Station
Sunday, December 7, 9am - 5pm
Worcester’s Union Station
2 Washington Square, Worcester, MA 01604
Early Bird Designs by Jill J. Burns

Loomination by Leanne Tremblay

Brookline Arts Center Artist Marketplace
Sunday, December 7, 12 - 4pm
86 Monmouth St, Brookline, MA
Loomination by Leanne Tremblay

Asylum Winter Open House
Sunday, December 7, 12pm - 4pm
Artisan's Asylum
10 Tyler Street, Somerville MA 02143
Hacker Creations by Melissa Glick

Holiday Trunk Show at Cristina Hurley Jewelry
Sunday, December 7, 12 - 5pm
Cristina Hurley Jewelry
554 Washington Street, Canton, MA 02021
Prunella's Workshop by Lynn and Duane Mohney

Linkouture by Bev Feldman

Holiday Trunk Show at Cristina Hurley Jewelry
Saturday, December 13, 12 - 5pm
Cristina Hurley Jewelry
554 Washington Street, Canton, MA 02021
Linkouture by Bev Feldman

Union Square Pop Up Holiday Sale
Saturday, December 13, 11am - 6 pm
Sunday, December 14, 11am - 6 pm
11 Sanborn Court, Somerville MA 02143
Hacker Creations by Melissa Glick

Brookline Arts Center Artist Marketplace
Saturday, December 13, 12 - 4pm
Sunday, December 14, 12 - 4pm
86 Monmouth St, Brookline, MA
Loomination by Leanne Tremblay
http://www.loomination.net/
Early Bird Designs by Jill J. Burns

Holly Fair
Saturday, December 13, 10am - 6pm
Sunday, December 14, 12 - 5pm
See Linkouture by Bev Feldman
in the metalsmithing studio: 42 Brattle Street, Cambridge, 02138 basement level

Handmade Holidaze
Saturday, December 20, 12 - 5pm
Moose Lodge
67 Fitchburg St, Marlborough, MA
Loomination by Leanne Tremblay

The Patterned Peacock by Dana Garczewski

Etsy Artists of Boston Winter Bazaar
Saturday, December 20 10am – 5pm
Sunday, December 21, 10am – 5pm
Arsenal Mall 485 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA.
Hacker Creations by Melissa Glick
The Patterned Peacock by Dana Garczewski

Make 2014 the Year of Handmade and shop locally, handcrafted, one-of-a-kind for your friends and family!

Monday Mosaic: Happy Thanksgiving

curated by Susanne from enchantedhue

Thanksgiving Holiday Banner by thepatternedpeacock

Handwoven Tea Towel by Loomination

Custom Arts and Crafts Mission Style Table Linens by straynotions

Cocktail Napkin Holder by jilljburns

Are you hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year or are you invited? Is your house ready for guests? Have you picked your hostess gift?

No worries if not, BostonHandmade members offer a wide array of unique hand-created pieces to dress up your table and walls, and to surprise your host and hostess. If you are traveling and don't want to bring it in your luggage, your purchase can even be mailed directly to your destination, just request an alternate address at check-out.

To get you into the mood, here is my favorite Thanksgiving song!

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Wellesley Marketplace is happening this Saturday!

by Bev Feldman of Linkouture

The 38th Annual Wellesley Marketplace, featuring over 175 boutique vendors, including Boston Handmade members Liz Stewart of Lush Beads, Dana Garczewski of The Patterned Peacock, and Bev Feldman of Linkouture, is happening this Saturday!  

In addition to buying fabulous handmade gifts for everyone on your list, there will be fabulous raffle prizes up for grabs, including tickets to see your favorite Boston sports teams in action, exercise passes, and an iPhone!

You can buy your tickets ahead of time online. Be sure to also review everything you need to know to make your handmade holiday shopping experience a huge success, and we look forward to seeing you on Saturday!

Boston Handmade at Jamaica Plain Crafts Fair

by Lucie of Lucie Wicker Photography

Are you ready?! Boston Handmade will once again be representing at the best holiday fair in Jamaica Plain!

This show is always full of talented artisans and we are super psyched to be a part of it this holiday season. The following Boston Handmade members will be up on the stage selling lots of holiday gifts and art:

Enchanted Hue

Jon Barrows Art and Photography

Lush Beads

The Patterned Peacock

Stray Notions

See you there!

First Church in Jamaica Plain

6 Eliot Street

Jamaica Plain, MA

02130

(click here for to see this location on Google Maps)

Monday Mosaic: Happy Halloween!

curated by Susanne from enchantedhue

Spider Pendant #7 - Rust and Mint - by LushBeads

Original Mixed Media Art by JessicaBurko

Orange White Mini Chevron iPad Ereader Pillow Stand by abigailleigh

Pleated Linen Tote in Taupe and Orange by LidaBrookDesigns

Halloween! That spooky time of year! Spiders and skeletons and bats and ghosts. Orange and black and blinking lights and scary sounds.

I love it! I didn't grow up with Halloween (in Austria, my native country, it was not celebrated at the time), so I am more than compensating now. Not sure what I like more: the eery decorations or being allowed to scare children. Well, just a little bit of scaring...

Happy Halloween, everybody!

We Need Some Space: Help us find a home

by Jessica Burko

2013 Boston Handmade Holiday Gallery in Brookline Village

With temperatures diving, everyone planning end of summer getaways and BBQs for Labor Day, we at Boston Handmade are getting serious about our plans for our 2014 Boston Handmade Holiday Gallery, open annually from Black Friday through Christmas Eve. Each year we share the handmade love and create a temporary home for all things unique, locally made and handcrafted. We provide a high quality selection of goods for your holiday gift giving, host events and workshops throughout the season, and provide you with opportunities to learn about how and why creative professionals do what we do. Our pop-up holiday gallery has been an annual tradition since 2008 and we are committed to making it happen again this year. This year, we are asking for YOUR help.

2012 Boston Handmade Holiday Gallery in Canton, MA

The first item on our to-do list is the most important element of producing our pop-up gallery: finding a space. This year we are asking our fans and friends to lend a hand in our search for temporary gallery space. In gratitude for finding a space for our gallery we will honor our Handmade Hero with a bevy of gifts and awards of recognition plus a private preview party before our gallery opening day. Ever yearn to make a difference in your community? Becoming our Handmade Hero is an ideal way to help 30+ artists sustain their small businesses and take one more step towards achieving their professional and creative goals.

2009 Boston Handmade Holiday Gallery in Downtown Crossing

Here's the wish list of what we're looking for:

1000-2000sqft

Vacant retail space at street level
High level of foot-traffic
Convenience to public transportation
Availability from November 15th through New Years Eve

Target neighborhoods:

Belmont, Leonard Street or Cushing Square

Brookline, Coolidge Corner

Downtown Crossing, Washington Street

Jamaica Plain, Centre Street

Waltham, Moody Street

Our first Boston Handmade Holiday Gallery in 2008, in Downtown Crossing

For the Property owner/Management Company/Realty Company who supplies the space we will give our eternal gratitude plus they will become the primary sponsor for our 2014 gallery which means they will receive a wide variety of publicity and perks from us including:

Publicity via our blog, website, through all of our social networking

Promotional signage in the gallery space and at gallery events

Featured blog post (our blog received approximately 8,000 page views per month)

Publicity through our social media vehicles (at current count we have 1720 Facebook fans, 4,500 Twitter followers, 760 Pinterest followers)

Their logo and hyperlink will be added to our website

Their logo will be included in print and online marketing materials

They will receive acknowledgement and logo on a poster in our 2014 gallery space

and more!

Please forward this plea and help us share our search for space. If you have any leads for us comment here or email us directly at bostonhandmade@gmail.com

Thank you to everyone who helps us realize our vision and pays it forward with this contribution to our Boston arts community!

Why Handmade: Ice Cream

by Lynn Mohney of Prunella’s Workshop

Morse Code Bracelet by Lush Beads Industrial

Happy Independence Day! How will you be celebrating the Fourth of July? I think of today as a day of hot sun, swimming, barbeques, watermelon and fireworks. Families and friends join to have a rocking good time with music and fun. It’s a day of relaxing and partying. And of course, one must not forget the ice cream.

Chocolate Gelato print by The Patterned Peacock

My favorite flavor growing up was strawberry. Now I tend to lean towards black raspberry with dark chocolate chip, or anything with mocha. The kids prefer chocolate. I have always preferred my ice cream to come from small farms where the ice cream is made fresh by hand every day; however, only recently have I considered the significance of this. I remember days as a child running out to the ice cream truck, my tooth fairy in hand. Who didn’t enjoy an ice cream sandwich as part of their school lunch. (I’m not sure schools still allow that!) Never considered at the time, how chock full of preservatives those manufactured prepared food really were. Just some (but not all) ingredients on a popular ice cream truck favorite: Tapioca maltodextrin, propylene glycol monostearate, guar gum, monoglycerides, carboxymethylcellulose, carrageenan, and natural and artificial flavors. Yummy. The ingredients in homemade ice cream? Whipping cream, half and half cream, sugar, and flavor of your choice. There are variances, of course. For example, some flavors are custard based and have egg, but you get the picture. You can pronounce the ingredients. Does this mean we never get ice cream from the neighborhood truck? Of course not.

What does ice cream have to do with handmade arts and crafts? Perhaps very little. However, it does illustrate a perk to purchasing from a person who actually made the item you are purchasing. By hand making ice cream daily, the crafter avoids unnecessary preservatives and fillers our bodies don’t need. We receive a fresher product, which never sat on a semi to be delivered from the manufacturer to different distribution centers, only to eventually get to your ice cream man, school, grocery store, etc. When we buy handmade crafts directly from the creator, we have access to more information about the product. We know who made it. The artisan can specifically explain what materials were used, and where and how they were obtained. Try asking your local department store who made their products, and how it was done!

Please See, one of a kind mixed media encaustic collage, on canvas, by Jessica Burko

Many artists have moved to using recycled and/or repurposed materials when available for their work. Where handmade ice cream is better for our bodies (OK, maybe our bodies don’t need ice cream ever, but it is a nice treat) handmade crafts can be better for the environment. While we may still like to run out to the ice cream man, and there are times when the department store is just the way to go, we should try to go handmade when ever we can!

4th of July, original mixed media collage by McDonald Mixed Media

What are your plans for the holiday? Are you going to see a firework display? (There’s something I wouldn’t want to do by myself!) Maybe light up the grill for a barbeque? I’ll bet you are thinking about a nice big ice cream cone by now. What flavor?

Monday Mosaic: Remembrances on Memorial Day

curated by Susanne of enchantedhue

Red Chevron Purse by abigailleigh

Morse Code Bracelet by LushBeads

Openweave Infinity Scarf by Loomination

Dog Collar in Love Chevron by codyscreations

On this Memorial Day, Americans remember and honor loved ones and friends or total strangers who have been wounded or have died in one of America's conflicts.

Please visit The Wall of Remembrance to read about personal stories or to submit your own.

Monday Mosaic: A Mother's Love

curated by Susanne of enchantedhue

Mother and Daughter Art Quilt by JessicaBurko

Silver Chainmaille Bracelet by linkouture

Sterling Silver Heart Earrings by Beryllina

Crystalline Heart Mixed Media Collage by McDonaldMixedMedia

Mother's Day is coming up, a day to give her a break from everyday chores and show her how much we love her and how grateful we are for all the big and little things moms do for their children, no matter how old they are.

Mother...
You filled my days with rainbow lights,
Fairy tales and sweet dream nights,
A kiss to wipe away my tears,
Gingerbread to ease my fears.
You gave the gift of life to me
And then in love, you set me free.
I thank you for your tender care,
For deep warm hugs and being there.
I hope that when you think of me
A part of you
You'll always see

Monday Mosaic: Nowrooz Celebration

curated by Susanne Guirakhoo of enchantedhue

A few soft green new things to adorn your home, your person, and your pet in the New Year:

Tapas Dish by jilljburns

Green Mariposite Earrings by Beryllina

Handwoven Throw Rug by Loomination

Dog Collar with Adjustable Buckle by codyscreations

The first day of spring marks the first day of the Persian New Year, Nowrooz. It is one of my favorite celebrations. Lots of symbolism and ceremonies that represent the End and Rebirth, Good and Evil. Traditions include germinating of seeds as sign of renewal, cleaning the house, making or buying new clothes, lighting and jumping over bonfires in hope of enlightenment and happiness for the new year, and setting up a ceremonial table with 7 dishes that start with the Persian letter sinn (the number 7 is sacred in Iran, and the seven dishes stand for the seven angelic heralds of life: rebirth, health, happiness, prosperity, joy, patience, and beauty).

The celebration lasts 13 days. On the 13th day, Sizdeh Bedahr, every family goes outside for a picnic, games, and to celebrate the end of the holiday season. The germinated seeds are thrown into a body of moving water. They are said to have absorbed all the ill fate and pain that might be destined for the family, and the water carries them away.

Valentine Be Mine

by Jessica Burko

I used to make cards, gifts, cookies, cupcakes, and all kinds of valentine everything for everyone. Friends, family, coworkers, classmates, you name it. From mid-January through February 14th I was pink, red, and all sorts of hearts and lace, cupids, and kisses. Oh the days of endless crafting. They are far behind me.

These days, I help my kids make valentines for their teachers and everyone in their classes, for their Nana and NingNing, Aunties and Uncles, and random siblings of their classmates that for some reason they insist on making valentines for. Since they are two and four years old the help I provide is largely in the form of making sure no one eats the glitter or grabs, well, anything after putting their whole hand on the ink stamp pad. I try to provide a wide variety of supplies and then step back and let them explore their creativity however they choose.

Sometimes I miss my extreme crafting days of the past, but seeing my children explore what they can make with their own tiny hands is pretty amazing, and knowing that I am helping them develop a love for all things handmade warms my heart. On this snowy Valentine's day, that is an especially welcome feeling.

Why Handmade: Valentine’s Day

by Lynn Mohney of Prunella’s Workshop

I don’t care for Valentine’s Day.
There. I said it.

I don’t necessarily buy into the idea where one day a year someone buys me jewelry, chocolate, and flowers to tell me they love me, because their calendar told them to. I do, however, think on occasion we should do something for the people we love, simply because we can. Despite my opinion, on February 14, men everywhere will be looking for gifts for the woman in their life, and as a professional artist, it is essential I am prepared with possible trinkets for their perusal.

Textured Heart Earrings by Prunella's Workshop

I am considering whether my line of jewelry supports a lot of heart-shaped items, or if simply having merchandise is sufficient. I do have some hearts worked in here and there, on a piece or two. Fortunately, unlike other holiday-themed items, such as Christmas trees or pumpkins, hearts are acceptable year-round. It is when we add wording such as “Be Mine,” that our work becomes specifically tied to Valentine’s Day. From a design perspective, hearts are fun to work with, as they come in more than one shape. There is the round plump heart, the asymmetrical heart, and the long narrow heart, just to name a few.

Day 46 - Valentine's Jewelry by slgckgc

It does bring me back to a time when I was younger, in elementary school. Everyone brought in a shoe box decorated with red, white, and pink construction paper, with a little slit on the top. We’d walk around the room, sliding handmade Valentine’s Day cards into everyone’s boxes. There were fewer commercial cards back then and more heart-shaped white doilies. You went through each and every one of those cards looking for the one from a special friend. To capture this feeling in a piece of art for the holiday; that would bring back the spirit of what Valentine’s Day should be.

Monster Truck Valentines by Janet