HOW TO PURCHASE
::: I take orders on a first come, first serve basis. Please email me with any questions or with your list of items. When you are ready to place an order, email me with your list and I'll send an invoice via PayPal or Venmo. I will ship internationally, just send me your address and I'll reply with a shipping quote. If you are new here and want to make sure I'll provide great service, please visit my Etsy shops in the sidebar and check out my 100% positive customer feedback. Thanks! Lana Manis


Email: lanamanis@gmail.com

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

2018 Love Token Collection, part 2

Puzzle Purse Valentines
SOLD OUT!

These are inspired by love tokens originally made in the late 1700s and the early 1800s.

Messages of LOVE are written on these Valentines which are folded in a precise intricacy so that as you open it according to the numbered sections, you read a verse or a phrase, and tiny hand painted pictures are revealed. The very inner most part of these Valentines have woven paper hearts or a woven paper heart and hand. They are sometimes tricky for the recipient to re-fold, which is part of the charm of the puzzle purse.

All artwork, which is a combination of naive / schoolgirl art / fraktur influences, is done with watercolors and India ink on aged parchment paper or original, antique, French documents.
 I have referenced American folk art books for ideas for flowers, birds, and other early American designs. I use poems of the 1700s and 1800s along with some of my own original phrases. Keep in mind these are hand done, so each one will be unique. Many steps are involved in the process of making these one of a kind tokens of love. I'm sure you and your loved one will appreciate the time and care it takes to create them.

The valentines measure 2 1/2" square closed and 7 1/2" square when fully opened.

Each valentine comes with a 3" papier mache box decorated with hearts. The boxes with shredded paper and coordinating tops are my own idea that I began using several years ago. As far as I know, the puzzle purses were not delivered in boxes.


Numbers 5, 6, 7, and 8 are made with original antique French documents.
(#5 & #7: mid to late 1800s)
(#6 & #8 early 1900s)

$35 each
$7 shipping in the US (no matter how many you purchase)
email to purchase: lanamanis@gmail.com


1. SOLD ~ thank you!
Remember me when gone away
And I the same will do
And when you are with your friends at home
Then I'll remember you.



2. SOLD ~ thank you!
Will not my sighs and pity move thee
Say that thou wilt be mine
Then bless the heart that fondly loves thee
And be my Valentine!





3. SOLD ~ thank you!
Keep a green tree in your heart
and perhaps a singing bird will come.



4. SOLD ~ thank you!
May friendship's constant kiss be thine
from this sweet day of Valentine.



5. SOLD ~ thank you!
Hand and heart
shall never part
when this you see
remember me.



6. SOLD ~ thank you!
May our hearts
forever be
as closely bound
in Unity.


7. SOLD ~ thank you!
With fond affection true
I write these lines for you
By this token you may see
I still remember thee.



8. SOLD ~ thank you!
When this you read
remember me
and know my heart
belongs to thee.



Saturday, January 27, 2018

2018 Love Token Collection, part 1

No.14 is still available!

~*~

Perfect gifts for friendship, engagements, weddings, and anniversaries, these one-of-a-kind pieces are inspired by valentines of the 18th and 19th centuries.
I have hand-cut each piece so no two are alike.
 

They have been made from:
~ antique French documents from the 1800s to 1900,

~ parchment papers that I have stained, aged, painted with watercolors,
~ parchment papers which have been printed with copies of 18th century early American letters,
~ embossed, foil papers from my vintage & antique card and envelope collection,
~ and snippets of vintage letters or envelopes.
 

In each description, I've noted if the antique French papers have been used. These are the originals and not copies. I debated whether to use copies or the real thing and decided to finally cut into them and use originals for the Valentines.
 

Ordering information:
Please email me with any questions or with your order list.
I will answer questions as soon as possible.
I will send invoices via PayPal (credit cards may be used).
I will mark items sold or pending as orders come to me.
 

Shipping:
$7 flat fee for insured priority mail, no matter how many you order.
Outside the U.S. please email me for a shipping quote.
 

Email:
lanamanis@gmail.com



Number 14 is the only one available now.

1.
The Prickly Heart
wooden frame with glass
sawtooth hanger
total size: 4 3/4" across
$25
SOLD ~ thank you!


2.
Prim & Proper
 wooden frame with glass, antique French document
easel back
total size: 4 1/2" x 4"
$25
SOLD ~ thank you! 


3.
The Two of Us
gold tone, double frame, antique French document
 easel back
total size: 5 1/2" x 4 3/4"
$35
SOLD ~ thank you! 


4.
Love is not Lost in Translation
antique French - English book cover, antique French document
handmade wire hanger
total size: 6" x 2 3/4" (including wire hanger)
$30
SOLD ~ thank you!



1, 2, 3, and 4 shown together...


5.
My Funny Valentine
vintage moss green velvet covered board, vintage seam binding ribbon, antique French letter, vintage crepe paper,  face and paper hat were part of a collage on an envelope I received in the mail.
total size: 10" x 7" (including ribbon and crepe ruffle)
$40
SOLD ~ thank you!


6.
There's No Place Like Home
vintage moss green velvet covered board, vintage seam binding ribbon, vintage letter with postmark dated Dec.30, 1930. Sent from Mount Vernon, NY to Lenox Dale, MA. It begins... Dear Sister.
total size: 10 1/2" x 5" (including ribbon)
$40
SOLD ~ thank you!


7.
The Bourgeois Gentleman
antique French book cover, antique French document, vintage seam binding ribbon
total size: 10 1/2" x 4 3/4" (including ribbon)
$35
SOLD ~ thank you!


8.
Learning the Language of Love
antique French book cover, vintage French letter, vintage seam binding ribbon,
dragon bookplate on back of cover
total size: 11" x 5" (including ribbon)
$35
SOLD ~ thank you!



9.
Timeless Love
antique French literature book cover, antique French document, handmade wire hanger
total size: 10 1/4" x 6 1/4" (including wire hanger)
$50
SOLD ~ thank you!



10.
Love Abundantly
sawtooth hanger
wooden plaque, antique French document
total size: 6" x 8 3/4"
$50
SOLD ~ thank you!



10, 11, and 12 shown together...


11.
On Wings of Love
wooden plaque, sawtooth hanger, antique French document
total size: 3" x 5"
$30
SOLD ~ thank you! 


12.
The Gift of Love
wooden plaque, sawtooth hanger, antique French document
total size: 3" x 5"
$30
SOLD ~ thank you! 


11 and 12 shown together...


13.
With This Ring
vintage wooden frame, original metal loop hanger,
total size: 9 3/4" x 7 3/4"
$50
SOLD ~ thank you!


14.
Better Late Than Never
sawtooth hanger, vintage frame, antique French documents
total size: 7 3/4" x 5 3/4"
$50


15.
Priceless
vintage frame with glass, metal loop hanger,
vintage French document (1939 cheque)
total size: 3 1/4" x 5"
$40
SOLD ~ thank you!


13, 14, and 15 shown together...


16.
Old World Love
Embossed velvet Italian frame
antique French documents, vintage glassine for the cuffs,
vintage embossed envelope liner for the hearts,
this piece will open and stand on its own
total size: closed 9 1/4" x 7 1/4", open 9 1/4" x 14 1/2"
$75
SOLD ~ thank you!







Thank you so much for visiting!
Take care and God bless,
Lana


P.S. In a few more days, I will have several hand-painted, puzzle purse Valentines, as well as 3 large Love Tokens in antique Velvet frames.