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These are inspired by love tokens originally made in the late 1700s and the early 1800s.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