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
Saturday, February 12, 2022
Valentines on Antique French Book Covers
Friday, February 4, 2022
Puzzle Purse Valentine Collection 2022
(The double hearts shown above will be on the lid of the box similar to the photo below.) |
plus $8 flat rate US Priority shipping
These are inspired by love tokens originally made in the late 1700s and the early 1800s.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 paper. 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. 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, painted, aged, and decorated with double woven 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.
3.
I saw this morn as I pass’d by
How quick you did your needle ply
To fingers which can move so nimble
I’ve sent this little silver thimble.
And own I wish to call you mine
Upon this day of Valentine.
The thimble is an embossed metallic paper from a 1930s envelope lining, or the lining in the Christmas card. I forget which part I took it from.
4. SOLD ~ thank you!
5. SOLD ~ thank you!
6. SOLD ~ thank you!
7. SOLD ~ thank you!
8. SOLD ~ thank you!
9. SOLD ~ thank you!
10. SOLD ~ thank you!
11. SOLD ~ thank you!
12. SOLD ~ thank you!
Thursday, February 11, 2021
Love Token Collection 2021
Please email me with your choices. Just comment "SOLD" and the item number. You can send me mailing info later. I take orders in the order I receive them.
Email: lanamanis@gmail.com
Shipping in the U.S. is a flat rate of $8.
I tried to get good photos of the paperweights but I'd forgotten how hard it was to photograph them. They truly do look better than in the photos. Some of the images look distorted but it's due to reflections and the glass.
::::: ALL SOLD :::::
1. Heart in Hand Round Paperweight - Stamp Heart
SOLD ~ thank you so much!
$35
2 3/4" diameter
Background is copy of 1700s indentured servant letter.
Stamp is from an envelope postmarked Dec.16, 1910 Stockbridge, Mass.
The wedding band is 1/16th of an inch thick. It's a teeny tiny snippet off a 1910 gold embossed Christmas card.
2. Heart in Hand Round Paperweight - Blue Cuff
SOLD ~ thank you so much!
$35
2 3/4" diameter
3. Vintage Dome Paperweight - Lace Cuff
SOLD ~ thank you so much!
$45
3" diameter
4. Vintage Dome Paperweight - Blue Cuff
SOLD ~ thank you so much!
$45
3" diameter
5. Vintage Dome Paperweight - Red Shiny Heart
SOLD ~ thank you so much!
$45
3" diameter
I do love the little bubbles in this glass dome! But it's so hard to phtotgraph!
Cuff is from a copy of a 1700s indentured servant letter. Heart is from the lining of a vintage greeting card envelope.
6. Hearts in Open Hands Paperweight
SOLD ~ thank you so much!
$40
2 3/4" x 4"
Hands are made from a letter from the 1930s. Hearts are cut from an envelope dated 1930s. Back covering is from the back cover of a 1940s ration book.
7. Heart in Hand Paperweight - Foil Heart
SOLD ~ thank you so much!
$45
2 3/4" x 4 1/4"
Background is a page from late 1800s memo book. Hand is made from the back side of a cloth book cover. The red foil heart was the lining of a vintage greeting card envelope. The cuff is a catalog illustration of a young girl’s skirt. The back of the paperweight is from the back cover of a 1940s ration book. Note the song titles.
8. Heart in Hand - Photographer's Mat - Gold Embossed
NFS
3 5/8" x 4 1/8" closed
The embossed gold ring and the cuff are cut from vintage wrapping paper. The heart is snipped from a watercolored copy of a 1700s indentured servant letter. Framed in an antique photograph mat.
9. Heart in Hand - Blue Heart
NFS
4 3/4" x 7" closed
The flowers on the cover and the cuff are cut from an early 1900s lithograph. Framed in an antique photograph mat.
10. Heart in Hand - Red Heart
SOLD ~ thank you so much!
$30
4 3/4" x 7" closed
Heart is a watercolored copy of a 1700s indentured servant letter. The cuff is cut from an envelope from the 1930s. Framed in an antique photograph mat.
11. Cobweb Valentine - Her Heart
SOLD ~ thank you so much!
$45
2 3/4" closed
6 1/2" x 8 1/4" open
“Her heart is like her garden! Old -fashioned, quaint, and sweet.
With here, a wealth of blossoms and there, a still retreat.”
Made from 1830s French document.
12. Cobweb Valentine - Heaven Bless You
SOLD ~ thank you so much!
$45
2 3/4" closed
7 7/8" open
“Heaven bless you day and night, fill your heart both day and night.”
Made from 1830s French document.
13. Puzzle Purse Red Box
SOLD ~ thank you so much!
$45
2” closed
3” box
“Keep a green tree in your heart, and perhaps a singing bird will come.”