Love Tokens & A Giveaway

Hand cut, hand woven tokens of love are one of my favorite things to make. I could sit for hours sifting through my box of papers, choosing just the right piece of aged parchment paper to pair with a watercolor stained scrap. Actually, I have sat for hours doing just that very thing! One of my most recent ones is shown above in an antique red velvet frame. For the cuff, I used a piece of vintage gold foil paper salvaged from a 1930s envelope. You may see the 2012 Love Token Collection here.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, they were often made from scraps of paper that one had on hand (pardon the pun!) and given as a symbol of love and friendship. Sometimes they included a lock of hair as seen in the photo below:

{photo courtesy of AAAWT.COM}

Some of the valentines were so intricately cut and patiently woven together, it makes one marvel at the love one person had for another:

{photo courtesy of Carlson and Stevenson}

Puzzle purse valentines are another passion of mine. I make a collection each year and have done so since reading about them several years ago. After seeing the fold lines of a puzzle purse online, I made my own and worked with it until I figured out the way to fold it. This one, ca.1835, is shown fully open and framed:

{photo courtesy of Carlson and Stevenson}

My puzzle purses are made from stained, aged, and sometimes painted parchment papers. The watercolor artwork is often inspired by Frakturs of the 1700s and 1800s.

{one of my puzzle purse valentines; for sale here}

I finally listed several love tokens over the weekend. I have been collecting antique velvet and embossed frames for a few years and decided to use some of them with these pieces.

{sold ~ thank you!}

{sold ~ thank you!}

These two love tokens (above and below) are in matching frames that I purchased from a dealer in France. No, I didn't go to France but I'd LOVE to someday! It was an online purchase.

Notice FAITH on the cuff of this one. I use copies of an 18th century indentured servant letter with some of my love tokens.

{sold ~ thank you!}

{sold ~ thank you!}

If you like to see more, just head on over to the Valentines page at Honeysuckle Lane. I have everything set up with BUY NOW PayPal buttons to make shopping a breeze. :)

Now for the giveaway ~ Visit my Simple Joys Paperie Facebook page or my Honeysuckle Lane Folk Art page and click to share the giveaway post. The share link is located under the picture and in the row of words: Like * Comment * Share. When you have shared it, I'll enter your name in a drawing to be held Wednesday evening for a framed heart in hand! :)

Thanks so much for stopping by ~
Take care and God bless,
Lana