Arts + Entertainment
10 handmade Valentine’s Day gifts by WNY artists

blog by S.J. Velasquez • February 07, 2013 @ 12:08pm
In case it hasn’t hit you, here’s a friendly reminder that Valentine’s Day is a week away, and the gift you give to the special someone in your life does not have to be pitiful.
Quit stalling, and start browsing. Buffalo artists offer an array of beautifully handcrafted love-themed gifts, many of which are available at area boutiques and in online shops. Peep through Etsy.com with the location filter activated to find unique and customizable items—made right here in Western New York—for your loved ones.
Here are just 10 of the many loved-themed gift options available by local artists on Etsy:
I Love You to the Moon and Back garden sculpture, $29 plus shipping

This sculpted copper crescent moon, embellished it with copper swirls and clear acrylic beads, is a creation of Julie DeGroot, shop owner of JewelsInTheGarden on Etsy.
Owl love pillow treat boxes kit, $17.99 plus shipping

Send the kids off to school with adorable candy packages that they put together. This kit includes materials necessary for creating 30 cute owl pouches perfect for holding candies, coins and trinkets. BBGPartyDesigns also offers “love bandit” and robot kits.
Kisses in recycled Valentine’s Day candy packaging change purse, $17 plus shipping

Sugarshoxcrafts specializes in giving ” new life to everyday objects,” which is more than apparent with this particular item. One man’s trash ...
Love birds silkscreen print, $15 plus shipping

Hero Design won’t be local for long (the husband-and-wife team is moving to California soon!), and many of the design company’s loveliest prints are going for cheap to lighten the load for a cross-country haul. This 12-by-18-inch print was originally $25.
Seed bombs of love, $7.50 plus shipping

Spruce up the space around you with a “love bomb,” concocted by Eileen May of lovebybean. ” Launch them into barren wastelands or drop them into an abandoned pot filled with soil to help beautify your city with color,” the product description reads.
Octopus print on vintage Japanese book page, $12 plus shipping

It’s an unusual valentine that octopi- and book-lovers alike will adore.
Infestation monster sculpture for Valentine’s Day, $25 plus shipping

Nicole Johnson, the artist behind mealymonster, created a Christmas ornament dubbed one of the “worst” by Huffington Post. Well, HuffPo, sip your Haterade elsewhere. We love these kooky little creatures and appreciate a different spin on the typical love-themed trinkets. Johnson’s sweet little goblins are also available at 464 Gallery, located at 464 Amherst St. in Buffalo’s Black Rock neighborhood.
Candle holder, $30 plus shipping

MoonlightAura specializes in made-to-order gifts, many featuring this same handsy motif.
“Spoon Me” pillow, $36 plus shipping

If you’ve seen the adorable Buffalo street sign pillows at your friends’ houses, there’s a strong chance Buffalovely had something to do with it. This Etsy shop has amassed quite the following for its quirky throw pillows.
Fused glass buffalo suncatcher, $14 plus shipping

In case you haven’t noticed, I’m a big fan of Buffalo Art Glass gifts. We featured artist Bridget Falk’s ornaments in our Holiday Gift Guide and profiled the Clarence mom on Buffalo.com late last year. Her beautiful Buffalo-themed suncatchers are solid gifts any time of year.
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Love the sculpture and pillow!
And if you are looking to get your special someone jewelry, check out my store! Handmade & Local: http://www.ashleijdesign.storenvy.com
:)