one of the things about being an artist is that we are always looking forward months ahead - whether it is for the completion of a piece that we are creating or we are being inspired by an upcoming season or holiday...
this is truly one of my favorite times of the year...thinking of valentines...beautiful hearts, tokens of our fondness, baking cookies and pancakes cut into hearts for the children - and getting a glimpse of the sparkle in their eye of joy...(cards above by lana)
i have shown lana manis, honeysuckle lane... work before on my blog and carry a link to her in my 'artists to check out column'...for lana is an artist where each and every piece she designs is woven with history, love and kindness...her company, named "honeysuckle lane", is the perfect name for her work...for lana loves the land that she lives on, carving her life in her studio with her husband...a man of many talents...where you can just see them walking hand and hand, taking in the beauty of their flower garden and land...i, along with my mother, have many treasures from lana's hand...i am always amazed when i pick up a piece, the intricacy and history that it contains...
Puzzle Purse...
the valentine below is a 'puzzle purse' - they are amazingly intricate...i was fortunate enough to be able to purchase one of her pieces last year for my mother for valentines...it is a cherished treasure. of course, lana's pieces are limited...for she works very very hard, i know...but time does tick tock away at a fare pace...
i'm adding information directly from lana's site - it is so interesting to read about the background of her ideas...
"I am honored to have been chosen for the 3rd year in a row for Early American Life's Holiday Directory for my puzzle purse valentines.
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 the Valentine sometimes has 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.
These were inspired by the ones originally made in the late 1700s and the early 1800s. All artwork, which is a combination of naive / schoolgirl art / fraktur influences, is done with watercolors and India ink on aged parchment 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 along with some of my own original phrases. Keep in mind these are hand done, so each one will be unique. The valentines measure 2 ½” square closed and 7 ½” square when fully opened. Each valentine comes with a 3" papier mache box decorated with a coordinating design.
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."
lana has so many different pieces that are available, i have just given you a sampling of her work...please go to her site for more designs that are available & to order your very special piece....here is her link, just click...
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