ANTIQUES: Valentine's Day has origins in Rome
…a holiday for lovers to exchange tokens and notes.. Victorian jewelry sent secret messages - stones set into a pin or bracelet were arranged by the first letter of a gem's name. So a line of a ruby, emerald, garnet, amethyst, ruby and diamond spelled "regard." A piece of jewelry shaped like a snake with its tail in its mouth meant "eternal love." A heart-shaped piece of jewelry or a locket holding the giver's hair expressed love. Although today most people send paper or e-mail valentines, there have been many other ways to express sentiment on Valentine's Day
in past centuries. If a girl pinned a bay leaf to her pillow or ate the white of a hard-boiled egg before she went to sleep, she would dream of her true love. A visit to a graveyard on Valentine eve or running 12 times around the church while singing a special song guaranteed that your lover would appear. Many superstitions were connected with Valentine's Day
, children went door to door "valentining" (singing love songs). Some early customs are no longer part of our celebration. In the days before the post office, the valentine was attached to an apple or orange and thrown in the window of an eligible girl's room. In some parts of England
But today, almost all of us send a valentine card. In America,…
…a plush Penelope penguin, $25; and many, many more. San Francisco Music Box Co., San Francisco. (800) 227-2190. #490Decorative dolls of caroling kids will sing at your store and in your customer's homes. Designed by Sandra Lee, these resin-headed dolls with rooted hair and sort-sculpture bodies come dressed in knitted costumes and have a solid base. A switch in the back allows you to turn the singing and swaying on and off. A variety of styles and costumes are available and they come gift-boxed. $30 each. California Creations, Brea, CA. (714) 225-1300. #491
Christmas crackers are a perennial holiday favorite, especially in England. Recreate the thrill of this Victorian tradition with beautifully wrapped crackers stuffed with toys, cards, games, and jewelry. Wrappings include traditional Christmas patterns and party styles, as well as glossy seasonal designs for Hanukkah, Thanksgiving, and Halloween. Many new patterns. $6-$80. Walpert, Lachine, PQ, Canada. (800) 661-1176. #492
Open the door to sales with doorstoppers for the holidays. The three engaging designs include a 16 1/2" snowman, a 13" angel, and an 11 1/2" Santa. All are made of canvas and stuffed with sand. The angel has a metal halo, and the snowman has a blue scarf. $30-$32. Limited Addition, Toronto, ON, Canada. (800) 268-9724. #493
A pop-up…
…statues by Juanita Zerbs of Burlington starting at $145.Pottery by Janet Resnick starting around $15. Metal sculpture by Dexter is available for around $10 and up.
Woodwork: Several woodworkers, including Bill Moore and James Duxbury, have work for sale. Key rings, pen and pencil sets, decorative pieces starting at $18.99.
Glasswork: David Schaeffer of Elon has a collection of glass art work starting at $8.
Jewelry: Jewelry makers from across Alamance County have pieces for sale starting at around $15. Eliza Way of Burlington offers pieces from $60. Amara Nata offers Venetian glass pieces and unique necklaces from $90.
Boxed sets from Beth O'Bryant start around $35.
Lavender: Sunshine Lavender Farm has a large display of products, from dried lavender to chap stick, lotions, eye pillows and more. Prices start around $6.
Soap: Handmade soap and gift sets starting at $4.50.
Handbags: Colorful handmade handbags from Alamance County range from $30 to $60.
Calendar: The Patricia Bynum Fund of Alamance Regional Medical Center has a calendar fundraiser. The fund helps cancer victims with daily expenses while undergoing cancer treatment at the hospital. The calendar is available for $5.
…
bravenet.com