Pam Grossman is the creator of Phantasmaphile, a blog which specializes in art and culture with an esoteric or fantastical bent. As co-founder of the Brooklyn arts & lecture space, Observatory, her programming aims to explore mysticism via a scholarly yet accessible approach. She lectures on such topics as “The Occult and Modern Art 101,” and teaches classes on herbalism and ritual.
With a February 14th birthday, it was inevitable that I’d be a born romantic. Dedicated to love and decadence, Valentine’s Day ignites imaginations and calls upon us to dream and swoon. But it’s not all candy and roses. The holiday was originally derived from the pagan festival, Lupercalia, which celebrated the she-wolf, Lupa, and consisted of raunchy shenanigans like parading naked through the streets to spread fertility throughout the village. Rrrrrowl, indeed.
But ultimately this day is about generosity and figuring out creative ways to dote upon your partner, your pal, or most importantly, your darling self. That said, here’s a myriad of marvels to help capture any heart.
For Sweet Hearts
If you think love is a fairytale, then you’ll fall head over winged-heels for these treasures.
Clockwise from top left: This Titania necklace by Larkandlotusjewelry is fit for a queen. Lock your secrets up in this red leather wallet with skeleton key by Urbanheirlooms. A magic love potion by Whitemagickalchemy: enough said. Hawthorn is known for its heart-opening properties, so this Hawthorn Rose Kyphi incense by Forestgrove should get your pheromones flowing. This psychedelic Victoriana “I love you” card by Inkadinkadoodle is right out of Alice in Wonderland.
For Dark Hearts
Gothic gals and guys need love, too. Here are some gifts that like to lurk in the shadows.
Clockwise from top left: Get soft as angel wings with this black soap by Soapychica. This key will set you free in Monpetitfantome’s stunning “This Is Your Only Escape” papercut print. Light up the night with a tainted love candle by Witchcitywicks. This butterfly-heart biology mash-up patch by tsl8 is a peculiar and lovely way to say “I’m yours.” Remember those packs of valentines you would sign and hand out in school? Yeah, this five pack of valentines by dollfacedesign is not them. And the arrow is such an apt metaphor for the exquisite pain of love, and this wounding necklace by Bloodmilk is beyond gorgeous.
For Twee Hearts
Sometimes I feel like being cute to my cutie, without drowning him in a saccharine typhoon. Here are some options that make me go “awww,” but don’t feel too cloying.
Clockwise from top left: Theo Ellsworth has become one of my all time favorite comic artists (side note: you must read his book CAPACITY if you haven’t already). I am loving his romantic beastie card. This “You’re Fantastical” card by Happydappybits says it all and is appropriate for friends and lovers alike. I haven’t yet grown out of my unicorn phase, and don’t ever plan to. This unicorn card from Ferdinandhome puts a sophisticated spin on mythic love. And I can’t resist this take on Cupid’s bow that is “tiny but tough,” as the maker, Datter, puts it. These star spangled chocolate-covered Oreos by Sweetiesbykim are a stellar alternative to Whitman’s.
For Sensual Hearts
At this time of year, Eros is in the air. Here are some treats to turn on your lust light.
Clockwise from top left: This surrealist sea nymph tank by Jamesanthony makes me weak in the knee-shells. Smother your smoocher in this heavenly wild rose balm by PhoenixBotanicals. These silk panties by Honeycoolerhandmade are sexy while still being elegant. Sacred Vibes is an herbal apothecary here in Brooklyn, and everything they make is pure and potent. Their love oil can be used in a long bath or as part of a slow massage. You’ll be a living fantasy is this lace butterfly mask by 1274PeriwinkleLane.
For Retro Hearts
Sometimes it seems our ancestors had a better sense of style than we do now; I long for a past age of opulence and fine detailing. No matter, here’s modern spin on good old-fashioned romance.
Clockwise from top left: Herbal Alchemy’s all-natural Elysium perfume is filled with rose, vanilla, and orange peel. It looks beautiful on your vanity to boot. In Reality Bites, when Ethan Hawke says to Winona Ryder, “You look like a doily!” I always thought she should have taken it as a compliment. These red heart doilies by Knot & Bow are pretty, pretty, PRETTY! Lover’s eye jewelry began being worn in the late 18th century, to remember those dear or lost. You no longer have to scour estate sales for one, thanks to this hand-painted eye pendant by Swanbones. I’d love nothing more than to lounge languidly in a nest of pillows covered in these damask velvet covers by Mogirldesigns. This rose-bedecked cocktail hat with detachable birdcage veil from Velvetowl will make anyone feel like a real dame.
Here’s wishing you a day filled with love and a heart full of wonder. Viva la Valentine!
108 comments
thewomensrepublic said 7 years ago
Love the Reality Bites film quote. I enjoyed your spin on romance!
HazelHoney said 7 years ago
Great items
VoleedeMoineaux said 7 years ago
Get out the glitter and paste! Don't eat it though.
MegansMenagerie said 7 years ago
Love these picks!!!
DessertWine said 7 years ago
Thank you for your romantic perspective...and the selections!! So love the bow and arrow necklace!!
jammerjewelry said 7 years ago
Appreciate the interesting article thanks
volkerwandering said 7 years ago
This is a gorgeous collection of gifts! Love them!
RivalryTime said 7 years ago
Neat stuff.
myvintagecrush said 7 years ago
Wow! We have some amazingly talented people here on Etsy :) ..great items!
HoneyCoolerHandmade said 7 years ago
How exciting to have my Mitzi Knickers featured on the blog! Thanks a bunch for the shout-out! :D
KKSimpleRegalJewelry said 7 years ago
You forgot about Mr. Valentine!! From what I remember he was the reason Valentines day was started. He was going to be killed because he as a priest was marrying other couples, against the Kings decree. And the night before his execution, he sent a note to his little friend the guard's daughter thanking her for her Encouragement, and friendship, then signed it by saying... "Love, your Valentine"...
emwi said 7 years ago
Love the retro list. Great compilation!
jojosvintagecupboard said 7 years ago
Gorgeous finds!! Love it all!!
maggiesraggedyinn said 7 years ago
So interesting and so many ways to celebrate the day!!!!
paramountvintage said 7 years ago
so many great gifts. i love the silk panties!
SimpleJoysPaperie said 7 years ago
Valentine's Day is always a favorite of mine!
accentonvintage said 7 years ago
Lovely choices! Great post!
wwbc said 7 years ago
Wonderful collection! Something for everyone!
wwbc said 7 years ago
...and thanks to KKSRJ for the history. and we thought it was just a hallmark moment!
TheIDconnection said 7 years ago
Super Sweet!
RavensRoses said 7 years ago
Nice choices!
expressyourself said 7 years ago
Great finds!
ThomasHaskettArtist said 7 years ago
Love the unicorns in particular :)
AvianInspirations said 7 years ago
It's awesome hearing everyone's slightly different spins on Valentine's Day.
brianablackman said 7 years ago
I love valetines day! Great ideas!
cottonbirddesigns said 7 years ago
Great finds!
TreacherCreatures said 7 years ago
So many fabulous gift ideas.
NavyBlueNotes said 7 years ago
The angel wing soap is gorgeous! I wonder if you could pour chocolate in that mould....?
hypericumfragile said 7 years ago
Great finds!
MishaGirl said 7 years ago
Exquisite selection!
sonyarasi said 7 years ago
great picks!
thevicagirl said 7 years ago
What a lovely collection. Something for everyone there.
ZenBrush said 7 years ago
Very nice choices
uniquefabricgifts said 7 years ago
Great collection!
paulamcgurdy said 7 years ago
Love just about everything here!
inkadinkadoodle said 7 years ago
Thanks so much for featuring our card! Happy Valentine's Day!
glusk said 7 years ago
These are really fun!
elleestpetite said 7 years ago
These are great picks, something for everyone.
filthyrebena said 7 years ago
So much talent!!! Happy Valentines Etsy.
2bloomsdesignstudio said 7 years ago
Your collections look great and suit every type.
Soupis said 7 years ago
I've never heard that tail for the origin of valentines day I will have to look up this Lupercalia.
kiranofindaly said 7 years ago
Your blog is Phantastic! I will definitely be checking it out regularlly, so sick of the art elite.You have a fresh perspective.
thetootsiewootsie said 7 years ago
I loved reading this!
PeaceLoveGuacamole said 7 years ago
Beautiful! Love them all!
QsGoodies said 7 years ago
interesting collection! Luvin' the Angel Wings Soap =)....
PurpleToedGypsy said 7 years ago
sweet! always something new for us to see. thank you
Ayca said 7 years ago
Great finds!
beckerkimberly said 7 years ago
love it!
bedouin said 7 years ago
Rich colors ~ fantastic variety. Love love the unicorn card from Ferdinandhome
styleforlife said 7 years ago
Pretty items and post.....love. xx EL Vintage HAPPY EARLY V DAY, every day should be V DAY! :-)
perebags said 7 years ago
Great list!
julsandmaude said 7 years ago
LOL love it! Even Dark Hearts get love!
marieowltoinette said 7 years ago
Gorgeous and Oh-So-Cute!! <3
sandraberney said 7 years ago
Lovely :)
junkgarden said 7 years ago
Great finds!
sweetsarahcardsandtr said 7 years ago
love them all
HappyDappyBits said 7 years ago
Great collection! Thanks so much for including my Fantastical card. :)
pinksnakejewelry said 7 years ago
Wonderful Post!!! Super Finds!!!
sarahkaydesign said 7 years ago
THIS is what I love about Etsy! So many different styles and cultures of love can be represented and appreciated harmoniously! Great post!
WingedWorld said 7 years ago
Nice variety!
Iammie said 7 years ago
Love it!
PolClary said 7 years ago
I guess I'm twee, those are so cute!
SomsStudio said 7 years ago
Lovely finds!! I am a "Sweet Heart" alright!
pillowlink said 7 years ago
i think I prefer retro. I love all finds as they are handmade. It is amazing how many creative people working on Etsy :)
minakaja said 7 years ago
Great retro designs , I love all!
FreakyPeas said 7 years ago
I liked hearing the history....I thought VD was a Hallmark holiday.
blueroompottery said 7 years ago
Great article, love the finds!! :>)
invoguejewelryindia said 7 years ago
Beautiful items!!
ParrisImpressions said 7 years ago
Great gifts! Love the rose cocktail hat by velvetowl. Divalicious!
adrianaallenllc said 7 years ago
I love the selection - some very nice and eye-catching items!
gossamer531 said 7 years ago
All kinds of creative valentines here for all sorts of Valentine's celebrations!
HeatherLucille said 7 years ago
The lover's eye miniature painted pendant is my favorite! A wonderful gift guide and a good selection of options for all different styles and tastes. I would love to take The Occult and Modern Art 101 class!
YarnUiPhoneApp said 7 years ago
I think something knittted - fingerless gloves come to mind - would be a really sweet Valentine's Day present. That and maybe a yummy cupcake and a homemade cocktail.
chickflix said 7 years ago
a lot of off beat and cool romantic items! Love it.
HeartlessArts said 7 years ago
I love heart doilies! I even have 2 tattooed on me.
tigersanddragons said 7 years ago
Love the whimsical card by Theo Ellsworth!
Rembrandtrocks said 7 years ago
Oh! I love the bow and Arrow Necklace-Thank you!! Yeah
stepbackink said 7 years ago
Great read, and what fun gift ideas :)
KnitSewCute said 7 years ago
Great ideas! Thanks for sharing!!
statesmanties said 7 years ago
You make some nice things! I like the detailed fonts and the textures of everything. How long does it usually take you to go from idea to finished product? Oh, and I really want some of those star covered oreos!
urbanheirlooms said 7 years ago
So much to swoon over! Thank you for featuring my antique key wallet. That was an awesome surprise!
ruchla said 7 years ago
Beautiful gifts thanks
mpetrea said 7 years ago
Take a look here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtWorksRO?section_id=11015682
optic said 7 years ago
Ahhh a day to celebrate love. Great finds. Love the velvet damask pillow, so romantic and mysterious.
artsuneel said 7 years ago
nice work
OnlyOriginalsByAJ said 7 years ago
Amazing finds! I love the Retro Hearts collection!
botamaki said 7 years ago
Always nice to get a Valentine's Day present..even if it is just a card!
ajbcreations said 7 years ago
fantastic!
JillianReneDecor said 7 years ago
Great finds!
StyleGraphicDesign said 7 years ago
Very lovely!
velvetowl said 7 years ago
Love the combinations!
KittyandKat said 7 years ago
Fabulous finds!
phantasmaphile said 7 years ago
Thanks, everyone! It was so much fun to put together. I'm constantly in awe of all the creative and talented folks on Etsy. Xo
wishdaisy said 7 years ago
Nice picks!
KatiesBeadsOfHope said 7 years ago
Cool items!! :) Love the post!!
AyeCHIHUAHUA said 7 years ago
Wonderful! <3
FayesAttic11 said 7 years ago
Love the items! So creative and fun!!!
JennasRedRhino said 7 years ago
Gosh, the letterpress work by inkadinkadoodle is just wonderful!
pantsandpaper said 7 years ago
Great Items
NicoleNicoletta2 said 7 years ago
great picks! i love that red mask!
iris756 said 7 years ago
red red and more red!!!!!
FrenchTwistPostcards said 7 years ago
Fantastical objects of desire! Love this and I appreciate the mention of Mr. Valentine someone added too.
melttheskyline said 7 years ago
These are all gorgeous. Dark and Retro really stick out for me. They remind me of what I make. This is my favorite time of the year to go out and buy things for my room, such deep and loving colors
Mena N from MyFlowerWorld said 7 years ago
" I long for a past age of opulence and fine detailing" . ME TO
Megan W. from 1littletreasureshop said 7 years ago
I love this! I recently found a VERY VINTAGE bottle of "My Sin" perfume by Lanvin ! Love your taste!
Moxie Moxon from MoxieRevival said 7 years ago
very sweet and great pickins!
Gin Shakespear from SteamBathFactory said 7 years ago
Fantastic picks!
AntonioVerdi from AntonioVerdi said 6 years ago
Want to make her explode in tears and love? Try the COSIMO by Antonio Verdi.