Maxine's Playhouse: 2011

Well, you might say "Super Bowl Sunday" and that wouldn't be incorrect, but that isn't what I was thinking. I'm heading out to get some munchie goodies to help me enjoy SBS, but what's really on my mind is a day where you see candy hearts, heart-shaped boxes of chocolates and lacy heart-colored Valentine cards...are you catching on? Of course, Valentine's Day! There is a wealth of places to shop for Valentine gifts for your sweetheart whether they are 2 or 92. They run the gamut from books to gift baskets, music to romantic candlight meals, perfumes to poetry, you get the idea. Shops at the mall, uptown stores, and of course a myriad of internet gift sites.

Wherever you do your searching, I'd like to suggest that some of the most desirable and appreciated gifts come from the heart, or rather from the talented hands of an artisan who does not mass produce multiple identical items. You can find the most unique and special treasures lurking in the little, delightful and surprising shops, online and offline. Take a little time to investigate these artisan handcrafters, and you will likely be amazed and drawn to their talents and their creations. Here are a few to get you started:

http://www.bonanza.com/booths/gemtwists has some very lovely and imaginative jewelry accessories, reasonable prices and lovely descriptive pictures

http://www.etsy.com/shop/vegankittyxoxo?ref=seller_info natural and vegan handmade soaps and lotions for sensitive skin in so many delectable flavors and scents!

http://www.artfire.com/users/SalamanderArt where there are handmade journals, photo albums and memory books, not to mention lovely watercolor paintings

http://www.uncommongoods.com/occasions/valentines-day-gifts anything but ordinary gifts for all ages and all occasions

Okay, times a'wastin' and the clock's ticking, so get out there, get in there and git 'er done!