I'm an unabashed Valentine's Day enthusiast. I have my parents to thank: my dad for bringing me and my sisters sprays of pink carnations picked up from Grand Central Terminal bodegas on his evening commute home, and my mom for the handmade cards carefully placed at each of our plates come dinnertime. I never say no to a Valentine's bouquet. And why on earth would I dismiss a box of chocolates?
But this year, a tiny collection of vases caught my eye and I've been thinking about the appeal of a Valentine's Day gift that's just a touch less ephemeral.
Made in her Connecticut studio, Frances Palmer's tiny bud vases are a gift designed to last a lifetime. Frances has been updating her limited edition Valentine's Day Collection over the course of the past week as eager shoppers place their orders. Each piece in the collection is one-of-a-kind, so scurry over to her site before everything's snatched up. Orders must be placed by February 7 in order to arrive before Valentine's Day.
Above: A tiny ceramic urn made in Frances's Weston, CT studio; $120. Did that purple muscari catch your eye? See How to Force Muscari Bulbs to grow your own.
Above: A wide-necked version of the vase shown above; $120. This one reminds me of a rotund court jester.
Above: A simple, dented vase was my favorite vase for sale last week; $120.
Above: One of several vases with perforated necks; $120. See the full Valentine's Day Collection for current bud vase listings .
An avid gardener herself, Frances knows a thing or two about seeking inspiration from the garden. See A Garden Lovely Enough to Inspire Art.