THE LOCAL ARTISAN GUIDE'S GALENTINE & VALENTINE DAY GIFT SUGGESTION - 2025

For the first time The Local Artisan Guide is posting a gift giving guide for both Valentines and Galentines Day (you know that day ladies, that you celebrate with your female besties the day before Valentines Day). We have gifts for both her AND him in all categories and price ranges. The gifts are artisanal and come from small brands that really think about the unique twists that make a conventional Valentines Day gift more special and personal to you or the one you love. So click onto the captions for the store link as all gifts can also be sent via their online store.

DESIDERI DESIGNS - CHAIN LINK HEART NECKLACE

Be bold this Valentines Day with your jewelry choices and show your special someone how much you care with an oversized Austrian crystal clear heart that has magical rainbow prisms when exposed to different lights. Austrian crystals are synonymous with the highest quality glass crystals today. The necklace is sterling silver and hangs slightly longer than a choker. Desideri Designs was founded by New York based Roman designer Claudia Desideri who has a long history working with Austrian crystals in her jewelry collection that is handcrafted and made in New York.

THE CALM JOY CANDLE CO. - SELF LOVE VALENTINES GIFT SET

The Calm Candle Co., is a small artisanal candle brand founded by Simone Smith, a licensed mental health therapist who has witnessed the power of self-care and with that came her creation of The Calm Candle Co. For Valentines Day, The Calm Candle Co. is collaborating with Cynplicity soap brand to offer a handmade candle and soap set. The candle is a luxurious rose bud and vanilla scented candle made with coconut wax (much healthier to burn) and the soap is a gentle rose and tussah silk soap. Together this is a great gift for encouraging calmness and self-care for those you love.

STRAND BOOK STORE - THE POETRY OF EDGAR ALLAN POE

When looking for an affordable Valentines Day gift for the one you love, you can’t go wrong with romantic poetry and for that we are recommending “The Poetry of Edgar Allan Poe,” who writes romantic poetry besides his well known thriller verses. This book is second hand from second hand bookstore Strand Books (they also sell new editions) and in very good condition. Once you gift the book you can read romantic verses and truly impress your loved one with their imaginative (and affordable) Valentines Day gift. A recycled book is a very sustainable way of celebrating Valentines Day.

PATENT OF HEART - HEART OR PASSPORT?, PASSPORT HOLDER

If you are planning to travel abroad this Valentines or are planning a trip in the future with your loved one, the “Heart or Passport, Which to Follow” passport from Patent of Heart is a great way to start the trip. This beautiful wine colored passport holder can also hold besides your passport a folded boarding pass,  cards, cash, and receipts. The premium leather construction ensures longevity and it makes for a great unisex gift too. The dimensions are: 5.5"H x 4.2"W x 0.5"D and are handmade in Turkey. Proceeds from sales go to help educate young girls and women in Turkey so this is a gift with a win/win for all.

MIZENSIR PARFUMS - LEGEND LEATHER EAU DE PARFUM

Although perfume can be considered a traditional Valentines Day gift, this parfum from Mizensir, the small Swiss parfum brand created by master perfumer Alberto Morillas in Geneva, Switzerland is guaranteed to be a much desired scent for both men and women. “Legend Leather” was inspired by a drive in a dream car in Madrid, Spain. Its olfactory pyramid features top notes of guaiac wood and aldehydes, a heart of raspberry and saffron-infused iris, and a base of immortelle and styrax, creating a powerful yet refined composition. We love recommending scents that bring back a beautiful memory and “Legend Leather” is the perfect scent with its mixture of leather from a car and the flowery scents you experience along the way.

VENCHI CHOCOLATE - ROSE, RASPBERRY & ALMOND BRUTTO & BUONO

Chocolates are a no-brainer gift for Valentines Day for both our Valentines and Galentines loved ones. We always encourage small batch chocolates and chocolates with a special and unique twist. With that in mind we love Venchi’s “Rose, Raspberry & Almond Brutto & Buono”. So imagine the Venchi high quality, delicious chocolate with crunchy almonds and raspberry nibs scattered into a rose-flavored white chocolate heart. It not only is delicious, it looks unlike any box of chocolate you have ever received with a rose colored heart to which has been combined with care and passion, using traditional methods, to create a work of art to be enjoyed. If you ever wanted to give away a piece of your heart, this is the chocolate made to win over loved ones.

EATALY - TOMATOES TAGLIOLINI PASTA

I know both men and women are frantically searching for a Valentines Day dinner at a restaurant they hope will be romantic enough for their loved one yet not drain their wallet. We say, “Why not make a romantic meal at home?” A meal cooked for a loved one is one of the most caring, nurturing and creative gifts you can give someone. It requires time, thought and great care to make a meal and the appreciation you will received is a gift back to you. We found this tomato based pasta at Eataly, tagliolini are long, thin strands of egg pasta from the northern region of Piemonte. Enriched with savory tomatoes, this twist on the classic tagliolini is perfect to pair with a light, buttery sauce. Sure to make for a memorable, hands on and affordable Valentines Day Dinner in your exclusive restaurant for two (or great for a Galentines Day get together).

JULIA TESTA - JEWEL TONES DESIGNER’S CHOICE FLOWERS

Flowers are always an amazing Valentines Day gift. That is if you have a remarkable bouquet of flowers delivered to your loved ones and with that we recommend going to your local florist who can create a bouquet that you know your loved one will adore. That is why we suggested Julia Testa, a well renowned florist based in Soho, NYC who offers amazing affordable bouquet for Valentines Day. We fell in love with the “Jeweled Toned Designer’s Choice” where you could have tones of reds, pinks, purples, or whites. The arrangement will have a romantic feel and arrangements are priced from $125 to $650.

BOWN OF LONDON - VELVET LOAFER/SLIPPER SHOE, WINE & CHEESE

If you think your man is not open to sexy underwear for Valentines Day, may we recommend this elegant set of velvet slippers with wine and cheese motif? Bown of London, a small luxury British nightwear brand has a playful set of velvet slippers. The slippers are the finest quality luxury velvet fabric in a rich burgundy hue and are the epitome of softness, sheen, and unmatched elegance. The shoes feature a breathable 100% leather lining which will not retain odor in the same manner of a fabric / satin lined shoe. Ideal for indoor home use (romantic night in) or at social events. Includes a breathable leather sole with non slip rubber heel. Also available in different colors, sizes 6 to 15.5 and different more playful motifs. It’s a gift they will treasure forever.

ONLY HEARTS - WHISPER COUCOU UNDERWIRE BRA & PANTIES

Valentines Day lingerie is one of the most sexiest gifts you can give your loved one as it screams, “I WANT YOU NOW!” Small lingerie brand, Only Hearts offer the “Whisper Coucou Underwire Bra”, a sheer, sexy piece of luxury lingerie features peek-a-boo cups for an alluring sensuality, while the underwire offers hold and support. Made from fine Italian netting, this bra feels light and airy to the touch. What a wonderful souvenir of a passion night to live with.

That is our Valentines and Galentines Day gift guide and like our past posts, we focus on highlighting small, local artisanal brands as know as with all our gift guides, the receiver wants a gift that is thoughtful and unique. No cookie cutter gift recommendations here! So whether you are celebrating Galentines Day with a bunch of friends, having a heart to heart on Valentines Day or giving yourself a much needed gift of love, we wish you a Happy Valentines Day and hope our suggestions have made you think about that one love language we all have, GIFTS!.

By Natalie Rivera

LAST MINUTE ARTISANAL VALENTINES DAY GIFTS THAT ARE SURE TO PLEASE!

February is one of those months that come and go in a New York minute. Before you know it, you blink and its over. Valentines Day is in the middle of February and it’s easy to remember last minute to make that dinner reservation and find a thoughtful gift that will let your loved one know you know what makes them feel like they are important in your life. We even have a gift for that person in your life that you are over with and needed a subtle and stylish way to say “Please Don’t Be My Valentine”.

Here at The Local Artisan Guide we have a Valentines Day Gift Guide that ranges from the very affordable to a little outlandish. However all the gifts are quite unique and truly artisanal. Just click on the link for more info.

Teddy Bear Duo. 2 of the cutest teddy bear madeleines covered with 2 chocolates, 2 different flavors

Components : Milk chocolate madeleine with chocolate-hazelnut spread, Dulcey chocolate madeleine with maple

Allergy : Dairy, Gluten, Nut (Hazelnut), Egg

VIVAS: A REFLECTION ON THE FEMALE BODY:
The project started as a way to desexualise the view on the female body and understand we are beautiful in all our different shapes, sizes and colors. My way of doing this is through my ceramic pieces! It all started about 2 years ago when I made a pot and then added boobs, and I loved it so much that I never stopped! At first, I tried to replicate exactly what I had made, but I couldn’t. I quickly realised that no piece would ever look like the other and hence the essence of the project, each piece is unique and unrepeatable. My name is Carla, I am a ceramist and an architect. I hand-make each of the pieces with my team at Vivas Ceramica in my studio in Buenos Aires. Each collection seeks to empower women through a carefully thought out theme.

Pointy Pen Cards

Artist Michael Mendoza will personally make for you a witty, funny and beautiful Valentines Day Card for your loved one. You can reach him at point_pen_cards on Instagram or at El Mercado in Jackson Heights, Queens, NY. A very affordable way to show someone you care.

LA ENVIRO is a vegan wallet, watch and accessories label, based in Perth Australia. They envision a world that is animal cruelty-free, whilst creating stunning and lasting designs using sustainable materials, such as recycled plastic bottles and premium vegan leathers. They endeavor to maintain the balance in nature as they create fashion with minimal damage and depletion to nature in the process.

Award winning jewelry maker Val Stern is showing his new collection at Atelier D’Emotion starting February 11th, 2023. Val has trained with third generation Faberge artisans and his jewelry is not only elaborate but very technical just like Faberge eggs are technical with hidden compartments and the ability to move and transform. Come to this amazing boutique or go to their website to check out Val’s amazing collection of one of a kind pieces. If you want to stun someone for Valentines Day, this is the gift for them.

Scent notes of Cardamom, Mimosa, Vanilla Milk and Sandalwood, this unisex fragrance is featured by Phlur’s whose philosophy is to use both natural and synthetic ingredients. 

Phlur loves botanical ingredients for the character they lend to our fragrances, however natural doesn’t always equal safer. In some cases, synthetic ingredients can be less allergenic than certain natural ingredients. 

Harvesting natural ingredients for fine fragrance can require tons of botanicals for a very small amount of material. Many natural ingredients are at risk of becoming over harvested and endangered. Phlur partner with the world’s leading fragrance suppliers to ensure we are utilizing sustainable natural materials and we are being respectful of the environment. 

A gift from Miss Havisham’s Curiosities is a spectacular way to show someone you care…or you don’t. There is a collection of biting phases on beautiful china with a daring message once you are done with your tea or coffee.

See, getting thoughtful Valentines Day gifts doesn’t have to be a chore. Dinner, flowers and a box of chocolate can be quite pedestrian. Shop local artisan and its a win/win situation. And if you don’t have a Valentines then give a gift to the love of your life…YOURSELF!!

Happy Valentines Day!

ARTISANAL CHOCOLATIERS YOU SHOULD KNOW ON ANY DAY, NOT JUST VALENTINES

Flowers, Chocolates, a nice greeting card and a romantic dinner are the standard gifts for Valentines Day for our loved ones. If these are the gifts that are going to make your significant other happy and feel like you showed the love for Valentines Day then you might as well do it right. We are highlighting in this blog nine chocolatiers from around the world in and how they help you make Valentines Day (or any day) an extraordinary one for your loved ones.

Marie Belle - New York

Marie Belle is on old time favorite for The Local Artisan Guide. They chocolate boutique is just like stepping into a chocolate boutique in the Marais, there is even a chocolate bar (high tea is so over). Marie Belle is one of the first chocolatiers to make incredible mid century art inspired graphic drawings on their chocolate inspiring a whole generation and then some to rethink how art on chocolate can be presented. Plus the flavors can range from traditional (salted caramel) to the sublime (love the Earl Grey). The boutique (and online store) offer a wide array of chocolate products, beautifully presented so they make for a truly beautiful and thoughtful gift.

Marie Belle, 25pc Cupid’s Valentine Heart Box, $75

A la Mere de Famille - Paris

Established is 1761 and now run by Étienne Dolfi and his children, this chocolatier has a tumultuous and celebrated history in the city of Paris for their dedication to high quality and delicious chocolate. We chose A la Mere de Famille because as much as we love their chocolates, we were won over by their Hearts in Almond Paste which make for the perfect Valentines Day gift, especially if your loved one is looking for something a little more original than chocolate.

A la Mere de Famille, Hearts in Almond Paste, 14 Euros

Pierre Marcolini - Brussels

Belgian by birth but of Italian origin, Pierre Marcolini is a world renowned chocolatier and pastry chef who has brought a sense of modernity to the chocolate world with is original flavors and ethical and sustainable way to present and make chocolate. With chocolate boutiques all over Europe, we in American are waiting for a Pierre Marcolini outpost to enjoy his works of art on this side of the Atlantic. So for now when you travel in Europe please make it a point to stop at one of his popular chocolate boutiques for a real treat.

Malline of 25 Hearts, “Valentines Day”, 29 Euros

Chocolat Moderne - New York 

Chocolat Moderne - New York deserves special mention because they create delicious chocolate that is also vegan. They offer classic flavors that are not only vegan but organic with no preservatives, gums or artificial flavors plus the sugar is cruelty free. You won’t care because they are simply delicious. Our favorites? The Single Malt Scotch and the Strawberry Balsamic Cordial, heaven in our mouth.

Chocolat Moderne New York, My Vegan Valentine, 12 piece Box, $49

Rococo Chocolates - London

In our much loved travels to London we were highly recommended Rococo Chocolates for not only their stellar history of chocolate making in London, but their innovative chocolates that have passed the test of time in the last 35 years to still be one of London’s best artisanal, sustainable and ethical chocolates inspiring many other chocolatiers in London. To received a heart shaped gift box dressed in an exclusive Valentine's Day edition of their famous blue and white pattern, peppered with illustrations inspired by aphrodisiacs is indeed a very special gift. Their champagne and salted caramel truffles will make you a lifelong customer and give you just one more reason to visit London.

Rococo Chocolates, A Devotion of Chocolates & Truffles - Blue Collection, 49.95 British Sterling

Ghylain Chocolates - Indiana, USA

Originally from Quebec (but now residing in Union City, Indiana, USA) chocolatier and pastry chef Ghyslain Marais caught our eye with his masterful creations that not were only aesthetically beautiful but highly innovative in taste and presentation. Here we see a hand-painted and entirely edible Rouge milk chocolate heart box that includes six of Ghyslain’s Valentine hearts (all different flavors from French Vanilla to Coconut Rum). Presented in a window box with red satin bow and watercolor tag, this makes for a special Valentines Day gift on many levels.

Ghyslain, Rouge Chocolate Heart Box, $37.75

Manya and Roumen - New York

It was love at first sight (and bite) when we first saw husband and wife jewelry designers Manya Tessler and Roumen Vragov’s foray into chocolate making inspired by their nature inspired jewelry. This incredible piece of chocolate is a sculptural work of art. The Gilded Snake Bar 2.5 ounces and is organic 70% dark vegan kosher fair-trade and made from bean to bar in the USA. If you are hard to please or know someone who is, this amazing piece of chocolate will not fail to deliver.

Manya and Roumen, Gilded Snake Bar, $19.95

Tasty Slice - New York

Pastry Chef and Tasty Slice founder Katia Rybakina has made receiving chocolates even more of an event with her ruby and white chocolate flowers creations by awakening your taste buds with exotic flavor combinations. Each chocolate candy is made with the finest organic ingredients from around the world. and are as delicious as they are spectacular. Your Valentines will appreciate that they received both chocolates AND flowers.

Tasty Slice - NYC, Handcrafted chocolate flowers bunch St.Valentine collection, $55

Stick With Me - New York

Packaged in ecletic book box, each book box is specially crafted to tell a story. Inside the pages of these beautifully designed boxes is a sweet story, told in 6, 12 and 24 bites. Besides their highly desirable contemporary aesthetic lies the taste of traditional chocolates, Asian inspired flavors and fun surprises (PB and Jelly is one of our favorites). Hidden away in a small street in the East Village, Stick With Me is fast becoming one of our top chocolate destinations in New York City.

Stick With Me, 12 piece Bonbon Box, $49

Just click onto the names of the brands for a link to bring you to their brand’s website and learn more about their story and the many creations these talented chocolatiers (and jewelry designers) have to offer in New York, Indiana and Europe. Also remember it doesn’t have to be Valentines Day to give yourself and your loved ones these special sweet gifts from the gods.

By Natalie Rivera