The Second Generation Étui (Helix Edition)
Often it’s the small things in life that impart a sense of timelessness and beauty…the devoted craftsmanship of a gargoyle or floral cornice on a building that endures for centuries, distinctively artful wallpaper, an elaborately engraved wedding ring, an unusual doorknob. The care taken to produce something lovely in the world delights quaintrelles and renders everything more aesthetically pleasing. If you’re the type of person who appreciates the inherent love and craftsmanship of the hand-made and the beautiful, these should be on your radar:
Lily of the Valley stamp and seal set
Kathryn Hastings & Co – Fine Epistolary Atelier
Kathryn Hastings sees beauty all around her, and recommends we slow down to appreciate it too. Tapping into your creativity, sharing who you are, and connecting to the past in a meaningful way is as easy as taking the time to seal a handwritten letter with your own wax stamp. Each wax seal that Kathryn Hastings designs is crafted to last for more than 300 years, which is an heirloom that unites generations and the past with the future.
Letter-writing is a living legacy far more visceral and distinctive than screens, and actually being able to see a person’s handwriting is so much more impactful and touching than an email.
Kathryn Hastings offers free introductory classes, a sealed letter podcast, and a YouTube video on The Hastings Étui Debut if you wish to take a deep dive into the art of epistolary magnificence. You (or your fortunate gift recipient) will have so much fun sealing letters with your wax stamp kit, and it will spur you to be more communicative simply for the sake of using it.
Be part of a movement to bring back authenticity, beauty, and thoughtfulness, and peruse the splendid offerings at KathrynHastingsCo.com.
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Gina DeSantis – Heirloom Ceramics
Gina DeSantis is a much-lauded ceramics creator among our staff, and we have admired her work before with these features in our Metro Pets sections and Metro Home section.
She creates unique pieces that will be useful for decades to come both as heirlooms and as functional quotidian items. Her creations serve to remind us that not everything has to be mass-produced, and that the things we use daily can be lovely and artisanal.
The Sandalwood Fern Oval Platter
With Thanksgiving and the holidays on the horizon, and for some in full swing, the Gina DeSantis platters are particularly useful as a perfect serving dish or as a thoughtful, all-purpose gift. Each is a substantial piece, decorated with care to ensure that it is special. These platters can be used to present sushi, appetizers, desserts, bon-bons, and fruit, or used to cradle candles, flowers, bath items, keys, wallets, or even jewelry.
Gina DeSantis items are sturdy, made without lead, and handmade in Ohio. They’re also microwave-safe and can be popped into the dishwasher. You’ll find vases, mugs, dishes, oil cruets, ornaments, creamers, and custom-made pet bowls on her website. Someone who puts their name on their business is a great sign when it comes to fostering trust and integrity.
Many of the Gina DeSantis pieces are multi-purpose and have the mark of a master ceramicist – so support artists and women-owned businesses by investing in the beautifully hand-made at GinaDeSantis.com.
and Gina DeSantis
