More free vintage graphics from our vintage postcard collection - just for Valentine’s Day. Includes graphics of cupids, ladies, children and more. Feel free to copy these postcard images to your computer for your own craft projects.

Watch for more vintage holiday postcards and other graphics throughout the year.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Antique silver, silverplate and stainless prices realized at online auction:

Sterling

Towle 1935 Royal Windsor 5 piece sterling tea set, sold for $1,500

105 piece 1898 Old Baronial sterling silver flatware, sold for $2,600

81 piece 1941 Grande Baroque Wallace sterling flatware, sold for $3,240

111 piece Gorham 1948 Melrose sterling flatware, sold for $2,300.

Georg Jensen 1915 Acorn sterling silver flatware, 117 pieces, sold for $9,000

33 piece 1871 Audubon by Tiffany & Co. sterling flatware, sold for $4,175

Silverplate

Pair of Homan silverplate figural napkin rings (bird), sold for $150

James W. Tufts figural silverplate napkin ring (baby in cradle), sold for $515

Stainless Steel

Georg Jensen 1965 Blue Shark stainless steel flatware, 48 pieces, sold for $2,750

St. Valentine’s Day is responsible for many jewelry sales and you may be overwhelmed by gift choices and special sales promotions. After looking through a few jewelry sites and stores, you'll often find that the jewelry selections begin to look the same. This is because they often are the same.

Men want to find unique gifts for their ladies; gifts that will be appreciated and loved (so that she will love and appreciate you more). Imagine how delighted your special lady would be to own a one-of-a-kind handmade jewelry design whether it’s your girlfriend, wife, mother or daughter. She will be delighted to know there isn’t another like it in the world. You can’t go wrong with original, one-of-a-kind handmade beaded jewelry.

So where do you find a truly unique jewelry gift at an affordable price, you ask? You needn’t look any further than StormRising Designs.

I recommend you take a look at the selection from designer Camilla Walton of StormRising. Camilla designs and creates one-of-a-kind beadwork and beaded jewelry including necklaces, bracelets and earrings. She also creates a line of handmade fabric purses, beaded rings and watches. All at affordable prices.

Here is a preview of the lovely original designs you’ll find at StormRising:

Below Left: Unakite gemstone donut necklace with mauve glass beads; and green and gold Czech faceted glass beads. Below Right: Matching handmade earrings for the Unakite necklace: Mauve and green glass beads.

This pair is made with French wires but if this is not your preference, you can select to have this changed to clips, leverbacks or posts.

Below Left: Don’t Go Breakin’; My Heart handmade beaded necklace: Swarovski ruby and clear AB crystal beads with freshwater pearls, sterling silver clasp. Below Right: Cafe au Lait beaded necklace: Synthetic smoky quartz, Czech glass and “antiqued” freshwater pearls. Yummy!

Below Left: By the Sea art glass beaded necklace: Peruvian Opal, chrysoprase and bronze Swarovski crystal beads with unique glass seashell pendant. Below Right: Green Russian serpentine, black onyx, olivine and jet Swarovski crystal beads necklace. Sterling silver clasp.

Below Left: Hearts of Glass handmade bracelet: Amethyst glass hearts and Swarovski crystal pearl beads; two strands with pewter heart charm. Below Right: Persian Garden peyote beadwork cuff bracelet: Woven with gold-lined glass seed beads and dark green glass seed beads in Peyote stitch. Edge detail is Czech fire-polished glass beads.

Below Left: Aromatherapy Vial Pendant and Kyanite beaded necklace: Unqiue handmade vial pendant with stopper, borosilicate glass necklace. Steel blue kyanite stone, black onyx and Bali silver. Below Right: Fairy Dust Beadwork Spiral Rope Handmade Necklace: Lavender and gold seed beads woven into a double spiral beadwork stitch. The Peyote stitch slide is removable and decorated with a double row of seed bead fringe and Swarovski crystal beads.  Sterling silver toggle clasp.

In addition to the one-of-a-kind unique jewelry available for purchase online, Camilla also accepts custom orders. If you don’t find exactly the piece you want, don’t hesitate to contact her. Many necklaces and bracelets can be resized and this information can be found with each item listing.

Camilla is currently offering a special Valentine’s promotion through February 8, 2007. Visit her site for details. Be sure to check out her web site throughout the year for all your unique jewelry gifts which are sure to be a hit for any holiday or occasion! Sign up for her newsletter to receive special promotions available only to subscribers.

All of the above handmade beaded jewelry and much more may be found StormRisingDesigns.com The latest designs may be found here

All jewelry designs and images on this page are owned and copyrighted by StormRising Designs.

Antique recipes for cold desserts from June 1896.

Date Meringue

This is a delicate dessert, and may be quickly made in a case of unexpected company, if one has at hand the necessary ingredients. Beat the whites of five eggs to a stiff froth, add three tablespoonfuls of sugar, and one-half pound of dates, stoned and cut up fine. Bake fifteen minutes in a moderate oven. Serve, as soon as cool, with thick, sweet cream or a custard made with the yolks.

Strawberry Bananas

Select six firm, good-sized bananas, split them open carefully, and remove the pulp. Beat the pulp to a cream, measure, and add half as many strawberries, one tablespoonful of lemon juice, three tablespoonfuls of powdered sugar, and one tablespoonful of sherry or orange juice. Mix well together, being very careful not to make the pulp too liquid, then fill the banana skins and stand them on ice. To serve properly, the bananas should be tied with narrow ribbons of green and dull-red. When strawberries are not in season, peaches, cherries, or orange pulp may be used, changing the flavoring accordingly.

Green Currant Pie

Strip currants, two-thirds grown, from the stem; stew until soft. Sweeten to taste and pour into a pie dish. Dredge with flour or cornstarch, and add a half teacupful of seeded raisins to a pie. Bake slowly.  Serve cold.

Caramel Pudding

This is a dainty dessert for a hot day. Place a cupful of light brown sugar in a saucepan over the stove until it browns and has a caramel taste. Add a tablespoonful of butter and half a cupful of sweet milk and let it cook twelve minutes. Add to it nearly a pint of milk and two and a half tablespoonfuls of cornstarch, stirring constantly. When very stiff and well-cooked, remove from the stove, flavor with vanilla and pour into moulds.  Serve with whipped cream.

Coffee Mousse

A teacupful of the strongest and clearest coffee must be made, using a quarter of a pound of coffee to a teacupful of water. Put the coffee, when made, with two yolks of eggs and an ounce of sugar, in a double boiler, and stir over the fire till the mixture thickens; then let it get cold.

Whip a pint of cream quite stiff, and add the coffee to it by degrees so that it is smooth and thick. Serve this either frozen or simply cold in teacups with saucers.

Gooseberry Meringue

Boil two quarts of green gooseberries in a little water and some moist sugar; pulp them through a sieve, and lay the pulp at the bottom of a shallow pie dish. Beat up the yolks of three eggs and add to them three-quarters of a pint of milk; pour this on the top of the fruit, and place in moderate oven to bake. When nearly done, whisk the whites of the eggs to a stiff froth, mix in lightly one ounce sugar and pile it on the custard. Return it to the oven to brown.

Strawberry luncheons, festivals, fairs and teas, will be the popular entertainment throughout the month of June, as the berries may be had in abundance, and in their natural state are easily prepared, and without being a tax upon the hostess, and are for most people a tempting and delicious refreshment.

Mrs. Hayes once gave, while in the White House, a luncheon to Washington young people, of which they talked for years. [Hayes 1877-1881]

The table was laid in white linen, with a crimson carnation beside each plate. Strawberry vines and berries filled a low basket in the centre of the table. At either end stood tall crystal dishes heaped with strawberries lightly sprinkled with powdered sugar.

After the salads, rolls, peas, crabs and the usual dainty luncheon menu, strawberry shortcake, with whipped cream, was served. This delicious shortcake was Mr. Crump’s recipe, and was made as follows:

White House Strawberry Shortcake

Into one pint of flour put a large teaspoonful of baking powder, and one-quarter of a teaspoonful of salt. Sift thoroughly. Rub into the flour four large tablespoonfuls of butter. Wet with a teacupful of sweet milk. Bake quickly in a hot oven. When well browned, spread with butter and berries, whole or mashed, cover heavily with sugar, and serve hot, passing a pitcher of whipped cream with the shortcake cut in cubes.

Another White House recipe for strawberry shortcake runs thus: One quart of flour; three teaspoonfuls yeast powder; one teaspoonful salt; half cupful best butter; one pint of sweet milk or water. Bake in four shallow pans; fill with strawberries lightly chopped in sugar with a knife - not bruised, but cut in pieces. Serve with the heated juice of one pint of berries and one cupful of sugar.

At any strawberry entertainment the chief feature of the table is the large dish of crimson berries, served in the French style, with their hulls on, garnished with their own leaves, and, if possible, with their tiny blossoms.

Related Article: Antique Strawberry and Berry Forks

June 1896

Fashion for the Coming Season - Fall 1895.

The average woman has one street costume for the winter season, which must do duty for many occasions, and November is the month that is usually selected for making it, as the new styles by that time are sufficiently settled to present something definite in regard to those parts of the costume where fashion is apt to show decided changes.

This season the sleeve is the disputed point. The balloon puffs that have for many months held their own against the ridicule which assailed them are not so easily discarded for the close snug effects that have been heralded since mid-summer. Women have grown accustomed to them, and though they murmured at the extravagance in material, felt that a certain style was imparted to a gown by the extra number of yards which was fashioned into sleeves.

For this reason a modified arrangement in this part of the gown will be preferred by many to the extreme close style. This medium sleeve, which is shown by the sketch and for which a cut paper pattern is furnished, is the one which has been especially selected from French designers to meet the needs of those who have a new gown in mind, or the remodeling of an old one.

It has but one seam which is under the arm. The upper part is disposed in folds that droop from the shoulder, and the lower part below the elbow follows closely the outline of the arm. The shape and style of the sleeve will be found equally effective for velvet, silk or woollen materials.

A side view of the latest design for a dress skirt is shown by the sketch on this page. It gives the plain effect at the waist, both in front and at the sides, with the requisite fulness at the back; which gradually sweeps into flaring folds at the foot of the skirt. It should be faced here to a depth of ten inches with French haircloth, or one of the soft American finish which has been previously shrunk.

If over this haircloth facing a taffeta silk facing of the same depth is placed, it will give the silken rustle to the skirt which is so desirable, even if the main part of the skirt is lined with percaline.

The bodice coat that is shown by the sketch is of fashionable tailor cut, combining the vest, which provides for a variety in material and color, without detracting from the simplicity of the style.

The wide straps of the dress material decorated with rich fancy buckles, and the handsome buttons on the vest, provide sufficient decoration to give relief to the severity of the cut, while the flare at the sides and back of the bodice skirt gives that touch of style to the costume which a closer effect would lack.

The combination of this latest French design in bodice, sleeve and skirt is shown on the finished green street dress at the top of this page. The gown is a special design from one of the leading costumers in Paris, with whom arrangements have been made to furnish a series of designs in color for costumes and gowns, with cut paper patterns of the same.

Shown at Left - Top: Child’s Winter Dress and Misses Street Dress.

Bottom row: Misses House Dress and Child’s Street Dress

Women who do more or less of their own housework should have a neat and becoming

gown, however simple, for the purpose. Calico is so cheap that one can afford

plenty of it to make a waist and skirt of tidy fulness, yet one almost invariably

economizes on material when purchasing prints, and gets but ten or twelve yards,

when if one is above the medium size and height, fourteen or sixteen, should be

the smallest number of yards purchased.

Do not seek too diligently for the color that “does not show the dirt,” because

if the dirt is there it is untidy. If you are replenishing your stock of prints

this fall, get a foulard finished calico of red, with polka dots of white. This

will always look bright and pretty, and needs no starch when laundered.

It should be made in one piece, or sewed together at the waist. Some women

button the skirt on to the waist with four buttons and buttonholes, and this does

very well, but there is a feeling of satisfaction in knowing that the waist and

skirt are sewed together beyond all possibility of separation.

The skirt may be brought around past the middle of the front and fastened at the

side, or, it may be fastened front with the front placket hole hooked together,

and as one usually wears an apron with this dress, it does not much matter where

it is closed.

Corsets, in these days of physical culture, should be laid aside for the morning

tasks, so that the muscles of the waist can have full play. So a loose waist is

better than a fitted one, as the latter loses shape so decidedly after it is

laundered. Gathered into a fitted yoke with a very full ruffle over the

shoulders, a turn-down collar and a white silk necktie under it, the skirt gored

to the knees and ruffled from there to the feet, it makes altogether a pretty

little gown, and an attractive bit of color behind the coffee-pot at the

breakfast table.

A blue gown with big white dots is quite effective, or a blue and white striped

print or penang, with solid blue collar and cuffs. This last is prettily

developed in a Norfolk waist, belted with blue. If the waist comes down over the

skirt, fasten with buttons and button-holes to the inside belt.

Wrappers, with the exception of bed and bath gowns, should be abolished as

slovenly in the extreme. There is just as much comfort in a tea jacket and much

more beauty.

A rich dark red one is made of Henrietta cloth with large soft sleeves and loose

body. Its yoke, collar, sleeve bottom, below the puff, and skirt, are all

trimmed with narrow black satin ribbon, and an old black chantilly flounce is

ruffled full around the bottom of the yoke and over the shoulders. In moments of

relaxation, the belt can be taken off, but kept near at hand, to be donned again

at a minute's notice.

Another jacket is half fitting, and made of black Henrietta, trimmed with

gold-colored ribbon. The bag front is made of black net, from an old gown,

draped over a half yard of gold colored silk. The sleeves are in double puffs

and separated with bands of ribbon.

For warmer days, they are made of figured challie, china silk, and from skirts of

lightweight summer material, that may be frayed or worn around the bottom. With

dainty furnishings of lace and ribbon, they are charming.

In these days of aesthetic tastes great care is spent upon the table. Its

napery, its dishes, its glassware are all the daintiest and finest the taste and

finances of the owner dictate and afford. In summing up the dainty appointments

of the table I neglected one of the most important factors of the table of today

- its flowers. These are considered almost as essential as its other

appointments; even our everyday tables are more attractive with the addition of

flowers, though they may be few in number.

At a dinner given by a wealthy woman, the chief adornment of the table was a cut

glass bowl filled with growing ferns. Not all may be able to afford the real cut

glass, that scintillates from every facet like a clear cut diamond, but ferns are

inexpensive, and a pot of them neatly adorned might grace the table of anyone in

very moderate circumstances. One little woman whom I know grows her flowers in

tin cans. These are unsightly, no one can deny, but her ingenuity and aesthetic

taste for flowers enable her to manage these inartistic cans artistically. Not

long ago I dined with her, and the centerpiece of her small table was a fine

plant of Abutilon rosaeflora. It was beautiful; its tender pink bells, drooping

from every possible branch, gave an added grace to the daintily served meal. Her

linen was white, so that every piece of china showed off to its best advantage.

The abutilon was placed simply upon a fringed napkin. The unsightly can was

covered by a square of white tissue paper. The can is placed upon the center of

a fringed square of the paper; the corners are then brought to the top of the

can. A pink ribbon of the exact shade of the flowers ties it in place. And a

flower piece, dainty, inexpensive, and durable has milady, the hostess.

The cut glass dish that held the growing ferns mentioned above was lined with tin

foil. This protected the glass from the soil and it also gave it a brilliancy

that would have been marred had the earth been visible through its clear

transparency. Even this decoration is not as expensive as some, for most table

flowers are evanescent in their beauty. But the ferns growing would adorn for

almost any period of time, and lose naught of their beauty. Indeed, this would

increase with their growth. The sylvan appearance of this decoration might be

increased by placing the glass bowl upon a mirror and placing ferny moss around

its edge. If desirable a bit of maiden's hair fern may be made into boutonnieres

with any dainty little flower that is convenient, and placed at each plate.

A Narcissus Dinner table is adorned with Paper White and Grand Soleil D'Or

Narcissus. The Paper White is a pure white flower growing in beautiful waxen

clusters. Grand Soleil D'Or is a golden yellow with a cup of deeper gold. These

two combine in fairest harmony.

Let the table linen be white with yellow border, the napkins to match, or if

plain white napery is preferred, the doilies could have a dainty embroidery in

wash silks, white, olive and golden yellow. Buttercups would be an excellent

design. These could be powdered over the small doilies.

Have three ribbons matching the yellow narcissus in color start from one corner

of the table. Let them cross the table diagonally in fan-shape and terminate in

handsome bows. For a centerpiece have a piece of china silk laid in loose folds

across the table; fern leaves may be scattered loosely and carelessly over it,

yet in such a manner as to hold the folds of silk in their position. In the

center place a low square glass dish; fill this with either growing narcissus or

those cut and arranged as naturally as possible. They could easily be arranged

as though growing by lining the dish with tin foil and filling with soil or moss,

and setting the blooming bulbs therein. A single cluster of Narcissus biflorus

with a tiny bow tied with white baby ribbon may be placed at each plate. The

biflorus Narcissus grows in couplets, just a pair of flowers on a stem; the

flowers are white with a golden cup. The combination is in perfect harmony with

the other decorations. The lamp shades may combine the two colors white and

yellow, or be a solid color. If one can have it, china with yellow borders would

be very pretty; but lacking this, use that of pure white. White china is always

dainty and in good taste.

Another pretty narcissus decoration which may figure for a five o'clock tea is

made of the Narcissus poeticus. This is one of the handsomest of the family.

Flowers are pure white with a crimson cup, which makes their beauty very

striking.

Let the table or tables be arranged with white napery, with embroidery to match

the hue of the center of flowers. In lacking this, pure white will not be

inharmonious. Let the floral decoration be simply a goodly bunch of the

narcissues arranged loosely in a vase of cut glass and silver. China to

harmonize adds greatly to the general effect.

A lunch is now frequently given upon a bare table. In this case the table must

be a handsome one and highly polished. Supposing it is of polished walnut and

the dishes of a rich brown color. Plenty of glass and silver harmonize very

prettily with a bare table. In some cases a handsome centerpiece nearly covers

the table; in other cases only about the usual sized centerpiece is used.

A very rich decoration is made with a centerpiece of rich red China silk laid in

folds, upon which are placed with careless care a number of single dahlias. A

tall siver epergne occupies the center and is filled with dahlias in rich browns

and reds to harmonize with the table and central piece. This decoration may be

varied to suit the season and convenience of the hostess.

Yellow makes a very striking decoration for a bare lunch table if the table is of

polished walnut. A handsome centerpiece of yellow-brown silk with ferns

scattered upon it, a low cut glass bowl filled with Pearl roses, makes a very

unique and rich-looking table.

It is more difficult to set a bare table effectively, as so few chinas harmonize

therewith. A polished oak table is nearly covered with a handsome centerpiece of

silk in harmonizing hue. Bronze dishes are used, and a floral piece of

yellow-brown chrysanthemums occupies the center of the table. Smilax is trailed

over the edges of the cut glass bowl and trails its green length riotously over

the table. In many cases the lunch harmonizes in main point of color with the

table decorations. Pink forms a lovely combination with white, and pink flowers

are almost always obtainable in the inexpensive kinds. White napery is chosen

for the cloth, this of the finest and handsomest available. A handsome

centerpiece of linen with elegant drawn work border is used. Napkins and cloth

are embroidered with monogram or initials. The doilies have a carnation pink

design powdered over them; carnations are chosen for the floral decorations.

These are used only in the tenderest, clearest pink and pure white. A very

pyramid mound is arranged in the center; smilax is used for a set-off. A single

white carnation with bit of smilax is placed by each lady's plate, while a pink

one arranged similarly is by each gentleman's.

There are endless varieties of decorations if one has a long purse; the variety

and beauty of the table adornments can hardly be told. A house conservatory,

too, affords ample means for charming table decorations, while even the woman

with a few pot plants, if they are thrifty, need not be without an artistically

adorned board. These little graces add so much to life; a flower, a pretty dish,

a bright face and pleasant word may make the whole day bright. It is worth

trying, for I believe children brought up in a well ordered home, seated at a

daintily-appointed table are easier taught good manners if all the appointments

are dainty; the clean linen, bright silver, shining glass and smooth dishes, with

a bit of flower for the center. I think her wee majesty or the baby king soon

become used to dainty things and learn a pride in them themselves. Accidents may

happen with little folks at the table. Philip may get a drop of fruit juice upon

the cloth, or Baby may upset her milk. They will not mean to do it, and will

soon learn manners in accordance with their surroundings. If children are given

oil cloth bibs, trays, etc., they soon learn that they are not expected to be

neat and dainty, and they will fulfill the expectations of their elders by

spilling milk, dribbling their berry juice, dipping their fingers in their food

and decorating their faces, etc. Let them know that they are expected, not to be

little gentlemen and ladies, but sweet-mannered little children, and they will

respond to gentle measures. When an accident does occur, but be sure it is an

accident, do not scold, but pass it off as cheerfully and with the same gentle

tact you would use had it been a loved guest who had committed the error.

Free antique crochet pattern for sailor collar and cuffs from 1892.

To make the wheel: Make 12 chain. Join.
First Round One chain, 24 singles under the ring.
Second Round Seven chain, skip 1 stitch, 1 double into the next * 4 chain, skip 1 stitch, 1 double into the next. Repeat from * 9 times, 4 chain, slip stitch into third of 7 chain.

Third Round One chain, 1 single into first 2 stitches of 4 chain, 3 chain, 1 single into next 2 stitches, * 1 single into first 2 stitches of next 4 chain, 3 chain, 3 singles into next 2 stitches. Repeat from * 10 times. Join with slip stitch to first single.

In joining the wheels, join center stitches of 3 points on 1 wheel to center stitches of 3 points on next wheel with single, making the back of the collar 9 wheels in width and 6 in depth, and the straps over the shoulder 3 wheels in width and 5 in length.

For the edge around the neck: One single in first point on first wheel, * 3 chain, 1 single in next point, 3 chain, 1 single in next point, 7 chain, 1 single in first point on next wheel. Repeat from * all round the neck, excepting between fifth, sixth, eighth and ninth wheels at corners, make only 3 chain.

2nd Row One single into each stitch of first row.

Make cuffs to match, 8 wheels in width and five in depth, making an edge on the bottom the same as round the neck of the collar.

Antique Ad (left): Ladies Work Box 1892

Made of wood with fine silk plush, and lined with fine sateen in contrasting colors. It is ornamented by a handsome nickel clasp. It is 7 1/4 inches long, 5 1/4 inches wide, and 3 1/4 inches high. The box is furnished with a silver-plated thimble, a pair of scissors, one crochet needle, one bodkin, and one tape needle, all of ivory, and is of sufficient size to contain all that is necessary for a lady’s sewing or fancy work. It is a beautiful ornament, as well as a very useful article, and it is a dainty receptacle for sewing implements, quite worthy a place in the most charming boudoir.
 

Reported as the latest styles and designs for silver tableware in December 1892.

Shown in this antique ad: Handsome silverware in the latest styles and designs, coin silver plated. Five Bottle Revolving Dinner Caster: Height 15 inches. Engraved rim; handsomely ornamented handle. Handsome bottles with silver-plated caps. Pickle Caster: Height 11 inches. Width at base 4 1/2 inches. Glass bowl with plated cover, finished in polished silver. Base handsomely engraved and finished in polished silver. Sugar Bowl: Height 10 inches. Width at base 6 inches. Glass bowl with silver-plated cover, elegantly engraved and finished in satin and polished silver. Handle and feet ornamented. Base in satin and polished silver finish. Butter Dish: Height 7 1/2 inches. Width 6 1/4 inches. Base in polished silver. Cover satin finished with engraved rim and ornamented top. Cake Basket:  Height 11 inches, including handle. Width 9 inches. Handsome stand in polishedand satin finished silver. Bowl in polished silver, elegantly engraved. Berry or Fruit Dish: Height 8 inches. Width of bowl 7 inches. Elegant stand in polished and satin finished silver handsomely ornamented. Glass bowl.