Personalized keepsakes from indie jewelrymakers and artisans

There are classic gift ideas; jewelry, a box of sweets, flowers or maybe a sexy lil' number. The challenge (for me anyway) is how to make these classics spin into something deeply personal, something that really hits the right chord. Ahh, such is the dance we call "love", right?

The idea of purchasing items as potential family heirlooms or keepsakes is new to me, but I'm warming up to it. It's nice to think of one or two items traveling through the family generations. Last year, I got my wife a engraved pendant necklace (*above center) that is a simple chain with small handcrafted gold bars inscribed with each of our sons' names and on the other side of each is a word like "cherish" or "adore." She treasures it.

I don't usually venture into the jewelry department when shopping for my wife. I literally took her jewelry box and put it next to the computer screen and shuffled through it while looking for the perfect item. I understand there are plenty of husbands out there that are in complete synch with their wife's taste in things, I am not that guy, I guess I just got lucky.

I ordered the necklace from the San Fransisco based boutique, Penelope Poet. They carry a beautiful array personal pieces handcrafted by indie jewelrymakers and artisans throughout the country. Pictured above [left lto right] is the classic 14k gold Embossed Oval Locket, the Nashelle Cherished Engraved Bars Necklace (* the one I got my wife), the Gold Love Knot Earrings, and . Pieces from Penelope Poet have been seen on Madonna and featured in Oprah magazine, Life & Style Weekly, and others.

 What better way to celebrate St. Valentine's Day, than by supporting moms and wives who craft beautiful handcrafted pieces.