Feeling clueless about what to get that special somebody for Valentine’s this year? Well sit back and let us here at Renegade play Dr. Love as we diagnose exactly what you can get your other half no matter what relationship stage you find yourself in, from “you give me butterflies in my stomach, darling” to “you left the toilet seat up again, jerk”.

T h e   N e w   L o v e

The feelings still fresh with you and that Special Someone and your selection of Valentine’s gift is gonna be pretty crucial. You want them to know you’re smitten, but not get all crazyclingy and send them running for the hills. The old reliable mix cd is good (“I picked out all the songs that remind me of yooooou”), but kick it up a notch with this sweet felt pouch (with blank CD included!) from Amber Brown Makes Art. The “Something Wild” card from Little Otsu says everything you’re feeling, without being too stalkerish. And a Cakespy mini-painting says “I’m worldly, I like art.”

H o t   S t u f f

Its all about the hook-up with you and your Hot Stuff. Maybe you’re ready to take it to the next level, or maybe you’re perfectly happy just knockin’ boots. Either way, if you’re gonna make that Booty Call on Sunday night, you should probably show up with a little something for the holiday. Bark’s Decor’s Humping Bunnies card epitomizes that whole “picture is worth a thousand words” saying. And a felt Bring It valentine from Parts and Labor is totally perfect for channeling your trash-talking, butt-kicking inner cheerleader self. And then, just in case those bunnies didn’t get the point across clearly enough, this little embroidered pin from Michelle Kafko will definitely let your “special friend” know exactly what you’re looking for.

T h e   R o m a n t i c

So you’re dating Mr./Ms. Romantic-Comedy, huh? They love long walks on the beach and lots of cuddling in front of roaring fires. A Punkin Card Company’s flowery Will You Be My Valentine card is sure to capture their heart. And a Victorian Heart Necklace from Ragtrader will no doubt have them swooning (and you running for the smelling salts). And if that weren’t enough to seal the deal, this Love Birds Print from Art School Girl, which is both a postcard and a frameable letterpress print, will secure you a place in their very sentimental  heart for years to come.

S o u l   M a t e

So you were made for each other. You found your missing piece, your other half, the long lost someone who makes your previously meaningless life complete… Yeah, yeah, now that the rest of us are done throwing up from your romantic perfection, here’s what you can get your one and only. The Me + You Robot card from Little Korboose illustrates that thing where couples who’ve been together forever start to look like each other (I mean look at those robots– they’re like clones of each other!!). Though you’ve already given it figuratively, you can literally give a heart with this Folksy Heart Pin from Timber!. And to celebrate another couple who’s star-crossed love is one for the ages, abbeychristine’s little Friday and Diego finger puppets will maybe even inspire your love to paint a portrait or two of you.

So, whatever your relationship status or Valentine’s, we here at Renegade have got you covered!

Essimar Papel is a one person team made up of Esther Ramirez working out of her studio in Chicago. With an eye for detail, Esther believes that every single paper edition she makes strengthens her design and hand technique. Her work consists of print-making, sculpture, hand cutting, collage, illustration and drafting, as well as documenting each of these processes on her blog, essimar.blogspot.com. Esther’s work is in the collection of private institutions and carried at boutiques worldwide.

During her workshop at Renegade Handmade, Esther will be demonstrating how to make hand cut cards, papel picado and a paper heart table runner.