We are almost in February. Valentine’s Day is only a couple of weeks away.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Like most people, you will take your loved one out for a good meal, buy flowers, and eat chocolates. But, if you want to get a little crazy and your loved one isn’t interested in snowboards, skateboards, or surfboards or has all the outdoor gear they are happy with right now, what? So, I put together a list of people and places specializing in art and design worthy of mention.

As a kid, my godfather owned and ran an Art Gallery, and I spent much of my childhood at his house with my parents having dinner and sitting in the gardens. I also finished my middle school years working as his assistant when he organized an annual art show, and I had no idea how lucky I was! My father once surprised me with a painting I admired at that show.

One of A kind presents:

1. Mason’s Creations

Mason Parker handcraft’s most beautiful stained glass chandeliers, including these amazing Octopus ones.

2. Little Bird Art by Alex

Alex creates the most adorable must-have Little Bird Art, from pink flamingos to owls, seagulls, and robins. She captures the attitude and the soul of each creature magnificently.

3. DeRosa Jewelers

I first met Carl when I brought him some jewelry I never wear. Carl, who is from Portugal, is a 5th-generation jeweler. He designs custom pieces using CAD (computer-automated design) and then brings each piece to life, identical to his CAD vision. Carl does everything from the same day while you wait for a jewelry cleaning, in-house jewelry, and watch repairs to custom handcrafted creations. He’s also one of the most interesting people you will ever meet and is a fantastic storyteller.

UPDATE: Carl passed away in early 2021.

4. Design Jewelers

While Mamadou doesn’t design or create his pieces, he has an eye for beautiful jewelry and offers in-house repair and cleaning. He is also an interesting man from Senegal, West Africa. And he is earnest about helping people find the right piece for the right occasion or repairing pieces that need a little love.

5. The Malpass Sisters

Sam Malpass and Charly Malpass create some of the most extraordinary contemporary paintings (and prints) worth checking out if you haven’t heard of them.

And now I’m off to enjoy a lovely traditional Valentine’s Day pizza and a movie with my beau while he’s parrot, terrier, and housesitting for friends an hour from our home. How are you spending your Valentine’s Day? Do you exchange gifts with your significant other? Drop me a line in the comments, and let me know!