Journal

Perhaps it is instinctual, but this time of year always makes me want to preserve things. There is a pressing need to gather everything in from the garden, pick the pears and apples, press flowers, and soak in the last days of fleeting light and warmth. 

In so many ways I am grateful for the conveniences of a modern life, and yet I fear losing knowledge and skill as years pass by without practice. So here I am on a personal crusade to use as many of our pears as possible this year, and inviting friends near and far to join me. 

Here at Heirloom Art Co. we are constantly talking through what gives an object permanence. While the word "heirloom" is part of our name, what does that actually mean to us? While the idea of an heirloom is something already old and already in the family for generations, we also want you to consider what you want want to add to that legacy of thoughtful things. 

For us, we try to make sure that the items we bring into our shop, and introduce to you and your homes, always fit these three categories:

Truly creative endeavors are rife with human goodness and a touch of magic. From experience, we have learned that if the artisan has a depth of knowledge, innate goodwill, and real creative light within them, somehow a bit of that can be infused into the object created.

One of the things we love about the digital world is the access that it gives us to a wealth of beauty, resources, and extraordinary people. One of my favorite creators to follow from the last few years is The Dogwood Dyer . We are beyond excited to be collaborating with Liz to share more about her form of art, her eye for natural beauty, and a shared passion for educating more people in the craft of natural dyes. 

My mother taught me the importance of a great greeting card at a young age. She kept a drawer in her desk filled with “Happy Birthday” and “Congratulations” cards neatly stacked to the top. These cards were bright and beautiful, spilling out of the drawer and into the hands of our close friends and loved ones. I remember shuffling through the cards one day in my teenage years, wondering why she never bought cards with an inscription on the inside.

After the card, comes the message. Over the years of writing many cards of my own, I like to think I have created a foolproof algorithm for a great card. I have narrowed down the secret to greeting card success to three P’s.

 written by Regan Roberts for Heirloom Art Co.

The most memorable givers in my life have been masters of curation. Just like a remarkable chef, it's the combination of ingredients, along with the quality of each part, that brings together a delicious dish. A bouquet of flowers acts in the same way. One type of flower at its best can make a stunning arrangement alone, but a thoughtful combination of different blooms is worth turning into a dutch painting. The same goes with gifts. 

Remember, quality has more to do with how something is made, where it comes from, how it represents its true self, and less to do with cost. We have all had a waxy or grainy tomato kept for weeks in the fridge. It bears no resemblance to the big juicy heirloom version grown in the garden, sliced, and enjoyed still warm from the sun. Identifying a few quality ingredients is key to a good gift.