I remember when I learned how to make the perfect heart shape—how magical it felt, discovering that scissors and symmetry could turn construction paper into a symbol of love.
Classic handmade valentines conjure images of kindergarten and elementary school: funny little messages and cubbies stuffed with candy hearts. Of course, the history of Valentine’s Day cards goes back much further. The tradition of exchanging valentines is thought to have started in the United States and Europe in the 18th century, possibly originating with Saint Valentine himself in the third-century Roman Empire.
According to Britannica, some historians say that modern valentines arose from the German tradition of friendship cards, known as freundschaftskarten. Either way, in the mid-19th century, the custom gained popularity, especially in England, with people buying valentines designed by illustrators, or embellished with collages or engravings. In 1910, Hallmark began selling Valentine’s Day postcards, setting the stage for today’s store-bought love note landscape. And more than a century later, some people are embracing the practice of making valentines by hand, taking a DIY approach to creations that become a literal labor of love.
In celebration of Valentine’s Day and the crafting spirit, Vogue asked six of our favorite artists and creatives to share their interpretations of a classic valentine. Below, see what they came up with.
Nina Grüninger, artist and designer
The artist Nina Grüninger started making vintage ribbon cards in 2024—and they’ve since become a cult favorite among fashion and creative types in London, where Grüninger lives.
“I see valentines as the start of spring where you send a message to your loved ones, and this can be friends, family, as well as a partner,” she tells Vogue. “A card comes with a surprise and is different from a gift. It is something very personal, and I think that many people are once again feeling the need for something tangible that they can relate to. Evidently, I see there is a growing shift in wanting to return to the most original way of sending messages—letters and cards.”
Grüninger notes she was partly inspired by her graphic designer father, who has a tradition of making birthday cards for every member of the family. “We now have a collection of these, and it makes me all the happier to follow this tradition and bring joy to people with something I have made by hand, and has value to keep,” she continues. “It’s also a bit exciting to not know who ends up receiving my cards. Often I am contacted by their recipients, and I get drawn into stories—some quite fantastic and involving great scenes, places, happenings from all over the world.”
She adds, “Instead of disappearing into a drawer somewhere, the ribbon regains its function and becomes the ornament of my work. I like preserving things that have been almost forgotten.”
Ramisha Sattar, artist and creative director
Ramisha Sattar is a creative director and designer based between Los Angeles, New York, and Dallas, known for her work with Chappell Roan, as well as Phoebe Bridgers, Tavi Gevinson, and Chani Nicholas. Sattar—who recently launched On The Moodboard, a newsletter focused on visuals, crafts, materials, and colors—used cardstock paper, watercolor paint, and a gold glitter gel pen to craft her valentine.
“For my Valentine, I was inspired by old Victorian puzzle purses,” she explains. “It’s my favorite way to send a letter or a message! I love how you can slowly unveil it and tell a story throughout the art, in the way you can with a zine. I also love that you can store photos or other tiny trinkets inside.”
Bernie Kaminski, artist
New York City-based artist Bernie Kaminski began working with papier-mâché about 10 years ago, when his daughter brought home a papier-mâché sea horse she had made in grade school. Kaminski started doing projects with her, and quickly became “obsessed” with the art form. Over the years since, he has exhibited his work across New York—and along the way, built a loyal following of people who love his papier-mâché versions of everyday objects, from junk drawers to sandwiches.
“For Christmas, my wife Karen got me some striped tube socks I wear all the time. To show my appreciation, I’m making her a papier-mâché version for Valentine’s Day,” Kaminski tells Vogue.
Jacob and Margaret Harring, creative directors
We asked Sarah McNally of McNally Jackson Books to participate in our Valentine’s Day project, and she quickly recommended her friends and collaborators Jacob and Margaret Harring: the married couple who are the creative directors of McNally’s beloved independent bookstores, as well as Goods for the Study and McNally Editions. “Working with Jacob and Margaret is one of the great joys of my life,” McNally tells Vogue. “They can make anything beautiful.”
The couple decided to make valentines inspired by some of their favorite pastimes. “We both love hiking and camping together, so I wanted to create a sense of being surrounded by nature,” says Margaret. “With a tunnel book, I could build layers of depth. I didn’t start with everything precisely mapped out. I built the layers successively, adapting each layer to respond to the one before.”
Adds Jacob, “Looks like we both avoided typical drug-store valentine elements in an attempt to give them life after the holiday. I figured most cards celebrating an event are enjoyed for such a short while—on display during the appropriate season, then stored or thrown out. Making a bookmark seemed like a practical way to sustain the sentiment. Margaret could use it daily or dedicate it to a classic she returns to now and again. The flower design is based on Nigella, one of her favorite flowers.”
Julio Torres, writer, director, comedian
Writer, director, and comedian Julio Torres’ valentine is as genre-defying as Color Theories, his upcoming HBO special. He shared his vision with Vogue: “Why buy a Valentine’s Day card from some company that is probably owned by Amazon at this point when you can make a Little Love Hanging Bridge™ in 4.5 easy steps! Love is, after all, a bridge between two people (or at least for the purposes of this exercise).”
