Christmas Angels

Christmas is all about celebrating the birth of Christ, which can easily get lost during the commercialism of the holiday. But we found an amazing Pair of 18th Century Italian Putti that put us back into the reverential frame of mind. We like to take the pulse of the antique and collectible furniture market with industry spokesman George Evans, the entrepreneur behind Bond & Bowery, a great online resource for antiques and fine art. When we asked him what he had that would be appropriate for the holidays, he showed us this pair of beautiful angelic figures (putti = angels or cupids, little guys with wings), made in the country that gave birth to the  crèche  or nativity scene.

Design2Share: Why did this pair of putti catch your attention, George?

George: I dare you to find a fine pair of 18th century Italian figures of putti in the Neapolitan style of crèche figures! These lovely sculptures were probably part of a larger grouping, possibly used in a church of the period (around the 1720s).

D2S: Are these figures collectible?

George: The quality of the carving and painting is rare to find, and the fact that they're in untouched condition makes the pair quite collectible. It’s also hard to find a pair carved by the same hand. It's amazing that these two figures have been together for a long time, and we're glad they'll be staying together.

D2S: Where would you put this pair of angelic figures in the home?

George: These would work in many interiors. They can be a solo Boroque influence in a modern interior, or would complete a rustic Tuscan-influenced interior. Put the pair on the wall of a baby's room or nursery -- your child's guardian angels. They would also carry extra importance during the holidays; pair them with a large evergreen wreath and mirror over the fireplace, entry hall wall, or other place of prominence.

These figures come to us from the Bond and Bowery dealer Verdigris of Alexandria, VA. Religious-inspired art of the 19th century and earlier are often finer examples of quality craftsmanship. Artists were inspired by their religious beliefs and this spirit elevated their standards, bringing them closer to God when they executed their artistic abilities to the fullest. This pair of putti were hand carved and painted by an unknown Italian craftsman, and the artist's religious fervor is very evident. Their handmade beauty and the use of dazzling gold leaf make the pair a wonder to behold.

Make Your Own Gifts and Home Goods for the Holidays

You're always going into stores and pointing to things and saying, "I could make that myself." But do you ever get around to doing it? Nope. Make the New Year different by tackling a home goods craft project from Kata Golda's Hand-Stitched Felt, a new book filled with easy and practical sewing projects.

We liked the practical step-by-step advice from Ms. Golda, a self-taught crafter. She loves the marks made with hand stitches and as she started out making soft toys out of wool felt for her child, she began to add new crafts to her bag of tricks. Her book features 25 "whimsical" projects and you'll need no more than a needle, pen, scissors, felt, and threat. You'll be torn as to what to make first of the toys, decor, and practical home items she walks you through (and sometimes even provides cut-out templates to help make your end results foolproof). These home goods projects caught our eye.

• Holds Everything Bucket, a floppy felt bucket that's a great storage solution and can be used for toys, crafting supplies, magazines, or even as a "gift basket" filled with thoughtfully selected items.
• Gift Wrap Tag, a lovely way to perk up any wrapped present and use leftover felt scraps.
• Terra-Cotta Pot Cozy, a colorful and artistic wrap to decorate houseplants with a bonus -- in cooler months, the cozy will keep the roots warmer and wool's moisture-wicking properties will prevent water from evaporating through the terra-cotta.

• Songbird Mug Cozy and Coaster, a decorative way to keep your drink warm and keep your furniture protected when you set your drink down.
• Textured Pillows, lovely, soft wool felt pillows for any room of the house, with playful shapes and animals complementing one another. If you're looking at one way to perk up your interiors in the New Year, try making a variety of these perky pillows.
• And many other great projects, including a Picture Perfect Bunny Patch, a Photo Pocket, Baby's Giraffe Quilt, a Patchwork Curtain, and a Patchwork Potholder.