Flower Girls Gifts is the brainchild of the mother and daughter team of Annamarie and Brigid McAlpin.  We have been serving the Chicagoland area since 1982, designing and creating a number of different products over the years such as hair accessories, hats and jackets.

Since 1995 we have been designing and creating an eclectic collection of jewelry and in 2005 expanded our love of all things floral to include the products listed below.

Feel free to contact us at flowergirlsgifts@comcast.net with any questions.

The art of making French beaded flowers has been practiced for centuries and examples from the Victorian era can still be found in antique stores, which attests to their durability.  The handmade flowers are both realistic and fanciful, combining wire and vintage or new glass using this age-old technique.  They are available arranged in vintage vases or as single stems.  Retail prices range from $6.00 to $30.00.

Our Windy City Jewelry brand features vintage glass bead and crystal jewelry from 1920-1960 which we have transformed into unique designs which are wearable today.  Most pieces are one-of-a-kind or of limited quantity.  The vintage materials are accented with new sterling silver  findings and Swarovski crystals.  Vintage costume jewelry pieces such as brooches and earrings may also be incorporated into the designs.

The jewelry is formed using a combination of wire-wrapping and stringing, which gives it a delicate look but is very sturdy.  Each piece is individually handmade with the greatest attention to detail and the highest quality materials at very reasonable prices.  Retail prices range from $12.00 to $120.00.

The Precious Metal Clay (PMC) jewelry components are completely handmade.  Molds are made using vintage picture buttons, real leaves or unique designs created free-hand and the components are fired and hand-finished.  The resulting components are 99.9% fine pure silver, as opposed to sterling silver which is 92.5% pure. Because fine pure silver is not an alloy, it does not tarnish as readily as sterling silver.

The collection includes necklaces, bracelets and drop earrings with a floral and/or leaf motif.  Some of the pieces have embedded cubic zirconia stones.  Retail prices range from $22.00 to $150.00.

The handmade refillable pens are covered with polymer clay using a variety of techniques: millefiori (thousand flowers, named for the ancient Italian glass-making technique), Mokume Gane (a Japanese term meaning "wood grained metal") or other techniques giving the look of jade, turquoise, ivory, amber, granite or fabric.  Once the pens are covered they are sanded, twice-dipped in polyurethane, rubbed with steel wool and baked for extra durability and a smooth-as-satin finish.  Retail prices range from $6.00 to $18.00 each.

Also available are handmade pen cradles expertly crafted of solid cherry, hickory, mahogany, oak, pine, white maple or a variety of exotic woods such as African mahogany, Brazilian cherry, teak and purple heart.  Retail prices are $6.00 or $8.00.

The breathtaking dichroic glass pendants are mini works of art.  Several layers of dichroic and art glass are used to create each piece, which are then kiln fired numerous times to create unique effects you will not find anywhere else.  When etching is used, it is worked into the glass and will not rub off.  The gold accents are 24kt gold.  Retail prices range from $28.00 to $42.00.

The bottle stoppers are beautiful functional art pieces.  They fit in any standard wine, liquor, cordial or fine liqueur bottle.  They are the perfect accompaniment to add elegance to your bar while displaying your fine selections, or use them for serving and make an impact at your next party.  The stoppers can also be used with olive oil or perfume bottles.  Also included are half-circle shape wood display stands.  Retail pricing is $40.00.

The stained glass jewelry or treasure boxes are so charming!  They are embellished with filigree components, Swarovski crystals and glass beads.  All of the components are soldered in place to help keep them secure.  Inside, there is a satin pillow with a crystal bead "handle" so two layers of treasures may be stored inside.  The boxes come in three sizes - Small for $25.00, Medium for $40.00 or Large for $60.00.

The handmade felt floral brooches are created with the greatest attention to detail.  Each brooch is unique, the exact same design is never created twice.  The brooches feature large layered stylized flowers and eclectic floral groupings embellished with feathers, vintage earrings and charms or velvet flowers.  These brooches add one-of-a-kind charm to a jean jacket, coat or hat! Retail prices range from $12.00 to $24.00.

These adorable brooches are made from recycled sweaters - the wool and angora sweater knit is felted and shaped into the rose design as shown above or the sunflower design as shown below.  The centers of the flowers are either felted wool or stretch velvet.  Colors are available for every season!  Retail pricing is $24.00.

The embellished pincushions are actually real sawdust-stuffed pincushions covered with barkcloth or jacquard fabric and topped with layers of felt, wired ribbon, vintage earrings, glass beads, buttons and feathers and given their theme with a vintage porcelain figurine.  They make a great gift for that special seamstress!  Even if you do not sew, the pincushions are a darling accent for a guest room.  Retail pricing is $30.00 for Small, $40.00 for Large.

The felted wool pincushions look just like cupcakes and come in a variety of colors.  Some of the pincushions have interesting patterned "wrappers" like plaids or checks.  Retail pricing is $18.00.

Brigid McAlpin

Home: 847.253.3986

E-Mail: flowergirlsgifts@comcast.net

Annamarie McAlpin

Home: 847.559.8448

E-Mail: ahm.1944@yahoo.com