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May 2022

Heavenly Hollyhocks in the Desert Southwest

 

 

Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea) have always been a flower dear to my heart.  Can't explain why besides they have such a beautifully majestic look to them (at least to me) as they sway in the wind.  According to information I've read, they are biennials, taking two years to bloom (although you can't always believe what's written since these seeded last summer and are blooming now).  Hollyhocks are originally from Asia, grown in ancient China by wealthy people.  They spread to the Middle East through trade routes and then were carried to western Europe by returning Crusaders from the Holy Land.  The Latin name of the hollyhock plant, Alcea, is derived from altho the Greek word for healerIn Greek Mythology, Althea is a beautiful goddess of healing and compassion, family, marriage and protection.  The flowers were used as a diuretic, a laxative, an emollient and in anti-inflammatory treatments. Rosea is Latin for for rose, rosy or pink.  The common name, hollyhock, is a combination of two words — holy and hock. Holy refers to the healing powers of the plant and that it was brought to Europe from the Holy Land.  Hock is an Old English word which means mallow.  Hollyhocks made their way to the United States in colonial times in seed packets carried by immigrants.  They symbolize the circle of life and abundance and were traditionally planted near the front door to welcome prosperity.

 

 

 

Friday Twitter Tree - Artisan Handmade - May 27, 2022

 

 

WELCOME to the TWITTER TREE!

 

 

The Twitter Tree© is hosted by a different shop M-W-F:

 

Monday: http://christiecottage.blogspot.com

Wednesday: http://elunajewelry-nc.blogspot.com

Friday: https://www.shadowdogdesigns.com/blog

 

 

Instructions:

Only 2 Items per person

Each tweet must contain the hashtag #SDFTT

2 other Hashtags may be used.

Please include a brief description of your item in the tweet.

Keep your Tweet under 280 Characters (including spaces).

No Mature Items

Tweet Everyone’s Listings. (It's not fair to others if you do not fully participate.)

Limit of three (3) hashtags including #SDFTT.

 

Happy sales!

 

Here are my two for today:

 

Friday Twitter Tree - Artisan Handmade - May 20, 2022

 

 

WELCOME to the TWITTER TREE!

 

 

The Twitter Tree© is hosted by a different shop M-W-F:

 

Monday: http://christiecottage.blogspot.com

Wednesday: http://elunajewelry-nc.blogspot.com

Friday: https://www.shadowdogdesigns.com/blog

 

 

Instructions:

Only 2 Items per person

Each tweet must contain the hashtag #SDFTT

2 other Hashtags may be used.

Please include a brief description of your item in the tweet.

Keep your Tweet under 280 Characters (including spaces).

No Mature Items

Tweet Everyone’s Listings. (It's not fair to others if you do not fully participate.)

Limit of three (3) hashtags including #SDFTT.

 

Happy sales!

 

Here are my two for today:

 

Unique Handmade Necklaces and Earrings by Shadow Dog Designs - Jewelry

 

 

"Jewelry is a very personal thing . . . it should tell a story about the person who’s wearing it" 

Garance Daré

 

 

I love the quote above by Garance Daré since it is so true.  Jewelry IS a very personal thing.  It can range from very traditional jewelry to jewelry that is uniquely boho; from mass produced to individually handmade pieces.  I LOVE making unique jewelry!  Necklaces and earrings, as you can see in this post, that definitely lean to the fun, boho side and are mostly one of a kind (with the excepton of a few pairs of Christmas earrings).  Featured here are ten pieces of the newest jewelry in my SHADOW DOG DESIGNS, six pairs of earrings and four pendant necklaces.  If something catches your eye and you want more information and more photos, be sure to click the photo or short description to be taken to the item in my shop.  Enjoy!

 

 

 

Monday Twitter Tree - Artisan Handmade - May 16, 2022

 

 

Please share your tweets and links on the host blog:  CHRISTIE COTTAGE

 

 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

I'll Stop Wearing Black When - A Short History of the Non-Color Black

 

 

I’ll stop wearing black when they invent a darker color - Wednesday Addams

 

 

Writing about the history of black is probably a bit strange here in the middle of spring with flowers blooming up a storm in all sorts of beautifully varied and cheerful colors.  But just like Wednesday Addams of the Addams Family fame, black has always been a color (or non-color as it turns out) that I enjoy wearing.  Black has a very long and rich history, something I found most fascinating.  I kept reading and reading and reading some more:  interesting information and tidbits about black, both the elegant side and the more “evil” connotations.  So, I decided to share some of the information.  And also highlight unique handmade items from artist friends that feature black prominently in the design.  Other photos of interest about black are also scattered in.  All photos are linked.