Hot, Hot, Hot Dogs Days of Summer - Artisan Handmade

 

The dog days of summer are here and the temperatures have gotten hot, hot, hot.  It seems heat records have been shattered worldwide, especially in places that normally don’t get that hot.  Weird weather all over. Climate change is real, folks! 

 

So, just how did the term "Dog Days of Summer" come about?  Depending on latitude and longitude, the Dog Days usually start the beginning of July and end the beginning of September in the Northern Hemisphere and between early January to early March in the Southern Hemisphere.  Most people believe the phrase "dog days" developed by observing domestic dogs (such as our Seamus) laying around in shady areas during hot days. Another old myth, first attributed to Pliny the Elder, a Roman naturalist, stated in his Natural History that rabid dogs are supposed to be more common during this time of the year because the heat drives them mad.  He advised feeding dogs chicken manure to curb the tendency!!!

 

 

Orange and Yellow Chandelier Earrings with 2-Inch Long Dangles Handmade by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions

 

 

The term "Dog Days" (dies caniculares) was actually coined by the ancient Romans.  In days before modern light pollution and smog, the stars were extremely bright, the brightest star being Sirius in the constellation Canis Major (Big Dog).  Sirius was so bright that the Romans thought the Earth received additional year round heat from it. During the summer months, Canis Major rises and sets with the sun.  Because of this, the Romans believed the long stretch of hot, humid weather was made worse by the Dog Star radiating its extra heat with the sun. Plagues and other diseases abounded in Rome and many other places during hot weather where people lived and worked in close contact - not to mention the problems of sanitation! 

 

 

 

Multicolored Wood Bead and Chain Necklace Handmade by Connie of Thesingingbeader 

 

 

The Dog Days were also believed to be an evil time in other cultures.  The ancient Egyptians used Sirius (called "Sopdet" by them, named after a destructive but fertile goddess) as a "watchdog" for the start of the annual flooding of the Nile River.  A brown dog was sacrificed to try to appease the rage of Sirius at the beginning of the Dog Days - mostly Sopdet found the sacrifice inadequate.  The ancient Greeks were the ones who actually named the star Sirius after "seirios", meaning "scorching." When the Greeks plotted out the constellations, Sirius became the companion dog of the hunter Orion.  Alcaeus, a Greek lyric poet, advised his listeners to "steep your lungs in wine" before the arrival of the dog star since "women are at their foulest but men are weak since they are parched in head and knees." Many writers in Medieval Europe described the Dog Days as a time of heat, death, crop failure and famine.  As late as 1813, the Clavis Calendarium, published by John Brady, declared the Dog Days where "when the seas boiled, wine turned sour . . . dogs grew mad, and all creatures became languid causing man to burning fevers, hysterics and phrensies." And a saying developed in India during English Colonial days, "Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun . . . "

 

 

 

Mr and Mrs Quilled Spring / Summer Wedding Bride and Groom Card / Anniversary Card Handmade by Abhilasha of Paper Simplicity

 

 

The Dog Days of Summer . . . I am so glad to live in the time of modern air conditioning and good hygiene.  And am so happy to share a life with our Shadow Dog. Seamus does indeed get languid during the Dog Days of summer - he particularly loves to dig a hole in the ground and lie in it.  But he is definitely not prone to "phrensies" (unless the Wicked Cat Two Houses Down treks across our backyard or a skunk ends up in a trash can). Then I don’t blame him for “phrensis.”

 

Because most of us are experiencing hot, hot, hot weather (except for Abhilasha who lives in the Land Down Under), I thought it would be fun to pull together a blog of handmade items from artist friends in blazing hot colors.  I hope you enjoy these artisan picks . . . and, if something catches your eye and you want more information, please click on the photo or link to be taken to the item. 

 

 

 

Teardrop Shaped BumbleBee Jasper and Sterling Pendant Necklace on Black Leather Cord Handmade by Diane of DianesDangles

 

 

Crocheted Soft Yellow 4-ply Mohair Infant Cloche / Hat with Crocheted Flowers Handmade by Pamela of MagdaleneKnits

 

 

 

Nepalese Ornate Butterscotch Resin and Mother of Pearl Earrings Handmade by Kathy of KatsAllThat

 

 

 

You Pick Any 8' x 10" Florida Art Watercolor Print Handmade by Roxanne of watercolorsNmore

 

 

 

Orange Sunflower Polymer Clay Pendant Necklace, 16" Adjustable Length, Handmade by Sharon of BlondePeachJewelry

 

 

 

Copper Wire Wrapped Orange Glass Donut Pendant with Black Bead Handmade by Jacki of Christie Cottage

 

 

 

Shiny Light Red Lampwork Glass Beads with Fine Silver Handmade by Charlotte of Covergirlbeads

 

 

 

Yellow Floral Polymer Clay Pendant Necklace with Jonquil and Mint Swarovski Crystals Handmade by Pamela of MagdaleneJewels

 

 

 

Orange Glass Bead and Silver Cat Dangles Cat Lover Earrings Handmade by Linda of VictorianStyleTreasures

 

 

 

Colorful Mandala Earrings with Buddha Charms and Rudraksha Seeds Handmade by Mary of PrettyGonzo

 

 

 

Summer Sun Sunrise on the Beach Earrings with Yellow Swarovski Crystals Handmade by Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs

 

 

 

Orange and Pink Round Chandelier Earrings with 3-Inch Long Dangles Handmade by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions

 

 

 

Multicolored Small Hoop Earrings with Antique Brass Handmade by Connie of Thesingingbeader 

 

 

 

Yellow and Blue Hand Stamped Mandala Blank Greeting Cards, Set of 2 with Envelopes, Handmade by Abhilasha of PaperSimplicity  

 

 

Quantum Trillion Cut Lemon Quartz and Sterling Pendant Necklace Handmade by Diane of DianesDangles

 

 

 

Newborn Baby Girl Crocheted Yellow Sundress Yellow with a Flower and Matching Maryjanes, 0-3 month, Handmade by Pamela of MagdaleneKnits

 

 

 

Swarovski Sunflower Yellow and Antique Brass Chandelier Earrings Handmade by Kathy of KatsAllThat

 

 

 

Florida Oranges Note Card from Watercolor Print, 5" x 7" Frameable Art, Handmade by Roxanne of watercolorsNmore

 

 

 

Sunburst Clip on Earrings with Red and Turquoise Beads Handmade by Sharon of BlondePeachJewelry 

 

 

 

Orange, Yellow and Camoflauge Sunbonnet Sue and Overalls Sam Appliques Handmade by Jacki of Christie Cottage

 

 

 

Shiny Medium Lemon Yellow Lampwork Glass Beads with Fine Silver Handmade by Charlotte of Covergirlbeads 

 

 

 

Topaz Quartz Gemstone Pendant Earrings with Gold Bezeled Setting Handmade by Pamela of MagdaleneJewels

 

 

 

Swarovski Red Pearl, Crystal and Silver Bracelet Handmade by Linda of VictorianStyleTreasures

 

 

Mother Goddess Dangle Earrings with Tribal African Beads Handmade by Mary of PrettyGonzo  

 

 

 

Orange, Red and Green Boho Sun Enamel Earrings Handmade Handmade by Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs

 

 

By the way, here's one of the ways Seamus tries to stay cool during the dog days - although he'd MUCH rather be inside in the AC than in a hole he dug in the ground! 

 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed each and every one of these hot, hot, hot summer handmade creations!  If you would like to make my day and the day of the talented artists featured, please leave a blog comment.  And any promotion you can do will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

 

My contact information:

 

Indiemade shop:  Shadow Dog Designs

Indiemade blog:  Shadow Dog Designs’ Blog

Blogger Blog:  Shadow Dog Design’s Blogger

On Fire for Handmade shop:  Shadow Dog Designs 

Artfire studio:  ShadowDogDesigns

Facebook:  Catherine’s Personal Page

Facebook:  ShadowDogDesigns - Jewelry

Twitter:  ShadowDogDesign

Pinterest:  Shadow Dog Designs

Flickr:  Shadow Dog Designs' Photostream

 

SHADOW DOG DESIGNS

Beautifully Unique Handmade Jewelry

for the Discerning Woman