Blog entry
Artisan Handmade Jewelry by Shadow Dog Designs
Posted September 16, 2018
Since the autumn arts festival season is in full swing, I have been thinking a lot about handmade items, especially since I mostly make one of a kind jewelry. People always ask me, “How do you come up with the design.” I reply something like this, “To tell the truth, I’m not sure. Most of the time it just happens.” Or, “The Muses were good to me.” I’m sure a LOT of artists give some semblance of those answer since the “creative idea” is often elusive. But the answers definitely don’t take into account all the years and years of working to perfect your art through taking classes, people giving their opinions, selling (or not) at shows and by trial and error . . . and more trial and error . . . and more trial and error. Then, suddenly, it just happens.
I found this poster at WalchaHandmade that pretty much sums up the process:
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Need Some Love - Artisan Handmade
Posted August 18, 2018
There is something ALL handmade artists go through: you design a beautiful piece of jewelry, or create a fabulous painting, or crochet an intricate piece of table art, or . . . the list goes on and on. You have put so much of yourself into the piece, you love it and you are sure it will sell very, very quickly. Unfortunately, there it still sits in your shop . . . and you have no idea why!
Unique Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday
Posted August 2, 2018
The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul.
Dieter Uchtdorf
Two weeks have already flown . . . and here it is, time for another Three for Thursday blog post. Three wonderful handmade items from three different artists are featured. The artists highlighted this week are: Marcia of MarciaMcKinzieArt with unique watercolor batik paintings (I chose all beautiful landscapes); a wide range of fiber crafts by Jacki of Christie Cottage; and unique boho style jewelry by me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs. If something catches your eye, please be sure to click on the photo or the link below the picture to be taken to the item for more photos and information. I hope you enjoy the unique artisan handmade items featured below. And, remember: BUY HANDMADE!
It's an Artisan Handmade Three for Thursday - Polymer Clay
Posted July 19, 2018
I think there is something very special about handmade work. You can appreciate the thought, detail and time that have been invested into creating something amazing, whether it is great or small. In my opinion, handmade goods are accessible works of art.
Tami Gagne
What an amazing quote . . . and one I agree with 100%. There is always something very special about a handmade item since part of the artist’s heart and soul goes into each piece created. You will definitely see what I mean when you look at the work of the artist’s featured today. Not that I planned it this way - it just happened - but the the three artists included in this week’s Three for Thursday blog are all polymer clay artists (who also work in other mediums), creating such amazing and diverse art. The artist’s are: Pati Bannister of patibannister; Julie Cleveland of Blue Morning Expressions; and Susana Paredes of EarthExpressions. I have purchased from all three of these polymer clay artists and can guarantee that their work is superb.
4th of July - Celebrate a Handmade Red, White and Blue Holiday!
Posted June 26, 2018
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
Preamble to the Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson.
The 4th of July, also known as Independence Day or July 4th, has a tradition of celebrations goes back to the American Revolution. When the initial battles of the Revolutionary War broke out in April 1775, very few colonists desired complete independence from Great Britain. But, by the middle of the following year, the idea of independence grew due to the growing hostility against draconian British laws and the spread of revolutionary sentiments, such as the pamphlet published in early 1776 by Thomas Paine, called “Common Sense.”
Artisan Handmade Gift Ideas - Three for Thursday
Posted May 17, 2018
I love this quote by Zac Posen, an American fashion designer, since it’s the way I feel about making artisan handmade items and buying artisan handmade items to gift to friends:
I want to make things of quality. I'm a big believer in handmade, tactile, crafted pieces. I want to keep that tradition alive.
Handmade for Mother's Day - Three for Thursday
Posted April 26, 2018
Being a handmade artist myself, I have always loved this quote:
You can't buy LOVE, but you can buy HANDMADE . . . and that's kind of the same thing.
Handmade artists put a great amount of heart and soul and love into their pieces. So, in my humble opinion, you ARE buying love. Each of the three items from three artists featured below put a LOT of themselves into each piece. I hope you enjoy these fabulous beauties. And remember: Mother’s Day will be here soon!
Handmade Earrings and Necklaces for Mothers Day - New Jewelry by Shadow Dog Designs
Posted April 13, 2018
It has been almost a month since I last shared my newest Shadow Dog Designs handmade necklaces and earrings. Where does the time go? Most of my time has been spent getting ready for art shows and then selling at art shows. My first was last weekend, the Kermezaar Art Festival, with two more big shows this month. Fortunately my stock of jewelry is pretty good, but I always like to have at least a few new things for each show. Will continue with creating new pieces as soon as this is posted.
Gift Ideas for a Handmade Mothers Day - Week 4
Posted April 3, 2018
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Can you believe that four weeks of the Mother’s Day Countdown 2018, hosted by Julie of Blue Morning Expressions on her The Blu Print blog, have come already come and gone? Eighteen artists shared a total of 54 items. Since Mother's Day will be here before you know it, on Sunday, May 13, this is the perfect time to start making a list of gift ideas / buying a gift for your Mom. Browse all the wonderful handmade shares for this week, many of them one of a kind designs, visit the shops of the artists featured and buy your Mom something that was HANDMADE from the heart.
Gift Ideas for a Handmade Mothers Day - Week 3
Posted March 27, 2018
The third week of the Mother’s Day Countdown 2018, hosted by Julie of Blue Morning Expressions on her The Blu Print blog, came and went far too quickly. But a LOT of wonderful artisan handmade items were left in its wake. Since Mother's Day will be here before you know it, on Sunday, May 13, this is the perfect time to start thinking about (and buying a gift) for your Mom. Browse all the wonderful handmade shares for this week, many of them one of a kind designs, visit the shops of the artists featured and buy your Mom something that was handmade from the heart.
