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New Handmade Earrings and Necklaces by Shadow Dog Designs

 

 

It has been a very long while since I last showcased some of the newest jewelry in my SHADOW DOG DESIGNS shop.  Where does the time go???  The eleven selections being showcased today - eight pairs of earrings and three necklaces - are one of a kind designs.  With Valentine's Day rapidly approaching, any of these will make a unique gift for a loved one.  Why wear mass produced jewelry when you can wear a one of a kind design that was handmade from the heart!  Please support small independent businesses - you'll be glad you did!

Make It a Handmade Christmas 2021 - Week 10

 

 

Wow!  Christmas Eve will be here in 30 days!  And there are only two more weeks left in the Countdown to Christmas 2021!  Where does the time go? The ever ticking Christmas clock doesn’t let up and keeps ticking down those seconds until Santa and his herd of reindeer make a nighttime visit to leave gifts or lumps of coal. The Countdown is the place for handmade artists to share three of their beautiful (often one of a kind) creations. Need a perfect start to your Christmas shopping?  Shop the Countdown to Christmas: browse and purchase that special piece for that special person!  An excellent rule of thumb to follow this holiday season: SHOP EARLY, SHOP OFTEN! And, most of all, SHOP HANDMADE to support small, independent artisan shops!

 

 

 

Make It a Handmade Christmas 2021 - Week 2

 

 

Week 2 of the Countdown to Christmas 2021 has already come and gone . . . and unique artisan handmade items have been left in its wake.  According to the ever ticking Christmas clock, there are only 87 days until Christmas is here . . . once again!   Need a perfect start to your Christmas shopping? The Countdown is the place to do just that!  An excellent motto to follow is: SHOP EARLY, SHOP OFTEN.  And, most of all, SHOP HANDMADE to support small indie businesses!

 

 

Fall Fun - Artisan Handmade

 

 

“Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been

saving up all year for the grand finale.”

 Lauren DeStefano


 

For many, many people, fall is a favorite time of the year, when the heat of summer dissipates into the coolness of autumn and the deciduous trees are a riot of color.  Here in the Desert Southwest, the temperatures are still reaching the mid-90’s during the day.  But the temps in the morning are dipping into the mid-60’s, a glorious reminder that the first cool front will blow through any day now.  A perfect time for gardening.  And just to sit and watch the grand finale . . .  and to just be . . . 

Christian Cross Jewelry - Artisan Handmade by Shadow Dog Designs

 

 

 

To a Christian, crosses are a symbol of atonement and reminds them of God's love in sacrificing his own son for humanity.  Despite being associated primarily with Christianity, many cross symbols were used as religious symbols pre-Christianity, especially in Europe and western Asia.  Crosses can be found carved on rocks and in caves dating back to the Upper Paleolithic period, approximately 50,000 to 12,000 years ago.  During the European Bronze Age (app. 3200 - 600 B.C), cross symbols seemed to carry a religious meaning, possibly a symbol of consecration especially during burials.  For at least two centuries after the crucifixion of Christ, the symbol of Christianity (when it was depicted) was a headless T-shaped Tau cross.  Gradually over time, the Tau cross was replaced by the Greek cross, with arms of equal length, then by the Latin cross (or Roman cross) with a longer descending arm, which is the most common cross used today.  Crosses come in many different variants, all having a religious meaning.  If you are interested in seeing some of the variants and what they mean, I find these two links to be especially helpful:  Christian Cross Variants and Kinds of Crosses--What the Different Designs Mean.

A Lot of Boho, a LOT of Fun - Artisan Handmade Three for Thursday

 

 

The term “boho” gets thrown around a lot these days, but what exactly does the word actually mean?  Short for “bohemian,” boho as a style is most closely associated with the free spirits and hippies of the ‘60s and ‘70s - but also the pre-Raphaelite women of the late 19th century.  It embraces the carefree, the relaxed, and the unique.  But, truth be told, it borrows from the fashions of many cultures and time periods through the ages that almost anything can be "boho" if it’s styled right.  

 

With that in mind, I decided this week’s Three for Thursday would embrace boho,” specifically with fun, unique necklaces.  Featured in the A LOT of Boho, a LOT Of Fun are three necklaces from three handmade three artists.  The artists are:  Mary of PrettyGonzo, Jacki of Christie Cottage; and me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs.  I hope one of these catches your eye!  Be sure to visit the shops of the artists for more amazing jewelry.

New Jewelry From Shadow Dog Designs - Handmade Earrings and Necklaces

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I like for jewelry to tell a story and to be able to tell a story about what I’m wearing.  That’s more important to me than a name, brand or label - Nikki Reed

 

 

I just love this quote because I love jewelry that tells a story, too.  And if you look at the jewelry in my Shadow Dog Designs handmade shop, many, many of the pieces have such interesting stories to tell.  Why buy mass produced necklaces and earrings when artisan handmade jewelry, often one of a kind pieces,has GREAT stories to tell!

Artisan Handmade Beauties - Three for Thursday

 

 

 

My favorite reason to buy handmade is just that - it's handmade, which means quality, and a whole lot of love!

 

Cammi Higley

 

 

I love the quote above from Cammi about handmade . . . because it’s so TRUE!  The artists featured in this week’s Three for Thursday blog definitely create quality products, all made with HUGE doses of love.  The artists this week are Roxanne of watercolorsNmore who uses watercolors to convey the beauty of Florida;  Sue of starspiritstudio who creates amazing rustic terra cotta findings and reclaimed tin earring dangles; and, Sharon of RavensBendFolkArt who paints one of a kind functional items with a whimsical folk art flair.  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!

 

Necklaces and Earrings - New Jewelry from Shadow Dog Designs

 

 

That's the thing with handmade items. They still have the person's mark on them, and when you hold them, you feel less alone.

 

Aimee Bender, The Color Master: Stories


 

I love the idea that when you hold a handmade item, that you feel less alone.  I hope that everyone who wears a piece of my handmade jewelry feels that way! The one of a kind jewelry definitely has my “mark” with many good wishes and peaceful intentions added.

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