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Oldies But Goodies - Unique Artisan Handmade Gifts
Posted July 5, 2022
Whenever someone says “Oldies But Goodies,” most people think of old songs (especially from a jukebox - remember those?), vintage cars, lots of items on the Antiques Roadshow or, possibly, themselves (after . . . *ahem* . . . a certain age). However the term, “Oldies But Goodies,” also refers to items in our artisan handmade shops that have been around for longer than the artist who made it would like. Whenever something is created and then listed in our shops, we always think it will sell right away. Some do. But, for whatever reason, some beauties sit there . . . and sit there . . . and sit there some more. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that particular item - not at all!!! It just hasn’t found that forever person to give it a forever home.
I asked artisan friends to share two items from their handmade shops that they considered “oldies but goodies.” Many of the items are one of a kind creations and would make a perfect gift for a birthday, an anniversary, for Christmas, or just because . . . I hope something catches your eye and that you visit the shops of the artists below. And that many of the “oldie” items find a loving home.
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Hot Summer Fun - Artisan Handmade Gifts
Posted June 9, 2022
It’s hard to believe that we are already through a good part of the first week of June with most of the scorching summer still ahead of us - even though it’s not yet “officially” summer (June 21 at 3:14 a.m. MDT this year). Up until the last few days, summer here in the Desert Southwest has been relatively mild. BUT the triple digits have finally set in and the AC seems to run continuously. As everyone says: at least it’s a dry heat! June is usually our hottest month. And then the monsoon season sets in where we get most of the 9” of rain that is normal for this part of the desert. Everyone is praying that the rains do start soon on schedule, normally at the end of June. For the past several years, a big storm has shown up on the 4th of July where we can enjoy Mother Nature’s fireworks - and then the scheduled fireworks once the storm blows through, all from the comfort of our upstairs porch. Hope that happens again this year since it’s quite spectacular.
I'll Stop Wearing Black When - A Short History of the Non-Color Black
Posted May 12, 2022
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.
Make It A Handmade Mothers Day 2022 - Week 2
Posted March 15, 2022
Week 2 of the Mother's Day Countdown 2022, hosted by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their the Blu Print blog, quickly came and went. A total of 24 unique items were shared from 8 handmade artists - each beauty a perfect Mother’s Day gift. Since Mother's Day will be here before you know it - on May 6th, about 8 weeks from now - this is the perfect time to start thinking about and buying a gift(s) for your Mom, Grandmother and other loves ones. Browse all the wonderful handmade shares for Week 2, visit the shops of the artists featured and buy your Mom a beauty that was handmade from the heart, many of which are one of a kind designs. This year, please support small artisan handmade shops!
Animalia - Handmade Animal Inspired Gifts
Posted February 16, 2022
As most of my friends know, I adore animals - always have and always will - in all their glorious shapes and sizes and colors life story. Well, ttruthfully, I’m not too fond of mosquitos and ticks, despite their important role on this earth. Besides dogs and horses, it’s hard for me to pick out a favorite animal. I'm fascinated by all of them. How about you?
But just what is the term “animalia?” ANIMALIA: a taxonomic kingdom comprising all multicellular living and extinct animals - also called “metazoa.”
According to the Animal Diversity Web, it estimated that around 9 to 10 million species of animals inhabit the earth. Metazoa range in size from no more than a few cells - such as the parasitic orthonectids - to organisms weighing many tons - such as blue whales and giant squid. By far, insects make up the most species in animalia, with approximately 5.5 million species.
Having such a life-long love of (most) animals, I decided that a blog based on “Animalia” would be fun to pull together. I invited artist friends to share two handmade items that were based on animals. What a wide variety of beauties were shared, many one of a kind designs. If something catches your eye, please make sure to either click the photo or the link below the picture for more information. I hope you enjoy this showcase of animal art!
Make It a Handmade Christmas 2021 - Week 10
Posted November 23, 2021
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 9
Posted November 16, 2021
Christmas is barreling down on us - it will soon be here! Week 9 of the Countdown to Christmas 2021 has come and gone and the ever ticking Christmas clock doesn’t let up. According to what it says today, Santa and his traveling buddies will start their journey in only 38 days, just five weeks from now! The Countdown is a place for handmade artists to share three of their beautiful (often one of a kind) creations and then promote each other. Need a perfect start / end to your Christmas shopping? Shop the Countdown to Christmas to browse and purchase that special piece! An excellent motto to follow this holiday seasonis : SHOP EARLY, SHOP OFTEN! And, most of all, SHOP HANDMADE to support small, indie shop owners!
Make It a Handmade Christmas 2021 - Week 8
Posted November 9, 2021
Already, week 8 of the Countdown to Christmas 2021 has come on gone! It’s hard to believe that there are only four more weeks left! The Countdown is a chance for mostly handmade artists to share three of their beautiful gift ideas and for all to browse and, hopefully, purchase. The ever ticking Christmas clock doesn’t let up - according to it, Santa will start his journey in only 45 days! Need a perfect start to your Christmas shopping? The Countdown is the place to do just that! A good motto to follow: SHOP EARLY, SHOP OFTEN! And, most of all, SHOP HANDMADE to support hard working indie artists!
Make It a Handmade Christmas 2021 - Week 7
Posted November 2, 2021
It is so hard to believe (at least to me) that November has already shown up and that we have only 5 more weeks of the Countdown to Christmas 2021! It’s also hard to imagine that Christmas will soon be here. According to the ever ticking Christmas clock, there are only 52 days, less than 2 months until jolly Santa Claus drops down that chimney and either leaves gifts or lumps of coal for deserving or not-so-deserving boys and girls. Since Christmas is looming, now is the perfect time to start your holiday shopping and the Countdown is the perfect place! Remember this motto: SHOP EARLY, SHOP OFTEN! And, most of all, please BUY HANDMADE from small indie business owners!
Make It a Handmade Christmas 2021 - Week 6
Posted October 26, 2021
It’s hard to realize that we’re half-way finished with the twelve week Countdown to Christmas 2021! Yikes! That means Christmas is bearing down on us and will soon be here - just a bit less than 2 months! According to the ever ticking Christmas clock, there are only 59 days until ho-ho-ho-ing Santa and his merry band of clattering reindeer arrive once again. Now is the perfect time to start your holiday shopping and the Countdown is the perfect place! Remember this motto: SHOP EARLY, SHOP OFTEN! And, most of all, SHOP ARTISAN HANDMADE to support a small indie shop!
