Blog entry

Awesome Animals - Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday

Anyone who knows me knows I love animals, always have and always will.  No-footed, two-footed, four-footed, six footed or more (except, to tell the truth, female mosquitoes and ticks - uck!).  I love animals of all sizes, from huge ones to wee, tiny ones - from blue whales, the largest mammal on earth, to Kitti's hog-nosed bat (or bumblebee bat) the world's smallest mammal at just over 1” long.  And I’m always amazed at how animals have evolved to survive. Just think of the Griffon’s vulture which is recorded as the highest flying bird at 37,000 feet to deep sea creatures which live in harsh conditions thousands of feet in the ocean where light doesn’t reach.  Amazing!

When I was mulling around what the theme of this week's Three for Thursday blog, I decided on animals.  Three animal related items from three handmade artists are featured.  The artists are:  Linda of VictorianStyleTreasures; Roxanne of watercolorsNmore; and me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs.  I hope you enjoy this collection of animal themed items.  Be sure to visit the shops to find even more beauties.

Unique Earrings for You - Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday

Earrings are my “go to” jewelry.  They are the piece of jewelry I almost always put on right away when I get up in the morning.  BUT if I happen to leave the house without a pair dangling from my ears, and suddenly realize it, it feels like the earth somewhat shifts on its axis, like I’ve accidently wandered into the Upside Down.  Weird, I know.  I can’t wait to get back home to put on a pair to set things Rightside Up.

Since earrings are an integral part of my life, both to wear and create, this week’s Three for Thursday is called “Unique Earrings for You.”  Three pairs of earrings from three handmade jewelry artists are featured. The artists are: Mary of PrettyGonzo; Linda of VictorianStyleTreasures; and, me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs.  If something catches your eye, be sure to visit the artisan’s shop for more beauties. I hope you thoroughly enjoy this earrings collection featuring a wide range of styles.

Spring Flowers - Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday

Happiness held is the seed; Happiness shared is the flower . . . John Harrigan

If you are a flower gardener (like I am) and grow many flowers from seeds, you truly understand the above statement.  So much beauty is bound up in a single flower seed which, like magic, can transform into a breathtaking flower.  I find happiness in just holding flower seeds and dreaming of the infinite possibility of what they will become. And when that magic happens - a seedling appears, a plant grows, a bud unfurls and a flower faces the sun - I am truly happy, awe struck and humbled.  And if I can share those flowers with family and friends, so much the better.

Make it an Artisan Handmade Mothers Day - Week 1

Julie and Hurricane Harry of Blue Morning Expressions is once again hosting the wildly popular Mother's Day Countdown on their The Blu Print blog.  Last year's Mother's Day Countdown 2018 was a resounding success . . . so the 2019 version is up and running. Since Mother's Day will be here before you know it - about 10 weeks from now - this is the perfect time to start thinking about and buying a gift(s) for your Mom.  Browse all the wonderful handmade shares for this week, visit the shops of the artists featured in this week's Countdown and buy your Mom a beauty that was handmade from the heart.