Blog entry

Make It an Artisan Handmade Christmas - Week 12 Favorites - 2025

Tick . . . tick . . . tick . . . tick . . . tick.   According to the Your Christmas Countdown Clock  there is only 22 days until Christmas is here!  It’s hard to believe that 12 weeks have already gone by since the Countdown to Christmas 2025 started.  The Countdown has been graciously hosted all these weeks (and many years) by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions (shop on vacation now but will be open soon) on their Buy Handmade from Makers blog. Yes, Week 12 of the Coundown to Christmas has come and gone and 24 artisan handmade / designed items from eight artists were left in its wake.  Any of the beauties will be perfect for a Christmas gift, one that was carefully created from the heart.  Support independent artists by helping Santa make it a HANDMADE CHRISTMAS this year! 

In addition to promoting each handmade item from the Countdown collection to my "Countdown to a Handmade Christmas 2025" Pinterest board and to my Twitter feed, I share one item from each of the artists who participated this week.  Here are my "favorites" picks of the items - it's always hard to choose!  I hope you enjoy these unique items.  

Christmas Open House: Shop Local this Holiday Season!

This coming weekend, December 6 and 7, 2025, Nina Eaton of Nina Eaton Photography is hosting a Christmas Open House.  And she invited me participate again!  THANK YOU, Nina!!  In addition, another friend, Callie, will be joining us with her homemade natural skin care items.  If you are finishing up your holiday shopping (or haven't even started yet!) or need unique stocking stuffers, stop by for a wide assortment of gifts.  Nina will have a large selection of her award winning El Paso photography:  matted and gallery wrap prints, stone coasters, trivets, calendars, mouse pads and other photographic beauties.  Callie will bring a selection of her amazing natural skin care items.  FYI, I use one of her body butters, "Suave Spice," almost every day.  I'll have a wide variety of my mostly one of a kind handmade earrings and necklaces, including Christmas earrings created with mega-sparkle vintage 1950's Austian / German crystals.  You'll find many more designs at the Open House than are listed in my Shadow Dog Designs shop.  Additionally, the wide selection of Christmas earrings will be 10% off and there will be some deep discounts on other pieces of jewelry.  

Countdown to Christmas 2025 - Artisan Gifts - Week 12

Please share your links on the host blog:  BLUE MORNING EXPRESSIONS

Make It an Artisan Handmade Christmas - Week 11 Favorites - 2025

It's hard to believe that Week 11 of the Countdown to Christmas has already come and gone . . . . and there is only ONE (!!!) more week left of this year's promotion!  When the Countdown starts, the end of the twelve weeks seems a looooong way off. Then - BAM! - here it is!  With Christmas just 29 days away, the always vigilant Your Christmas Countdown Clock doesn’t let up - those seconds just keep ticking down until Santa arrives.  Since the holiday gift giving season is lurking just around the corner, Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions are once again hosting a twelve-week Countdown to Christmas 2025 of artisan handmade / designed items on their Buy Handmade from Makers blog.  The Countdown is the place for handmade artists to share three of their beautiful (often one of a kind) creations. This week eight artists shared 24 items, a wide range of beautiful gift ideas:  jewelry of all styles, lampwork beads, dog lover gifts, photography, Christmas ornaments, Christmas note cards and many other unique items.  Need a perfect start or end to your holiday 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!

In addition to promoting each handmade item from the Countdown collection to my "Countdown to a Handmade Christmas 2025" Pinterest board and on my Twitter feed, I decided to share one item from each of the artists who participated this week.  Here are my "favorites" picks of the items - hard to chose!  I hope you enjoy these unique items!