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Christmas is Almost Here! - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade

Posted December 14, 2016

 

 

What more can I say, but “Christmas is almost here!”  Today I’m sharing some beautiful holiday cheer, many of which are one of a kind items, from a bevy of talented Indiemade artists.  I hope you enjoy these creations, any of which will make a perfect Christmas gift for that special loved one.

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» Tagged: ACEO, bracelets. dichroic, Christmas, Christmas gifts, Christmas tree, dog bandanas, dogs, earrings, gemstones, gift ideas, handmade jewelry, holiday gifts, holidays, ornaments, Santa, Shadow Dog Designs, ShadowDogDesigns

Think Green for Artisan Christmas Gifts - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade

Posted December 7, 2016

 

 

 

Red and green are colors that are closely associated with Christmas.  Last week I shared how red became a Christmas color.  You can read that post here:  Think Red for Artisan Christmas Gifts.  This week, green, the other Christmas color, is explored mainly through the symbolism of holly, mistletoe and evergreen trees.

 

The color green and its association with the time around Christmas has a pre-Christian origin, more specifically tied to the Winter Solstice.  Evergreen plants, like holly, mistletoe and pine, spruce or fir trees have been used for thousands of years to decorate and brighten up buildings during the long, dark, cold winter when life could be very tenuous.  Ancient peoples were scared of the short days and freezing nights and mistakenly believed that the Sun might disappear altogether. Evergreens reminded people that spring would come and that winter wouldn't last forever.  Historical records show that the Romans wove wreaths of holly to hang on their walls and doors to celebrate the winter solstice / Saturnalia. They also exchanged evergreen branches as a sign of good luck. The ancient Egyptians would bring green date palm branches into their homes during their mid- winter festivals as a symbol of "life triumphant over death." To the ancient people, the color green represented life, nature, peace, eternity and the hope of the future.  

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» Tagged: artisan, cards, ceramic, Christmas, Christmas gift ideas, Christmas green, copper, cowl, dichroic, dog, earrings, gemstone, gift ideas, gifts, hand knit, handmade, holiday gift ideas, jewelry, necklace, ornaments, pendant, Shadow Dog Designs, ShadowDogDesigns, Swarovski crystals, tribal

Countdown to Christmas - Week 12 - Wales

Posted December 5, 2016

The Mari Lwyd entering a bar as part of Christmas celebrations in Llantrisant; photo by visitwales.com

 

 

 

Y Nadolig (Christmas) celebrations in modern times in Wales are similar to the celebrations in the rest of Great Britain. Several days before Christmas, a small tree (sometimes artificial) is hung with lights, ornaments and trinkets. Paper decorations and streamers often lavishly decorate the rooms of the house. Gifts are exchanged on Christmas Day. The Christmas meal traditionally consists of roast turkey with all the trimmings, a wide array of vegetables, followed by a Christmas pudding with brandy sauce.  BUT . . . it is the older traditions that are the most interesting to me, some of which are still practiced, some of which are making a comeback and one, thankfully, that has fallen by the wayside (for obvious reasons, as you will see). As with all traditions, the same tradition can be different in different parts of the country. I chose my favorite to share here.  

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» Tagged: Blue Morning Expressions, BlueMorningExpressions, Christmas, Christmas gift ideas, Christmas gifts, Countdown, gift ideas, gifts, handmade, holiday gift ideas, holiday shopping, holidays, Indiemade, Shadow Dog Designs, ShadowDogDesigns, Wales

Think Red for Artisan Christmas Gifts - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade

Posted November 30, 2016

 

 

 

The color combination of red and green is closely associated with Christmas - for example, Santa’s red clothing and green holly with red berries.  But how did this come about?  From ancient history to modern time, color has been an integral part of cultural awareness and even an understanding of life; it touched all members of society and conveyed deeper messages (such as, only royalty could wear the color purple).  Red and green as Christian symbolism can be traced back to Medieval Miracle Plays and rood screen painters.  The color combination can be traced to the Mabinogion, a collection of Welsh stories from the 13th century.  And these stories were probably based on an oral tradition that dates back to the pre-Christian Celts many centuries before where a half-red, half-green tree figures prominently in one of the tales.  In pre-Christian times, red and green represented male (red) and female (green), strength and harmony, desire and fertility.  

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» Tagged: artisan, ceramic, Christmas, Christmas red, copper, cowl, dichroic, dog, earrings, flowers, gift ideas, gifts, hand knit, handmade, jewelry, necklace, ornaments, pendant, red, roses, ruffle, scarf, Shadow Dog Designs, ShadowDogDesigns, tribal
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