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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.

Hot, Hot, Hot Dogs Days of Summer - Artisan Handmade

The dog days of summer are here and the temperatures have gotten hot, hot, hot.  It seems heat records have been shattered worldwide, especially in places that normally don’t get that hot.  Weird weather all over. Climate change is real, folks! 

So, just how did the term "Dog Days of Summer" come about?  Depending on latitude and longitude, the Dog Days usually start the beginning of July and end the beginning of September in the Northern Hemisphere and between early January to early March in the Southern Hemisphere.  Most people believe the phrase "dog days" developed by observing domestic dogs (such as our Seamus) laying around in shady areas during hot days. Another old myth, first attributed to Pliny the Elder, a Roman naturalist, stated in his Natural History that rabid dogs are supposed to be more common during this time of the year because the heat drives them mad.  He advised feeding dogs chicken manure to curb the tendency!!!

Handmade Jewelry - New Necklaces and Earrings by Shadow Dog Designs

Spring is pretty much behind us here in the Desert Southwest.  Although it has been a very mild spring (YAY!) with below average heat with morning still cool enough that a light jacket is sometimes needed.  But all of us who live here know that summer is just around the corner bringing some triple digit temperatures in June. The the summer monsoons arrive (hopefully) in July, August and September bringing cooler temperatures again (but also the dreaded humidity) and a sense of rejuvenation.  

So many of my new jewelry designs deal with summer-y type things, whether the designs feature flowers, summer colors, the sun or other beauties.  And don’t forget your dogs or cats! I hope you enjoy the newest earrings (and one necklace) designs that can be found in my Shadow Dog Designs jewelry shop:

Flowers are Food for the Soul - Artisan Handmade

Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.

Luther Burbank

I love this quote from Luther Burbank because it’s true!  For those who are not familiar with Luther Burbank, he was an American botanist, horticulturist and pioneer in agricultural science, developing more than 800 strains and varieties of plants during his lifetime, including the tasy plumcot (fruit trees being a special passion of his, it seems).  One of my favorite things to do doing the winter months was to constantly browse through Stark Bro's and Burpee Seed Co catalogues (both companies sold quite a few of Burbanks’ seeds and plants after his death), planning my flower beds and vegetable gardens. Looking at the brilliant pictures and dreaming of all the flowers and veggies spring, summer and fall would bring made those winters quite a bit easier to bear.  Even now, living in the Desert Southwest where the winters are mild in comparison, I still dream of the promise of flowers.