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Handmade Hot Summer Fun
Posted August 5, 2021
Here it is, already August and a good part of scorching summer heat is behind us. Summer here in the Desert Southwest, so far, has actually been pretty mild - at least for here. Other places haven’t been so lucky, unfortunately. With the days of summer rapidly waning, I asked artist friends to share two items that represent “hot summer fun” in shades of red, oranges and yellows. Some items are more on the hot, hot hot summer side and some are more on the mellow cool summer side. But all are artisan handmade / designed and many are one of a kind. So if something catches your eye on the Handmade Hot Summer Fun blog, please click the photo or the link below the photo for more information. I hope you enjoy all these beauties. And remember: SHOP SMALL and SHOP HANDMADE!
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Miracle of a Single Flower - Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday
Posted May 20, 2021
If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly our whole life would change. – Siddhartha Gautama Buddha
Flowers are one of my favorite things. I wander the yard several times each day, visiting all the flowers I’ve planted and feel at peace and happy (even when I see the leafcutter bee has been at work). The types of flowers are varied. Knockout roses, verbena, gold columbine, geraniums, hollyhocks, sunflowers, zinnias, larkspur and more have all been planted (some from seed, some from bought plants) and are in various stages of growing / blooming. I'm also enjoying the mimosa tree which has just started to bloom with it's wispy pink flowers that are visited by countless pollinators and hummingbirds. And the bottlebrush tree survived the deep freeze we had here this winter, and even though it lost some limbs, there are a few blooms on it! Flowers are definiey miracles.
So, with all this blooming beauty (or blooms to be anticipated), I decided this week’s Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday would be about flowers. I’ve chosen three floral items from three handmade artists: notecards, baby items and jewelry. The artists are: Roxanne of watercolorsNmore; Pamela of MagdaleneKnits; and, me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs. I hope you find joy in these picks!
For the Love of Earrings - A Short History
Posted August 16, 2020
I don't know about you, but I feel strange when I hop in the trusty Dog Mobile and then notice I have forgotten to put on a pair of earrings! At least there, in the driveway, I can hop out of the truck, run inside and grab a pair to put on. But, heaven help me, if I get somewhere and realize I am earrings-less! It's like the world has tilted just a bit on its axis and I’m in the Upside Down. Being an ardent wearer of pierced earrings since the early 1970’s, I have quite the collection of handcrafted Native American earrings - and earrings I’ve made myself and then couldn’t part with. Just LOVE them!
New Handmade Jewelry by Shadow Dog Designs
Posted July 19, 2020
You would seem due sheltering in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic, I’d have more time to create new jewelry and blog. Before, my days were very structured. Now they’re not, even though I try to structure them. It seems I find myself saying, “I’ll do it tomorrow” . . . and then when tomorrow rolls around, it becomes “tomorrow” again. So, this morning, I sat myself down to create a new blog showcasing the newest pieces of jewelry in my SHADOW DOG DESIGNS shop. Fourteen handmade beauties: nine pairs of earrings, four necklaces and one bracelet. They are all one of a kind creations from a variety of materials including, gemstones, polymer clay, Czech glass, Swarovski crystals and a host of other things. I hope you take the time to browse and to check out all the other jewelry in my shop. After all, Christmas will be here before we know it - get a head start with your holiday shopping! Enjoy.
Hot Summer Reds, Oranges and Yellows - Artisan Handmade
Posted June 11, 2020
Even though summer hasn’t officially arrived - that will happen on June 20 - it has been summer here in the Borderlands for several weeks now. And it looks quite warm in many areas in the U.S. So I made a call to artist friends to share some “hot” handmade items with me to be included in this blog. You’ll find LOTS of fiery colored items in red, yellows and oranges, beauties that can be worn all summer long. If something catches your eye and you want more information, please click on the item photo or the link below the picture to be taken to the artist’s shop. I hope you enjoy all the sizzling hot items!
Make It a Handmade Mothers Day - Week 3
Posted March 24, 2020
It's been over a week now since my husband and I decided to really get serious about social distancing due to COVID-19. I keep hearing how people are bored and have nothng to do. Not true in my case. I keep VERY busy! Now that we're in the Upside Down, I realized - except for yoga and working out at the YWCA for an hour each weekday, eating out with friends now and then, and doing art shows - my life, once I started creating jewelry and selling online, always had a lot of social distancing. And I bet a lot of my artist friends are the same way. OK, enough of that. I just want everyone to stay safe and healthy out there!
Week 3 of the Mother’s Day Countdown 2020 seemed to blow right by. Hosted by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their the Blu Print blog, 30 unique handmade items were shared from 10 artists - each one a wonderful gift for Mother’s Day. Since the big day will be here before you know it - about 7 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 Week 3, visit the shops of the artists featured and buy your Mom a beauty that was handmade from the heart.
Unique Earrings for You - Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday
Posted February 13, 2020
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.
Oldies But Definitely Goodies - Unique Artisan Handmade
Posted July 31, 2019
Whenever someone mentions “Oldies But Goodies,” most people think of old songs, vintage cars, antique furniture or, possibly, themselves (after - ahem - a certain age). “Oldies But Goodies” can also refer to items in handmade shops that have been around for longer than we would like. Whenever something is created and then listed in our shops, we always think it will sell right away. But, for whatever reason, the beauty sits there . . . and sits there . . . and sits 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 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, anniversary, Christmas, or just because . . . I hope something catches your eye and that you visit the shops of the artists below.
Hot, Hot, Hot Dogs Days of Summer - Artisan Handmade
Posted July 11, 2019
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!!!
Summer Fun - Artisan Handmade Gifts
Posted June 13, 2019
The first day of summer will be here before we know it. This year, the first day of summer starts here in the Borderlands at 9:54 a.m. MDT on Friday, June 21. Although, by that time, we’ll surely have had several days near triple digits or some 100+ degrees. But it’s a dry heat and doesn’t keep me from doing much outside as long as I have a wide brimmed hat on my head and plenty of water with me.
