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Fun in the Hot Hot Sun - Make it an Artisan Handmade Summer

 

 

The official start of summer will soon be here.  I takes place at 8:57 a.m. on June 21 here in El Paso, where the day will be 4 hours and 9 minutes longer than on the shortest day in December.  To celebrate the hot, hot summer days, I asked artist friends to share two items that represent “hot summer fun” - something with hot colors, a beach or tropical theme or the like.  Some items shared are more on the blazing summer side and some represent a more mellow, cool summer.  However, ALL are artisan handmade / designed and many are one of a kind pieces.  So if something catches your eye on this Fun in the Hot Hot Sun - Make It an Artisan Handmade Summer blog, please click the photo or the link below the photo for more information and pictures of the individual item.  Hopefully one or more will make it into your shopping basket - treat yourself or someone else to a unique artisan beauty!  And remember: SHOP SMALL and SHOP HANDMADE!

 

 

 

I'll Stop Wearing Black When - A Short History of the Non-Color Black

 

 

I’ll stop wearing black when they invent a darker color - Wednesday Addams

 

 

Writing about the history of black is probably a bit strange here in the middle of spring with flowers blooming up a storm in all sorts of beautifully varied and cheerful colors.  But just like Wednesday Addams of the Addams Family fame, black has always been a color (or non-color as it turns out) that I enjoy wearing.  Black has a very long and rich history, something I found most fascinating.  I kept reading and reading and reading some more:  interesting information and tidbits about black, both the elegant side and the more “evil” connotations.  So, I decided to share some of the information.  And also highlight unique handmade items from artist friends that feature black prominently in the design.  Other photos of interest about black are also scattered in.  All photos are linked.

 

 

 

New Jewelry - Necklaces and Earrings Handmade by Shadow Dog Designs

 

 

It has been a very long time since I last shared new necklace and earring designs from my SHADOW DOG DESIGNS jewelry shop.  Between doing shows, the holiday rush and other commitments, I've had a hard time pulling anything together.  Until now!  Featured are a baker's dozen of new jewelry designs:  seven necklaces and six pairs of earrings.  They are all one of a kind designs.  If you are interested in anything and want more information, be sure to click the photo or the link below the photo to be taken to the item.  I hope you enjoy the new artisan handmade beauties.  

 

 

Eleven New Necklaces and Earrings Handmade by Shadow Dog Designs

 

 

It has been quite a while since I shared new jewelry designs found in my SHADOW DOG DESIGNS shop.  It seems the days . . . and the weeks . . . . and the months just speed right on by.  I've been spending a LOT of time outside working in flower beds and just sitting and enjoying all the birds and other animals that come to the back yard.  And watching Seamus be his goofy dog self.  The weather has been absolutely gorgeous so the pull to be outside is greater than the pull to be in front of the computer.  Today I'm sharing eleven new designs in my shop, all one of a kind jewelry.  As you can see there is a wide range of desgins:  some simple and some more comlicated, some small and some big and bold.   And there are several new animal rescue designs which, when sold, one-half of the purchase price goes to an animal recue organization.  I hope you enjoy these pieces.  And be sure to visit my shop to see other unique jewelry:  SHADOW DOG DESIGNS.

New Handmade Earrings - Jewelry by Shadow Dog Designs

 

 

It has been a good while since I shared new jewelry here on my blog.  So I decided to remedy that now!  It seems I have been working more on earrings lately than necklaces.  Not sure why.  The one necklace I make and list  sold almost immediately.  Maybe I should make more necklaces!  Anyway, shared here are the newest bakers's dozen handmade earrings in my Shadow Dog Designs jewelry shop.  

 

 

Red, Green and White For Christmas! - Three for Thursday - December 3, 2020

 

 

According to the ever ticking Christmas clock, there’s only 21 days until Christmas arrives.  If you haven’t already started your holiday shopping, now’s definitely the time!  To help you select gifts, I pulled together three handmade beauties from three artists in the christmas colors of red, green and white.  These are gifts that are guaranteed to please.  The handmade artists are:  Linda of VictorianStyleTreasuresCharlotte of Covergirlbeads; and me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs.  I hope you enjoy these selections and will visit the artists’ shops for more gift ideas.  There will be something there for even the hardest to buy for Mom or aunt!  Remember:  SHOP SMALL and BUY HANDMADE!!!

Red, White and Blue, Happy 4th of July to You - Artisan Handmade

 

 

It’s hard to believe that it’s already the first day of July (when I wrote this) with the 4th of July just around the corner.  When you mostly are self-isolating, one day looks pretty much like the next.  But July 4th will be here this Saturday and I’m looking forward to sitting on the upstairs back porch and watching at least three fireworks shows from the comfort of our own house.  Seamus the Moose Dog will sit out there with us - fortunately he is not bothered by the booming noises fireworks can make.  

 

Since the 4th will be here very soon, I wanted to feature three red, white and blue items from three artist friends.  The artists are;  Charlotte of Covergirlbeads; Pamela of MagdaleneKnits; and me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs.  I hope you enjoy this selection of patriotic colored items and will visit the shops (and hopefully purchase) a beauty there.

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.

Radiant Red - Artisan Handmade Three for Thursday

 

 

For friends who know me well, they know red is my all time favorite color.  Always has been and probably always will be (although fuchsia and turquoise are right up there, too).  I love the vibrancy of the color and that, in ancient Egypt, it represented life, health and victory. Yay! 

 

So when I was musing on what the theme of this week’s Three for Thursday blog, I decided RED was it!  Three handmade items with red as a main component of the design are featured from three artisans. The three artists are:  Charlotte of Covergirlbeads; Jacki of Christie Cottage; and me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs. I hope you enjoy these picks and will visit the artists studios for more handmade beauties.

We Have the Blues - Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday

 

Blues is a tonic for whatever ails you. I could play the blues and then not be blue anymore.

B. B. King


 

Even though the above quote by B. B. King is about music, it can also be about the color blue.  According to psychologists, the popularity of the color may take root in our evolutionary development. In the early hunter-gatherer days, those drawn to positive things - like clear blue skies and clean blue hued water were more likely to survive.  Over time, this preference for the color blue may have become hard-wired. To this day, the color blue is still a favorite color worldwide.

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