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Buy Artisan Handmade for Mothers Day 2023 - Week 6

 

 

Where did Week 6 of the Countdown to Mother's Day 2023 go?  It was here . . . and then was gone.  The Countdown is hosted by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their Buy Handmade from Makers blog.  This week, 30 handmade / designed items from 10 artists were shared.  Each unique item will make a memorable gift for Mom on her day.  Since Mother's Day is quickly approaching, on May 14, this is the perfect time to start thinking about and buying a gift(s) for your Mom - and, perhaps, for other much loved women . . . and for yourself!  These items go quickly, and, since many are one of a kind, don't miss out!  Browse all the wonderful handmade shares for Week 6, visit the shops of the artists featured and buy your Mom a beautiful gift that was handmade from the heart.  You'll be supporting an indie artist and the purchase will be GREATLY appreciated!

 

 

 

Make It an Artisan Handmade Christmas - 2022 - Week 4

 

 

Where did Week 4 of the Countdown to Christmas go?  Or for that matter, weeks 1-3???  All four weeks have quickly sped right on by - we’re now ⅓ of the way through the Countdown!  .  According to the ever ticking Christmas clock there is only 74 days until Christmas is here again!  Since the holiday gift giving season is quickly approaching, Julie of Blue Morning Expressions along with her handsome sidekick, Harry, are hosting a twelve-week Countdown to Christmas 2022 of artisan handmade items on their Buy Handmade from Makers blog in their Shopify shop.  The twelve week time period was chosen to correspond with the ubiquitous Christmas carol, "The Twelve Days of Christmas''. This week, there were 36 shares by 12 artists with a wide range of gift ideas: jewelry of all sorts, thimbles, Christmas ornaments, lampwork beads, party stickers and tags, hand crocheted baby gifts and photographic / digital art. If you need a perfect start to your Christmas shopping, the Countdown is the place to do just that!  An excellent motto to follow is: SHOP EARLY, SHOP OFTEN.  And, most of all, SHOP HANDMADE to support small indie businesses!

 

 

 

Make It an Artisan Handmade Christmas - 2022 - Week 3

 

 

It's amazing how quickly Week 3 of the Countdown to Christmas 2022 flew right on by.  In its wake, a wide variety of gorgeous artisan handmade / designed gifts were shared.  According to the ever ticking Christmas clock, there are only 81 days until Christmas is here . . . once again. 

 

With the rapidly approaching gift giving season, Julie of Blue Morning Expressions along with her handsome sidekick, Hurricane Harry, are hosting a twelve-week Countdown to Christmas 2022 of artisan handmade items on their Buy Handmade from Makers blog.  The twelve week time period was chosen to correspond with the pervasive holiday carol, "The Twelve Days of Christmas''. This week, there were 36 shares by 12 artists.  The shared gifts include:  jewelry of all sorts, polymer clay beads, lampwork beads, party stickers / tags, christmas ornaments, photographic art and digital art.  Shopping the Countdown to Christmas is the perfect place to start your holiday gift gathering!  An excellent motto to follow is: SHOP EARLY, SHOP OFTEN.  And, most of all, SHOP HANDMADE to support small indie businesses!

 

 

 

Unique Handmade Necklaces and Earrings by Shadow Dog Designs - Jewelry

 

 

"Jewelry is a very personal thing . . . it should tell a story about the person who’s wearing it" 

Garance Daré

 

 

I love the quote above by Garance Daré since it is so true.  Jewelry IS a very personal thing.  It can range from very traditional jewelry to jewelry that is uniquely boho; from mass produced to individually handmade pieces.  I LOVE making unique jewelry!  Necklaces and earrings, as you can see in this post, that definitely lean to the fun, boho side and are mostly one of a kind (with the excepton of a few pairs of Christmas earrings).  Featured here are ten pieces of the newest jewelry in my SHADOW DOG DESIGNS, six pairs of earrings and four pendant necklaces.  If something catches your eye and you want more information and more photos, be sure to click the photo or short description to be taken to the item in my shop.  Enjoy!

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

One of a Kind Handmade Earrings and Necklaces by Shadow Dog Designs

 

 

Here it is already a week into the month of April, with Easter being celebrated soon (on April 17) and Mother's Day shortly afterwards (May 8).  With that in mind, I want to share eleven of the newest earrings and necklaces in my SHADOW DOG DESIGNS jewelry shop.  Each piece is designed and handmade by me mainly using components from individual artists located all over the world - making these beauties all one of a kind designs.  Why wear mass produced when you can wear something that only you have!?!   So, please, take a look.  You'll find styles for the woman with a boho flair, a wide variety of earrings for the animal lover, yoga jewelry and more.  If something catches your eye and you want more information or to look at more pictures, click on the photo or the description beneath the picture and you'll be taken to the item in my shop.  I also want to point out that for anything in my shop, there is now free shipping (U.S. only) running through Mother's Day.  I hope you truly enjoy the unique necklaces and earrings featured.  

 

 

 

Animalia - Handmade Animal Inspired Gifts

 

 

As most of my friends know, I adore animals - always have and always will - in all their glorious shapes and sizes and colors life story.  Well, ttruthfully, I’m not too fond of mosquitos and ticks, despite their important role on this earth.  Besides dogs and horses, it’s hard for me to pick out a favorite animal.  I'm fascinated by all of them.  How about you?  

 

But just what is the term “animalia?”  ANIMALIAa taxonomic kingdom comprising all multicellular living and extinct animals - also called “metazoa.”

 

According to the Animal Diversity Web, it estimated that around 9 to 10 million species of animals inhabit the earth.  Metazoa range in size from no more than a few cells - such as the parasitic orthonectids - to organisms weighing many tons - such as blue whales and giant squid.  By far, insects make up the most species in animalia, with approximately 5.5 million species. 

 

Having such a life-long love of (most) animals, I decided that a blog based on “Animalia” would be fun to pull together.  I invited artist friends to share two handmade items that were based on animals.  What a wide variety of beauties were shared, many one of a kind designs.  If something catches your eye, please make sure to either click the photo or the link below the picture for more information.  I hope you enjoy this showcase of animal art!

 

 

New Jewelry Handmade by Shadow Dog Designs

 

 

This month, I want to share eleven new pieces of jewelry with you, seven pairs of earrings and four necklaces.  All are one of a kind pieces and all are designed and handmade by me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs.  I've somewhat grouped them according to theme, starting off with Halloween and Day of the Dead earrings, since those celebrations will soon be very here.  Then a pair of Christmas tree earrings (the holidays will be here sooner than we think!).  The last seven range anywhere between sweet and petite and fun and funky.  If something catches your eye, be sure to click the photo or the link below the photo to be taken to the item in the shop.  There you can read the specifics and browse more pictures.  I hope you enjoy these newest beauties!  

 

 

Perfect for Halloween and Day of the Dead / Dia de los Muertos celebrations:

 

 

Christian Jewelry - Handmade by Shadow Dog Designs

 

 

Religious jewelry is always a perfect gift for the Christian woman, especially when the necklaces and earrings are one of a kind, artisan designs.  Today, I’m sharing ten pieces of beautiful, Christian inspired jewelry from my SHADOW DOG DESIGNS shop, seven necklaces and three pairs of earrings.  As I mentioned above, all are one of a kind designs so you can rest assured no one else has a piece just like it!  If something catches your eye and you want more information and photos, be sure to either click the item photograph or the live link below the picture to be taken to the listing.  I hope you enjoy these meaningful beauties!

Menagerie - Animal Inspired Handmade Jewelry by Shadow Dog Designs

 

 

Menagerie:  a collection of animals, frequently exotic, kept for display.  The term was first used in 17th-century France, in reference to the management of household or domestic stock.

 

 

Anyone who knows me knows I love animals in all shapes and sizes - always have, always will.   So I wanted to share a collection of animal jewelry with you that can be found in my Shadow Dog Designs handmade jewelry shop.  Even though these animals found on these earrings and necklaces are not alive, they can definitely be termed a menagerie since there is a wide variety, from exotic animals, such as tigers and giraffes, to domestic animals, like dogs and cats.  If something catches your eye and you want to see more photos and information, please click on the photo or the link below the picture to be taken directly to the item.  I hope you enjoy this menagerie of one of a kind jewelry!

 

 

 

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