Blog entry

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!

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.

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?”  ANIMALIA:  a 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!

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!