Blog entry

Make It a Handmade Mothers Day - Week 7

Week 7 of the Mother’s Day Countdown 2020 flew right on by . . . and in it's wake, 36 handmade items were left from 12 artists.  The Countdown is hosted by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their Blu Print blog.  Each unique tem will make a memorable gift for Mom on her day.  Since Mother's Day will be here before you know it, this is the perfect time to start thinking about and buying a gift(s) for your Mom - and, perhaps, for yourself!  These items go quick, and, since many are one of a kind, don't miss out.  Browse all the wonderful handmade shares for Week 7, visit the shops of the artists featured and buy your Mom a beautiful gift that was handmade from the heart.

New Necklaces and Earrings - Handmade Jewelry by Shadow Dog Designs

I've been working hard to list new handmade jewelry in my Shadow Dog Designs shop.  But with being a vendor at numerous art shows and with perfect weather for working in the flower beads, it's often hard to spend long hours in front of the computer.  But new earrings and necklaces have been listed and I decided to share them here:  nine new designs and one pair of Christmas earrings.   I hope you enjoy the new jewelry.  

Colours by Donovan - Three for Thursday

A couple of days ago, while I was picking up some veggies and fruit from our local Whole Foods, I keyed in on a song that was playing in the background - a song I loved waaaaay back when.  When I got home, I looked it up on YouTube, played the video and then let the mix of music from the mid-60’s to early 70’s continue playing. Brought back to many happy, and some sad, memories.  One of the songs that played was Donovan Leitch’s “Colours,” a song I adored then and still adore now. I get lost in the peaceful lyrics, the lovely simplicity of the folk guitar accompaniment and Donovan's hauntingly beautiful voice.  The song was released in 1965 and, 54 years later, is still a classic. I have played it over and over since “rediscovering” it. The lyrics are shared near the end of the post.

Here’s a link to the YouTube video (version without harmonica): 

Donovan’s “Colours” 1965  

And here’s an incredible live version of the song with Pete Seeger sitting in on banjo: 

Donovan "Colours" 1966

St. Patricks Day Gift Ideas - Artisan Handmade

St. Patrick’s Day will be here before we know it, when all those with Irish heritage (or those that wish they had Irish blood) wear green and wax lyrical about the The Emerald Isles.  And, if you have ever visited Éire, you will know the nagging inner yearning to always go back.

It’s with St. Patrick’s Day in mind that I decided to share seven items from seven handmade artists, all featuring the color green in its many shades.  Why seven beauties you might ask? I chose that number from two symbols that always show up for St. Patrick’s Day, symbols which are often confused: the shamrock (which has 3 leaves) and the lucky four leaf clover (which, obviously from its name, has 4 leaves).  Seven leaves, seven items. The shamrock is a three-leaved clover, a plant was used by Saint Patrick to illustrate the doctrine of the Trinity. It is the national symbol of Ireland, the word coming from seamróg, the Irish name for the plant. The four leaf clover is an aberration of white clover which normally only has three leaves.  Occasionally white clover produces an extra leaf, making finding one especially lucky.