Blog entry
I'll Stop Wearing Black When - A Short History of the Non-Color Black
Posted May 12, 2022
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.
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Make It A Handmade Mothers Day 2022 - Week 9
Posted May 3, 2022
Watch out! Mother’s Day will be here very, very soon - in fact, this coming Sunday, May 8. It’s still not too late to order a handmade gift (do it now!) from the beauties shared this week on the Mother's Day Countdown 2022. The Countdown was hosted again this year by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their The Blu Print blog. Hard to believe this is the last weelk of the Countdown! Despite that, 9 handmade artisans shared a total of 27 wonderfully unique items. Browse the wide range of eye catching shares for this week - many of them one of a kind designs - visit the shops of the artists featured and buy your Mom something that was HANDMADE from the heart! By shopping small, you'll also support a small indie business.
New Jewelry - Necklaces and Earrings Handmade by Shadow Dog Designs
Posted December 21, 2021
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.
Christmas Earrings Handmade by Shadow Dog Designs
Posted November 18, 2021
The Christmas holiday season will be here before we know it, when we are all searching for the perfect Secret Santa gifts, best friend gifts, Christmas gifts, stocking suffers, perfect jewelry for parties, etcc. My SHADOW DOG DESIGNS handmade jewelry shop has a wide range of unique holiday earrings. You'll definitely find something for your Chrustmas jewelry needs, whether for yourself or for others. Some designs are one of a kind pieces - others are not. I have them divided below so you know which is which. I hope you enjoy this selection of an even dozen of sparkling holiday earrings. To see even more, please click on this link: ARTISAN CHRISTMAS JEWELRY
ONE OF A KIND CHRISTMAS EARRINGS DESIGNS:
Make It a Handmade Christmas 2021 - Week 9
Posted November 16, 2021
Christmas is barreling down on us - it will soon be here! Week 9 of the Countdown to Christmas 2021 has come and gone and the ever ticking Christmas clock doesn’t let up. According to what it says today, Santa and his traveling buddies will start their journey in only 38 days, just five weeks from now! The Countdown is a place for handmade artists to share three of their beautiful (often one of a kind) creations and then promote each other. Need a perfect start / end to your Christmas shopping? Shop the Countdown to Christmas to browse and purchase that special piece! An excellent motto to follow this holiday seasonis : SHOP EARLY, SHOP OFTEN! And, most of all, SHOP HANDMADE to support small, indie shop owners!
Make It a Handmade Christmas 2021 - Week 7
Posted November 2, 2021
It is so hard to believe (at least to me) that November has already shown up and that we have only 5 more weeks of the Countdown to Christmas 2021! It’s also hard to imagine that Christmas will soon be here. According to the ever ticking Christmas clock, there are only 52 days, less than 2 months until jolly Santa Claus drops down that chimney and either leaves gifts or lumps of coal for deserving or not-so-deserving boys and girls. Since Christmas is looming, now is the perfect time to start your holiday shopping and the Countdown is the perfect place! Remember this motto: SHOP EARLY, SHOP OFTEN! And, most of all, please BUY HANDMADE from small indie business owners!
Christian Jewelry - Handmade by Shadow Dog Designs
Posted August 26, 2021
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!
Necklaces and Earrings - New Handmade Jewelry by Shadow Dog Designs
Posted August 12, 2021
I've been working hard these past several weeks crating and adding new jewelry into my SHADOW DOG DESIGNS shop. Below are the latest necklaces and earrings that have been listed, an even dozen, all unique and all one of a kind designs. You’ll find a wide variety of styles, from boho to elegant . . . with some designs combining both! Also you'll find two new pieces from my "dog / cat rescue jewelry" line, where, when purchased, one half (1/2) of the purchase price is donated to an animal rescue group. If something catches your eye and you want to see more photos and information, please click the item photo or the link below a picture to be taken to the listing. I hope you enjoy each piece. And remember . . . Christmas is only 134 days away! It's never to early to stary holiday shopping. Yikes!
Every Flower - Artisan Jewelry by Shadow Dog Designs
Posted July 6, 2021
EVERY FLOWER IS A SOUL BLOSSOMING IN NATURE
Gerard de Nerval
Anyone who knows me well, knows that I love growing flowers. Since moving to the Desert Southwest, it has been a long experiment to see what survives and what doesn’t. Not only does the summer heat make some plants struggle, but we had an unexpected deep freeze this past winter. But since the monsoon season has arrived early this year with much needed rain (yay!) and cooler temperatures (yay!), my flower beds are thriving. The zinnias that were grown from seed have just started to bloom - they are an experiment so we’ll see how they do. Grandpa Otts morning glories and sunflowers are aso blooming, along with the yellow and native lantana (which started back in March) and cheerful moss-rose purslane. And, of course, the bright fuchsia pink Knockout roses keep chugging right along. An all-time favorite flower, hollyhocks, are just about bloomed out. I've been taking photos and hope to share some in a blog later on. I revel in the beauty of flowers!
Oldies but Glorious Goodies - Artisan Handmade Gifts
Posted June 24, 2021
I don’t know about you, but whenever someone mentions “oldies but goodies,” most people flash back to an old song, maybe their favorite vintage car, possibly antique furniture or, (shudder) themselves after . . . ahem . . . reaching a certain age. “Oldies but goodies” can also refer to items in handmade shops that have been around for much longer than we would like them to be. I, for one, always hope that whenever a new beauty is created and then listed, it will sell right away. Sometimes they do. But sometimes, for whatever reason, the item sits there . . . and sits there . . . and sits there some more. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that particular piece - 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 Glorious Goodies.” Most of the items shared are one of a kind creations and would make a perfect gift for that certain someone for their birthday, anniversary, Christmas, Mother’s Day, or just because . . . I hope one of these “oldies” catches your eye. Please be sure to visit the artisan shops for even more exceptional handmade lovelies.
