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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!
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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.
Christian Cross Jewelry - Artisan Handmade by Shadow Dog Designs
Posted June 13, 2021
To a Christian, crosses are a symbol of atonement and reminds them of God's love in sacrificing his own son for humanity. Despite being associated primarily with Christianity, many cross symbols were used as religious symbols pre-Christianity, especially in Europe and western Asia. Crosses can be found carved on rocks and in caves dating back to the Upper Paleolithic period, approximately 50,000 to 12,000 years ago. During the European Bronze Age (app. 3200 - 600 B.C), cross symbols seemed to carry a religious meaning, possibly a symbol of consecration especially during burials. For at least two centuries after the crucifixion of Christ, the symbol of Christianity (when it was depicted) was a headless T-shaped Tau cross. Gradually over time, the Tau cross was replaced by the Greek cross, with arms of equal length, then by the Latin cross (or Roman cross) with a longer descending arm, which is the most common cross used today. Crosses come in many different variants, all having a religious meaning. If you are interested in seeing some of the variants and what they mean, I find these two links to be especially helpful: Christian Cross Variants and Kinds of Crosses--What the Different Designs Mean.
Miracle of a Single Flower - Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday
Posted May 20, 2021
If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly our whole life would change. – Siddhartha Gautama Buddha
Flowers are one of my favorite things. I wander the yard several times each day, visiting all the flowers I’ve planted and feel at peace and happy (even when I see the leafcutter bee has been at work). The types of flowers are varied. Knockout roses, verbena, gold columbine, geraniums, hollyhocks, sunflowers, zinnias, larkspur and more have all been planted (some from seed, some from bought plants) and are in various stages of growing / blooming. I'm also enjoying the mimosa tree which has just started to bloom with it's wispy pink flowers that are visited by countless pollinators and hummingbirds. And the bottlebrush tree survived the deep freeze we had here this winter, and even though it lost some limbs, there are a few blooms on it! Flowers are definiey miracles.
So, with all this blooming beauty (or blooms to be anticipated), I decided this week’s Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday would be about flowers. I’ve chosen three floral items from three handmade artists: notecards, baby items and jewelry. The artists are: Roxanne of watercolorsNmore; Pamela of MagdaleneKnits; and, me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs. I hope you find joy in these picks!
Make It A Handmade Mothers Day - Week 8
Posted April 27, 2021
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If you haven't started shopping for Mother's Day gifts, you are quickly running out of time! Just a little less than two weeks and the big day for Mom will be here. To help you out, check out the Countdown to Mother's Day 2021 - Week 8, a cllection filled with unique artisan items, most of them handmade from the heart. Hosted by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their Blu Print blog, each of the unique items, 33 beauties from 11 artists, will make a memorable gift for Mom on her day. This is the perfect time to start buying a gift(s) for your Mom - and, perhaps, for yourself! These items on the Countdown go quick, and, since many are one of a kind, don't miss out. Browse all the wonderful handmade shares for Week 8, visit the shops of the artists featured and buy your Mom a beautiful gift that was HANDMADE.
Make It A Handmade Mothers Day - Week 4
Posted March 30, 2021
It's hard to believe that week 4 of the Mother’s Day Countdown 2021 has come and gone and it's almost April. Easter is next Sunday! Where does the time go? Anyway, the Mother's Day Countdown 2021, hosted by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their the Blu Print blog, is a place artistsans come together and share three of their unique items. This week 9 handmade artists shared a total of 27 lovely items - each one a wonderful gift for Mother’s Day. Since the big day will be here before you know it - about 6 weeks from now - this is the perfect time to start thinking about and buying a gift(s) for your Mom. Browse all the wonderful handmade shares for Week 3, visit the shops of the artists featured and buy your Mom a unique beauty that was artisan handmade from the heart. This year, Make it a Handmade Mother's Day!
Make It A Handmade Mothers Day - Week 2
Posted March 16, 2021
Week 2 of the Countdown to Mother's Day 2021, hosted by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their the Blu Print blog, quickly came and went. A total of 33 unique items were shared - each one a perfect Mother’s Day gift - from 11 handmade artists. Since Mother's Day will be here before you know it - about 8 weeks from now - this is the perfect time to start thinking about and buying a gift(s) for your Mom, Grandmother and other loves ones. Browse all the wonderful handmade shares for Week 2, visit the shops of the artists featured and buy your Mom a beauty that was handmade from the heart.
Handmade Heart Jewelry for Valentines Day and Beyond
Posted January 19, 2021
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Valentine’s Day is less than a month away. It’s time to start thinking about what to get for your sweetie. One of a kind, handmade heart jewelry is always the best! And especially when the heart earrings and necklaces don’t scream just “Valentine’s Day" but can be worn year round. I chose an even dozen of heart designs from my SHADOW DOG DESIGNS shop. You’ll find heart jewelry for dog and cat lovers, women who adore flowers, cross earrings and many more. To see the full line of hearts, click here: Artisan Valentine's Jewelry or click here: Artisan Heart Jewelry. I hope you enjoy this unique selection of jewelry gifts.
Pretty Pinks for Valentines Day - Three for Thursday - January 14, 2021
Posted January 14, 2021
Valentine’s Day will soon be here, just a month from now, with the color pink, along with red, seen everywhere in stores. Pink is considered the color of universal love of oneself and of others and represents friendship, affection, harmony, inner peace, and femininity. There’s no wonder that it’s a color that is closely associated with the romance of Valentine’s Day! In this week’s “Three for Thursday,” titled "Pretty Pinks for Valentine's Day," three mainly pink items from three handmade artists are featured. The artists are: Linda of VictorianStyleTreasures; Charlotte of Covergirlbeads; and me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs. I hope you enjoy these pink beauties, each a perfect gif for your Valentine's sweetie.
New Handmade Jewelry by Shadow Dog Designs - Necklace and Earrings
Posted January 3, 2021
It’s definitely been a loooong time since I last shared my newest jewelry designs. Thanksgiving, Christmas and the year 2020 are finally behind us. Good riddance to 2020, although, believe it or not, there were some bright spots! I have to think and give thanks to those instead of dwelling on the depressing things of the past year. One of the things that was good was the ability to sit and design lots of new necklaces and earrings, along with some bracelets, without the show season to interrupt (although I definitely DO miss meeting people and selling at shows!). Online sales were excellent so many of the new designs listed before Christmas are gone, along with numerous oldies but goodies. Since Valentine’s Day is looming, I decided to pull together ten of the newest designs still in my shop. I hope you enjoy the new beauties!
