Blog entry
New Jewelry From Shadow Dog Designs - Handmade Earrings and Necklaces
Posted July 21, 2019
I like for jewelry to tell a story and to be able to tell a story about what I’m wearing. That’s more important to me than a name, brand or label - Nikki Reed
I just love this quote because I love jewelry that tells a story, too. And if you look at the jewelry in my Shadow Dog Designs handmade shop, many, many of the pieces have such interesting stories to tell. Why buy mass produced necklaces and earrings when artisan handmade jewelry, often one of a kind pieces,has GREAT stories to tell!
» Add new comment
Red, White and Blue Artisan Handmade Jewelry - Three for Thursday
Posted July 4, 2019
The 4th of July is here! Cookouts, picnics, swimming, parades and fireworks are all memories of Independence Day festivities in the past. Plus wearing the patriotic red, white and blue! For this Three for Thursday, I decided to go with unique jewelry and share three pieces from three handmade artists. Each piece had to feature a majority of red, white or blue. The three artists are: Mary of PrettyGonzo; Sharon of BlondePeachJewelry; and me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs. The GREAT thing about each piece of jewelry shared here today is that they can be worn at any time of the year, not just for the 4th of July! I hope you enjoy this edition of Red, White and Blue Artisan Handmade Jewelry - Three for Thursday.
Flowers for Your Ears - Handmade Floral Earrings by Shadow Dog Designs
Posted June 6, 2019
“I must have flowers, always, and always.”
Claude Monet
I totally agree with Monet. There are a lot of things I can give up in life, but flowers are not one of them. To plant a seed or seedlings into the ground . . . and then a miracle happens. Sometimes slowly and sometimes quickly, the plant grows and flowers emerge. I have been redesigning flower beds here at our house using a wide range of water wise plants: knipofia (called “mango popsicle’ - truly well named), several salvias in several colors, a fabulous penstemon; Russian sage, Texas red yucca, gauras and many colors of the workhorse of the desert garden, the glorious lantana. Every plant I chose has to benefit bees, butterflies and/or hummingbirds. I have seen bees and butterflies on the flowers, but the hummingbirds seems to prefer the feeder and the mimosa tree, which is blooming right now. Several times a day, I go out and just look, and am always filled with a sense of wonder and awe at the sheer beauty at what is happening.
Make it an Artisan Handmade Mothers Day - Week 8
Posted May 1, 2019
Mother’s Day will be here in just a few short weeks on Sunday, May 12, 2019. If you haven’t already bought your Mom a gift, I have the best solution for you for your shopping needs! Check out the Countdown to Mother’s Day 2019 collection hosted by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their The Blu Print blog. Each week, handmade artists share up to three of their unique items, each one a perfect gift for even the hardest to please Mom. This week, 12 artisans shared a total of 36 unique items. Browse all the wonderful handmade shares for Week 8, visit the shops of the artists featured and buy your Mom a meaningful beauty that was handmade from the heart.
Make it an Artisan Handmade Mothers Day - Week 4
Posted April 2, 2019
Here we are already at week 4 of the Countdown to Mother’s Day. Hosted by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their The Blu Print blog, this is the perfect time to start buying a unique, handmade gift(s) for Mom! This week, a total of 42 artisan items were shared on the Countdown - each one a delight for Mom - from 14 handmade artists. Browse all the wonderful handmade shares for Week 3, visit the shops of the artists featured and buy your Mom a beauty that was handmade from the heart.
Flowers are Food for the Soul - Artisan Handmade
Posted February 28, 2019
Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.
Luther Burbank
I love this quote from Luther Burbank because it’s true! For those who are not familiar with Luther Burbank, he was an American botanist, horticulturist and pioneer in agricultural science, developing more than 800 strains and varieties of plants during his lifetime, including the tasy plumcot (fruit trees being a special passion of his, it seems). One of my favorite things to do doing the winter months was to constantly browse through Stark Bro's and Burpee Seed Co catalogues (both companies sold quite a few of Burbanks’ seeds and plants after his death), planning my flower beds and vegetable gardens. Looking at the brilliant pictures and dreaming of all the flowers and veggies spring, summer and fall would bring made those winters quite a bit easier to bear. Even now, living in the Desert Southwest where the winters are mild in comparison, I still dream of the promise of flowers.
Valentines Day Jewelry, Earrings and Necklaces Handmade by Shadow Dog Designs
Posted January 31, 2019
If I had a flower for every time I thought of you . . .
I could walk through my garden forever.
Alfred Lord Tennyson
Valentines is just a bit over two weeks away, on February 14. It is a day a day filled with pink and red hearts, flowers, cards, candy, and other tokens of love and devotion. With that in mind, I wanted to share a collection of handmade Valentine’s Day jewelry, mostly earrings but two necklaces are also included. Some of the jewelry from my Shadow Dog Designs handmade shop are traditional Valentine’s Day designs; others are not and can definitely be worn all year long. There are even a couple for a dog lover. I hope you enjoy this beautful collection . . . and maybe one or more of the one of a kind designs will end up with your sweetheart!
Autumn Artisan Handmade Gift Ideas - Three for Thursday
Posted November 8, 2018
According to the calendar, we're about ½ way through autumn, the favorite time of year for many people. I live in the Desert Southwest and most people don’t associate the desert with fall color. But we have it! Granted not as eye catching as the forests in along the East Coast or the aspens in many places in the Rockies. Color is here, nonetheless: glowing yellows and reds and purples of the deciduous trees. And my amazing cosmos are looming up a storm with carmine reds, pale pinks and glowing white. The hummingbirds left about a month ago (always sad to see them go) but new migrant birds are showing up, especially the cheerful little juncos. Am waiting for the beautiful blue scrub jays with their raucous calls and jaunty attitudes to show up under the bird feeders.
Handmade Jewelry Gift Ideas by Shadow Dog Designs
Posted October 28, 2018
The Christmas shopping season will soon be here (if you haven’t already begun your list making and your shopping!). I’ve been working hard to list new pairs of earrings and necklaces in my Shadow Dog Designs handmade jewelry shop and wanted to share the new creations with you. Each piece is a perfect gift for the discerning woman who enjoys wearing truly unique artisan handmade jewelry. With the exception of two of the Christmas earrings at the end of the post, all of the jewelry designs are one of a kind pieces. Just think - you or a loved one will be the only person in the universe wearing that particular piece when purchased!
Make It an Artisan Handmade Christmas - Week 3
Posted October 9, 2018
Week 3 of the Countdown to Christmas sped right on by . . . and a wide variety of lovely artisan handmade and vintage items have been left in its wake. According to the ever ticking Christmas clock, there is only 75 days until Christmas is here . . . once again. This is the perfect place to start your holiday shopping. Shop early, shop often!
