Blog entry

Make It an Artisans Mothers Day - Week 8 Gifts - 2026

Just a warning:  if you haven't started shopping for Mother's Day gifts, you're quickly running out of time!!!  Just a little less than three weeks from now, the big day for Mom will be here.  To help you in your search for the perfect gift item, check out the Countdown to Mother's Day 2026 - Week 8.  It's a collection chock ful of unique artisan items, 30 beauties from 9 artists, all handmade or designed from the heart.  As an added bonus, many of the designs are one of a kind designs.  Hosted by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their Buy Handmade from Makers blog, each of the unique items 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, add something for yourself!  Items on the Countdown go quick so 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 artisan created.  Also you'll be supporting a grateful indie artist - and for that, we THANK YOU!

Here are my favorites:

Make It an Artisans Mothers Day - Week 3 Gifts - 2026

Where did Week 3 of the Countdown to Mother's Day 2026 go???  The weekend was here . . . and then, too quickly, it was gone.  The Countdown is hosted by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their Buy Handmade from Makers blog.  This week, 30 handmade / designed items from 10 artists were shared.  Each unique item will make a memorable gift for Mom on her day.  Since Mother's Day is quickly approaching, on May 10 this year, this is the perfect time to start thinking about and buying a gift(s) for your Mom . . . and, perhaps, for other much loved women in your life.  Pssssttt, by the way, don't forget about a gift for yourself!  These items go quickly, and, since many are one of a kind, don't miss out!  Browse all the wonderful handmade / designed shares for Week 3, visit the shops of the artists featured and buy your Mom a beautiful gift that was handmade from the heart.  Since you'll be supporting a small indie artist, the purchase will be GREATLY appreciated!  Remember:  Shop Small for Mother's Day this year!

Here are my "favorite" picks (hard to pick a favorite from each artist!) from all the wonderful items shared: 

Make It an Artisan Handmade Christmas - Week 4 Favorites - 2025

Who would have believed how quickly Week 4 of the Countdown to Christmas 2025 went by . . . but here we are!  Left in its wake is a wide variety of wonderful artisan handmade / designed items.  According to the ever ticking Your Christmas Countdown Clock, there are only 78 days until St. Nick pays a visit to let you know of you have been naughty or nice.  With the rapidly approaching gift giving season, Julie and her faithful sidekick, Handsome Harry, are hosting a twelve-week Countdown to Christmas 2025 of artisan handmade items on their Buy Handmade from Makers blog, part of their Blue Morning Expressions Shopify shop.  This week, there were 27 shares from 9 artists featuring a wide range of gifts:  unique jewelry designs, holiday gift tags, note cards, stickers, lampwork beads, napkins, home decor and a host of other beauties.  If you need a perfect start (or ending) to your Christmas shopping, the Countdown is the place to do just that!  An excellent motto to follow is: SHOP EARLY, SHOP OFTEN.  And, most of all, SHOP HANDMADE to support small indie businesses!

Each week during the 12 week Countdown, I pick a favorite item from each artist (hard to do!) and feature them here on my blog.  These are my favorites for Week 4:  

Shadow Dog Designs - New Artisan Handmade Jewelry

Wow!!!  June is already here!  Can't believe it's been a month since I shared the newest jewelry pieces in my handmade shop, so decided to rectify that now.  Six new designs are shared along with three older pieces that have never made it onto a blog.  All the designs are one of a kind, except for the kity cat Christmas earrings.  If something catches your eye, please either click on the photo or the link and you'll be taken to the item in my SHADOW DOG DESIGNS shop for more information.  All of the jewelry is handmade by me.  Thanks for stopping by!  And please remember to support a small indie shop!