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Christmas in July 2026 - Artisan Handmade Gifts - Week 2

 

 

It’s a bit over halfway through the year and Christmas will be here before we know (just like in years past!).  Because of this, it’s never too early to start shopping for unique holiday gifts for a loved one!  Santa will be clattering around with his herd of reindeer in about 5 ½ months - actually 162 days (from when this blog was posted) according to the ever ticking CHRISTMAS CLOCK.  

 

Artist friends were asked to participate in a “Christmas in July” promotion, sharing four items - one that was “Christmasy” (in design or colors, etc.) and three others that didn’t have to be.  Last week, Christmas items were showcased in a new blog.  This week the items are a mixture of Christmas and non-Christmas creations.  Since many of these beauties are one of a kind, be sure to shop early (and often) so you don’t miss out.  And please visit the shops of the artists for even more wonderful items that are handmade or designed from the heart.  Hopefully items featured here or in the shops will make it into your shopping basket.  Buy for a loved one . . . and be sure to treat yourself!   Remember:  SHOP SMALL and SHOP HANDMADE!

 

 

 

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:  

 

 

Make It a Handmade Mothers Day - Artisan Gifts - Week 2

 

 

It's hard to believe that week 2 of the Countdown to Mother's Day 2024, hosted by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their Buy Handmade from Makers blog came and went so quickly.  A total of 30 unique items were shared from 10 talented artists - each beauty a perfect Mother’s Day gift!  Since Mother's Day will be here before you know it - on May 12th, about 8 weeks from now - this is the perfect time to start thinking about and buying a gift(s) for your mom, grandmother, aunties and other loves ones.  Browse all the wonderful handmade shares for Week 2 of the Countdown, visit the shops of the artists featured and buy your Mom a beauty that was handmade / designed from the heart.  Many of the items are one of a kind designs.  This year, please support small indie shops!  When you do so, you make us VERY happy!

 

Here are my favorites from Week 2:

 

 

Make It a Handmade Mothers Day 2024 - Artisan Gifts - Week 1

 

 

Julie and the always Handsome Harry the Florida Dog of Blue Morning Expressions are again hosting the wildly popular “Countdown to Mother’s Day.” Last year's Mother's Day Countdown was a resounding success . . . so the 2024 version is up and running:  Countdown to Mother’s Day 2024 Week 1 on their Buy Handmade from Makers blog.. Since Mother's Day will be here before you know it - on May 12 - this is the perfect time to start thinking about buying a gift(s) for your mom, grandmom, aunts and/ or other beloved women.  Browse all the wonderful handmade shares, visit the shops of the artists featured in this week's Countdown and buy your mother a beauty that was handmade / designed from the heart.  When you do so, you support a small, independent business (which makes us do a happy dance)!  Here is a favorite from each artist who shared their work from this past weekend:  

 

 

Gorgeous Gifts - Artisan Handmade for Valentines Day!

 

 

Valentine’s Day, February 14, will be here before we know it.  When you walk into most stores shortly after Christmas (or even sometimes before!), hearts, cupids and other items in pink and red will assail you from every direction.  Flowers, candy and gifts are exchanged between loved ones throughout the United States and in many other countries around the world . . . all in the name of St. Valentine.  Although the exact history of St. Valentine (or Valentinus) is shrouded in mystery (there are actually three St. Valentines recognized by the Catholic Church to consider!), February has long been celebrated as a month of romance.  Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both ancient Roman (Lupercalia) and Christian traditions, with a few other influences thrown in for good measure. 

 

This year for Valentine's Day, don't think abour buying mass produced from large companies.  Think, instead of supporting a small, indie business, people who actually make or design the items themselves.  Scroll down and you'll see 26 items, many are one of a kind and handmade from the heart!  Any of items highlighted will make a wonderful gift for a loved one.  Remember:  SHOP SMALL and support a small indie artist!

 

 

Buy Artisan Handmade for Mothers Day 2023 - Week 8

 

 

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 from now and the big day for Mom will be here.  To help you in your search for the perfect item, check out the  Mother's Day Countdown 2023 - Week 8.  It is a collection filled with unique artisan items, all handmade from the heart and most one of a kind.  Hosted by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their Buy Handmade from Makers blogeach of the unique items, 29 beauties from 10 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!  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 HANDMADE.  Also you'll be supporting a small indie artist!

 

 

Buy Artisan Handmade for Mothers Day 2023 - Week 7

 

 

Week 7 of the Countdown to Mothers Day 2023 zoomed right on by . . . and in it's wake, 30 handmade items were left on the link-up by ten talented artists.  The Countdown is hosted by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their Buy Handmade from Makers blog.  Each unique item will make a memorable gift for Mom on her day.  Since Mother's Day will be here in about three weeks, on May 14, this is the perfect time to purchase a gift(s) for your Mom - and, perhaps, for other loved ones and 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.  And, when you purcahse from these shops, you are supporting small indie businesses! 

 

 

 

Make It an Artisan Handmade Christmas - 2022 - Week 8

 

 

 

It’s all going so, so fast:  week 8 of the Countdown to Christmas 2022 has already come and gone, with only four more weeks remaining!  The Countdown is a chance for artists to come together and share three of their beautiful gift ideas, each one a perfect gift for a loved one.  The ever ticking Christmas clock doesn’t let up - according to it, Santa and his flying reindeer will start their journey in only 46 days!  Need a perfect place to start / finish your Christmas shopping? The Countdown is the place to do just that!  A good motto to follow: SHOP EARLY, SHOP OFTEN!  And, most of all, SHOP HANDMADE to support hard working indie artists

 

 

 

Make It an Artisan Handmade Christmas - 2022 - Week 7

 

 

 

 

It is so hard to believe (at least to me - how about you?) that this is the first day of November . . . . and that we have only 5 more weeks of the Countdown to Christmas 2022!  It’s also hard to believe that Christmas will be here before we know it.  According to the ever ticking Christmas clock, there are only 53 days until jolly Santa Claus drops down that chimney and either leaves wonderful gifts or lumps of coal for deserving or not-so-deserving boys and girls.  Since Christmas is less than two months away, 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!  Since everything is handmade from the heart, we truly appreciate each and every order!

 

 

 

Make It an Artisan Handmade Christmas - 2022 - Week 3

 

 

It's amazing how quickly Week 3 of the Countdown to Christmas 2022 flew right on by.  In its wake, a wide variety of gorgeous artisan handmade / designed gifts were shared.  According to the ever ticking Christmas clock, there are only 81 days until Christmas is here . . . once again. 

 

With the rapidly approaching gift giving season, Julie of Blue Morning Expressions along with her handsome sidekick, Hurricane Harry, are hosting a twelve-week Countdown to Christmas 2022 of artisan handmade items on their Buy Handmade from Makers blog.  The twelve week time period was chosen to correspond with the pervasive holiday carol, "The Twelve Days of Christmas''. This week, there were 36 shares by 12 artists.  The shared gifts include:  jewelry of all sorts, polymer clay beads, lampwork beads, party stickers / tags, christmas ornaments, photographic art and digital art.  Shopping the Countdown to Christmas is the perfect place to start your holiday gift gathering!  An excellent motto to follow is: SHOP EARLY, SHOP OFTEN.  And, most of all, SHOP HANDMADE to support small indie businesses!

 

 

 

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