Blog entry

Christmas in July 2026 - Artisan Handmade Gifts - Week 3

Well, here we are a bit more than halfway through July and Week 3 of the Christmas in July 2026 is posted.  It’s never too early to start shopping for unique holiday gifts for a loved one since Santa and his reindeer will be here sooner than we think!  There are only 155 days to the big day (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 of their favorite items - one that was “Christmasy” (in design or colors, etc.) and three others that didn’t have to be.  The first week was only Christmas items - the weeks since have been a mixture.  There is only one more week to go, Week 4.  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!

Here are the items featured in this week's Christmas in July - Week 3 blog:

Christmas in July 2026 - Artisan Handmade Gifts - Week 1

Every year, Christmas seems to arrive earlier and earlier.  Because of this, it’s never too early to start shopping for those perfect holiday gifts!   Believe it or not, the jolly man in red and his reindeer will show up in a little less than 6 months - actually 169 days (from when this blog was posted) according to the ever ticking CHRISTMAS CLOCK.  

Christmas in July has become a big thing in brick and mortar stores, with on line stores and all over social media.  So I decided to host a social media promotion:  Christmas In July 2026 - Artisan Handmade Gifts here in my Shadow Dog Designs - Jewelry shop.  Artist friends were asked to share four items - one that is “Christmasy” (in design or colors, etc.) and three others that don’t have to be / or can be, their decision.  Each week, one item will be showcased in a new blog.   This is the first blog post featuring a Christmasy item from each artist.  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 featured artisans for even more wonderful creations that are handmade / designed from the heart.  Hopefully one or more items featured here, on the next three blogs or in the artisans’ shops will make it onto your shopping basket.  Buy for a loved one . . . and treat yourself!   Remember this year:  SHOP SMALL and SHOP HANDMADE!

Here is a great selection of Christmasy items created very talented artisans:

Friday Twitter Tree - Artisan Handmade - December 12, 2025

WELCOME to the TWITTER TREE!

The Twitter Tree© is hosted by a different shop M-W-F:

Monday: http://christiecottage.blogspot.com

Wednesday: http://elunajewelry-nc.blogspot.com

Friday: https://www.shadowdogdesigns.com/blog

Instructions:

Only 2 Items per person

Each tweet must contain the hashtag #SDFTT

2 other Hashtags may be used.

Please include a brief description of your item in the tweet.

Keep your Tweet under 280 Characters (including spaces).

No Mature Items

Tweet Everyone’s Listings. (It's not fair to others if you do not fully participate.)

Limit of three (3) hashtags including #SDFTT.

Happy sales!

Make It an Artisan Handmade Christmas - Week 12 Favorites - 2025

Tick . . . tick . . . tick . . . tick . . . tick.   According to the Your Christmas Countdown Clock  there is only 22 days until Christmas is here!  It’s hard to believe that 12 weeks have already gone by since the Countdown to Christmas 2025 started.  The Countdown has been graciously hosted all these weeks (and many years) by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions (shop on vacation now but will be open soon) on their Buy Handmade from Makers blog. Yes, Week 12 of the Coundown to Christmas has come and gone and 24 artisan handmade / designed items from eight artists were left in its wake.  Any of the beauties will be perfect for a Christmas gift, one that was carefully created from the heart.  Support independent artists by helping Santa make it a HANDMADE CHRISTMAS this year! 

In addition to promoting each handmade item from the Countdown collection to my "Countdown to a Handmade Christmas 2025" Pinterest board and to my Twitter feed, I share one item from each of the artists who participated this week.  Here are my "favorites" picks of the items - it's always hard to choose!  I hope you enjoy these unique items.