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Hot, Hot, Hot Dogs Days of Summer - Artisan Handmade
Posted July 11, 2019
The dog days of summer are here and the temperatures have gotten hot, hot, hot. It seems heat records have been shattered worldwide, especially in places that normally don’t get that hot. Weird weather all over. Climate change is real, folks!
So, just how did the term "Dog Days of Summer" come about? Depending on latitude and longitude, the Dog Days usually start the beginning of July and end the beginning of September in the Northern Hemisphere and between early January to early March in the Southern Hemisphere. Most people believe the phrase "dog days" developed by observing domestic dogs (such as our Seamus) laying around in shady areas during hot days. Another old myth, first attributed to Pliny the Elder, a Roman naturalist, stated in his Natural History that rabid dogs are supposed to be more common during this time of the year because the heat drives them mad. He advised feeding dogs chicken manure to curb the tendency!!!
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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.
Make it an Artisan Handmade Mothers Day - Week 5
Posted April 9, 2019
Mother’s Day is rapidly approaching, so if you haven’t thought about a gift for Mom, now is the time to start! The Countdown to Mother’s Day 2019 is the perfect place to start! The Countdown is by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their The Blu Print blog. Each week, handmade artists will share three of their unique items, each one a perfect gift for even the most hard to please Mom. This week, a total of 30 artisan items were shared from 10 handmade artists. Browse all the wonderful handmade shares for Week 5, visit the shops of the artists featured and buy your Mom a beauty that was handmade from the heart.
Unique Jewelry, Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday
Posted January 3, 2019
Buy Handmade - Be One in a Million, Not One of Millions
I don’t know about you, but I HATE to buy jewelry that everyone else can buy. I don’t want to see a stranger three states over wearing a piece of jewelry that I might be wearing. That doesn’t happen, however, because I have almost always worn artisan handmade jewelry that is one of a kind, whether the earrings, bracelets or necklace are created by another artist or created by me. There is something so soul satisfying in that, knowing that I’m the only person in the universe wearing a particular design - unless an evil twin in an evil alternate universe is up to her evil copying of designs.
The three handmade artists that are features in this new “Three For Thursday” blog all make one of a kind jewelry designs: Mary of PrettyGonzo; Julie of Blue Morning Expressions; and me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs. I hope you enjoy this small sampling of the one of a kind jewelry designs that are in their shops. Please visit each shop for more eye catching and soul satisfying beauty. I hope you enjoy these selections:
Handmade Gift Ideas - Three for Thursday
Posted November 15, 2018
When I was browsing the internet the other day, looking for nothing in particular, I stumbled across this quote:
Something Handmade is So Much More Meaningful
It caught my eye, because, being a handmade jewelry artist myself, I promote buying handmade whenever I can, through my own work or the work of others artist friends. Handmade items ARE more meaningful . . . and are often one of a kind . . . and always have a small piece of the artist’s soul buried in them.
Make It an Artisan Handmade Christmas - Week 8
Posted November 13, 2018
Can you believe that week 8 of the Countdown to Christmas has already come nad gone. Week 8!!! Only four more to go. What was left behind this week was a unique sampling of artisan handmade items for all to browse and, hopefully buy. According to the ever ticking Christmas clock, Santa will make his yearly visit in only 41 days! Need an excellent start your Christmas shopping? The Countdown is the perfect place to do just that! A good motto to follow: shop early, shop often! And, most of all, SHOP HANDMADE!
Second Page, Second Item - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade
Posted August 23, 2018
Emmaline Bride, writer of The Handmade Wedding Blog, gave three reason to buy handmade:
Handmade is made with love
Handmade is made with care
Handmade is made just for you
I certainly agree with all three of these reasons. Why buy mass produced items - your neighbor next door can be wearing the exact same thing - when you can buy handmade, which can be one of a kind, and only YOU own it!
First Page, Sixth Item - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade
Posted August 7, 2018
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Lately, the days just seem to drift one into the other and I sometimes don’t remember which day it is. Like today! Since I have a whole host of arts festivals to participate in this fall, I was creating some new jewelry late this afternoon. Then I suddenly realized it was Tuesday . . . and I needed to pull together a Wonderful Handmade Wednesday blog. Yikes! But never fear, it got done. With the help of my trusty “numbers bowl,” today’s theme is “First Page, Fifth Item” (as of when the items were added). You’ll find a wide range of unique items in this post, something just waiting for the woman who adores artisan handmade beauties. Also, browse more of the items in the artist's shops. You'll be glad you did! Enjoy!
Necklaces and Earrings - New Jewelry from Shadow Dog Designs
Posted July 29, 2018
That's the thing with handmade items. They still have the person's mark on them, and when you hold them, you feel less alone.
Aimee Bender, The Color Master: Stories
I love the idea that when you hold a handmade item, that you feel less alone. I hope that everyone who wears a piece of my handmade jewelry feels that way! The one of a kind jewelry definitely has my “mark” with many good wishes and peaceful intentions added.
Summer Fun - Artisan Handmade
Posted June 7, 2018
Even though summer has not officially arrived - the Summer Solstice will show up on Thursday, June 21 at 4:07 a.m. Mountain Time here in the Borderlands - thermometers tell another story. June is the month for triple digits here with a high UV index. Then the temperatures cool down when the monsoon season arrives with its amazing lightning displays and much needed rain. Despite the June heat, we go about our daily lives enjoying the out of doors, albeit in the mornings and evenings mostly: gardening, cooking on the grill, hiking, star gazing, birding, etc. With an altitude of 3740’, we still have gloriously cool mornings and evenings to enjoy being outside.
