Blog entry

Make it an Artisan Handmade Mothers Day - Week 6

Since Mother’s Day will be here before you know it, now is the time to start shopping for that perfect handmade gift for Mom.  The Countdown to Mother’s Day 2019 is a great place to start! The Countdown is 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 most hard to please Mom. This week, a total of 32 artisan items were shared from 11 handmade artists.  Browse all the wonderful handmade shares for Week 6, visit the shops of the artists featured and buy your Mom a beauty that was handmade from the heart.

Make it an Artisan Handmade Mothers Day - Week 3

Week 3 of the Countdown to Mother’s Day 2019 blew right on by.  Hosted by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their The Blu Print blog, this is the perfect time to start thinking about and buying a unique, handmade gift(s) for your 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.

Delicate Easter Colors - Artisan Handmade Three for Thursday

Easter is a symbol of hope, renewal, and new life. 

Janine di Giovanni

Since yesterday was Ash Wednesday - and Easter is approximately six weeks away - I started thinking about Easters past, always large gatherings of family and friends.  But, before everyone showed up at our house, we went to Easter Sunrise mass, the only time my father was ever cajoled into going to church. As a child, I always remember getting a new Easter dress, usually with a matching headband, socks and gloves(!) to wear to church on Easter Sunday.  And if my sister and I were lucky, a small purse would be included. Very stylish, indeed, and usually VERY itchy! The clothes were always spring pastel in color: pinks, pale yellows, pale greens, pale blues and such. A preview of all the pastel colored Easter eggs that were waiting to be found!

This week’s Three for Thursday features three items from three handmade artists that definitely are filled with the renewal of Easter springtime colors.  The artists are: jewelry artist Mary of PrettyGonzo; crochet artist Pamela of MagdaleneKnits; and, me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs, also a jewelry artist.  I hope you enjoy my choices. And be sure to visit the artists’ shops for more splendiferous designs!

Handmade Valentines Day Gift Ideas

On February 14 each year, candy, flowers cards and gifts are exchanged between loved ones not only here in the United States but also in other countries all around the world to celebrate Valentine's Day.  The Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately 1 billion Valentine's Day cards are exchanged each year, the second most popular card-sending holiday after Christmas (about 2.6 billion cards).  How did Valentine's Day develop?  Here's a short history: