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Christmas in July - Artisan Handmade Gifts - 2023

 

 

Since it seems Christmas arrives earlier and earlier each and every year, it’s never too early to start shopping for those perfect holiday gifts for a loved one!   Believe it or not Christmas with the jolly man in red and his reindeer show up in about 6 months - actually 164 days (from when this blog is posted) according to the ever ticking CHRISTMAS CLOCK.  I’ve noticed quite a few “Christmas in July” promos and such at stores and on social media, so I decided to host one here on my Shadow Dog Designs blog.  I asked artist friends to share two items - one that is “Christmasy” (in design or colors, etc.) and one that doesn’t have to be. 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 artisans featured for even more wonderful creations that are handmade from the heart.  Hopefully one or more items featured in the Christmas in July - Artisan Handmade Gifts - 2023 (or in the artists' shops) will make it into your shopping basket - treat yourself or someone else!  And remember this year:  SHOP SMALL and SHOP HANDMADE!

 

 

 

New Jewelry Handmade by Shadow Dog Designs

 

 

This month, I want to share eleven new pieces of jewelry with you, seven pairs of earrings and four necklaces.  All are one of a kind pieces and all are designed and handmade by me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs.  I've somewhat grouped them according to theme, starting off with Halloween and Day of the Dead earrings, since those celebrations will soon be very here.  Then a pair of Christmas tree earrings (the holidays will be here sooner than we think!).  The last seven range anywhere between sweet and petite and fun and funky.  If something catches your eye, be sure to click the photo or the link below the photo to be taken to the item in the shop.  There you can read the specifics and browse more pictures.  I hope you enjoy these newest beauties!  

 

 

Perfect for Halloween and Day of the Dead / Dia de los Muertos celebrations:

 

 

Fall Fun: Photos and Jewels - October 24, 2020

 

UPDATE:  UNFORTUNATELY DUE TO A HUGE UPTICK OF POSITIVE COVID-19 CASES, THE FALL FUN: PHOTOS AND JEWELS SHOW HAS BEEN CANCELED.

 

 

If you are in the El Paso area on October 24, stop by Nina Eaton's open garage at 506 Shadow Willow for "Photos and Jewels!"  Stop by and say "Hi!".  It has been way too long since we have seen many of you.  You can also start your holiday shopping - or just pick out something for yourself.  Nina will have a wide selection of her photography available, not only photographic prints but coasters, note cards, calendars, postcards and other beauties.  I'll have a selection of my handmade earrings, necklaces and bracelets, many are new, created in the last couple of months while sheltering at home.  Halloween and Christmas jewelry will be on sale.  

Make It a Handmade Christmas 2020 - Week 1

 

 

WOW, wasn't last Christmas like . . . three months ago?  With as strange as the year 2020 has been so far, it’s hard to believe that Christmas is only 93 days away (according to the ever ticking Christmas clock).  It’s not too early to start thinking about your Christmas shopping list.  A perfect place to start is the 12 week Countdown to Christmas 2020 hosted by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions that is filled with a wide variety of handmade gifts.  A good motto to follow: SHOP EARLY, SHOP OFTEN! And, most of all, SHOP HANDMADE to support small businesses!

Holiday Art Crawl - El Paso

 

 

On December 14 and 15 is the first annual Holiday Art Crawl right here in El Paso.  Four west side artists are opening their homes/studios for two days of shopping for unique handmade Christmas gifts for a friend, a relative, a loved one . . . or yourself.  Guest artists will also be found at most of the homes.  Food and beverages will be available (including my almost-world famous sangria at Nina Eaton's house).  You can also register for a chance to win a door prizes at each location.  So, mark your calendar and come join us at the Holiday Art Crawl!!

 

I'm thrilled that Nina Eaton has asked me to be the guest artist at her house.  I'll have a wide variety of handmade jewelry from my Shadow Dog Designs shop, mostly earrings and necklaces, but a few bracelets as well.  Everything is one of a kind with the exception of a few Christmas earrings.  Nina will have a wonderful selection of El Paso photography and gift items.  I have purchased several beautiful items from her over the course of a couple years, including, most recently, custom photo coasters of our sweet dog, Seamus (:  Here's a link to her online shop:  Nina Eaton Photography

 

An Artisan Handmade Christmas - Gift Ideas - Week 5

 

 

 

Week 5 of the Countdown to Christmas rushed right on by (quicker and quicker each week, it seems!), and a huge variety of fabulous artisan handmade items were left in its wake.  According to the ever ticking Christmas clock, there are only 63 days, barely over 2 months, before Jolly Ol’ Santa arrives once again. 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, SHOP HANDMADE!

 

 

 

Plum Tassel and Bronze Pearl Metallized Khaki Boho Multi-wrap Bracelet Handmade by Kathy of KatsAllThat

New Jewelry - Handmade Earrings and Necklaces by Shadow Dog Designs

 

It has been quite a while since I shared new, one of a kind necklace and earrings designs.  The autumn show season has started and it seems I’m making new items, setting up at shows, selling at shows and packing up from shows.  So my Shadow Dog Designs online shop hasn’t seen a whole lot of new handmade items posted lately - and many that were posted have sold. But I wanted to share the five newest pieces, plus three that are fairly new and one Halloween and one Christmas design.  To see more information about individual items, either click on the photograph or the link under the photo - both will take you to the item in the shop. I hope you enjoy looking . . . and maybe buying!

Make It an Artisan Handmade Christmas - Week 12

 

 

 

Tick . . . tick . . . tick.  According to the Christmas clock, there are now only 13 (!!!) days until Christmas!  It’s hard to believe that December is already here and, with it, the last week of the Countdown to Christmas 2018.  The Countdown has been graciously hosted by Julie and Blue of Blue Morning Expressions on their The Blu Print blog.  Yes, week 12 has come and gone and 45 artisan handmade and vintage items from 15 artists were left in its wake, any of which will be perfect for a Christmas gift that was individually handmade from the heart.  Help Santa make it a HANDMADE Christmas this year!

It's an Artisan Handmade Christmas in July!

 

 

 

I always thought Christmas in July was a very modern “holiday,” a marketing ploy since there are no holidays between July 4 and Labor Day (in the U.S.).  But much to my amazement, the first mention of Christmas in July was in Werther, an 1892 French opera with libretto by Édouard Blau, Paul Milliet, and Georges Hartmann.  In the opera, a group of children rehearse a Christmas song in July, to which a character responds: "When you sing Christmas in July, you rush the season."

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