Blog entry

Make It A Handmade Mothers Day 2022 - Week 4

It's hard to believe that week 4 of the Mother’s Day Countdown 2022 has come and gone and it's almost April and Easter will be here in three weeks.  The Mother's Day Countdown 2022, hosted by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their the Blu Print blog, is a place artistsans come together and share three of their unique items.  This week 9 handmade artists shared a total of 27 lovely items - each one a wonderful gift for Mother’s Day.  Since the big day will be here before you know it - about 6 weeks from now - this is the perfect time to start thinking about and buying a gift(s) for your Mom.  Browse all the wonderful handmade shares for Week 4, visit the shops of the artists featured and buy your Mom a unique beauty that was artisan handmade from the heart.  This year, Make it a Handmade Mother's Day!  

Miracle of a Single Flower - Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday

If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly our whole life would change. – Siddhartha Gautama Buddha

Flowers are one of my favorite things.  I wander the yard several times each day, visiting all the flowers I’ve planted and feel at peace and happy (even when I see the leafcutter bee has been at work).  The types of flowers are varied.  Knockout roses, verbena, gold columbine, geraniums, hollyhocks, sunflowers, zinnias, larkspur and more have all been planted (some from seed, some from bought plants) and are in various stages of growing / blooming.  I'm also enjoying the mimosa tree which has just started to bloom with it's wispy pink flowers that are visited by countless pollinators and hummingbirds.  And the bottlebrush tree survived the deep freeze we had here this winter, and even though it lost some limbs, there are a few blooms on it!  Flowers are definiey miracles.

So, with all this blooming beauty (or blooms to be anticipated), I decided this week’s Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday would be about flowers.  I’ve chosen three floral items from three handmade artists: notecards, baby items and jewelry.  The artists are:  Roxanne of watercolorsNmore; Pamela of MagdaleneKnits; and, me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs.  I hope you find joy in these picks!

Hot Summer Reds, Oranges and Yellows - Artisan Handmade

Even though summer hasn’t officially arrived - that will happen on June 20 - it has been summer here in the Borderlands for several weeks now.  And it looks quite warm in many areas in the U.S.  So I made a call to artist friends to share some “hot” handmade items with me to be included in this blog.  You’ll find LOTS of fiery colored items in red, yellows and oranges, beauties that can be worn all summer long.  If something catches your eye and you want more information, please click on the item photo or the link below the picture to be taken to the artist’s shop.  I hope you enjoy all the sizzling hot items!

Valentines Gifts: Handmade Jewelry by Shadow Dog Designs

Valentine’s Day is rapidly approaching, less than a month away!  Now is the time to start thinking about / purchasing Valentine’s gifts for the ones you love.  How about giving a one of a kind, handmade piece of jewelry this year? My Shadow Dog Designs shop is filled with unique necklaces and earrings, each one carefully handmade with quality artisan components and other top notch items, such as gemstones and Swarovski crystals.  Some of these designs are brand new and some have been in the shop for a bit.  You’ll find many hearts featured in the designs, but each one can be worn year round and can’t be pegged just as “Valentine’s jewelry.” If something catches your eye and you want more information, please click the picture or the link to be taken to the listing. Enjoy!