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Unique Jewelry, Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday
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:
New Christmas Gift Ideas - Give Handmade Earrings This Year!
Earrings are always a great gift for the woman who loves to wear them. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and colors and price ranges - always something perfect for the intended wearer that won’t break the bank. I’ve featured twelve pairs of earrings that can be found in my Shadow Dog Designs handmade jewelry shop: eight of the newest pairs listed and four sparkling pairs of Christmas earrings. I hope you enjoy browsing the beauties . . . and maybe at least one pair finds its way into your shopping cart and then under the Christmas tree.
First in the Shop - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade
I always enjoy browsing through the handmade shops of artist friends. So much talent and such creativity! This week’s Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade features the first item in each shop (as of when this blog was being worked on) featured here: First In the Shop. Oftentimes the first item is the newest - sometimes it’s not. Either way, the items are all wonderful and each will fill that need for a gift perfectly.
Remember: SUPPORT INDEPENDENT, HANDMADE ARTISTS
Blues, Turquoise and Teals - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade
According to scientific studies, blues, turquoise and teals have been found to be some of the most relaxing colors, both mentally and physically, especially the lighter shades. Peaceful, calm and gentle, these colors have tremendous power to manage stress. They are very soothing colors that help calm the mind, slow down the heart rate, lower blood pressure and reduce anxiety. From home decor to clothing to jewelry, the colors are favorites.
Today’s Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade features beautiful items created by handmade artists in the three colors: blue, turquoise and/or teal. I hope you enjoy these choices . . . and feel a bit more relaxed after looking (and perhaps purchasing)!
Terrific Turquoise - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade
Since I live in the Desert Southwest, turquoise is a definite favorite of people, both the gemstone itself and the color. Turquoise is a shade of blue that lies on the color scale between blue and green. It has psychological characteristics associated with both of those colors: the calmness of blue and the growth that is represented in green. Turquoise is said to be a color that balances blue, green and yellow, linking it to emotional balance. It is a color promotes a feeling of serenity and stability. I don’t know about you, but whenever I work with turquoise, I do feel a great sense of peace and calmness.
Terrific Turquoise is the theme of today’s Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade blog. Each artisan handmade item selected uses the color turquoise (or even the gemstone itself) as a major part of the design or as a beautiful accent. Most of these beauties are one of a kind designs and all are made from the heart. I hope you enjoy these handmade creations using the color turquoise.
New Handmade Earrings and Necklaces by Shadow Dog Designs
It has been several months since I last shared a blog of my newest handmade jewelry. Between participating in art shows, traveling, my birthday, our anniversary, other commitments and trying to stock my Indiemade shop for the Christmas buying season, the time just sped right on by. Seems time goes quicker and quicker each and every year! Whew! Anyway, I finally pulled together this post to share of my newest earrings and necklaces, six of each. They are all one of a kind pieces and handmade from the heart. If a piece catches your eye, please click on the photo or the live link below the photo to be taken to the item for more information and pictures. I hope you enjoy the beauties below:
Handmade Valentine's Day Jewelry by Shadow Dog Designs
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, I thought I’d share a range of handmade earrings and two necklaces from my Indiemade shop; any will be perfect for gift giving to a loved one. Some of the jewelry is obviously Valentine’s related. But most can be worn all year long. The last five designs featured are from my line of meaningful dog rescue jewelry. All have hearts and pawprints, perfect for the woman who loves her dog(s), especially if her four footed friend is a rescue. As always, whenever any of the dog rescue jewelry sells, one half (½) of the purchase price is donated to the Humane Society.
If one or more of the pieces catches your eye, be sure to click the live link below the photo for more information and pictures. I hope you enjoy these one of a kind earrings and necklaces:
Great Blue Dome - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade
My husband, Seamus (our sweet, goofus Moose of a dog) and I are fortunate to live in the Desert Southwest, a part of the country where the sky is immense and an ever changing blue most of the year. In fact, a cloudy day (like today!) is actually a treat! I was gazing out the window in my studio the other day when a Thomas Carlyle quote came to me: "The old cathedrals are good, but the great blue dome that hangs over everything is better." And I have to agree! Even though I love visiting old cathedrals with a sense of wonderment, spirituality and awe - Canterbury Cathedral, Koln Cathedral, Notre Dame, National Cathedral, St, Paul's to name a few - I absolutely revel in the everchanging "great blue dome" that is above my head almost every day. The colors can range from the palest blue to a deep, mystical, velvety blue that occurs 45 minutes or so after the sun has dipped below the horizon and the sunset has faded.
First Handmade Item, Second Page - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade
I just got back from a week stay in Dallas yesterday afternoon, a long 10 hour drive with my four-footed copilot, Seamus. As you can probably imagine, the city is still reeling due to the sniper who shot and killed five policemen during a peaceful rally. Residents of Dallas kept apologizing to me for what happened. Many are truly grieving at the insult. I told most of them that there was no need to apologize - that with the crazy world we live in now, the shooting could have taken place anywhere . . . unfortunately. My heart and soul goes out to the families that are left behind and to the policemen and other people who are left dealing with the horrible aftermath. And my heart and soul goes out to the families of Philando Castile, Alton Sterling and the many others around the nation who have been unjustly shot and killed by the very men who are supposed to be there to protect us.
Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade - December 16, 2015
Yikes, according to the CHRISTMAS CLOCK, there are only 8 days,18 hours, 30 minutes and those ever descending seconds until Christmas is here. Because of that I wanted to pull together an eclectic sampling of artisan handmade items that are perfect to buy for last minute gift giving. There is still time . . .but not much. Purchase these mostly one of a kind items NOW!
