Blog entry
Make It a Handmade Christmas 2020 - Week 8
Posted November 10, 2020
Already, week 8 of the Countdown to Christmas 2020 has come on gone! It’s hard to believe that there are only four more weeks left! The Countdown is a chance for mostly handmade artists to share three of their beautiful gift ideas and for all to browse and, hopefully, purchase. The ever ticking Christmas clock doesn’t let up - according to it, Santa will start his journey in only 44 days! Need a perfect start to your Christmas shopping? The Countdown is the place to do just that! A good motto to follow: SHOP EARLY, SHOP OFTEN! And, most of all, SHOP HANDMADE!
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Flowers for Your Ears - Handmade Floral Earrings by Shadow Dog Designs
Posted June 6, 2019
“I must have flowers, always, and always.”
Claude Monet
I totally agree with Monet. There are a lot of things I can give up in life, but flowers are not one of them. To plant a seed or seedlings into the ground . . . and then a miracle happens. Sometimes slowly and sometimes quickly, the plant grows and flowers emerge. I have been redesigning flower beds here at our house using a wide range of water wise plants: knipofia (called “mango popsicle’ - truly well named), several salvias in several colors, a fabulous penstemon; Russian sage, Texas red yucca, gauras and many colors of the workhorse of the desert garden, the glorious lantana. Every plant I chose has to benefit bees, butterflies and/or hummingbirds. I have seen bees and butterflies on the flowers, but the hummingbirds seems to prefer the feeder and the mimosa tree, which is blooming right now. Several times a day, I go out and just look, and am always filled with a sense of wonder and awe at the sheer beauty at what is happening.
Flower Earrings - Artisan Handmade by Shadow Dog Designs
Posted February 20, 2019
When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it's your world for the moment. I want to give that world to someone else. Most people in the city rush around so, they have no time to look at a flower. I want them to see it whether they want to or not. Georgia O'Keeffe
One of my all time favorite artists is Georgia O’Keeffe. Whenever I’m in Santa Fe, I'm always drawn to the museum named after her. While there, I almost go into a meditative state while contemplating her paintings. Her flower paintings are dear to my heart.
All through my life, I have had flower gardens, some rather grand and some on a much smaller scale, such as the one here in the Desert Southwest. I cannot imagine life without the beauty and cheerfulness of flowers (or dogs, for that matter!). Life would be so bland with out them. Because of that, flowers designs can always be found in my handmade jewelry, especially the earrings. For this blog post, I chose 10 pairs of earrings, some new and some that have been in my shop a while, to feature. There are many others in my SHADOW DOG DESIGNS shop. I hope you will stop by and take a look . . . and maybe buy a pair for yourself or a loved one.
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 Jewelry Gift Ideas by Shadow Dog Designs
Posted October 28, 2018
The Christmas shopping season will soon be here (if you haven’t already begun your list making and your shopping!). I’ve been working hard to list new pairs of earrings and necklaces in my Shadow Dog Designs handmade jewelry shop and wanted to share the new creations with you. Each piece is a perfect gift for the discerning woman who enjoys wearing truly unique artisan handmade jewelry. With the exception of two of the Christmas earrings at the end of the post, all of the jewelry designs are one of a kind pieces. Just think - you or a loved one will be the only person in the universe wearing that particular piece when purchased!
Spring Colors! - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade
Posted April 4, 2018
Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love! Sitting Bull
With spring definitely here in the Borderlands, I have been thinking about colors quite a bit as the brown of the desert bursts into so many glorious shades of green. The white and pink fruit trees have pretty much quit blooming, so the various shrubs, hardy trees, ocotillo, cactus and poppies will add their beautiful spring colors: yellow, pinks, oranges, reds, purples and others all against the huge dark blue sky. My soul revives!
Handmade Jewelry by Shadow Dog Designs - New Earrings and Necklaces
Posted March 4, 2018
It has been almost a month since I last sat down to share my newest batch of handmade earrings and necklaces. Visiting friends in Long Beach, California and Charleston, South Carolina took up a lot of time, along with shorter trips to Dallas. Plus, three big shows are in the not too distant future, all in April, so I’ve been very busy trying to make new jewelry to freshen up the look. Lots of spring inspired jewelry has been photographed - hopefully, those will make it into the next post.
Unique New Handmade Jewelry from Shadow Dog Designs
Posted March 4, 2016
Lots of new handmade jewelry designs went into my Shadow Dog Designs Indiemade shop the last two weeks. I have been busy, busy, busy creating new necklaces and earrings. Arts Festivals are coming up so the shop needs to be well stocked because the shows will (hopefully) draw from the design that are there and the ones that will not be listed. The designs continue to be a combination of boho, of elegance and everything in between - wherever the Muses take me. I hope you enjoy looking at the new beauties. Two oldies but goodies have been added to make an even 10 jewelry designs. To see more photos and information of each, please click the link below each photo:
Unique New Handmade Jewelry at Shadow Dog Designs
Posted December 27, 2015
Finally the holiday Art Festivals have ended. Yay! I had been very busy doing shows since Labor Day weekend; some months several shows were scheduled back-to-back weekends. Bewteen them and a busy on line sales season, believe me, I am ready for a little rest and relaxation. That doesn't mean I'll quit listing new items in my Indiemade shop and all that entails. Oh, no. But the idea of having 5-6 weeks free of shows makes me more than a little giddy!
