Blog entry
Autumn Beauties - Artisan Handmade
Posted September 3, 2020
"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." — Albert Camus
I don’t know about you, but autumn is my favorite time of the year, although it’s somewhat bittersweet since winter follows. It’s a time where the temperatures (at least here in the Desert Southwest) are moderating and thankfully, the gates of the blast furnace of Hell for this extreme heat summer have closed. It’s a time for rethinking and replacing plants that didn’t make it through this summer. Many people start fall gardens and farmers bring in their harvest. Fall is part of that ongoing cycle of loss, rest, regeneration and, ultimately, regrowth. The Autumn Equinox is a balance between light and dark, a balance between the season that happens again in the spring. And who doesn’t love the trees and some shrubs with their gorgeous leaf displays as they prepare for their winter sleep.
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For the Love of Earrings - A Short History
Posted August 16, 2020
I don't know about you, but I feel strange when I hop in the trusty Dog Mobile and then notice I have forgotten to put on a pair of earrings! At least there, in the driveway, I can hop out of the truck, run inside and grab a pair to put on. But, heaven help me, if I get somewhere and realize I am earrings-less! It's like the world has tilted just a bit on its axis and I’m in the Upside Down. Being an ardent wearer of pierced earrings since the early 1970’s, I have quite the collection of handcrafted Native American earrings - and earrings I’ve made myself and then couldn’t part with. Just LOVE them!
Awesome Animals - Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday
Posted July 30, 2020
Anyone who knows me knows I love animals, always have and always will. No-footed, two-footed, four-footed, six footed or more (except, to tell the truth, female mosquitoes and ticks - uck!). I love animals of all sizes, from huge ones to wee, tiny ones - from blue whales, the largest mammal on earth, to Kitti's hog-nosed bat (or bumblebee bat) the world's smallest mammal at just over 1” long. And I’m always amazed at how animals have evolved to survive. Just think of the Griffon’s vulture which is recorded as the highest flying bird at 37,000 feet to deep sea creatures which live in harsh conditions thousands of feet in the ocean where light doesn’t reach. Amazing!
When I was mulling around what the theme of this week's Three for Thursday blog, I decided on animals. Three animal related items from three handmade artists are featured. The artists are: Linda of VictorianStyleTreasures; Roxanne of watercolorsNmore; and me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs. I hope you enjoy this collection of animal themed items. Be sure to visit the shops to find even more beauties.
Got the Blues! - Artisan Handmade Jewelry
Posted July 23, 2020
Research shows that the most popular color in the world is blue. A survey conducted in 10 countries across four continents shows that one color – blue – is the most popular across the board, 8-18 points ahead of any other color. This includes gender. Men picked it as their favorite color more often than women, but blue was still picked as a favorite by more women than any other color. Blue is also a favorite across racial groups, age groups and - even in the U.S. - political groups.
Blue is also very popular as a major design color when making necklaces, earrings and bracelets, as you can see in the nine pieces of jewelry chosen to feature in “Got the Blues! - Artisan Handmade” The handmade artists who created the jewelry are: Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions; Kathy of KatsAllThat; and, me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs. I hope you enjoy these selections of blue. Please be sure to visit the shops of the artists featured for more handmade jewelry in many glorious colors, not just blue.
New Handmade Jewelry by Shadow Dog Designs
Posted July 19, 2020
You would seem due sheltering in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic, I’d have more time to create new jewelry and blog. Before, my days were very structured. Now they’re not, even though I try to structure them. It seems I find myself saying, “I’ll do it tomorrow” . . . and then when tomorrow rolls around, it becomes “tomorrow” again. So, this morning, I sat myself down to create a new blog showcasing the newest pieces of jewelry in my SHADOW DOG DESIGNS shop. Fourteen handmade beauties: nine pairs of earrings, four necklaces and one bracelet. They are all one of a kind creations from a variety of materials including, gemstones, polymer clay, Czech glass, Swarovski crystals and a host of other things. I hope you take the time to browse and to check out all the other jewelry in my shop. After all, Christmas will be here before we know it - get a head start with your holiday shopping! Enjoy.
The Many Faces of Green - Artisan Handmade
Posted July 12, 2020
GREEN is a favorite color of many people because of it being the predominant terrestrial color of Mother Earth. It is considered by many to be the most restful color (green being a favorite color choice for bedrooms). But the color green wears many faces, both in its numerous beautiful shades and its interesting historical context. I found the history and symbolism of green to be fascinating and decided to share some of what I found:
Summer Flowers - Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday
Posted June 4, 2020
Summer will soon be here. Despite the (expected) triple digit heat that has set in here in the Desert Southwest, the water wise flowers I planted last year and in the cool of this spring are blooming up a storm. Everyone who knows me really well knows I love to work in my flower beds . . . and am ecstatic at the resulting blooms. So my beautiful flowers are the inspiration for this week’s Three for Thursday where I feature three items from three artists. This week the artists are: Roxanne of watercolorsNmore; Jacki of Christie Cottage; and me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs. Enjoy the wide range of floral art. Hopefully one or more of the items will soon be on the way to you!
A Lot of Boho, a LOT of Fun - Artisan Handmade Three for Thursday
Posted February 27, 2020
The term “boho” gets thrown around a lot these days, but what exactly does the word actually mean? Short for “bohemian,” boho as a style is most closely associated with the free spirits and hippies of the ‘60s and ‘70s - but also the pre-Raphaelite women of the late 19th century. It embraces the carefree, the relaxed, and the unique. But, truth be told, it borrows from the fashions of many cultures and time periods through the ages that almost anything can be "boho" if it’s styled right.
With that in mind, I decided this week’s Three for Thursday would embrace boho,” specifically with fun, unique necklaces. Featured in the A LOT of Boho, a LOT Of Fun are three necklaces from three handmade three artists. The artists are: Mary of PrettyGonzo, Jacki of Christie Cottage; and me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs. I hope one of these catches your eye! Be sure to visit the shops of the artists for more amazing jewelry.
Valentines Gifts: Handmade Jewelry by Shadow Dog Designs
Posted January 17, 2020
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!
'Twas the Thursday Before Christmas - Three for Thursday - Handmade
Posted December 19, 2019
Here it is, the Thursday before Christmas with one more weekend to do holiday shopping. Shopping online is still doable if you order now and have the package sent out by USPS Priority Mail. The deadline for Priority Mail shipping is December 21, this Saturday. To help you with those last minute purchases, I wanted to share three unique items from three handmade artists: Mary of PrettyGonzo; Jacki of Christie Cottage; and me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs. I hope you enjoy the items chosen today.
