Blog entry
Handmade Valentines Day Gift Ideas
Posted January 17, 2019
On February 14 each year, candy, flowers cards and gifts are exchanged between loved ones not only here in the United States but also in other countries all around the world to celebrate Valentine's Day. The Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately 1 billion Valentine's Day cards are exchanged each year, the second most popular card-sending holiday after Christmas (about 2.6 billion cards). How did Valentine's Day develop? Here's a short history:
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Make It an Artisan Handmade Christmas - Week 12
Posted December 11, 2018
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!
Make It an Artisan Handmade Christmas - Week 11
Posted December 4, 2018
WOW!!! Here we are already at Week 11 of the Countdown to Christmas. Only one more week to go! The Countdown is a chance for 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 20 days! Need a perfect start / finish to your Christmas shopping? I suggest that the Countdown is the perfect place to do just that! A good motto to follow: SHOP EARLY, SHOP OFTEN! And, most of all, BUY HANDMADE!
Handmade Christmas Gift Ideas - Three for Thursday
Posted November 29, 2018
Christmas will soon be here. As anyone who browses the internet know, there are millions and millions of gifts out there, many of which are mass produced in sweatshop conditions. But there is always another option: BUY HANDMADE! I love this very timely and true quote by J. Donald Walters:
When you buy something made by a person, there is something special there. And you do feel it. The consciousness with which the thing is made is often more important than the thing itself.
Make It an Artisan Handmade Christmas - Week 10
Posted November 27, 2018
Here we are at Week 10 of the Countdown to Christmas. Only two 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 27 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!
Autumn Artisan Handmade Gift Ideas - Three for Thursday
Posted November 8, 2018
According to the calendar, we're about ½ way through autumn, the favorite time of year for many people. I live in the Desert Southwest and most people don’t associate the desert with fall color. But we have it! Granted not as eye catching as the forests in along the East Coast or the aspens in many places in the Rockies. Color is here, nonetheless: glowing yellows and reds and purples of the deciduous trees. And my amazing cosmos are looming up a storm with carmine reds, pale pinks and glowing white. The hummingbirds left about a month ago (always sad to see them go) but new migrant birds are showing up, especially the cheerful little juncos. Am waiting for the beautiful blue scrub jays with their raucous calls and jaunty attitudes to show up under the bird feeders.
Make It an Artisan Handmade Christmas - Week 6
Posted October 30, 2018
Week 6 of the Countdown to Christmas quickly came and went and a unique collection of artisan handmade items were shared for all to see. According to the ever ticking Christmas clock, the jolly man pulled by his team of flying reindeer visit all good boys and girls in only 55 days! Looking to start your Christmas shopping? The Countdown is the perfect place to do just that! A good motto to follow: shop early, shop often! And, most of all, SHOP HANDMADE!
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!
Make It an Artisan Handmade Christmas - Week 5
Posted October 23, 2018
Week 5 of the Countdown to Christmas whizzed right on by and a wide variety of unique artisan handmade items were left behind. According to the ever ticking Christmas clock, Christmas will be here in only 62 days!!! Looking to start your Christmas shopping? The Countdown is the perfect place to do just that! A good motto to follow: shop early, shop often! And, most of all, SHOP HANDMADE!
Artisan Handmade Jewelry by Shadow Dog Designs
Posted September 16, 2018
Since the autumn arts festival season is in full swing, I have been thinking a lot about handmade items, especially since I mostly make one of a kind jewelry. People always ask me, “How do you come up with the design.” I reply something like this, “To tell the truth, I’m not sure. Most of the time it just happens.” Or, “The Muses were good to me.” I’m sure a LOT of artists give some semblance of those answer since the “creative idea” is often elusive. But the answers definitely don’t take into account all the years and years of working to perfect your art through taking classes, people giving their opinions, selling (or not) at shows and by trial and error . . . and more trial and error . . . and more trial and error. Then, suddenly, it just happens.
I found this poster at WalchaHandmade that pretty much sums up the process:
