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First We Dream - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade

 

 

One of my favorite sayings is from Carl Sandburg:  “Nothing happens unless first we dream.”  I don’t know about the other artists that are included in this post, but I often dream about a design, especially one I am trying to figure out, whether it be a color combination or a new wire wrap technique.  Maybe “dream” is not exactly the right word, but a design can come to me in that state between wakefulness and sleep where my mind comes up with all sorts of weird stuff.  

 

Anyway, the handmade items in this post are the first ones listed (at least at the time this was posted) in the shops of the Indiemade artists featured here.  Most are one of a kind items . . . and all are a “dream” to have.  Enjoy.

Valentines Day Gift Ideas! - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade

 

 

 

Valentine’s Day will be here before we know it.  It is a day that started with pagan roots, associated with the Roman festival, Lupercalia. Celebrated at the ides of February (February 13-15), Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders, Romulus and Remus.  Lupercalia survived the initial rise of Christianity but was outlawed around 496 A.D. when Pope Gelasius declared February 14 as St. Valentine’s Day. It is not known, however, which of three St. Valentines (all of whom were martyred) Pope Gelasius was honoring.  In 1381, Geoffrey Chaucer, a famous English poet, first associated St. Valentine's Day with romance in a poem he wrote in honor of the engagement between Richard II and Anne of Bohemia.  The engagement, the mating season of birds, St. Valentine’s Day and true love were all linked . . .  and it’s been a day for lovers ever since.  

The Eastern Sun, A Love Song - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday

 

I feel I have been walking on a cloud ever since my husband and I snagged tickets to see Justin Hayward in Austin, Texas, in June.  For those who aren’t familiar with his name, you will certainly recognize his voice from Moody Blues songs such as "Nights in White Satin", "Your Wildest Dreams", "Tuesday Afternoon" and "Question".  I have been a Moody Blues fan since around 1970 and have had the privilege to see them many, many times from when the original five toured to the scaled down version of just three Moodies when they passed through here two years ago.  But this will be the first time seeing Justin solo. Shhhh . . . this is just between you and me and please don't tell my husband (although I'm pretty sure he knows) I have been madly in love with Justin since I first saw the Moody Blues in concert those many years ago.

 

New Handmade Jewelry at Shadow Dog Designs!

The last two weeks had been very busy creating and listing new handmade earrings and necklaces in my Shadow Dog Designs jewelry shop.  It seems the new jewelry listed have more of an eclectic, boho vibe.  Loving where the Muses have been taking me!  I hope you enjoy these new pieces with one oldie but goodie, the last pair of pink lampwork earrings. 

Love is in the Air! - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade - February 3, 2016

With Valentine's Day quickly approaching, it seems where ever you go these days, "Love is in the Air"  with all the massive displays of Valentine's cards, chocolates, stuffed animals and such.  Last year the total retail expenditure for Valentine's Day was a whopping $18.9 billion.  Yes, that is with a "B" - a record for sales.  It was estimated that the average person celebrating February 14 shelled out $142.31.  Men spent about $100 more on gifts than women:  $190.53 vs. $96.58.  Candy, flowers and jewelry are the three most popular gifts.  Interestingly, about 20% of people bought a Valentine's gift for their pet!

New Handmade Jewelry at Shadow Dog Designs

January has been a very busy time creating new jewelry, photographing and listing those pieces in my Indiemade shop.  Valentine's Day is quickly approaching with the resulting hearts and love, pink and red jewelry flooding the markets - which I have also done.  Although quite a few heart pieces have already sold so you won't find many heart related items in this post.  The pieces being shared are favorites, however, since they have more of a boho Valentine's flair, making the jewelry able to be worn all year long.  Traditional Valentine's Day designs or not, any of these one of a kind handmade necklaces or earrings will make exquisite gifts for a loved one.  

A Joyful Heart - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday - January 20, 2016

 

 

A favorite quote, one that I often remind myself, is from Mother Teresa:  "A joyful heart is the inevitable result of a heart burning with love."  Such true words!

 

 

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