Blog entry

Fall Fun - Artisan Handmade

“Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been

saving up all year for the grand finale.”

 Lauren DeStefano

For many, many people, fall is a favorite time of the year, when the heat of summer dissipates into the coolness of autumn and the deciduous trees are a riot of color.  Here in the Desert Southwest, the temperatures are still reaching the mid-90’s during the day.  But the temps in the morning are dipping into the mid-60’s, a glorious reminder that the first cool front will blow through any day now.  A perfect time for gardening.  And just to sit and watch the grand finale . . .  and to just be . . . 

Necklaces and Earrings - New Handmade Jewelry by Shadow Dog Designs

I've been working hard these past several weeks crating and adding new jewelry into my SHADOW DOG DESIGNS shop.  Below are the latest necklaces and earrings that have been listed, an even dozen, all unique and all one of a kind designs.  You’ll find a wide variety of styles, from boho to elegant . . . with some designs combining both!  Also you'll find two new pieces from my "dog / cat rescue jewelry" line, where, when purchased, one half (1/2) of the purchase price is donated to an animal rescue group.  If something catches your eye and you want to see more photos and information, please click the item photo or the link below a picture to be taken to the listing.  I hope you enjoy each piece.  And remember . . . Christmas is only 134 days away!  It's never to early to stary holiday shopping.  Yikes!

Christmas in July - Beautiful Artisan Handmade Gifts

Since it seems Christmas gets earlier and earlier every year, it’s never too early to start shopping for those perfect holiday gifts for a loved one!  According to the CHRISTMAS CLOCK, there are only 167 days (from when this blog was posted) until the jolly man in red shows up again.  I’ve pulled together a CHRISTMAS IN JULY selection of artisan handmade gifts, many one of a kind creations.  Since many are one of a kind, be sure to shop early (and often) so you don’t miss out.  And please visit the shops of the artisans featured for even more wonderful creations, beauties that are handmade from the heart!

Christian Cross Jewelry - Artisan Handmade by Shadow Dog Designs

To a Christian, crosses are a symbol of atonement and reminds them of God's love in sacrificing his own son for humanity.  Despite being associated primarily with Christianity, many cross symbols were used as religious symbols pre-Christianity, especially in Europe and western Asia.  Crosses can be found carved on rocks and in caves dating back to the Upper Paleolithic period, approximately 50,000 to 12,000 years ago.  During the European Bronze Age (app. 3200 - 600 B.C), cross symbols seemed to carry a religious meaning, possibly a symbol of consecration especially during burials.  For at least two centuries after the crucifixion of Christ, the symbol of Christianity (when it was depicted) was a headless T-shaped Tau cross.  Gradually over time, the Tau cross was replaced by the Greek cross, with arms of equal length, then by the Latin cross (or Roman cross) with a longer descending arm, which is the most common cross used today.  Crosses come in many different variants, all having a religious meaning.  If you are interested in seeing some of the variants and what they mean, I find these two links to be especially helpful:  Christian Cross Variants and Kinds of Crosses--What the Different Designs Mean.