Blog entry

Artisan Handmade Beauties from the Cross Partners in Promotion Group

Posted June 2, 2016

The Cross Partners in Promotion (CPP) group is a handmade family of diverse artists. Most of us have known each other online for years. When it came time for most to move to a new venue (such as Indiemade, Etsy, On Fire for Handmade, Shopify, their own web site, etc.) we didn't want to loose track of each other. So the CPP group was formed a little over a year ago, headed up by Nancy Tonelli, and is still going strong. We share links to our own items and promote the shared items of other members. Interesting articles, link ups, funny happenings in life and (unfortunately) sad happenings, as well, are also shared. YAY for family!!!

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» Tagged: artisan, bracelets, coaster, crochet, cupcake toppers, earrings, handmade, Indiemade, jewelry, key chain, knitting, lampwork, necklaces, scarves, scrunchy, Shadow Dog Designs, ShadowDogDesigns, tissue case

Captivating Czech Glass - A Short History

Posted April 27, 2016

Czech glass is so much fun to use in handmade jewelry designs due to the extremely large choice of shapes, sizes, colors and finishes. I have to admit . . . I have become addicted to the beauties. I enjoy using Czech glass mainly for earrings, but many people use the glass beads for necklaces, bracelets and many other projects. Czech glass has a long, rich history which I find extremely fascinating. I thought I would share a short history of Czech glass and some handmade jewelry designs from artists using Czech glass as a main design component.

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» Tagged: artisan, bracelets, Czech glass, Czech Republic, earrings, handmade, history, Indiemade, jewelry, one of a kind, Shadow Dog Designs, ShadowDogDesigns

Mother's Day Countdown - Handmade Gifts, Week 6

Posted April 12, 2016

The sixth week of "Mother's Day Countdown 2016" has come and gone, leaving in its wake many handmade goodies. Julie and Blu of BlueMorningExpressions / polymerclaybeads are hosting the Countdown on their BluPrint blog, a tradition in its 4th year. Since Mother's Day will be here before you know it, now is the perfect time to start thinking about your Mom's gift(s). Browse the handmade shares for this week - many are, by the way, one of a kind creations - visit the shops of the artists featured and buy Mom a beauty that was handmade from the heart. There is something in this beautiful collection for even the pickiest of Moms!

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» Tagged: Blue Morning Expressions, BlueMorningExpressions, bracelets, crochet, earrings, gift ideas, gifts, handmade, Indiemade, jewelry, knitting, lampwork, Mother's Day, Mothers Day, MothersDay, necklaces, sewing, Shadow Dog Designs, ShadowDogDesigns

Mother's Day Countdown - Handmade and Vintage Gifts, Week 5

Posted April 5, 2016

The fifth week of the "Mother's Day Countdown 2016" certainly blew past quickly! Hosted by Julie and Blu of BlueMorningExpressions on their BluPrint blog, handmade and vintage gift ideas are shared by artisans to make Mother's Day shopping extra easy. Mother's Day will be here before you know it - there is no time like now to start thinking about searcjing for, and even purchasing, your Mom's gift(s). Browse the handmade shares for this week and visit the shops of the 16 artists featured here for even more lovelies, many of which are one of a kind designs, that will be perfect for even the most discerning of Moms!

Easter Egg Colors - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade - March 23, 2016

Posted March 23, 2016

Easter Sunday is almost on us, coming fairly early this year. In celebration of Easter, I decided to base this Wonderful Handmade Wednesday post on the glorious colors of Easter eggs, since there will be millions dyed, hunted and rolled come Sunday. There is an old Latin proverb: "Omne vivum ex ovo," which means "all life comes from an egg." Many ancient cultures the world over believed the whole universe was created from an egg, the egg an important symbol of life. Before Christianity, eggs were revered by pagans as a symbols of fertility and resurrection and played important roles in their return-of-spring celebrations. Christians used Easter eggs (which started to be painted around the 13th century) to represent Jesus’ emergence from the tomb and his resurrection. However, many scholars point out that ancient Persians painted eggs for Nowrooz, their New Year celebration falling on the Spring Equinox, a tradition that continues to this day and was picked up by cultures and religions around the world.

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» Tagged: art, bracelets, cards, dog bandana, earrings, Easter, Easter egg colors, Easter eggs, jewelry, lampwork, necklaces, neckwarmer, painting, pendants, rabbit, Shadow Dog Designs, ShadowDogDesigns

The Wearing of the Green - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade

Posted March 9, 2016

Since my family has a LOT of Scots Irish in them, I grew up listening to Irish ballads and bagpipe music. St. Patrick's Day has always been a favorite celebration (although no watered down green beer for us - had to do it right with Guinness Stout!). St. Patrick's Day was also celebrated as the start of the spring planting season for gardens and flower beds. Since Ireland is supposed to have forty shades of green, the start of planting season always seemed very appropriate.

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» Tagged: art, baby booties, bracelets, card, ceramic, copper, cozy, dogs, earrings, green, handmade, Indiemade, Irish, jewelry, lampwork, Mother's Day card, necklaces, neckwarmer, painting, pendant, Shadow Dog Designs, ShadowDogDesigns, St. Patrick's Day, St. Patricks Day

Beautiful Artisan Handmade Creations from the Cross Partners in Promotion Group!

Posted February 11, 2016

The Cross Partners in Promotion group gathered almost a year ago (has it been almost a year already?) on G+ to promote each others handmade items. And what a great group it is with a HUGE amount of talent. I want to share that talent with you by sharing one item from each person who was active this week in sharing and/or promoting. Below are the items chosen, listed in a scientific order achieved from drawing numbers randomly from a small bowl (:

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» Tagged: artisan, banner, bear, bracelets, crochet, dish towels, dogs, earrings, handmade, hearts, Indiemade, jewelry, lampwork, pendants, polymer clay, push pins, recycled, sewing, Shadow Dog Designs, ShadowDogDesigns, sun catchers, Zuni

The Eastern Sun, A Love Song - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday

Posted February 10, 2016

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.