Blog entry

Christmas in July - Artisan Handmade Gifts - 2023

Since it seems Christmas arrives earlier and earlier each and every year, it’s never too early to start shopping for those perfect holiday gifts for a loved one!   Believe it or not Christmas with the jolly man in red and his reindeer show up in about 6 months - actually 164 days (from when this blog is posted) according to the ever ticking CHRISTMAS CLOCK.  I’ve noticed quite a few “Christmas in July” promos and such at stores and on social media, so I decided to host one here on my Shadow Dog Designs blog.  I asked artist friends to share two items - one that is “Christmasy” (in design or colors, etc.) and one that doesn’t have to be. Since many of these beauties 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 that are handmade from the heart.  Hopefully one or more items featured in the Christmas in July - Artisan Handmade Gifts - 2023 (or in the artists' shops) will make it into your shopping basket - treat yourself or someone else!  And remember this year:  SHOP SMALL and SHOP HANDMADE!

Make It an Artisan Handmade Christmas - 2022 - Week 9

Christmas is barreling down on us like a runaway freight train!  It will soon be here.  Week 9 of the Countdown to Christmas 2022 has come and gone and the ever ticking Christmas clock doesn’t let up.  According to what it says today, Santa and his traveling buddies will start their journey in only 39 days, just a bit over five weeks from now!  The Countdown is a place for handmade artists to come together and share three of their beautiful (often one of a kind) creations and then promote each other.  Need a perfect start / end to your Christmas shopping?  Shop the Countdown to Christmas to browse and purchase that special piece!  An excellent motto to follow this holiday season is : SHOP EARLY, SHOP OFTEN!  And, most of all, SHOP HANDMADE to support hardworking indie shop owners! 

Oldies But Goodies - Unique Artisan Handmade Gifts

Whenever someone says “Oldies But Goodies,” most people think of old songs (especially from a jukebox - remember those?), vintage cars, lots of items on the Antiques Roadshow or, possibly, themselves (after . . . *ahem* . . .  a certain age).  However the term, “Oldies But Goodies,” also refers to items in our artisan handmade shops that have been around for longer than the artist who made it would like.  Whenever something is created and then listed in our shops, we always think it will sell right away.  Some do.  But, for whatever reason, some beauties sit there . . . and sit there . . . and sit there some more. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that particular item - not at all!!!  It just hasn’t found that forever person to give it a forever home.

I asked artisan friends to share two items from their handmade shops that they considered “oldies but goodies.”  Many of the items are one of a kind creations and would make a perfect gift for a birthday, an anniversary, for Christmas, or just because . . . I hope something catches your eye and that you visit the shops of the artists below.  And that many of the “oldie” items find a loving home.

One of a Kind Handmade Earrings and Necklaces by Shadow Dog Designs

Here it is already a week into the month of April, with Easter being celebrated soon (on April 17) and Mother's Day shortly afterwards (May 8).  With that in mind, I want to share eleven of the newest earrings and necklaces in my SHADOW DOG DESIGNS jewelry shop.  Each piece is designed and handmade by me mainly using components from individual artists located all over the world - making these beauties all one of a kind designs.  Why wear mass produced when you can wear something that only you have!?!   So, please, take a look.  You'll find styles for the woman with a boho flair, a wide variety of earrings for the animal lover, yoga jewelry and more.  If something catches your eye and you want more information or to look at more pictures, click on the photo or the description beneath the picture and you'll be taken to the item in my shop.  I also want to point out that for anything in my shop, there is now free shipping (U.S. only) running through Mother's Day.  I hope you truly enjoy the unique necklaces and earrings featured.